Nenthead walk (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Nenthead walk

5:10pm Friday 19th March 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

A GROUP of scientists have come up with a theory, which is that going for a walk is just as healthy as going to the gym.

I did not know that - did you? I don’t believe in walking for the sake of walking, but I’m happy so long as there is something of interest to see - be it history or nature history.

This walk around Nenthead is a real winner in this sense.

How to get there: Nenthead is situated astride the A689 road linking Alston to Stanhope in County Durham. From the M6 turn off at J40 and then continue along the A686 to Alston. At Alston turn eastwards on to the A689 and follow the signs for Nenthead.

Refreshments: At the Miners Arms and the Information Centre at the Nenthead Mines Heritage Centre.

Parking: There is free parking at the Heritage Centre.

Length of walk: 3.5 miles Time: allow 2.5 hours Map: OS Explorer OL31 Grid Ref: 782 436 In wet weather appropriate footwear is essential for this walk 1 From the Miners Arms turn left and on the left, look out for an ornate iron fountain. This was cast in Glasgow to mark the work of R.W. Bainbridge, the superintendent of the lead mines. From the fountain, follow the incline passing the old lead company’s library, now the base of the over 60s club. On the left, pass Ivy House built for the agent of the lead company who supervised the construction of a model village for the workers.

Each house had, and still has, a substantial garden. On the right there are even older cottages, beyond which a set of their original privies are still sanding. Here too are the remnants of the ancient road used before the present road was engineered in the 19th Century. Return to the fountain and cross the road.

2 At the toilet block, turn left into the Nenthead Mines Heritage Centre. As well as a tour of the site, a visit into the chambers of the old lead mines can be arranged for an extra fee. The site gives a clear indication of how huge an enterprise these mines were. A reservoir can be seen and also smaller and now dry dams called Hushings. This name derives from the sound made by waters escaping as it was deliberately flooded down the hillside to strip away the soil and expose the lead ore. From the mines, follow the track to the A689.

3 Turn right towards Weardale and then go left along the B6293 towards Allenheads. Look out for the tall posts, which are there to mark the route when snow was falling. In the wintry days of 2009-2010, these posts were used as the road was totally impassable. The road climbs and to the left are trees indicating the line of Gillgill Burn.

4 At the signpost for High House and Allenheads, turn left through a damp, grassy but obvious path through stiles. The view down to the old mine workings is truly spectacular, especially in the sunshine.

5 At Dykeheads, pass over a small footbridge. Turn left and follow the yellow marker. Move towards Pry House and through Well Gill. In the spring and summer, there is a colourful mixture of flowers, some of which, such as spring sandwort, are lead tolerant. The presence of globe flower, marsh marigold and mayflower all indicate that pollution levels are now much reduced.

6 Descend through fields to Nenthead and look out for the houses with gardens and allotments designed by the Lead Company. Who said that we needed to grow more of our own? The Lead Mining Company knew that in the early 19th Century.

Continue to the Miners Arms and the starting point.

NB: Restrictions on space mean that this article provides a general summary of the route. It is advisable for anyone who plans to follow the walk to take a copy of the relevant Ordnance Survey map.