The North Pennines
Prepare to be spell bound by the stunning landscape of the North Pennines!
There is a reason why the North Pennines holds the double accolade of being a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Britain’s first UNESCO European and Global Geopark! It is a peaceful, unspoilt landscape with a rich industrial history and vibrant natural beauty.
Staying on a Farm Stay property in the heart of this stunning countryside is the best way to explore the area. Farm Stay members offer a variety of accommodation catering for single guests, foreign visitors, business trips, families or groups. Some properties offer a wealth of facilities on-site, so you can make the most of your stay. There is so much to see, so whether your visit is just overnight, or for several days, you are sure to want to return to explore more.
What’s so special about the North Pennines?
At Almost 2,000 square Kilometres (770 square miles) the North Pennines is the largest of the 49 AONBs (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) in the UK.
The North Pennines boasts England’s biggest waterfall, High Force in Teesdale, and has rare alpine plants not found elsewhere in the UK. This breath-taking wilderness is home to an array of wildlife, including red squirrels, otters and long eared owls. 80% of the UK’s black grouse population live on the moorland and thousands of pairs of wading birds return to the area every year to breed.
The area has a long industrial past and has previously been mined and quarried for minerals such as barytes, coal fluorspar, iron, lead, witherite and zinc. Discover the fascinating history behind the landscape when you visit some of the mining museums.
Derwent Reservoir
Be sure to visit Derwent Reservoir, which covers an area of 1,000 acres and forms part of the boundary between Northumberland and County Durham. A fabulous place for fishing for trout. There are also spectacular walks, and the north and south shores feature a wheelchair accessible trail. If you love walking you can also follow along The Pennine Way.
Escape the crowds and explore all that the rugged North Pennines has to offer.
Where will your next adventure take you?