20 Attractions to Explore Near Blackhill and Consett Park

This sculpture consists of two measuring instruments; a theodolite and an engineer's level, reproduced twenty times life size, standing approximately six metres tall. Made from stainless steel and supported on animal feet, this work is visible for many miles and stands as a monument to the history of the area and a prominent mile marker for the C2C cycle route. Terris Novalis is situated on the Coast to Coast cycle path which means it has relatively easy access for cyclists or those walking the

Derwentcote is the earliest and most complete steel-making furnace in Britain which was built in the 1720s. It is part of the Land of Oak and Iron project, aiming to improve information and access to local heritage in the Derwent Valley. It is a low rectangular stone building with a large conical chimney near one end. The structure provided storage areas for raw materials, for the finished steel output, and space for the actual furnace within the chimney.

Derwent Reservoir is a reservoir on the River Derwent, on the border between County Durham and Northumberland, in England. It is west of Consett. It is one of the biggest inland waters in England. It also hosts a sailing club, which holds many events throughout the year, including windsurfing, sailing, running, and triathlons. The area around the reservoir hosts the annual Tour of the Reservoir cycle race.

Hall Hill Farm is a tourist attraction Set in the attractive countryside with the opportunity to see and touch animals at close quarters. Farm trailer ride, barrel train, gift shop, tearoom, picnic, and indoor and outdoor play areas. there is a wide variety of animals including both large and small, from chicks, pigs, goats, deer, sheep, donkeys, ponies to llamas and highland cattle. It covers 290 hectares, consisting of 140 hectares of grassland, 40 hectares of woodland, and the remainder for

Pow Hill is set in moorland overlooking the Derwent Reservoir. The word Pow comes from Old English and means ‘slow-moving stream’ which refers to the waterlogged boggy area in the north of the site. Rain falling on the surrounding moors is absorbed into the peaty ground. Water then seeps downhill into basins and shallow valleys, creating bogs. Conserved for its special wildlife interest, the area is home to goldcrests, coal tits, roe deer and red squirrels.

The Waskerley Way is a 16km route running from Parkhead Station above Stanhope in Weardale to Lydgetts Junction. An entirely off road route using the National Cycle Network, suitable for mountain, hybrid or cross bikes from the heart of Newcastle along the Tyne and Derwent valleys and then the Waskerley Way right on the cusp of the Pennines.

Gibside Estate is situated on the steep, southern slopes of the Derwent Valley. It is now a National Trust property. Gibside Hall, the main house on the estate, is now a shell, although the property is most famous for its chapel. The stables, walled garden, Column to Liberty and Banqueting House are also intact.

Waskerley Reservoir belongs to a group of three reservoirs, the others being Smiddy Shaw and Hideshope Reservoir. A popular outdoor activity is fly fishing – you can buy up to five-day tickets. Besides fishing, walking and cycling are favorite activities due to the beautiful scenery. Waskerley can be replenished by a gravity feed from Burnhope Reservoir or, if necessary, by pumping water from the Tyne-Tees Tunnel via an airshaft.

Causey Arch bridge over the River Team near Tanfield was built by the Grand Allies in 1726. It is renowned to be the world's oldest surviving single-arch railway bridge. Horse-drawn wagons crossed the arch on Tanfield Railway to transport coal from local mines to the River Tyne. The Arch has been Grade I listed since 1950. It was restored and reinforced in the 1980s. There are a series of scenic public paths around the area and the Causey Burn which runs underneath it.

Tunstall Reservoir was a water supply storage reservoir completed in 1879 and now used solely to maintain minimum regulatory flows on the River Wear in northeast England set in beautiful countryside. There is a fishing lodge at the far end with picnic tables, resident ducks, and a portaloo.

Cherryburn is a cottage in Mickley, Northumberland, England, which was the birthplace of Thomas Bewick, an English wood engraver and ornithologist. The cottage, its adjacent farmhouse and large grounds, have been managed by the National Trust since 1991 when they took over responsibility for the site from the Bewick Birthplace Trust.Cherryburn is now open to the public 7 days a week between February and November.

Thornley Woodlands Centre is within the ancient woodlands of the Derwent Valley that are home to many birds including green and great spotted woodpecker, nuthatch, and sparrow hawks. An observation hide is located within the woods with keys available for purchase from the centre. Walking routes from the centre are clearly marked including a circular route that takes in a number of sculptures carved from trees stumps including an otter and a red kite.

Prudhoe Castle is a Norman castle, which was for a long time involved in the border wars between England and Scotland. It was built by the de Umfraville family: the Norman Sir Robert de Umfraville was granted the freedom of Redesdale by William the Conqueror. For much of its history the castle was owned by the Percy family. It is now run by English Heritage. The castle is unique in being the only medieval defensive fortification in the whole of Northumbria to avoid capture by the Scots.

Tanfield Railway is the world’s oldest existing railway and runs from Sunniside to East Tanfield. The 6-mile return trip takes an hour and steam trains run on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays. The railway is run by three bodies: "Friends of Tanfield Railway", "Tanfield Railway Trust" which owns the railway, the locomotives and rolling stock and "The Tanfield Railway Company" which operates the railway.

Experience a real sense of your past at Beamish, a living, working museum, set in 300 acres of beautiful Durham countryside. This huge open-air museum provides a glimpse of life in England from the early 1800s until the mid-20th-century. Volunteers throughout the museum dress in period clothing and are more than willing to chat about life in the past.

Diggerland is the UK’s most unique construction-themed adventure park where children and adults can drive, ride and operate earth-moving machinery in a safe and family friendly environment. Diggerland also has a team, The Dancing Diggers, which operates every other year and features large diggers doing stunts. In 2017, they performed at several county fairs, including the Royal Bath and West Country Show.

Hedley Hall Woods is located in Newcastle upon Tyne. It was a mix of ancient woodland which cloaks the long, narrow valley of Ridley Gill, and established, new native woodland planted in 1992, where medieval farmsteads once stood. One of the iconic attraction for a long walk and also it gives some way for adventure too.

Boasting a spectacular countryside setting, this charming farmhouse provides a peaceful rural retreat. There is good access to Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland and Durham. The surroundings are ideal for relaxing strolls, with plenty of wildlife, including Canadian geese, blackbirds and cattle. It offers an excellent farmhouse cooked breakfast and a range of other breakfast options.

Waldridge Fell is a Site of Special Scientific Interest located immediately south-west of Chester-le-Street in the northern part of County Durham, England. It is one of the largest areas of lowland heath in County Durham and contains the only lowland valley-mire in the county. The fell is home to a number of plants and insects that are scarce to rare elsewhere in the county.

Tyne Riverside Country Park is a popular country park for outdoor recreation and sports – great for walking , cycling and horse riding with a large network for footpaths and public rights of way including Hadrian's Way, which links up with Hadrian's Wall National Trail and the Wylam Waggonway. The park has a wide range of wildlife habitats and is an ideal place to watch birds and butterflies.