The Waskerley Way - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

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.

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.

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.

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.

Weardale, one of the Durham Dales, was once the hunting ground of County Durham’s Prince Bishops. This spectacular dale has beautiful historic settlements, great attractions and exhilarating landscapes to discover. Explore this stunning area either by car, on foot, on horseback or by bicycle or motorbike – there’s actually more miles of foot and cycle paths in the county than roads, so visitors feel far away from their busy lives.

One of the unique venues with a range of attractions such as a tearoom offering homemade hot and cold meals, specialty coffees and teas, gift shops and speciality craft shops, gardens, visitor information, function room, and business offices. The grounds of the Centre boasts a wonderful site, also home to a wonderful sculpture, covered in lots of fossils, known as Frosterley Marble.