Special Qualities
The North Pennines is one of England's most special places - a peaceful, unspoilt landscape with a rich history and vibrant natural beauty. It was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1988
Tumbling waterfalls, sweeping moorland views, dramatic dales, stone-built villages, snaking stone walls and friendly faces - the North Pennines has all this and more!
Geology and Landscape
The North Pennines landscape is the result of millions of years of Earth history. Ancient seas, tropical swamps, molten rock and ice sheets have all played a part in the creation of this unique landscape. Centuries of exploitation of the area's rich mineral deposits have also left their imprint on the North Pennines. The area's world-class geology and local efforts to use it for tourism and education are recognised by the designation of the North Pennines AONB as Britain's first European Geopark and it is a founding member of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network.
Plants and Animals
The area is famous for the variety and profusion of plants and animals found here. In the North Pennines you'll find: 40% of the UK's Upland Hay Meadows; 30% of England's upland heathland and 20% of its blanket bog; 80% of England's black grouse; 36% of the AONB designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest; Red squirrels, otters and rare arctic alpine plants; and 22,000 pairs of breeding wading birds.
Past Times
About 12,000 people live in the North Pennines today – less than half the number who lived here 140 years ago in the heyday of the lead mining industry. The rise and fall of mining has left an indelible imprint on the landscape, not just in terms of the physical remains but also in the pattern of local settlement. The social history of the miner-farmers is also an intriguing element that contributes to the many chapters in the North Pennines' story.
People and Places
The spectacular character of the North Pennines' landscape is inseparable from the people and places found here. The differing nature of settlements, from the distinctive red sandstone villages at the foot of the North Pennines escarpment to the white farms and barns of the Raby Estate in Teesdale, has a significant impact on landscape character. Local traditions and other intangible elements also come together with wildlife, geology, soils and climate to form the essential essence of the North Pennines landscape. Past, present and future generations of people are also fundamental to an appreciation of the area's rich cultural heritage.