Art and the Landscape

Painting by Lionel Playford

An inspirational landscape

Visit the North Pennines today and you'll be following in the footsteps of some of the country's finest artists and writers. WH Auden, one of the central figures of 20^th Century poetry, loved the lead mining landscapes of the area. The North Pennines were to him what the Lake District was to Wordsworth.

Phillip Larkin

The poet Phillip Larkin was a frequent visitor to the Tar Bar'ls Ceremony in Allendale and was often found in the Lord Crewe Arms in Blanchland. Dickens also explored Teesdale in the 1840s whilst researching Nicholas Nickleby.

Turner

© North Pennines AONB Partnership/Shane Harris

The painter JMW Turner was inspired by the spectacular North Pennines landscape, producing some of his best works in Upper Teesdale. He painted several scenes around Bowes before travelling to Cotherstone and Middleton-in-Teesdale. Following what is now the route of the Pennine Way National Trail he made his way up the dale and across the moors to Dufton, via High Cup Nick. On his way he immortalised many North Pennines scenes - not least High Force waterfall.

Artists and local crafts today

Art isn't only in the past in the North Pennines. There is a wealth of quality painters, and craft workers - pottery, textiles, candles, metal work, jewellery to name a few - in and around the North Pennines.

Do you like a story?

If the answer is yes then head for the North Pennines Storytelling Festival (late September - early November 2009). Local and guest storytellers and music across the area. Call 0845 3454463/01229 861325 to find out more.