Outing to Upper Teesdale

Saturday 29th July, 2023

About the visit:

The day will be partly a repeat of the visit led by Tom Fowlke in 2022, but with a particular focus on seeing and recording three target species – Autumn Gentian, Grass of Parnassus and Devil’s-bit Scabious. Of course, every other plant species, birds, butterflies, moths, miners, galls, etc will also be of interest and noted! 

We will walk from the carpark at Hanging Shaw down to the Tees and over the bridge to a field belonging to Cronkley Farm to search the river bank for gentians.  Then we will retrace our steps back over the bridge, heading northwards along the Pennine Way. As we pass by Haugh Hill and along to Saur Hill Bridge we should be finding the target species, and more.

If we have cars to run shuttle trips we will continue along Hunter Close Bank to Intake Farm, then Langdon Beck to enjoy a cuppa in the newly refurbished Langdon Beck Hotel.

If not we will return to Hanging Shaw and choose to visit High Force Hotel or Bowlees Visitor Centre.

Accessibility:

There are good paths with some slopes up and down to traverse.  Boots or stout shoes are advised as some of the paths may be muddy after heavy rain, and walking sticks if you use them. Dress according to the weather forecast, there will not be shelter if it rains. Please keep to the marked paths as terrain can be uneven in places and avoid being too close to the river. Stock in fields should not be a problem but we will take care.

Facilities:

Toilets are at Bowlees Visitor Centre, High Force Hotel and Langdon Beck Hotel where we could also enjoy food and drink. Bring a packed lunch and other drinks as needed.

Meeting:

We will meet as usual at Abbey Road at 9.30am to travel to the site. Parking is limited at Hanging Shaw and to reduce our carbon footprint we should try to fill cars before leaving.

Hanging Shaw carpark             Grid Ref: NZ 86721 29903 what3words ///abrigar.sorbo.operativos