A Day of Unexpected Discoveries in Weardale – Farms, Mines, Waterfalls, and Wild Weather

Today’s plan? Scrapped. Instead, I let curiosity lead the way, and it turned into an epic day of exploration across Weardale. What started with a set route quickly turned into a journey through hidden farmhouses, forgotten mines, and rugged landscapes that told their own stories. The weather had it all—wind, rain, mist, snow, and sun—adding an ever-changing backdrop to the day’s adventures.

Broad Law, Abandoned Farmhouse Near Eastgate

Tucked away in the Weardale landscape, Broad Law Farm is one of many long-abandoned farmhouses that remain as a testament to the challenges of upland farming. Life here would have been isolated, with harsh winters and difficult terrain making day-to-day work incredibly demanding. Over time, changing agricultural practices and economic hardship forced families to move away, leaving behind these empty shells of the past.

Today, the farmhouse is weather-beaten and crumbling, its walls standing strong despite years of exposure. The drone captured wide, sweeping shots of the surrounding moorland, giving a sense of just how remote this location really is.

Thrush Nest, Abandoned Farmhouse Near Eastgate

Not far from Broad Law, Thrush Nest is another farmhouse lost to time. Similar in structure and history, it likely saw its last occupants leave many decades ago. The stone walls, built to withstand the elements, still hold firm, though the roof is long gone.

Aerial shots showed the farmhouse sitting alone in a vast open landscape, surrounded by rolling hills and patches of woodland. The mist rolling in over the hills added an eerie atmosphere, making it feel like stepping back in time.

Harrowbanks Quarry

Harrowbanks Quarry is one of many old extraction sites scattered across Weardale, once vital to the local economy. Limestone and sandstone were heavily quarried here, providing materials for buildings, roads, and industrial usesthroughout the region. Many of these quarries operated extensively during the 19th and early 20th centuries before being abandoned when larger-scale operations took over elsewhere.

The quarry now stands silent, its exposed rock faces and scattered remnants hinting at its past. Aerial views captured the layers of stone cut into the landscape, with deep scars contrasting against the surrounding greenery. The shifting weather created a dramatic scene, with brief moments of sunlight breaking through the mist.

Lime Kilns Near Kiln Pastures

These historic lime kilns are relics of Weardale’s once-thriving lime industry. Built in the 19th century, they were used to burn limestone to produce quicklime, an essential material for construction, agriculture, and industry. The kilns would have operated at extreme temperatures, with workers enduring difficult and dangerous conditions to extract and process the lime.

The ruins are remarkably well-preserved, standing as stone-built structures with large arched openings where limestone was loaded in and burned. Aerial shots provided a stunning view of how these kilns were positioned in the landscape, with their proximity to both natural resources and old transport routes still visible.

Slit Wood Waterfalls

The walk through Slit Wood was one of the highlights of the day. This hidden gem is home to a series of small but beautiful waterfalls, cascading through a rugged, moss-covered valley. The woodland itself is a mix of twisting trees, ancient stone walls, and the ever-present sound of running water, making it feel like stepping into another world.

I took the opportunity to capture some long-exposure shots, bringing out the smooth flow of water over the rocks. The changing weather only added to the atmosphere, with bursts of light breaking through the tree canopy. This is one of those places that feels untouched, a reminder of Weardale’s natural beauty.

Low Slit Mine

Low Slit Mine was once a thriving lead mining operation, playing a crucial role in the North Pennines' industrial past. Dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries, the mine extracted lead ore, which was then processed and sent across the country. At its peak, hundreds of workers were employed here, enduring harsh conditions underground and in the surrounding processing works.

Now, all that remains are scattered ruins—stone foundations, collapsed buildings, and abandoned shafts. Aerial shots captured the site’s layout, showing the remnants of the old workings blending into the landscape. It’s a stark contrast between past industry and present-day tranquillity.

Slit Pasture Mine

A lesser-known site, Slit Pasture Mine was also involved in lead mining but on a smaller scale than its neighbouring operations. Its remains are scattered across the hillside, with only faint traces left of the structures that once stood here. Like many of Weardale’s old mines, it was abandoned when the industry declined, leaving behind a silent landscape shaped by years of extraction.

Flying over the site revealed the subtle scars in the land—old spoil heaps, collapsed workings, and traces of tramways. These remnants are easy to overlook on foot, but from the air, the full extent of the site becomes much clearer.

White Bog, Abandoned Farmhouse Near Slit Pasture Mine

White Bog is another abandoned farmhouse, isolated and battered by the elements. Its remote setting, close to the old mining sites, suggests it was once home to miners or farm labourers who worked the surrounding land.

The building is in a severe state of decay, with walls still standing but the roof mostly collapsed. The sense of emptiness and abandonment is striking, yet the location itself remains breathtaking. The drone captured the vast, open expanse surrounding the farm, showing just how cut off it must have felt to those who once lived there.

West Rigg Mine / Open Cut

West Rigg Mine is a unique and dramatic lead mining site, notable for its open-cut method of extraction. Rather than the deep underground workings common in the region, this mine was worked by cutting directly into the landscape, leaving behind an impressive and unusual formation.

Dating back to at least the 18th century, West Rigg was a key producer of lead and other minerals, operating for many years before being abandoned. The deep trench left behind by mining is still clearly visible today, a dramatic scar on the Weardale landscape.

The aerial perspective showed the scale of the open-cut workings, revealing just how much rock was removed during the site’s active years. The weather added to the scene, with rolling mist sweeping across the ridgeline, making for an atmospheric capture of this lost industrial site.

Wrapping Up the Day

Today was one of those rare days where everything fell into place—despite the unpredictable weather. From abandoned farmsteads to hidden waterfalls, and from industrial relics to vast, open landscapes, it was a reminder of why Weardale remains one of the most fascinating areas to explore.

While today’s original plan will have to wait for another time, this spontaneous journey uncovered more than I could have expected, proving once again that sometimes, the best adventures happen when you let curiosity take the lead.