Another Productive Day: Capturing Local Gems in County Durham

It’s been another productive day out in the field, despite a bit of wind causing a few challenges. After yesterday’s travels, I decided to stay local, but the places I visited were no less interesting. Here’s a rundown of today’s locations, each with its own unique history and charm.

Hunwick Church: A Quaint Village Church

My first stop was Hunwick Church, a small but charming parish church nestled in the village of Hunwick. The church, dedicated to St. Paul, has long been a focal point for the local community. While it’s not as grand as some of the other churches in the region, its simplicity and historical significance make it a lovely subject for photography. Today, I captured some great camera photos and a few drone shots. However, due to the wind and the proximity of trees and houses, I decided to hold off on capturing any video footage. I’ll save that for a calmer day.

Our Lady Immaculate & Saint Cuthbert R.C. Church, Crook: Revisiting a Grand Structure

Next, I headed to Our Lady Immaculate & Saint Cuthbert Roman Catholic Church in Crook. This beautiful church, built in the late 19th century, is an architectural gem with its imposing stone facade and intricate details. I had previously captured footage here with an older drone, but I wanted to return with my new drone to get even better shots. The church didn’t disappoint—I was able to capture a mix of aerial video, drone photos, and camera shots. The footage is looking fantastic, and I’m excited to see how the final edits turn out.

St Thomas' Church, Stanley Crook: Capturing a Closed Church in the Sun

St Thomas' Church in Stanley Crook was my next stop. This location has always intrigued me, especially now that the church has closed. The building, dating back to the late 19th century, is a fine example of Victorian ecclesiastical architecture. Its closure adds a layer of poignancy to the site, making it an even more compelling subject for photography. I’ve visited before with my old drone, but today I returned to capture it in the sun. I managed to get some excellent camera photos, along with drone video and photos. The light was just right, bringing out the details of the stonework beautifully.

Whitworth Church: An Ancient Gem

Whitworth Church, also known as St. Paul’s Church, was my next destination. This ancient church, with roots stretching back to the medieval period, is a fascinating site. The church’s architecture reflects its long history, with elements from different periods blending together in a unique way. Today, I focused on capturing drone photos and camera shots, as the wind and nearby trees made it difficult to get stable video footage. I’ll be returning for video on a calmer day, but the photos alone are already looking very promising.

Whitworth Mill: An Unexpected Find

Whitworth Mill was an unexpected discovery today. This site, tucked away near the church, is something I knew little about before now. From what I’ve learned, Whitworth Mill was likely part of the broader industrial activities in the area, possibly connected to local agriculture or milling operations. The mill, now mostly forgotten and overgrown, offers a glimpse into the region’s industrial past. Due to the enclosed nature of the site, I only managed to get camera photos, but they’ve captured the mill’s weathered charm well. I’ll be digging deeper into its history to learn more about this intriguing place.

Bobby Shafto Statue at Whitworth: A Local Legend

The Bobby Shafto Statue, located at Whitworth, was my next stop. Bobby Shafto, a historical figure immortalized in the famous folk song, has strong ties to the Durham area. The statue, which depicts Shafto in traditional attire, stands as a tribute to this local legend. I captured a mix of camera photos, drone photos, and video footage here, although the wind made the video a bit challenging. I’m curious to see how the footage turns out, but the photos are already looking great.

Whitworth Hall: A Grand Estate in Decline

My final stop of the day was Whitworth Hall, a grand estate with a storied history. Sadly, the hall is currently closed, and it doesn’t seem likely to reopen any time soon. Whitworth Hall, once a stately home of the Shafto family, has seen better days, but it still retains much of its former grandeur. The building, with its elegant architecture and sprawling grounds, made for some stunning aerial footage and photos. Even in its current state, the hall is a beautiful reminder of the area’s rich heritage.

Back to the Editing Table

Now that I’ve returned home, it’s time to dive into the editing process. With so much content to sift through, I’ve got my work cut out for me, but it’s a good problem to have. I’m excited to bring these images and videos to life and share them with you all. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate in the coming days, as there are still plenty of locations on my list waiting to be captured.

Thanks for following along on today’s journey. Stay tuned for the finished results!