From Forgotten Farms to Starry Skies – A Journey Through Weardale & Teesdale

What a day it’s been! From windswept abandoned farms to the raw beauty of Teesdale’s waterfalls and a breathtaking sunset over Grove Rake Mine, today had it all. The skies were just about perfect—clear, with a few scattered clouds—giving the landscapes an extra dramatic edge. While the breeze made drone flying a little tricky at times, I still managed to capture some incredible aerial views alongside some ground-level photography. Here’s where today’s adventure took me:

Green Head Abandoned Farm, Near Stanhope

Green Head Farm, located in the rolling hills near Stanhope, is one of Weardale’s many abandoned farmsteads that tell the story of a once-thriving rural way of life. Built from sturdy local stone, the farm would have housed generations of farmers and their livestock, providing shelter against the harsh winters of the North Pennines. The decline of traditional farming and rural depopulation over the 20th century left many of these farms deserted, their walls now standing as silent witnesses to a bygone era.

Aerial shots of Green Head Farm reveal the layout of its remaining structures, partially collapsed yet still imposing against the rugged landscape. The contrast between the moss-covered stone and the green fields adds to the farm’s haunting beauty. The broken rooftops and open doorways provide a glimpse into its past, while the surrounding hills stretch endlessly beyond, a reminder of the isolation that once came with working the land here.

East Bewdley Abandoned Farm, Near Stanhope

Another relic of Weardale’s agricultural past, East Bewdley Farm sits in quiet abandonment, its walls weathered by decades of exposure to the elements. Once a thriving homestead, it was likely part of the wider farming network that kept the valley’s communities self-sufficient. These remote farmsteads were built to last, their thick stone walls designed to withstand the fierce winds and heavy snows that sweep through the region each winter. As farming modernised and centralised, places like East Bewdley were left to the elements, slowly reclaimed by nature.

The drone captures the eerie stillness of this forgotten farm, with the skeletal remains of outbuildings scattered around the main house. The fields beyond, once filled with livestock, now lie empty, creating a scene of quiet solitude. The crisp light of the afternoon sky highlights the textures of the weathered stone, making for some atmospheric and evocative shots.

Harthope Head Quarry

Perched at one of the highest points in Weardale, Harthope Head Quarry is a striking scar in the landscape, a reminder of the region’s rich mining and quarrying history. Weardale has long been known for its extraction of minerals such as fluorspar, lead, and limestone, and Harthope Head was part of this extensive industrial heritage. The quarry provided materials for building and industry, but today it stands abandoned, its jagged rock faces exposed to the elements.

From the air, the scale of the quarry is breathtaking, with sheer cliff faces and deep excavation scars cutting through the moorland. The drone captures the stark contrast between the dark quarry floor and the golden hues of the surrounding hills, creating a dramatic perspective. The shifting clouds added a play of light and shadow, enhancing the rugged beauty of this industrial relic.

Red Wing Farmhouse, Teesdale

Red Wing Farmhouse in Teesdale is another story of abandonment, its roof partially collapsed and its windows empty, staring out over the wild hills. Like many similar buildings, it was likely abandoned as farming methods changed and more people moved towards urban centres. Yet, even in its ruinous state, the farmhouse retains a sense of history, its walls holding echoes of the past.

The aerial view of Red Wing Farmhouse captures its isolation within the sweeping Teesdale landscape. The drone highlights the remaining structure against the backdrop of rolling hills, the few scattered clouds providing just the right amount of texture in the sky. It’s a place frozen in time, yet still deeply connected to the land it once served.

Cauldron Snout & Cow Green Reservoir

Cauldron Snout is one of Teesdale’s most spectacular waterfalls, fed by the controlled flow of Cow Green Reservoir. The waterfall, cascading down a long stretch of rocky terrain, is one of the longest in England rather than the highest. The sheer power of the water, rushing over rugged Whin Sill rock formations, makes it a dramatic and mesmerising sight. Cow Green Reservoir, built in the late 1960s, was created to supply water to industries further downstream. The reservoir flooded parts of Upper Teesdale, covering historical settlements, but it also created a new habitat for wildlife.

The aerial footage captures the sheer energy of Cauldron Snout, with the white waters crashing against the dark rocks, creating a breathtaking contrast. The reservoir itself stretches into the distance, a vast body of water reflecting the changing skies. The drone’s perspective showcases the entire scene, from the structured dam of Cow Green to the untamed forces of the waterfall below.

Grove Rake Mine at Sunset

Grove Rake Mine is one of Weardale’s most iconic abandoned mining sites, once a major producer of fluorspar. Mining in this area dates back centuries, but Grove Rake saw extensive industrial use throughout the 20th century before closing in 1999. The headgear and processing buildings still stand, creating a hauntingly beautiful industrial ruin against the wild backdrop of the North Pennines. This mine was vital to the area’s economy, extracting minerals used in everything from steelmaking to glass production.

At sunset, the mine took on an even more dramatic character. The last light of the day cast deep shadows across the abandoned buildings, while the sky burned in shades of orange and purple. The drone’s footage captured the contrast between the decaying mine and the vibrant horizon, creating some truly stunning shots.

Grove Rake Mine – Phone Pictures of the Stars

With the sky clearing after sunset, I took the chance to experiment with some night photography at Grove Rake Mine. The absence of artificial light pollution in this remote part of Weardale made it the perfect spot for capturing the stars. The towering headgear of the mine silhouetted against a sky filled with stars created an unforgettable scene, blending industrial heritage with the vastness of the universe.

Using long exposure settings on my phone, I was able to capture constellations and even a faint glimpse of the Milky Way above the ruins. The contrast between the dark, skeletal structures and the brilliance of the night sky gave the photos a surreal and almost otherworldly feel.

Wrapping Up the Day

Today was truly an adventure—one of those days where everything comes together perfectly. From abandoned farmsteads steeped in history to the raw beauty of Teesdale’s landscapes and the industrial echoes of Weardale’s mining past, each location had its own unique story to tell. And as the day ended under a sky filled with stars, it was a perfect reminder of how history, nature, and time all intertwine.

Which part of today’s journey did you enjoy the most? Let me know in the comments!

Credit: DJ Aerial Photography

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