Remote Ruins in the Derwent Valley – A Journey Through Forgotten Farmsteads

With clear skies but a bit of wind, I set off towards the Derwent Valley to explore a few remote locations. These isolated ruins, hidden in the rolling landscapes of Northumberland and County Durham, offer a glimpse into the region’s past. The locations were well sheltered, so the wind didn’t cause any major issues, allowing me to capture them from both the air and the ground.

Swandale Cottage

Swandale Cottage is one of many abandoned rural buildings scattered across the Derwent Valley. While little is documented about its history, cottages like this were typically built in the 18th or 19th century, serving as homes for farmers, shepherds, or workers linked to nearby industries such as mining or forestry. These remote dwellings provided shelter for those who lived and worked in the rugged landscapes, often miles from the nearest village.

The ruins of Swandale Cottage stand as a reminder of how isolated rural life once was. Its location suggests it may have been part of a smallholding, with livestock grazing the surrounding land. Over time, as farming declined and families moved to more accessible locations, places like Swandale Cottage were abandoned, left to be reclaimed by nature.

From above, the drone revealed the full extent of the structure, with collapsed walls and scattered remains visible against the rugged terrain. The aerial shots captured its position in the valley, showing how it was once nestled within the landscape. On the ground, the weathered stone walls and open doorways added to the eerie sense of abandonment. The winter sunlight cast long shadows, highlighting the textures of the old stonework.

‘College’ – Just North of Swandale Cottage

Located just north of Swandale Cottage, this site is marked on some maps as ‘College’, though its original purpose remains unclear. It is unlikely to have been an actual educational institution, but more likely a farmstead or estate building with a name passed down through local tradition. Buildings like this often formed part of the larger rural economy, serving as homes or working structures for tenant farmers, estate workers, or shepherds.

The ruins suggest a modest but well-built structure, with thick stone walls and signs of multiple rooms or extensions over time. It may have been linked to nearby agricultural operations, providing a base for workers tending to livestock in the surrounding hills. The lack of modern development in the area reinforces its historic significance, remaining much as it would have appeared when first abandoned.

Aerial photography highlighted how this building fits into the landscape, sitting alone with no other structures nearby. The remains are relatively intact, though sections of the walls have collapsed. The aerial perspective also helped to capture the patterns of surrounding enclosures, hinting at how the land was once divided for farming or grazing. From the ground, the ruin’s isolation was even more striking, with only the sound of the wind and wildlife breaking the silence.

Pedam’s Oak Abandoned Farm Building

Pedam’s Oak is an abandoned farmstead in a remote part of the Derwent Valley. The name suggests a historical connection to a local landmark, possibly a significant oak tree that once stood nearby. The farm likely dates back to the 18th or 19th century, a period when small farms were essential for supporting the local agricultural economy.

Farms like this were often passed down through generations, with families living and working in the same place for centuries. However, as agriculture became more mechanised and rural populations declined, many smaller farms were abandoned. Pedam’s Oak is one of many such sites that remain as relics of a lost way of life.

From the air, the structure stands out against the open moorland, with its collapsed roof and crumbling walls still defining its original layout. The surrounding land, once cultivated or used for grazing, is now wild and overgrown. The aerial shots captured the full extent of the ruin, while ground-level images brought out the details of the old stonework, telling a silent story of its past inhabitants.

Wrapping Up the Day

Today’s journey through the Derwent Valley was another reminder of how much history is hidden in the landscape. These abandoned buildings, once homes and workplaces, now stand empty, their stories fading with time. Capturing them from the air and the ground helps to preserve their memory, showing how the land has changed while these structures remain as reminders of the past. It was a fantastic day of exploration, and I’ll definitely be returning to uncover more forgotten places in the area.