Weardale’s Lost Farms, Forgotten Industry, and Hidden Waterfalls

The skies were grey, the wind stronger than ideal, but that didn’t stop me from heading out to explore more of Weardale’s abandoned and lesser-known locations. This part of the North Pennines is full of hidden history, where old quarries, forgotten lead mines, and abandoned farmsteads tell stories of past industries, remote lives, and in one case, a dark and tragic event.

With a mix of industrial ruins, crumbling farmhouses, and the stunning stretch of Burnhope Burn, today was all about uncovering the layers of history left behind in this rugged landscape. I also took the chance to experiment with some freestyle drone flying, weaving between quarry walls and skimming across flowing becks. Despite the challenges of the wind, I managed to capture some fascinating perspectives.

Little Egglescliffe Lead Mine

This was a location I’d been meaning to visit for a while, though I wasn’t expecting to find much in the way of remaining structures. Like many of the lead mines that once thrived in the North Pennines, Little Egglescliffe has been almost entirely reclaimed by nature. However, what it lacked in industrial ruins, it made up for in breathtaking scenery.

Lead mining was once the backbone of this region, with operations like this extracting valuable ore from the hillsides. While larger mines left behind extensive buildings and infrastructure, smaller sites like Little Egglescliffe have faded into the landscape. The miners who worked here would have endured harsh conditions, battling extreme weather and the dangers of underground work.

With the open terrain offering no obstacles, I used the space to practise some freestyle flying with the drone. Skimming along the beck, following its course up and down the valley, I captured the contrast between the rushing water and the rugged hills. While there were no grand structures to document, the natural beauty of the area made it a worthy stop.

Ashes Quarry

Ashes Quarry is one of the most imposing industrial scars left in Weardale, a vast open wound in the landscape that tells the story of over a century of limestone extraction. The quarry began operations in the mid-1800s, producing stone for building materials and agricultural use. By the 1940s, the industry had declined, and the quarry was abandoned, leaving behind towering rock faces, deep excavation pits, and remnants of the old railway that once transported stone out of the valley.

I had previously flown the drone here from a distance, but today I finally had the chance to properly explore on foot. The site is far bigger than it first appears, with old quarry tracks winding through the remains and several small bridges spanning the gaps between the excavated sections.

I spent a fair amount of time here experimenting with drone manoeuvres, flying low along the quarry floor, banking between the rock faces, and even taking the drone under one of the old bridges. It survived, and the results were well worth it—sweeping, cinematic shots that captured the scale and depth of this immense site.

Sandyford

Sandyford is an abandoned farm in Weardale, located near Burnhope Burn. Unlike many of the region’s old farmsteads, which were gradually deserted due to economic hardship, Sandyford has a more unusual history. The farm was still occupied in the 20th century, but over time, it was left to decay, its last owners moving on as farming practices changed and larger-scale agriculture took over.

The buildings are in poor condition, with collapsed roofs and walls slowly crumbling under the pressure of time and weather. Despite this, the farmhouse retains a sense of character, with stone lintels and old chimneys standing defiantly against the elements.

Aerial shots showed how isolated the location truly is, surrounded by open countryside, with no other buildings for miles. The atmosphere was incredibly still, the only sounds coming from the beck nearby. The way nature has begun to reclaim the land makes it feel almost frozen in time.

Belmont (Belmount) Farm – A Farmhouse with a Dark Past

Located near Burnhope Burn, Belmont Farm was the site of a tragic event on New Year's Day, 1880. Robert Snowball, who had taken on the tenancy of the farm in May 1878, was found murdered in his workshop. The primary suspect was Jane Barron, the housekeeper, who was tried for the murder but was ultimately acquitted due to insufficient evidence. The true perpetrator was never identified, and the case remains unsolved to this day.

Exploring Belmont Farm was an eerie experience. The roof has collapsed, and the walls are beginning to buckle, yet there's still a sense of the life that once existed here. The surrounding fields, once worked by farmers, are now empty, and the house itself stands as a decaying monument to a tragic past.

The drone's perspective highlighted how isolated the farm truly is. From above, the remains of old outbuildings and enclosures can still be seen, giving a glimpse into what was once a working farm. However, knowing the history made this location feel different from the others—unsettling, heavy with the weight of its past.

Burnhope Burn

After finishing at Belmont Farm, I decided to follow Burnhope Burn back towards the car, and I’m glad I did. This hidden stretch of water is one of the most stunning I’ve come across in Weardale, with a whole series of small waterfalls cascading through the valley.

The burn winds its way through rocky terrain, carving out pools and mini rapids as it travels. Some of the falls are just gentle drops, while others are more dramatic, tumbling over jagged rock formations. It’s easy to see how water has shaped this landscape over thousands of years.

Wrapping Up the Day

Today was a perfect mix of industrial history, abandoned farmhouses, and untouched natural beauty. From the open landscapes of Little Egglescliffe Lead Mine to the deep scars of Ashes Quarry, and from the eerie past of Belmont Farm to the stunning waterfalls of Burnhope Burn, every location had something unique to offer.

The drone flying was a real highlight, particularly experimenting with freestyle movements in the quarries and along the beck. Despite the grey skies and strong winds, the day was a success, proving that even the most challenging conditions can lead to some incredible captures.

Weardale continues to be one of the most fascinating regions to explore, and I know there’s still plenty more to uncover.