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The Durham Dales in north-east England offer many spooky places to explore, writes GAYLE FIDLER
The Durham Dales are in the North Pennine Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. They consist of Teesdale and Weardale, two rural areas. The valley landscapes are varied. Desolate moors surround picturesque market towns and villages. Dense forestry leads to magical waterfalls, rivers and reservoirs.
The area is truly spectacular. Visitors can enjoy a whole range of activities from walking, cycling, pony trekking to visiting local markets and attractions.
But there is a dark side to the beautiful valleys; strange things have been reported roaming the landscape. From screaming ghosts, phantom horses, water spirits and ancient burial grounds, here are just a few spooky tales from the valleys.
Haunted places in the Durham Dales
Cow Green Reservoir
Cow Green is a three kilometer long reservoir in the upper part of Teesdale. It was built between 1967 and 1971 to supply water to industries in Teesside. Cow Green falls within a diverse natural landscape, consisting of rare rock formations, blanket bogs and calcareous grasslands. Below the reservoir is a Bronze Age farm, which was uncovered during a drought in 1984.
To the east on the border between County Durham and Cumbria is a cataract waterfall called Cauldron Snout. At 180 meters long, it is the longest waterfall in England. Cauldron Snout is said to be haunted by the ghost of a Victorian farm girl known as “The Singing Lady”.
According to local legend, the girl threw herself into the water and drowned after her affair with a local head miner ended. Two days later, her battered and bruised body was found on the rocks where she was now said to be singing. She is known to still be heard above the bubbling streams singing her sad song or possibly crying.
Something even more sinister lurks in the depths of the waters of the River Tees. Cow Green is home to a water spirit known as Peg Powler. Described by folklorist William Henderson as having green hair and “an insatiable desire for human life,” she would lure people into the water and drown or eat them. The white foam seen on the water is known locally as Peg Powler’s foam.
Kirkcarrion
400 feet above the village of Middleton in Teesdale stands an ancient cemetery or tumulus, surrounded by trees. The site is believed to be the final resting place of one Brigante chef called Caryn.
In 1804, a local farmer was removing stones from the site when he excavated a small chamber containing a cremation urn. The urn was given to the landowner Lord Strathmore, who planted a ring of pine trees to mark the spot.
Kirkcarrion still has an air of mystery to this day. Local legends say that the place is haunted by the ghost of the chieftain. It is said that no wind will blow through the trees and birds will not fly over the grounds.
The hill can be reached via a public footpath, and even if you don’t see any ghosts, the views of the valleys below are well worth the walk.
Killhoop. The North of England Lead Mining Museum
Killhope Lead Mine Museum is a great day out for all the family. But at night, something sinister may lurk on the museum grounds.
The mine at Killhope closed in 1910 and was one of the richest mines in the entire country. It has been restored as a museum, which pays tribute to the Dales’ rich lead mining heritage. There is a working water wheel and you can explore underground on guided tours.
The museum has had several ghostly reports in recent years. Mine personnel reported items being moved at night when no one was there. A team of paranormal investigators once left the location terrified after hearing a woman’s screams at night.
While the sounds and moving objects may have more plausible explanations than screaming ghosts. The museum is worth a visit to discover for yourself what is hidden in the old lead mines.
Hamsterleybos
The village of Hamsterley is probably best known for its woodland, which is the largest woodland in County Durham and covers approximately 5,000 hectares. The forest is managed by Forestry England and has many walking and cycling trails, as well as a visitor center and café.
In the heart of the forest lies a large private estate called The Grove, which was once a hunting lodge. The property was part of the estate of wealthy landowners, the Surtees family. A local story tells of a ghost horse and rider who gallops from nearby Raby Castle and disappears when it reaches The Grove. The rider’s face is said to be covered in blood.
Some reports say this is the ghost of a highwayman. However, the Surtees family did indeed have a horse drama between nearby Raby Castle and Hamsterley Forest. In 1803 Crosier Surtees was found dead in the river after driving back from a banquet at the castle. It was believed that he fell from his horse drunk and froze to death in the river. Could this be the ghost rider still trying to find his way home?
Harperley
Off the A68/A689 between the towns of Crook and Wolsingham is an area known as Harperley. In 1948, a prisoner of war camp was built there, housing Italian and German prisoners.
There is a large hall, Harperley Hall, which was built in 1790 as a private residence and is now part of a police training centre.
Once upon a time there was a terrible tragedy on the railway near the hall. A guest who arrived by steam train had sent a carriage to pick her up. The station was only a short drive away. As the lady climbed aboard the cart, the sound of the train’s whistle startled the horse, causing the frightened creature to flee.
The lady was thrown from the cart straight to her death under the wheels of the departing train. A ghostly horse and carriage has been seen on several occasions at the nearby Harperley Roundabout on the A68.
In the 1970s, a police officer also saw a lady in old-fashioned clothing leading a horse along the way. It was 2am and the police officer turned his vehicle around to check if the lady needed help. However, both the woman and the horse had mysteriously disappeared.
There are also stories of a ghostly woman in white who wanders the hall’s rooms.
The hall itself is not open to the public, but you can still take a trip on parts of the old railway line. The Weardale Railway has been restored and open for passenger travel, but beware of ghostly happenings!
Have you seen anything creepy in the Durham Dales? Tell us about it in the comments below!
