The Land of Oak & Iron

Plan A Visit

Tyne Riverside Country Park

Tyne Riverside Country Park

Our Northumberland Heritage Centre is set within the Tyne Valley in the picturesque Tyne Riverside Country Park. Discover Land of Oak & Iron whilst planning your next adventure with our state-of-the-art touch screen and giant wall map. It’s a great place to start or finish a walk or cycle ride (we’re on Route 72), with […]

Allensford Blast Furnace

Allensford Blast Furnace

Venture into the woods opposite Allensford Country Park to discover a hidden relic of the industrial past. The blast furnace was used around 1700 and is the earliest surviving ore roasting furnace in Britain; once extracted the iron was sent to a steel forge further downstream which supplied the Shotley Bridge sword makers. Enjoy a […]

Derwentcote Steel Furnace

Derwentcote Steel Furnace

Discover the story of cementation, a process which converted wrought iron to steel, at Derwentcote Steel Furnace, one of the few remaining examples of this type of furnace nationally. The furnace was built in the 1730s, it was later redeveloped as a steel-rolling mill and crucible steelworks before going out of use in 1891. The […]

Land of Oak & Iron

Hollinside Manor

Hollinside Manor is a 13th century manor house situated east of the Nine Arches Viaduct, on the edge of a steep brow with commanding views of Derwenthaugh Country Park and the surrounding countryside. It was the home of the Harding family for two centuries during which time the manor became known as the ‘Giant’s Castle’ […]

Nine Arches

Nine Arches

This railway viaduct is sited at a curve of the river and was built as part of the Consett Branch of the North Eastern railway. Originally a single line, it was widened to take a double track in 1905-08. Built mostly of sandstone with bricks beneath the nine arches it is 500 feet long and […]

Path Head Water Mill

Path Head Water Mill

A great day out for the whole family, this hidden gem includes a restored water wheel set in beautiful surroundings adjacent to the Blaydon Burn Nature Reserve. See how water power is harnessed to work machinery, find out why water being lifted up hill makes a knocking sound or become part of a sun dial. […]

Whinfield Coke Ovens

Whinfield Coke Ovens

There were once 193 beehive coke ovens, built in 1861 by the owners of the Victoria Garesfield Colliery to produce coke from coal mined at Victoria Garesfield and Watergate Collieries; they were the last to operate in Britain until 1958. There are only five complete and two partial ovens if you go and look today, […]

Country Parks

Country Parks

There are many country parks in Land of Oak & Iron. Safe places to explore by bike, foot or horse; historic places to find out about the industry that shaped today’s landscape and much more. Allensford Country Park, near Consett – picnic area, play park, river, woodlands, toilets, cafe, Allensford Blast Furnace. Derwent Walk Country Park […]

Wildlife

Wildlife

The Land of Oak & Iron has a wonderful landscape of oak woodlands, grasslands, river corridors and farming land. There are many small local nature reserves just waiting to be explored and exciting wildlife discoveries to be made. Walk through the solitary mining bees at The Spetchells in Tyne Riverside Country Park at Prudhoe or […]

Woodlands

Woodlands

The Derwent Valley is so named because of its extensive coverage by native oak woodlands: Derwent means ‘valley thick with oaks’. Get out on foot, bike or hoof to explore many of these wonderful woodlands, whether to catch sight of our local wildlife or let the kids run wild, there’s something to suit everyone in […]

Exploring your local heritage and wonderful landscape is easier than ever before, thanks to the Land of Oak & Iron Education Pack and Learning Resources

These packs contain information on heritage sites you can visit and activities to help explore our the natural and industrial heritage that the Land of Oak & Iron is famous for. Click on the PDFs below

Land of Oak & Iron Resources
Education Pack
Walking Trails
Go Green Cycling Map

[osm_map_v3 map_center=”54.9412,-1.7166″ zoom=”16.0″ width=”95%” height=”450″ map_border=”thin solid green” post_markers=”1″ ]

0

Your Cart Is Empty

No products in the cart.

The Land of Oak & Iron