We welcome Matthew Ellwood to Land of Oak & Iron, known for his ‘tower’ illustrations that present UK cities in a new way. About the Artist Matthew Ellwood is an artist born in Durham and has been painting from being a young boy, encouraged by his grandfather. After going to university studying furniture design, his…
Our Big Garden Birdwatch walk run by local ornithologist Michael Turner was a resounding success, and you’ll be surprised how many kinds of birds were spotted… We love all things birds here at Land of Oak & Iron, so we’re excited to be involved in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch! This event is important to…
The History of Basket Making Basket making is one of the oldest known crafts there is. Its origin dates back to pre-pottery, with the oldest basket on record was found in the Neolithic period, with other examples coming from 9250BC and 8000BC. Much like crochet and similar crafts, baskets and willow weavings can’t be made…
Spooky season is just around the corner! We have a great range of exciting Autumnal and Halloween events for the full family. From bird walks, to dog fashion shows, to free family crafts, there is something for everyone. Don’t miss out on delicious food from our cafe! We have a range of tasty dishes that…
Check out what’s on at the Land of Oak & Iron over the 6 weeks Summer holidays! We are planning some exciting family fun at our Heritage Centre for during the school holidays, from Bugs n Stuff to free craft workshops. Don’t forget we have a delicious kid’s menu, with a Bairn’s Picnic meal deal…
Discover our past The first Land of Oak & Iron archaeological excavation in October 2016 uncovered the remains of a substantial building, thought to be Pontop Smithy. This building was associated with the early 18th century Pontop waggonway, one of many such routes which played a significant role in the industrial and economic development of…
The Land of Oak & Iron, hosted by Groundwork NE & Cumbria has delivered over £5million+ investment in local communities; their natural, cultural and industrial heritage. Thanks to National Lottery players and funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund along with other matched funders: see Our Supporters page
Charity Registration Number
Groundwork NE & Cumbria 1017706