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…
Are you looking for Mother’s day plans in the North East? Mother’s Day is a wonderful time to give back to the women in our lives, who helped raise us. At the Land of Oak & Iron we would love to make this day as special as possible for all the mams out there. Mother’s…
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…
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,…
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….
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’…
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…
Derwenthaugh Park is a great place for a walk or bike ride with the whole family, climb to the top of Kite Hill and admire the views up the valley, across Nine Arches Viaduct. Imagine how this looked in the 18th century when Crowley Ironworks was employing over 1,500 men and was once the largest…
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…
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