What to See and Do - Group Activities

Canoeing

The River Tees offers canoeing from beginner level to grade IV rapids and falls. Permits are required for access between Middleton-in-Teesdale and High Force waterfall. Access downstream of Middleton-in-Teesdale (at Middleton road bridge and Cotherstone village) is by informal agreement between the last weekend in October and the last weekend in March.

Groups are advised to contact Kingsway Adventure Centre in Middleton-in-Teesdale for more information on the river and accommodation. The centre also offers abseiling, rock climbing, orienteering, team challenge, caving, gorge walking, raft building, ropes an balance course, archery and air rifle shooting, expeditions and bivis.
Enquiries: +44 (0)1833 640881 www.kingswaycentre.co.uk

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Cycling and mountain biking

Teesdale is situated on the C2C - Sea to Sea cycle route and the National Byway, signposted routes that use a combination of mainly minor roads, tracks and railway paths. Cycle hire and repair is available in Middleton-in-Teesdale and Barnard Castle.
At Hamsterley Forest there is cycling for all ages and abilities in beautiful forestry surroundings. A wide range of off-road cycle trails are available and a newly built cycle skills area.
Cycle hire offered.

Enquiries: www.nationalcyclenetwork.org.uk

Orienteering / fell running

Durham Fell Runners Club organise training and fixtures in the Durham Dales including Teesdale. The club meet on Thursday evenings at Hamsterley Forest in Teesdale.

www.angelfire.com/rock3/durhamfellrunners/

Off-road driving

Deepdale Offroad offers tuition on a 20-acre site situated within a working farm 3 miles from Barnard Castle. Courses are tailored to meet individual needs from beginner’s level to advanced. 4x 4 drivers may bring their own vehicles or drive Deepdale’s Land Rover Defender 90. Deepdale also organises corporate events and country pursuits including clay pigeon shooting and pony trekking can be arranged locally.

Enquiries: +44 (0)1833 630802
Email: graeme@deepdaleoffroad.co.uk  www.deepdaleoffroad.co.uk

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Fishing and Shooting

Over half of the land in Teesdale is in private ownership. Fishing and shooting rights are managed by the Lartington Hall, Raby, Rokeby, and Strathmore estates. Please contact the individual estates offices direct for further information.

Lartington Hall Estate
Enquiries: +44 (0)20 7836 5314
Email: info@rules.co.uk www.rules.co.uk/est/est.html

Raby Estate
Enquiries: +44 (0)1833 660202
Email: teesdaleestate@rabycastle.com  www.rabycastle.com

Fishing permits for the River Tees in the Barnard Castle area may be purchased from:

F. E Wilkinson, Sporting Guns, 40 Horsemarket, Barnard Castle , County Durham,
DL12 8NA

Enquiries: +44 (0) 1833 631118
Fax: +44 (0) 1833 638966

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Golf

Barnard Castle Golf Club is a picturesque easy walking open parkland course, high above the River Tees with fine views. The course offers a par 73 challenge. There is a bar, restaurant and golf professional’s shop. Visitors are welcome.
Enquiries:+44 (0)1833 638355
Email:steward@barnardcastlegolfclub.org.uk  www.barnardcastlegolfclub.org.uk

From summer 2004 Headlam Hall Country House Hotel offers a challenging and appealing short 9-hole course set over 40 acres of mature pastureland, together with a driving range and practice facility.

Green fees
Location: off A688 between west Auckland and Staindrop.
Coach access and parking: parking on site at hotel.
Enquiries: +44 (0)1325 730238
Email: admin@headlamhall.co.uk  www.headlamhall.co.uk

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Sailing and Windsurfing

Teesdale Sailing Club is based at Grassholme and Selset reservoirs in the heart of Teesdale. On shore club facilities include a clubhouse with changing rooms, kitchen, boat park and grounds. Northumbria Water operates a visitor centre, café and craft centre with ample parking. Footpaths provide access for fishing, bird watching and walking. The club provides full rescue boat facilities on Sundays and has two club boats for use by members. The club organises races and offers sailing courses in the summer months.

Selset Reservoir has the best high wind wind-surfing venue in the north of England. The location is remote and there are no changing facilities, so it’s a venue for hardy windsurfers, best-suited for more experienced sailors on short boards with small sails.

Membership fee
Location: off B6277 between Barnard Castle and Middleton-in-Teesdale.
Coach access and parking: ample parking at Northumbria Water Visitor centre
Enquiries: +44 (0)191 3867109
Email: info@teesdale.manner.co.uk  www.teesdalesc.org.uk

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Walking

Teesdale offers a combination of circular and short walks as well as the long distance Pennine Way.

Choose from river walks, forest walks, village walks and the industrial heritage.

Leaflets and maps are available from tourist information centres:

Barnard Castle Tourist Information Centre: +44 (0)1833 690909

Middleton-in-Teesdale Tourist Information Centre: +44 (0)1833 641001
 

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