Local Area Information

Toby Hill Farm & Holiday Cottage is centrally located to explore the whole of Teesdale and the local area, one of the hidden gems of the Northern Dales. With a strong rural heritage, amazing scenic beauty of unspoilt landscapes, waterfalls, purple heather moorlands, traditional species rich hay meadows, Teesdale is now recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

 Great walking and cycling from the doorstep.

Toby hill is the perfect base to start from and explore the local area with plenty of footpaths leading alongside rivers and fields, from gentle strolls to the more strenuous Teesdale way.

Bring your Bicycle, we have a lockable store, and explore locally and further afield to see our wonderful scenery much closer on our quieter country roads and tracks. Hamsterley Forest is good for Cycle tracks.

 Things to explore

 Upper Dale

Cauldron Snout waterfall – where the River Tees begins to gather pace

High Force waterfall – The highest in England

Low Force & Suspension Bridge over The River Tees

Bowlees visitor centre & Gibsons cave

Cow Green Reservoir – a designated dark skies area

Black Grouse spring lek (displaying males can be seen near Langdon Beck (Apr – May)

Blue Gentian flowers – a plant left from the ice age (upper dale), late Apr – May

Pennine Way –  following the tumbling river from Middleton towards High Force (a great place to see the traditional flower rich hay meadows)

Alston narrow gauge railway

Killhope Wheel & Lead Mining Centre

 

Central Teesdale

Middleton in Teesdale village

Eggleston Village (Inn for food) & children's play park

Eggleston Hall Gardens & Tearooms

Romaldkirk & Cotherstone villages (2 good places to dine)

Barnard Castle – market town

  • Sports centre/swimming, mini golf, cafe's, Inns & Restaurants, shops
  • The Bowes Museum
  • Historic Medieval Castle
  • The Witham – cinema, theatre, comedy shows, cafe etc
  • Golf course – 18 hole
  • Egglestone Abbey ruins near Barnard Castle

Nearby surrounding area

Hamsterley Forest – trails & cycling hire

Raby Castle – Medieval Castle, Gardens, Plotters Forest Adventure Playground, Cafe & Deer park

Auckland Castle – Kynren, an outdoor historical show of the history of England (see website)

Beamish Museum

Richmond market town & Castle

Locomotion - Shildon Railway Museum

Head of Steam - Darlington Railway Museum

 

Scenic drives

Weardale via Stanhope, Blanchland and Derwent Reservoir.

Middleton to Brough, on to Kirby Stephen/Nateby then via Tan Hill to Reeth  and return via Barnard Castle.(Tan Hill is the highest pub in England)

Baldersdale via Romaldkirk or Cotherstone (three reservoirs)

Middleton to Holwick  

Middleton - Forest in Teesdale - Over the high moors to Weardale to St Johns Chapel, Westgate, Eastgate, Stanhope, return over the moors to Eggleston

Barnard Castle - Richmond - Arkengarthdale (C B Inn) - scenic drive back to Barnard Castle

 

These are just some of our suggestions, please check website's of individual attractions for opening times and events.