Baldersdale facts for kids
Baldersdale is a beautiful valley, also called a "dale," located in the eastern part of the Pennines mountains in England. It's found northwest of a town called Barnard Castle. The main small villages in Baldersdale are Hury and Briscoe.
Historically, Baldersdale was part of Yorkshire. However, since 1974, it has been part of County Durham for local government purposes.
The River Balder and its Reservoirs
The River Balder flows right through Baldersdale. This river eventually joins the larger River Tees near a village called Cotherstone.
As the River Balder travels through the valley, it passes through three important reservoirs. These are Balderhead Reservoir, Blackton Reservoir, and Hury Reservoir. Reservoirs are like big lakes built to store water.
North of Baldersdale, you'll find another valley that runs alongside it, called Lunedale. You can also see an old railway bridge, known as a viaduct, crossing the River Balder. This bridge was once part of a railway line that is now closed.
Exploring Baldersdale
Baldersdale is a great place for outdoor adventures! The famous Pennine Way walking trail goes right through the valley. This trail is popular with hikers who enjoy long walks in nature.
There used to be a Youth Hostel in Baldersdale, which was a popular place for walkers to stay overnight. While that hostel has closed, the building is now called Blackton Lodge. You can also find many holiday cottages in the dale, like West Hury and East Briscoe, where people can stay and enjoy the peaceful countryside.
Hannah Hauxwell: A Local Legend
One of the most famous people from Baldersdale was Hannah Hauxwell. She became well-known after a TV show in 1973 called Too Long A Winter featured her life.
Hannah lived and worked on her family's farm, called Low Birk Hatt, all by herself. She lived a very simple life without many modern comforts. Today, part of her farm is a special nature reserve. It's known as Hannah's Meadows, and it's a lovely place to see local wildlife and plants.
