Harwood, County Durham facts for kids
Harwood is a small village and valley located in a beautiful area called Teesdale. This area is found in County Durham, England. Harwood is known for its scattered houses and farms that stretch along the valley.
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Harwood: A Village in Teesdale
Harwood is more than just a village; it's also the name of a short valley. A small river, called Harwood Beck, flows through this valley. This beck is a tributary, which means it's a smaller stream that flows into a larger river. Harwood Beck joins the famous River Tees. The village itself is made up of homes and farms spread out along the sides of the valley.
Location and Natural Beauty
Harwood is part of the North Pennines, which is a special place. It's an AONB, or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This means the landscape here is so beautiful and important that it's protected. The village is found along a road called the B6277. It's about 9 miles (14.5 km) north-west of a town called Middleton-in-Teesdale. It's also about 21 miles (33.8 km) south-east of Alston, which is in a different county called Cumbria. Harwood is part of a larger local area known as Forest and Frith. It also belongs to the Bishop Auckland parliamentary constituency, which is the area that elects a representative to the UK Parliament.
Harwood's History: Mining Days
Harwood has a long and interesting past, especially with lead mining. For many years, people dug for lead in the ground here. This mining activity was busiest in the late 1800s. Because so many people lived and worked in Harwood then, a church was built in 1849. A school was also built in 1853 for the children of the miners. Today, these buildings are no longer used, but you can still see their remains. They are like silent reminders of Harwood's busy mining days.
Nature and Landmarks Around Harwood
To the west of Harwood, you'll find a large body of water called Cow Green Reservoir. This reservoir was built in the 1960s on land that used to be part of the mining area. Reservoirs are important because they store water for people to use. Rising above the valley to the north is an open, wild area known as Harwood Common. Commons are often places where people can walk and enjoy nature.
