Lunedale facts for kids
Lunedale is a beautiful valley, also known as a dale, in England. It's located on the eastern side of the Pennines, a famous mountain range. This valley is home to the River Lune.
You can find Lunedale west of a town called Middleton-in-Teesdale. Some of the main small communities or villages in Lunedale include Grassholme, Thringarth, and Bowbank.
What is Lunedale?
Lunedale is the name of the valley where the River Lune flows. It's a peaceful area with lots of natural beauty. The word "dale" is an old English word for a valley, especially one that is long and wide.
This area is also known as a "civil parish." A civil parish is like a local community or administrative area. Most of the northern part of the valley is in the Lunedale civil parish. The southern part is mostly in the Mickleton civil parish. In 2011, the combined population of Lunedale and a nearby area called Holwick was 187 people.
History and Location
Lunedale has a rich history. Long ago, it was part of an area called the North Riding of Yorkshire. However, since 1974, it has been part of County Durham. This change happened when local government areas were reorganized in England.
The River Lune starts its journey in Lunedale. It then flows into Teesdale, which is another valley. Finally, the River Lune joins a larger river called the River Tees.
Reservoirs and Water
As the River Lune flows through Lunedale, it passes through two important reservoirs. Reservoirs are like large artificial lakes that store water. These two reservoirs are Selset Reservoir and Grassholme Reservoir. They are important for supplying water to nearby areas.
Running almost side-by-side with Lunedale, to the south, is another valley called Baldersdale.
Exploring Lunedale
Lunedale is a great place for outdoor activities. A famous long-distance walking path called the Pennine Way goes right through Lunedale. This path is popular with hikers and passes over Grassholme Bridge, which crosses Grassholme Reservoir.
You can also see a piece of history in Lunedale. There's a former railway viaduct (a long bridge that carries a railway) that crosses the River Lune. This viaduct was once part of a railway line that connected Barnard Castle to Middleton-in-Teesdale, but that line is now closed.
