Middleton-in-Teesdale

Middleton is a small market town in Country Durham. It gained prominence when the London Lead Company moved its headquarters here in 1815 (from Blanchland, and not London as you might expect) - lead mining being important in the area.

It was served by a railway from Barnard Castle, which opened in 1868, and terminated here. The station was on the other side of the river to the town, and had connections to three stone quarries. I think when it was built, the station side of the river was in Yorkshire.

The station closed to passengers in 1964, and to freight in 1965, leaving the town rather isolated! There are no A roads - the nearest is at Barnard Castle, over 8 miles away - and just two B roads.

The town for the most part follows along a single road running west to east - though it seems to have four distinct names at different points. A second road heads south, crossing the river and passing the site of the station.

This, then, is the bridge over the Tees, somewhat obscured by trees.


It is a sizeable river even this high up in the Pennines. It is sixteen miles to its source, beyond High Force waterfall.


Jumping now to the west end, the road zigzags to cross a rather more modest river; Hudeshope Beck. This is the view looking across the bridge as the road zags back; the pub-like building is the sports and social club.


And now looking down the Hudeshope Beck. The building on the left I think used to be the smithy.


I love the way buildings of that era would be fitted to the landscape, and the smithy is one example - the lowest floor being at river level, the top level at road level. Walking eastwards you can see how the houses are pushed together at random elevations and angles.


A minor road called Town Head branches off to the left, and on the right side of that is the church of St Mary the Virgin. This is the view from the back side of it, looking back.


It was built in 1876, but replaced an earlier church dating to 1170. It seems to be closed, and inaccessible due to dry rot.

Back to the main road, and heading further east, the old town hall, is on the right. Now a book shop.


On the other side is the Teesdale Hotel.


Next door is the Tourist Information, with a delightful arch at the back.


The road turns right, and the road south towards the station departs at this point, and then the road widens out; there is a small car park and then a large green area on the right of the road. The Bainbridge Memorial drinking fountain is by the car park. It was erected in 1877, when Robert Walton Bainbridge, superintendent of the London Lead Company, retired.


This is the view across the grass, looking back - the drinking fountain is obscured by the red van.


And from the same point, looking the other way. The shop with the white front was the co-operative society, and for once it still is! Unable to find a date, but it has an Art Deco, so could be between the wars.


On the left is the old Methodist chapel. A plaque states it was built in 1872, but the writing above has been carefully removed.


A short side-road on the right is Masterman Place, where the London Lead Company built several houses for the less advantaged. There is a decorative arch, and beside it is the fire station - such as it is...


These houses on the left of the main road look even older than most.















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