Events in Hawkwell Head, Durham

Volunteer opportunity to remove invasive Garden Lady’s-mantle

Join us for a practical day to help dig up and remove invasive Garden Lady’s-mantle (Alchemilla mollis) from an area around an Upper Teesdale beck. This area of Upper Teesdale in the North Pennines National Landscape is especially important for the population of rare native plants that are found there. If the Garden Lady’s-mantle is left to set seed, it poses a risk of spreading to further sites and possibly out competing and replacing the important native plant communities. This activity requires a good level of fitness as well as the ability to navigate uneven terrain. Training will be given on the morning of the event. Exact location will be sent 48 hours prior to the event. Suitable for all ages; children must be supervised by an adult. Please sign up using the Better Impact volunteer platform.

Thu 30 Jul11:00Langdon Beck Hotel(4.3mi)

via Langdon Beck Hotel

History & Heritage

Historic environment on-site working day

Come along and get involved in recording historic structures on working days at sites around the North Pennines. Held monthly apart from March and August, 10am to 4pm. Help document key features through structured field recording and targeted photography, and contribute invaluable data for ongoing conservation work. The photographs taken will also support the creation of detailed 3D models through photogrammetry and feed into Historic England’s Missing Pieces project, helping to build a richer national record of heritage sites. You’ll have the chance to work with other volunteers and trained staff, while helping us to safeguard these important sites. You will need to bring walking boots and clothing appropriate for spending the day outdoors in a variety of weather. You will also need a packed lunch, snacks and a drink. If you want to bring equipment with you, you are welcome to, but we will also have some equipment available for you to use. Dates for 2026: Future dates with locations: • Thursday 26th February – Rookhope Arch • Tuesday 28th April – Nenthead • Wednesday 27th May – Beldon Lead Mine • Tuesday 23rd June – Lady’s Rake Mine • Thursday 30th July – Silverband Mine • Wednesday 23rd September – Pike Law • Tuesday 27th October – Middle Level Greenlaw • Thursday 19th November – Stublick Colliery/ Langley Barony Mine • Tuesday 8th December – Brandon Walls Each day is from 10am to 4pm. Please book using the Better Impact volunteer system

Thu 30 Jul11:00Pike Law lead mine workings(4.3mi)

via Pike Law lead mine workings

History & Heritage

Westgate - village history evenings

As part of the village histories project, we’ll be exploring and recording the natural and cultural heritage of Westgate and its surrounding area. There are sessions every month on a Wednesday, 6pm to 8pm, starting 25 February in the village hall at Westgate. This exciting project aims to bring together local knowledge, memories, and research to create a lasting record for future generations, and there will be plenty of opportunities to get involved. The group is aimed at residents of Westgate, those who live nearby, or simply have an interest in the history of the village. Free refreshments will be available throughout the session. Please use the Ticketsource link to book. Image (c) – Tom Baldwin Part of the Land of Lead and Silver project led by the North Pennines National Landscape team and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England.

Wed 19 Aug19:00Westgate Village Hall(2.4mi)

via Westgate Village Hall

Community

Recording the mining landscape - outdoor day

Join us for a practical outdoor volunteer day learning how to monitor and record the condition of historic mining sites in the North Pennines. Located in the Allenheads Heritage Centre, 20 August, 10am to 3pm, the day will be split into two parts, combining condition recording with heritage photography to help build consistent records for the Land of Lead and Silver project. Morning: learn how to assess and record the condition of historic mining remains using a simple recording form. We will look at structural movement, vegetation, erosion, water damage and masonry loss. Afternoon: use your own camera or mobile phone to create a consistent photographic record to support your condition report, including repeatable viewpoints, overall and detail photographs, captions and linking images to written observations. This is not a photogrammetry session or about creating 3D models. Instead, it focuses on straightforward photographic recording that can be repeated over time to monitor changes in the condition of historic mining sites. No previous experience is required. 18+ only. Please contact us if you have any accessibility requirements. Refreshments will be provided. Please bring a packed lunch. Sign up using the volunteer system Better Impact

Thu 20 Aug11:00Allenheads Heritage Centre(4.7mi)

via Allenheads Heritage Centre

Community

Globales Cala Bona

Globales Cala Bona boasts a fantastic location close to the beach and resort centre. The hotel has a sleek pool area that's served by a delightful bar and has a host of room types to choose from. Book a Splendid room and enjoy the unique Splendid service including pillow and aroma menus, bathrobe and slippers and tea and coffee making facilities, as well as early and late check-out when available. The hotel is also conveniently located nearby to a host of excellent golf courses if you fancy a round?

Wed 22 JulStanhope Travel Ltd(8mi)

via Stanhope Travel LtdLocal gem

Community

Alkyon Hotel

Another belter from Stanhope Travel Ltd. Alkyon Hotel — pop over to their site for the full lowdown.

Fri 24 JulStanhope Travel Ltd(8mi)

via Stanhope Travel LtdLocal gem

Community

Bog Day

Drop-in to Bowlees to find out about peat bogs and the North Pennines National Landscape team’s peatland restoration work over the past twenty years. A range of activities for all ages will be available, including: Games to discover the animals and plants that live and rely on peat bogs Create magnetic bog poetry Bog in a bottle No booking required, this is a drop-in event suitable for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The event is in the upstairs space at Bowlees Visitor Centre and is not wheelchair accessible. Not suitable for dogs.

Sun 26 Jul12:00Bowlees Visitor Centre(6.4mi)

via Bowlees Visitor Centre

Community

St James Patronal Service

You are welcome to join us to celebrate St James at 6pm in the church. Refreshments will be available after the service.

Sun 26 Jul18:00St James(8.5mi)

via St JamesLocal gem

Community

Garden club - volunteer opportunity

Volunteer to help look after ‘Helen’s Garden’ at Bowlees Visitor Centre, and the raised beds and planters alongside the Centre on Tuesday 28 July and 25 August, 10am to 12.30pm. General maintenance including weeding, dead heading, cutting back and planting. Watering the gardens when required. Tidying, sweeping the surfaced area around the Centre and painting garden benches. Hedge trimming and maintaining the willow arch in the car park. Usually work for two to two and a half hours and finish with refreshments which are provided. Sign up on the volunteer platform Better Impact

Tue 28 Jul11:00Bowlees Visitor Centre(6.4mi)

via Bowlees Visitor Centre

Wild Wednesday - campfire cooking and foraging

Nature & Outdoors

Around £2

Wild Wednesday - campfire cooking and foraging

Wild Wednesdays are activities suitable for children aged five and over to enjoy and be creative. Forage for food to cook on the campfire at Bowlees Visitor Centre, 29 July, 10.30am to 12.30pm. Enjoy a walk to forage for fruits of the season, identify plants that can be used in recipes and make dips and fillings for your bread on a stick around the campfire. Suitable for children aged five to 12 years. All children need to be accompanied by an adult. (Younger siblings are welcome but do not need to book). £2 per child (accompanying adults and under 5s free). Please let us know if there is anything we can do to make this event more accessible and enjoyable for your family, such as sensory needs. Please email with any allergies/dietary requirements. Please wear sturdy footwear, and clothing suitable for the weather and potentially messy activities. The event is not suitable for dogs and is not wheelchair accessible. Please use the Ticketsource to book

Wed 29 Jul11:30Bowlees Visitor Centre(6.4mi)

via Bowlees Visitor Centre

Nature & Outdoors

Around £2

Wild Wednesday - foraging, food and fun

Wild Wednesdays are activities suitable for children aged five and over to enjoy and be creative. Forage for food and have fun at Bowlees Visitor Centre, 29 July, 10.30am to 12.30pm. Enjoy a walk to forage for fruits of the season, identify plants that can be used in recipes and fun nature activities. Suitable for children aged five to 12 years. All children need to be accompanied by an adult. (Younger siblings are welcome but do not need to book). £2 per child (accompanying adults and under 5s free). Please let us know if there is anything we can do to make this event more accessible and enjoyable for your family, such as sensory needs. Please email with any allergies/dietary requirements. Please wear sturdy footwear, and clothing suitable for the weather and potentially messy activities. The event is not suitable for dogs. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to make this event more accessible and enjoyable for your family, for example sensory needs. Please use the Ticketsource to book

Wed 29 Jul11:30Bowlees Visitor Centre(6.4mi)

via Bowlees Visitor Centre

Community

Volunteer day at Bowlees tree nursery

Volunteer at Bowlees Wildflower and Tree Nursery on the last Wednesday of each month from 1pm to 4pm. There are also extra drop in sessions on 11 March, 15 April, 13 may and 10 June. You can help with our nature recovery work by seed collecting and sowing, potting on, and watering plants. For more information email Delivered as part of the Tees-Swale: naturally connected programme. Tees-Swale is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and led by the North Pennines National Landscape team in collaboration with the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Sign up on the volunteer platform Better Impact

Wed 29 Jul14:00Bowlees Visitor Centre(6.4mi)

via Bowlees Visitor Centre

Likely freeCommunity

Nenthead big dig

Get involved in an archaeological dig taking place in Nenthead this summer. No experience is necessary. We are investigating the domestic lives of the lead miners who lived and worked in Nenthead in the past. The dates for the digs are 1 to 4 August and 6 to 11 August, 10am to 4pm each day. Meeting point is Nenthead Village Hall. Each day has a limit of eight spaces available. Supervised by professional archaeologists, this is a chance to have a go at real hands-on archaeology. Suitable for ages six years and up. All children must be supervised by an adult (please book a space for each child and adult that would like to attend). Volunteers and local community members, with a professional archaeologist, will dig a series of small test pits in gardens and fields around the village. We are likely to find things like broken pottery, bits of clay pipes, and maybe some broken personal items, such as toys and buttons. You don’t need any special equipment as this will be provided. The digs are free to attend. Donations are welcome and enable the North Pennines National Landscape team to protect and restore this special place and help people connect with nature. Sign up using the link to Ticketsource

Sat 1 Aug11:00Bowlees Visitor Centre(6.4mi)

via Bowlees Visitor Centre

Likely freeCommunity

Nenthead big dig

Get involved in an archaeological dig taking place in Nenthead this summer. No experience is necessary. We are investigating the domestic lives of the lead miners who lived and worked in Nenthead in the past. The dates for the digs are 1 to 4 August and 6 to 11 August, 10am to 4pm each day. Meeting point is Nenthead Village Hall. Each day has a limit of eight spaces available. Supervised by professional archaeologists, this is a chance to have a go at real hands-on archaeology. Suitable for ages six years and up. All children must be supervised by an adult (please book a space for each child and adult that would like to attend). Volunteers and local community members, with a professional archaeologist, will dig a series of small test pits in gardens and fields around the village. We are likely to find things like broken pottery, bits of clay pipes, and maybe some broken personal items, such as toys and buttons. You don’t need any special equipment as this will be provided. The digs are free to attend. Donations are welcome and enable the North Pennines National Landscape team to protect and restore this special place and help people connect with nature. Sign up using the link to Ticketsource

Sun 2 Aug11:00Bowlees Visitor Centre(6.4mi)

via Bowlees Visitor Centre

Likely freeCommunity

Nenthead big dig

Get involved in an archaeological dig taking place in Nenthead this summer. No experience is necessary. We are investigating the domestic lives of the lead miners who lived and worked in Nenthead in the past. The dates for the digs are 1 to 4 August and 6 to 11 August, 10am to 4pm each day. Meeting point is Nenthead Village Hall. Each day has a limit of eight spaces available. Supervised by professional archaeologists, this is a chance to have a go at real hands-on archaeology. Suitable for ages six years and up. All children must be supervised by an adult (please book a space for each child and adult that would like to attend). Volunteers and local community members, with a professional archaeologist, will dig a series of small test pits in gardens and fields around the village. We are likely to find things like broken pottery, bits of clay pipes, and maybe some broken personal items, such as toys and buttons. You don’t need any special equipment as this will be provided. The digs are free to attend. Donations are welcome and enable the North Pennines National Landscape team to protect and restore this special place and help people connect with nature. Sign up using the link to Ticketsource

Mon 3 Aug11:00Bowlees Visitor Centre(6.4mi)

via Bowlees Visitor Centre

Likely freeCommunity

Nenthead big dig

Get involved in an archaeological dig taking place in Nenthead this summer. No experience is necessary. We are investigating the domestic lives of the lead miners who lived and worked in Nenthead in the past. The dates for the digs are 1 to 4 August and 6 to 11 August, 10am to 4pm each day. Meeting point is Nenthead Village Hall. Each day has a limit of eight spaces available. Supervised by professional archaeologists, this is a chance to have a go at real hands-on archaeology. Suitable for ages six years and up. All children must be supervised by an adult (please book a space for each child and adult that would like to attend). Volunteers and local community members, with a professional archaeologist, will dig a series of small test pits in gardens and fields around the village. We are likely to find things like broken pottery, bits of clay pipes, and maybe some broken personal items, such as toys and buttons. You don’t need any special equipment as this will be provided. The digs are free to attend. Donations are welcome and enable the North Pennines National Landscape team to protect and restore this special place and help people connect with nature. Sign up using the link to Ticketsource

Tue 4 Aug11:00Bowlees Visitor Centre(6.4mi)

via Bowlees Visitor Centre

Community

Wild Wednesday - near and far

Wild Wednesdays are activities suitable for children aged five and over to enjoy and be creative. See what you can spot around Bowlees in the distance and very close up, on 5 August, 10.30am to 12.30pm . Try out scientific equipment such as microscopes, hand lenses and binoculars and make a simple pinhole camera of your own. Please wear sturdy footwear, and clothing suitable for the weather and potentially messy activities. Suitable for children aged five to 12 years. All children need to be accompanied by an adult. (Younger siblings are welcome but do not need to book). Please let us know if there is anything we can do to make this event more accessible and enjoyable for your family, for example sensory needs. Please use the Ticketsource link to book.

Wed 5 Aug11:30Bowlees Visitor Centre(6.4mi)

via Bowlees Visitor Centre

What's on in Hawkwell Head