Stanhope - Riverside & Marketplace

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Detective Mystery around Stanhope, with Detectives helping Durham County C.I.D. investigate a shady guide accused of leading tourists into confusing Weardale mine tunnels before helping himself to their valuables.

The case covers approximately 1.5 miles and should take around 2.5 hours to complete. You’ll follow clues from the Durham Dales Centre, through its courtyard, towards Stanhope Castle, along pavements, riverside paths, The Butts, the marketplace area, St Thomas the Apostle Church and back towards the start.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs, but it is suitable for pushchairs. The route mostly follows pavements and a riverside path, but the A689 must be crossed twice without traffic lights or a zebra crossing, so take great care. There are also three steps into the churchyard, though these can be avoided by entering from the Durham Dales Centre car park.

Getting There

Time to gather your squad and begin tracking this tunnel trickster:

By car - Your investigation begins in the grounds of the Durham Dales Centre (DL13 2FJ).

Park your squad car here for free, gather your supplies and prepare to begin. Your first two clues are close to the car park, so keep those detective eyes switched on from the very start.

By public transport - Make your way to Stanhope, then head for the Durham Dales Centre to begin the investigation. The Trail starts and finishes here, making it a handy base for the whole case.

Need the Loo?

Even top Detectives need a comfort break before chasing mine-tunnel rogues around the Dales. Toilets are available at the Durham Dales Centre, which is at the start and finish of the Trail, and they open from 10am.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Detectives can join the outdoor investigation 🐾

This route includes pavements, riverside paths, road crossings, churchyard paths and busier village sections. Keep dogs close throughout, especially near the A689, the River Wear, narrow pavements and any livelier spots around the marketplace. Any sniffer dog disappearing towards an old mine entrance should be recalled immediately.

Food & Drink Stops

Solving a Dales mystery can leave the whole squad running low on case-solving fuel.

There are plenty of chances to stop for refreshments and stock up on snacks in Stanhope. You can also pack supplies and enjoy a picnic beside the river, which makes a lovely breather while your Detectives compare suspects and wonder who keeps inviting tourists into suspicious tunnels.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Durham Dales Centre

The Durham Dales Centre is the easiest day-extender, as the Trail starts and finishes in its grounds. It’s a useful base for facilities, browsing, refreshments and regrouping before or after the investigation.

Riverside Walk and River Wear

The riverside section gives the case a scenic stretch away from the village bustle. The River Wear runs for 60 miles from Wearhead to Sunderland, and Stanhope has more crossings over it than the City of Sunderland, which is a neat little fact for any bridge-counting Detectives.

St Thomas the Apostle Church

The church is well worth extra time during the investigation. Much of the building is around 800 years old, with medieval and Victorian stained glass, a Roman altar, a Saxon marble font and gravestones that reveal glimpses of past village lives.

Stanhope Fossil Tree

Near the church, look out for the Fossil Tree. It’s one of the more unusual sights on the route and ties neatly into Weardale’s deep natural history, giving curious Detectives something properly ancient to inspect between clues.

Killhope Museum

For anyone wanting to dig deeper into Weardale’s lead-mining past, Killhope Museum is around eight miles up the dale. The Trail notes that lead mining has shaped Stanhope and Weardale for over 1,000 years, and Killhope is the place to experience a taste of that hard-working history.

Stanhope Marketplace

The marketplace area is handy for post-case treats, local refreshments and a gentle wander once the culprit has been unmasked. It’s a good final stop before returning to the Durham Dales Centre with your detective work neatly wrapped.