Deepdale Woods
Barnard Castle
Deepdale Woods sits on the Startforth side of the River Tees, just across from Barnard Castle. It’s the perfect place for a short walk in nature or to uncover a bit of local history. Wander through peaceful woodland trails and you’ll find the remains of the old railway viaduct, a mysterious face carved into the rock, the ruins of a former military rifle range, and the impressive Great Stone resting beside the beck.
Or, if you simply want some quiet time surrounded by birdsong and trees, the gentle paths along the water are ideal for reconnecting with nature and taking a mindful break from everyday life. This peaceful woodland really has it all.
Things to Discover in Deepdale Woods
Deepdale Woods Car Park
The small Deepdale Nature Reserve car park (postcode DL12 9AZ) sits quietly on the Startforth side of Barnard Castle. It’s an unpaved woodland parking area with space for around five cars if people park respectfully. From here you can follow a choice of paths that weave through the trees, cross the beck, and lead towards the old viaduct and other hidden spots in the woods.
If you prefer to leave the car behind, Deepdale Woods is only a short walk from Barnard Castle town centre, making it easy to reach on foot. However you arrive, it’s the perfect starting point for a relaxed wander so head out, explore, and see what you can spot along the way.
At Outdoor Exploring Family, we always say getting outside is good not only for the body but for the mind too, and this is one of those special quiet places that truly reminds you of that.
Deepdale Wood Carpark
Deep inside Deepdale Woods you might spot something unexpected, a carved stone face pressed into a large sandstone boulder. Some call it The Monk’s Head, others simply the stone face of Deepdale. No one knows for sure who carved it, or when, but there are a few ideas.
Some believe it was made by an apprentice stonemason practising his craft in the 1800s, when sandstone was quarried nearby. Others think it could date back to medieval times, maybe between the 1100s and 1400s, because of the arched shape above the head. Another theory links it to the Victorian era, carved for decoration or curiosity.
There are no official records of who created it and maybe that’s what makes it so special. When you find it, take a quiet moment beside the beck and decide for yourself: who do you think carved the face in Deepdale Woods?
The Stone Face of Deepdale Woods
Beside the rushing Deepdale Beck sits what might be the most eye catching feature of Deepdale Woods: the Great Stone. This enormous moss covered boulder isn’t native to these hills, it’s actually made of pink granite from Shap in Cumbria, and it travelled here from the other side of the Pennines, carried by ice during the last Ice Age (roughly 20,000 years ago).
It’s thought to be one of the largest of these “erratic” boulders in Teesdale, standing out because its rock type doesn’t match anything around it. As you pause beside it and listen to the water flow, you’ll be touching a piece of geological history that once journeyed through ice and time.
For us at Outdoor Exploring Family, it’s a reminder that nature’s story is bigger than one walk and sometimes the simplest stop by a stone can reconnect you with something timeless and quiet.
The Great Stone of Deepdale Woods
Remains of the Old Viaduct
Look closely through the trees and you’ll spot what’s left of the Deepdale Viaduct, the mossy stone supports where a huge iron bridge once crossed the beck. It was built in 1861 by engineer Thomas Bouch for the South Durham and Lancashire Union Railway, carrying trains west out of Barnard Castle towards Bowes, Stainmore and Kirkby Stephen, before joining the main line at Tebay.
At its height it was an impressive sight: 11 iron spans stretching around 740 feet (226 metres) across the valley and rising roughly 160 feet (49 metres) above the beck below. It carried both passengers and goods across the Pennines for over a hundred years until the line closed in 1962, and the bridge was dismantled the following year, leaving only its sturdy stone abutments behind.
If you stand quietly here today, it’s easy to imagine the sound of steam engines echoing through the valley. Nature has reclaimed the spot now, but the story of the viaduct lives on in the curves of the landscape.
The Remains of Deepdale Viaduct
The Old Rifle Range Building
Hidden among the trees is one of Deepdale’s most surprising finds an old stone rifle range building. It still stands proudly with its doorway and window, and beside it you’ll see a long concrete wall supported by metal rods. This was once the target area, with a bank of earth behind to safely stop bullets.
The concrete ramp beside it led to the roof, used by the people running the range known as markers to check or change the targets. Shooters would have stood further down the valley, aiming across the open ground.
There’s no official record of a “Deepdale Rifle Range”, but its layout suggests it was used for short-distance training, possibly by local volunteers in the late 1800s and troops from Startforth Barracks during the World Wars. Today, moss and trees have taken over, leaving behind a quiet piece of forgotten history.
Deepdale Rifle Range
Deepdale Nature Reserve Barnard Castle
Before You Go
Deepdale Woods is on the Startforth side of Barnard Castle, tucked quietly away across the river. There’s a small free car park at Deepdale Nature Reserve (DL12 9AZ) with space for a few cars, and if it’s full, it’s only a short walk from the town itself. Once inside, you’ll find a maze of woodland paths rather than a single set route, just pick a direction and explore.
Dogs are welcome here, though it’s best to keep them under control, especially near the beck or when the paths get muddy. The ground can be uneven in places, but that’s part of the adventure, every turn brings something new to discover, from carvings and old ruins to peaceful spots beside the stream.
This really is one of those places that’s perfect for a slow wander, a mindful walk, or a family explore. Whether you come for the history or just a bit of quiet among the trees, Deepdale Woods has a way of reminding you how good being outdoors can make you feel.
🌳 Bright Woods Forest School
If you’re visiting Deepdale Woods with children, you might notice signs for Bright Woods Forest School. They run wonderful outdoor sessions here, everything from family nature days and woodland wellbeing workshops to children’s birthday parties and holiday clubs.
We had them hold one of our children’s birthday parties here, and it was fantastic, each child and parent collected natural materials from the woods and built a little raft before racing them down the beck! It’s a brilliant way for kids to explore, learn, and enjoy nature.
You can find out more about their sessions on the Bright Woods Forest School website
💚 Why We Love Deepdale Woods
For us, Deepdale Woods is one of those special Teesdale places that has a bit of everything — peaceful paths, local history, and the chance to simply switch off for a while. Whether you come for a walk, join a forest school session, or just sit quietly by the beck, it’s a reminder that getting outside really does help you feel calmer and more connected.
Explore More in Teesdale
If you enjoyed discovering Deepdale Woods, you might also like these nearby walks and hidden spots:
🌊 Summerhill Force & Gibson’s Cave