The Monk’s Head in Deepdale Woods, Teesdale
🗿 The Monk’s Head in Deepdale Woods, Teesdale
🧭 Part of Discover Teesdale
our guide to the walks, waterfalls, history and peaceful places that make Teesdale special.
The Monks Head
Birdbox just before the Monks Face
Woodland path in Deepdale
A Hidden Carving in the Heart of Deepdale
Deepdale Woods is one of those magical Teesdale places where history, mystery and nature all blend together.
Tucked quietly in the woodland between Cat Castle and Crag Pond, about 2.6 miles along the walk, lies something truly unexpected, a stone face known locally as The Monk’s Head.
Your walk begins from the small car park at Deepdale Nature Reserve (postcode DL12 8TD). There’s space for around five cars, and plenty of benches along the paths where you can pause and connect with nature. Please stick to the marked paths, as this is a protected area and home to birds, deer and wildflowers.
The paths follow Deepdale Beck through peaceful woodland. On the way you’ll pass the Great Stone, a huge glacial boulder that looks almost like it was dropped by a giant, and the remains of the old railway viaduct, which once carried trains high above the dale. These touches of Teesdale history make the walk feel like a real outdoor adventure.
Finding the Monk’s Head
From the car park, simply follow the beck upstream. You’ll cross several small bridges as the path winds through the trees, keeping the water close by on your left. On the opposite bank, you’ll spot the old rifle range, where stone walls and earth mounds still hint at Teesdale’s wartime past.
Keep walking towards Crag Pond, and roughly halfway between there and Cat Castle, the landscape begins to change the dale narrows, and you’ll notice large boulders scattered below the crag as if they’ve tumbled down over time.
That’s your clue you’re close.
On your right-hand side, just before the beck takes a sharp left corner, there’s a bird box marked “B2” fixed to a tree. A few steps beyond that, the Monk’s Head appears, carved into a block of stone, about waist height, quietly watching over the beck. It’s easy to miss if you’re not looking carefully, but once you spot it, it’s unforgettable.
Who Carved the Monk’s Head?
There are no official records of who created the carving, or when. That mystery is part of its charm but it hasn’t stopped locals and walkers from guessing!
Here are a few of the stories that drift around Teesdale:
🪨 The apprentice stonemason theory (1800s)
Some believe the carving was made by a young stonemason working on local bridges or railway projects, practising his craft deep in the woods.
🎖️ The soldier story (1940s)
Others say it was carved by a soldier stationed at the rifle range during World War II, a way to pass time and leave his mark before returning to duty.
📜 The monastic legend (Middle Ages)
Another tale connects it to Teesdale’s early Christian past, when monks and hermits lived along the dales. Perhaps it was carved as a guardian watching over travellers on the old woodland route.
🎨 The quiet artist theory (1900s–1950s)
A more modern thought is that it was created by a local artist, inspired by the landscape, wanting to leave something hidden, art for those who take the time to wander and look.
No one can say for sure, but that’s what makes it special. The Monk’s Head has become part of the landscape, softened by years of weather and moss, an unspoken secret of Deepdale Woods.
Why Not Visit and Decide for Yourself?
Why not take a walk and see which story feels right to you?
Sit for a moment beside Deepdale Beck, listen to the water, and imagine who might have stood there carving that face long ago.
Whether you think it’s the work of a stonemason, a soldier, or a wandering artist, it’s a lovely reminder that the dales are full of stories waiting to be found.
You can follow our digital route below to reach the Monk’s Head safely and easily. The map includes waypoints for the Great Stone, the old rifle range, and the remains of the viaduct.
or
📍 Coordinates for the Monk’s Head: 54.5414, -1.984942 (NZ 007 162) – between Cat Castle and Crag Pond in Deepdale Woods, Teesdale.
📘 Quick Facts
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📍 Start: Deepdale Nature Reserve car park, DL12 8TD
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🚶♀️ Distance: Approx 2.6 miles there
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⏱️ Time: Around 3 hours at a steady pace there and back
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🗺️ Grid ref for the Monk’s Head: NZ 007 162 (54.541400, –1.984942)
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🪨 Highlights: Great Stone, rifle range remains, old railway viaduct, hidden stone carving
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🐾 Dogs: Welcome on leads
A Teesdale Walk Full of Character
Deepdale Woods has a special kind of calm, one that feels far from the modern world but full of quiet stories.
It’s a place children love to explore, adults find peaceful, and photographers can’t resist. Whether you visit for the walk, the wildlife, or to hunt for the Monk’s Head itself, it’s one of those Teesdale adventures that stays in your memory long after you’ve left.