Middleton-in-Teesdale
Things to Do, Walks, Waterfalls & History
Middleton-in-Teesdale is the main village in Upper Teesdale and a brilliant place to start exploring this part of County Durham. The River Tees runs alongside the village, the North Pennines rise around it, and within a short distance you can reach waterfalls, old lead mines, walking routes and some of the best-known landscapes in Teesdale.
Middleton itself is worth taking time to explore too. There are independent shops, cafés and places to eat, alongside buildings and landmarks connected with the London Lead Company, the railway and generations of people who lived and worked here. From the village you can head out on foot, explore the surrounding mining landscape or make the short drive to places such as Low Force and High Force.
This guide brings together the practical bits you need for a visit, along with our walks, local history, waterfalls, mining sites and places to explore around Middleton-in-Teesdale.
Parking and toilets in Middleton-in-Teesdale
Parking
There is a small free car park at Hill Terrace, close to the centre of Middleton-in-Teesdale, along with roadside parking bays around Market Place and Horsemarket. These are handy if you are stopping for a look around the village, visiting the shops or getting something to eat.
If you are staying longer or heading off on a walk, there is also free public parking at Middleton-in-Teesdale Sports & Social Club on Rose Terrace, DL12 0QL. The club welcomes visitors to use its car park until 6pm.
Parking can get busy, particularly during weekends and the summer months, so always check the signs for any time limits or restrictions.
Public toilets
The public toilets are on Chapel Row, close to the centre of the village. They are listed as free to use and open 24 hours, with RADAR-key access to the accessible toilet.
Shops, cafés and places to eat
Middleton-in-Teesdale still has a proper village centre, with independent shops, cafés, pubs and takeaways spread mainly around Market Place, Horsemarket and Chapel Row. You can stop for coffee and cake, get breakfast or lunch, pick up fish and chips or a takeaway, or sit down for a meal and a drink.
There are useful everyday shops too, including a food shop, butcher, newsagent and pharmacy, alongside smaller independent shops selling books, crafts and antiques. It means Middleton works really well as a base for a day out, because you can park up, get what you need and head off exploring without having to drive elsewhere first.
Walks from Middleton-in-Teesdale
You don't need to drive anywhere to enjoy some lovely walks around Middleton. From the village centre you can head straight into the woodland around Hudeshope, follow paths past old lead mines and limekilns, or enjoy a longer day exploring the surrounding hills.
Here are two of our walks starting in Middleton, along with our full collection of Teesdale walking routes if you fancy exploring a little further.
The King's Walk Circular
3 miles through woodland, past waterfalls and limekilns
Marlbeck Lead Mine Walk
A 4.4-mile walk through Hudeshope, passing old limekilns and lead-mining remains on the way to Marlbeck.
More Teesdale Walks
Find more short walks and longer routes around the dale
Explore the history of Middleton-in-Teesdale
There is a lot more to Middleton than you see from the main road. Around the village are old Lead Company buildings, the church, traces of the railway and places that were once part of everyday life for miners and their families.
Explore some of the history below, and click any image to dive into more of that story.
Middleton-in-Teesdale in 1870
Step back into Middleton in 1870 and see the shops, pubs, people and everyday life of the village.
St Mary’s Church
Discover the story of Middleton’s old church, the church that replaced it and some of the people connected with both.
Lead Company Old School
Built in 1861, the old school became an important part of everyday life for Lead Company families in Middleton.
Middleton House
Once the headquarters of the London Lead Company, this imposing building sits at the heart of Middleton’s lead-mining story.
Middleton Railway History
The railway reached Middleton in 1868, bringing passengers, goods and a completely new connection with the outside world.
Baths & Wash Houses
Opened by the London Lead Company in 1869, the public baths and wash house gave local families somewhere to wash, bathe and do laundry.
History of Middleton-in-Teesdale
Start with the bigger story of Middleton, from its early beginnings through lead mining, the railway and the village we know today.
The Teesdale Hotel
Follow the story of one of Middleton’s long-standing inns, from the Cross Keys and Cleveland Arms years through to the Teesdale Hotel today.
Middleton’s Lime Kilns
Head into the hills above Middleton to find the large old lime kilns and discover another part of the area’s industrial past.
The London Lead Company played an enormous part in shaping Middleton. If you're interested in how it all began, who ran the company and why it eventually left Teesdale, we've explored the full story in our Who Were the London Lead Company? history.
Explore the old mines around Middleton-in-Teesdale
Middleton is surrounded by the remains of its lead-mining past, and you can reach some brilliant old workings without even getting back in the car. If you are happy with a decent walk and a few climbs, Coldberry, High Skears and Marlbeck can all be explored on foot from the village.
These are three of our favourite mining sites around Middleton. Click an image below to see what survives, read the story behind each place and find the walks that take you there.
Coldberry Lead Mine
One of the biggest mining sites around Middleton, with old buildings, levels, dressing areas and the enormous Coldberry Gutter spread across the hillside.
High Skears Lead Mine
A brilliant walk above Middleton through a much quieter mining landscape, with surviving remains and huge views across the dale.
Marlbeck Lead Mine
A smaller site tucked into Hudeshope, where the old stone mine shop and level entrance still survive beside the beck.
Waterfalls a short drive from Middleton-in-Teesdale
Middleton makes a brilliant base for some of Upper Teesdale’s best waterfalls. You will need the car for most of these, but the starting points are only a short drive from the village and several can easily be combined into the same day out.
Some are almost beside the road, while others need a proper walk to reach them. Click an image below for parking, directions and everything you need for the visit.
Low Force
One of the easiest waterfalls to reach, with the River Tees dropping over the Whin Sill beside the historic Wynch Bridge.
High Force
Teesdale’s best-known waterfall, where the River Tees plunges dramatically into the gorge below.
Summerhill Force
A lovely waterfall near Bowlees, reached by a short woodland walk with Gibson’s Cave tucked behind the falls.
Bleabeck Force
A quieter waterfall above High Force, reached on foot through the Upper Teesdale landscape.
Cauldron Snout
A much wilder outing higher up the dale, with a proper walk needed to reach the long cascade below Cow Green Reservoir.
Flushiemere Beck Waterfall
A quieter waterfall above Bowlees, reached on a short walk from the visitor centre with a beck crossing near the end.
Discover more only a short drive from Middleton-in-Teesdale
Middleton is a great base for exploring more of Teesdale too. From historic towns and villages to abbey ruins, museums and the wilder landscape of Upper Teesdale, there is plenty more within a short drive.
If you have a little more time, these are six places we think are well worth adding to your visit.
Tap an image below to find out more about each place.
Barnard Castle
A historic market town on the River Tees, with its castle, independent shops, cafés and plenty to explore on foot.
The Bowes Museum
An unmistakable French-style museum in Barnard Castle, home to art, exhibitions and the famous Silver Swan.
Egglestone Abbey
Atmospheric abbey ruins overlooking the River Tees, with plenty of surviving stonework and a beautiful countryside setting.
Cow Green Reservoir
Head higher into Upper Teesdale for open moorland, huge views and the starting point for the walk down to Cauldron Snout.
Bowlees Visitor Centre
A handy starting point for Low Force, Summerhill Force, Gibson’s Cave and several walks through the surrounding countryside.
Romaldkirk
A lovely old Teesdale village with stone cottages, village greens and plenty of history packed into a small place.
Explore Middleton-in-Teesdale on the map
Use our Discover Teesdale map to find places to eat, drink, stay, walk and explore around Middleton-in-Teesdale and across the wider dale. Tap any marker for more information.
Using your phone? Tap the menu in the top right and choose “Install Discover Teesdale” to add the app straight to your home screen.
Why we love Middleton-in-Teesdale
For us, Middleton isn’t just somewhere we happen to be local to. It is a place we keep coming back to, whether that is to follow another bit of history, wander around the old buildings, head up into the mining landscape or simply spend some time outside.
You can come here for a peaceful day in the countryside, take a picnic and have a slow wander beside the river or head off to one of the waterfalls nearby. Or, if you fancy something bigger, Middleton is a brilliant starting point for longer walks out into the hills and the wider Upper Teesdale landscape.
There is history almost everywhere you look, but there is plenty of ordinary village life too. That mix of the landscape, the buildings, the stories and the people who have called this place home is what makes Middleton special to us. We love all of it.