Teesdale Tales
Stories, Legends and Folklore from Across the Dale
Teesdale is full of stories. Some are true, some are half-remembered, and some have grown bigger each time they were passed down. These little tales belong to the landscape just as much as the rivers, the woods and the old stone buildings.
This is our growing collection of Teesdale’s folklore and local legends, the stories you might hear from a grandparent, a neighbour, a farmer, or someone you meet on a walk.
Each tale has its own page where you can read the full story and learn a little about the place connected to it. We’ll keep adding more, one story at a time.
William Gibson at Gibsons Cave
Folklore
Legend says William Gibson was an outlaw who hid behind the waterfall at Summerhill Force, using the cave as a secret shelter while constables from Barnard Castle searched the dale. This tale follows the man, the cave and the whispers that still cling to the rocks.
Hannah Hauxwell
True story
Hannah Hauxwell lived alone at Low Birk Hatt in the remote Baldersdale hills, facing long winters, harsh weather and a life shaped by quiet resilience. This story follows her gentle routines, the land she loved and the way she touched the hearts of millions after the world discovered her.
The Wynch Bridge Disaster
True Story
First built in 1741 for the lead miners of Upper Teesdale, Wynch Bridge once collapsed in 1802 with tragic consequences. The bridge was rebuilt and still stands at Low Force today. This story follows its origins, the disaster and the legacy of one of England’s earliest suspension footbridges.
Egglestone Abbey and the Lost Mill
True Story
Built in the late twelve hundreds on a quiet rise above the Tees, Egglestone Abbey was home to a small community of White Canons who lived simply and served the valley around them. This story follows the building of the abbey, the life of the canons and the long-vanished mill that once turned on the river below.
The Making of the Bowes Museum
True Story
Rising above Barnard Castle, the Bowes Museum began with the shared vision of John and Josephine Bowes, a couple who loved art and wanted to bring it to the people of Teesdale. This story follows their lives in France and Streatlam, the collection they gathered together and the remarkable museum they created as a lasting gift to the dale.
The Tale of the Market Cross Bullet Holes
Folklore
Look up at the Market Cross and you will see two perfect round holes in the weather vane. This tale explores the real musket marks and the much loved Barnard Castle story of the pub argument that ended with a shooting contest across the cobbles.
The Mad Monk of Egglestone Abbey
Folklore
This Teesdale tale blends an old story of forbidden love with a strange quiet moment on Abbey Bridge.
A hooded figure on the road, a sudden disappearance and a legend that still lingers by the Tees.
The Hermit of Barnard Castle
true story
Discover the true Teesdale tale of Frank Shield, the bearded hermit who made the Round Tower of Barnard Castle his home. He guided visitors, studied the ruins and later found himself living alone among the broken walls of Egglestone Abbey.
The Clockmaker of Amen Corner
true story
The story of a Barnard Castle clockmaker whose tiny workshop once stood in Amen Corner. Follow the quiet craft that kept the town on time, the moment Charles Dickens stepped inside, and the changes that erased the old yard but left the clockmaker’s name woven into Teesdale’s history.
Streatlam Castle and the Lost Home of John Bowes
true story
The true story of Streatlam Castle, the vanished home of John Bowes. Discover his family’s past, the rooms and grounds of the estate, life with Joséphine, the Army years and the demolition that erased one of Teesdale’s great houses.
More Tales Still to Come
We’re just getting started with Teesdale Tales. New stories will be added as we discover them, hear them, or find inspiration in the places we explore.
If you know a local legend, a strange happening, or a bit of old folklore, feel free to share it with us, we’d love to bring it to life here.
These stories are presented for historical and cultural interest. True events are based on documented sources; folklore tales are traditional stories passed down in local memory.