Hannah’s Meadows Walk Baldersdale, North Pennines AONB

Tucked away in Baldersdale in the North Pennines AONB, Hannah’s Meadows Walk is a serene circular route of about 1.7 miles near Middleton-in-Teesdale. Named for Hannah Hauxwell, a woman known for her simple, resilient farm life, this gentle walk leads you through wildflower meadows, past her old farmhouse, and offers stunning views of Baldersdale’s reservoirs.

View across Baldersdale Reservoir from the Hannah’s Meadows walk

Quick Info:

  • 📍 Location: Baldersdale, near Middleton-in-Teesdale, North Pennines AONB

  • 🚗 Parking: Small free parking area next to the Balderhead Reservoir Dam postcode: DL12 9UP

  • 🥾 Walk: Circular route approx. 1.7 miles (easy-moderate, some uneven ground)

  • 🐶 Dog-Friendly: Yes (on lead – sheep and ground-nesting birds)

  • 🍃 Best for: Wildflower meadows, peaceful walks, wildlife spotting

  • ⏰ Time: Around 1 hour

  • We’ve created a digital map of the Hannah’s Meadows walk with directions so you can see the full route and follow it easily here.

About Hannah’s Meadows

Tucked away in the quiet Baldersdale Valley, right in the heart of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), you’ll find Hannah’s Meadows, a real hidden gem with a heart warming story behind it.

The meadows are named after Hannah Hauxwell, a remarkable woman who lived a simple, traditional life on her remote farm here for most of her days. She ran Low Birk Hatt Farm without electricity, running water, or any of the modern comforts we take for granted, tending to her land and animals completely on her own. Her story touched the nation when it was featured in a 1970s TV documentary, and today, her meadows have been lovingly preserved just as she kept them—rich in wildflowers and teeming with wildlife.

The walk itself is a gentle circular route through these very fields, where you’ll wander between stone walls, across open countryside, and past her old farmhouse, still standing as a quiet reminder of Hannah’s resilience and the simple beauty of country life.

In late spring and early summer, the meadows come alive with rare wildflowers look out for globeflowers, wood cranesbill, and swaying grasses, with birdsong all around. It’s a wonderfully peaceful spot for a family stroll, a bit of wildlife watching, or just some time to switch off and enjoy the fresh air and stunning views over Balderhead Reservoir and the rolling hills beyond.

Tips for Visiting:

  • Wear sturdy shoes it can be muddy or uneven in places.

  • Keep dogs on leads.

  • There are no toilets or facilities nearby.

  • Best visited in late spring or early summer for the flowers.

Map showing the Hannah’s Meadows circular walk route in Baldersdale, North Pennines AONB
Photograph of Hannah Hauxwell, namesake of Hannah’s Meadows walk in Baldersdale North Pennines

The Reservoirs of Baldersdale

One of the lovely things about the walk around Hannah’s Meadows is the stunning views over the reservoirs that stretch across Baldersdale. Right from the start, you’ll spot Balderhead Reservoir, with its huge dam wall standing proudly in the landscape it’s quite something when you see it up close!

As you wander along, you’ll also catch glimpses of Blackton and Hury Reservoirs further down the valley. On a calm day, the water sparkles in the sunlight, with the rolling hills and big open skies all around you. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to stop for a moment, take a deep breath, and just enjoy the simple beauty of it all.

Whether you’re here for the walk, the wildlife, or just to switch off for a bit, the reservoirs add to the peaceful charm of this little corner of the North Pennines.

Our Visit to Hannah’s Meadows

We visited on a breezy summer afternoon and were blown away by how untouched and peaceful it felt. The walk starts just by the dam wall easy to find, but as soon as you step onto the path, it feels like you’re entering another world entirely. Along the way, butterflies flitted between wildflowers, birds sang from the hedgerows, and every step felt like a gentle reminder to slow down and soak it all in.

One of the loveliest parts of this walk is the quiet, it gives you time to pause, to listen to nature, and to reflect on how different life must have been for the farmers who lived and worked here. Hannah Hauxwell’s story, shared on a little information board along the route, really brings that to life. She lived without electricity or running water, tending her land in all weathers, completely in tune with the nature around her.

Thanks to her way of farming, these meadows have been preserved just as they were—rich in wildflowers, birds, and wildlife that have vanished from so many other places. It’s a gentle, easy-going walk, but it leaves you with a lasting sense of calm and a real appreciation for the simple beauty of the countryside and the resilience of those who made their lives from it.

Interior of Hannah Hauxwell’s barn at Hannah’s Meadows walk in the North Pennines
Looking over Hannah’s Meadows in the North Pennines with Hannah Hauxwell’s barn in the distance

A lovely part of the walk at Hannah’s Meadows is the chance to step inside Hannah’s old barn, which is open for visitors to have a look around. It’s a simple, quiet place that gives you a real feel for the way life used to be here.

Inside, you’ll find some of the original tools Hannah would have used in her daily life old farming equipment, hand tools, and the kind of practical bits and pieces that were essential for running a small hill farm. You can almost picture her here, working through the seasons: milking her cows, storing hay, and taking shelter from the harsh Pennine weather.

It’s the sort of place that makes you pause and reflect on how tough and hardworking life must have been, yet how connected to nature it was too. Stepping inside the barn really brings her story to life and adds something special to the peaceful walk through the meadows.

Scenic view of Hannah’s Meadows walk in the North Pennines with wildflowers in bloom

How to Get to Hannah’s Meadows

Hannah’s Meadows is in Baldersdale, near Middleton-in-Teesdale in the North Pennines AONB.

  • By Car: From Middleton-in-Teesdale, follow the B6277 west, then turn onto the minor road signposted for Baldersdale. Parking is available at Balderhead Reservoir car park (DL12 9UX). From there it’s a short walk to the meadows.

  • By Public Transport: Buses run to Middleton-in-Teesdale from Barnard Castle and Darlington. From Middleton you’ll need to continue by taxi or on foot, as there is no direct bus to Baldersdale.

  • On Foot: The meadows are also reachable as part of longer walks around Baldersdale Reservoirs, connecting with the Pennine Way and local footpaths.

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Other places to explore nearby

Making a day of it around Baldersdale and the North Pennines? Here are some lovely spots a short drive or walk away. Tap a guide to plan your next stop.

  • Bowlees Visitor Centre – great base with cafe, toilets and maps, and the start point for local waterfall walks. 

  • Summerhill Force and Gibson’s Cave – shady woodland walk that feels magical after rain. 

  • High Force – the big showstopper on the River Tees with a short path to a brilliant viewpoint.

  • Low Force – pretty cascades by the historic Wynch Bridge, perfect for a calm picnic stop. 

  • Cauldron Snout – wilder scenery on the Pennine Way with rocky steps beside the rushing falls. 

  • Egglestone Abbey to Meeting of the Waters – peaceful 3.4 mile riverside walk near Barnard Castle.

  • Barnard Castle town and castle – independent shops, cosy cafes and castle ruins above the Tees.

  • The Bowes Museum – grand galleries and family friendly exhibitions in a striking building.

For more ideas, see our full round-up here: [Things to Do in the North East]