Rookhope
The stretch out of Allenheads is almost the last tortuous ascent - and it drags on until you reach the summit at Currick. Then there is a nice stretch of gentle downhil al the way to Rookhope. You soon pass the boundary into County Durham, land of the Prince Bishops - palatinate rulers with absolute authority, equal to a sovereign within the princi- pality. They were granted such power because of the huge strategic importance of the area in the ongoing battle with the Scots. On your approach you wil pass the Lintzgarth Arch, an incongruous and enormous vestige of a bygone era, lying abandoned on the valley floor. The arch carried a 3km horizontal chimney across the valley which replaced the more conventional vertical type when it was realised that a lot of lead literally went up with the smoke. Consequently teams of chimneysweeps were employed to scrape the valuable lead and silver deposits from the chimney once a week. It was a dangerous and filthy job, done by children. Rookhope is another shrunken mining vil age. It is also charming, keeping the secret of its hiding place wel guarded from sight high above the Weardale Val ey. It is hard to imagine that this small group of dwellings was a hive of activity only a few years ago. In its heyday it supported a surgery, a resident district nurse, vicar, policeman, teashops, several crowded pubs and a busy school. The mining of lead, iron and fluorspar, smelting and the rail- ways totally dominated people's lives. Today the village is a welcome watering hole and resting place for weary cyclists before the final leg of the C2C journey down to the NE coast. Now there is only a pub (pleasantly refurbished), village shop, post office and working man's club - but a splendid stop- ping off point, nonetheless.
Accommodation
| Catref, Rookhope, DL13 2BG | |
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Comfortable detached modern house 50 yards from the Rookhope Inn, in the centre of the village. Ideal for small groups as there are 4 beds in one large room with en-suite bathroom. |
Run by: Barbara McNamara 
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Tel: 01388 517116 |
B&B : £25 |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| The Rookhope Inn, Rookhope-in-Weardale, Co. Durham DL13 2BG | |
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Friendly village pub, geared to your needs - particularly where beer is concerned. There's a frequently changing selection of real ales from all over Britain and the Rookhope Inn is recommended by the Good Beer Guide and has a 5-star Cask Marque commendation. A range of traditional dishes is always available, using locally sourced ingredients where possible. Delightful setting and great fun and popular with C2Cers. |
Run by: Alex and Tom Goundry 
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tel : 01388 517215 |
Rooms : 4T, 1F |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| The Old Vicarage, Colin & Pauline Lomas, 1 Stotsfield Burn, Rookhope in Weardale, Co. Durham, DL13 2AE | |
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The Old Vicarage has a reputation for 'comfort, excellent food, generous hospitaility and a great night's sleep' according to our guest book. We offer a friendly warm welcome to our guests, comfortable en-suite rooms and a large guest lounge with TV and log fire. Outside there is a garden and courtyard seating area to enjoy. Secure cycle storage and drying facilities for B&B guests. There is room in the grounds for tents. It is a simple & tranquil location and offers a wc, h/c hand basin and shower with separate sinks for washing-up etc. It is £6 pp per night plus from £2.50 per vehicle/trailer. Please book in advance. Pub is a stroll away. |
Run by: Colin, Pauline and Richard Lomas 
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Tel: 01388 517375 |
Rooms : 1Tpl, 2Q - all en-suite |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| The Red Brick Barn, Prydale House, Rookhope-in-Weardale, Co. Durham DL13 2DF | |
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We are offering a high quality, very comfortable converted cattle byre. It is fully self-catering but meals are available to order. Lovely views, farm environment, fuel burning stove and a friendly welcome. Can accommodate 4-22 in the converted barn for £17.50 for a floor for the night and breakfast (bedding provided). |
Run by: Jane & Andrew Pearce 
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tel : 01388 517845 |
Rooms : 3T, 2D (both en-suite) |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| Hole House Bunk House, Hole House, Eastgate, Weardale, Co. Durham DL13 2HX | |
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Bunkhouse located on a farm. Good clean accommodation with attached breakfasting kitchen and TV room. Local pub nearby with restaurant and bar meals. Great location with secure bike store/workshop. |
Run by: Nick and Lorraine Thwaites 
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tel/fax : 01388 517184 |
Rooms : 3 quad rooms ie 2 pairs of bunks in each room - all en-suite |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| Cross Keys, Eastgate, Weardale, Co Durham DL13 2HW | |
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Friendly country inn with lots of character, the Cross Keys is more than 300 years old and is a real gem of a traditional Co Durham pub. The rooms have recently been refurbished and are comfortable and yet in keeping with the old fashioned feel of the place. We look forward to catering for cyclists! |
Run by: Elaine Stallard |
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Tel: 01388 517234 |
Rooms : 6T/D |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| Rosehill Farm B&B, Eastgate, Weardale, Co Durham DL13 2LE | |
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Traditional old farmhouse recently refurbished to a comfortable and high standard. Good central heating and the lounge has a stove in the central inglenook fireplace. All rooms are en-suite and have colour TVs, tea and coffee making facilities. |
Run by: George Wearmouth 
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Tel: 01388 517234 |
Rooms : 2T, 3D/F |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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