Causey Arch — Attraction in Stanley

There's more to see than initially meets the eye. We went to see if we could find the hazelnut trees we had seen on our last visit - but failed. That failure led us to explore much more of the area. I remembered the crag where I used to take members of the school rock climbing group for some close at hand rope work practice. It was even more impressive this time as I could stand back and admire it - and also the spirit of my 12-13 year old pupils who were up to the challenge.

We walked up the right hand side of the ravine on the path of the waggonway and saw lots of interesting features relating to the industrial history of the area - the information boards were well designed, easy to understand, informative and clear of graffiti - which indicates how tranquil the area felt - walking through very old, very tall, trees with just birdsong and running water as the main ambient sound. No traffic noise could be heard once we entered the Dell.

There were some lovely families - of all sorts - in the site and we stopped a few times for a chat with quite a few - it's always interesting to make acquaintance with folk of all ages who you feel are there for more or less the same reason as you are. It's also interesting to find that there is often more than just one or two points if common interest including - children, waterlife, pets, the lovely weather, the fruit trees and just the calming joy of being there.

Most people made eye contact especially when passing each other on challenging slopes - a "white stick" man and his helper coming down as we ascended some non accessible friendly steps, making way to social distance, sharing anecdotes and discoveries.

Quite a few people we met had dogs - the vast majority of which were perfectly well behaved, tail wagging and friendly. The exception being a couple of youngish women whose dogs were off leash and the first we noticed of them was when they brushed passed us in a narrow part of the track quite a way up from the Causey Beck with a steep bank - children or frailer folk than us might have been more than a little discomfited than we were.

We arrived at a point where there is an old iron girder bridge and met another couple - they told us about the tea rooms at the old station which they thought might be open - as my wife didn't have her usual bottle of water with her - she had left it in the car - not thinking we would be spending much time here - we opted to go and see for ourselves. It was about another 200 or so yards when we came into the carpark.

The site is run by volunteers with some public assistance - it is beautifully maintained with a subdued bonhomie about the place. The tea room was open in a socially distanced way but that didn't detract from the delight a being in such a comfortable room - there was a still picture from "Brief Encounter" on one wall which gate it a very nostalgic feeling. We were welcomed by Susan who asked if we had booked a train journey - explaining that the steam train on the platform would be leaving shortly - we said we'd only come for the refreshments today. There was a big pile of an illustrated softback book of images from the station and the engines and all sorts of other interesting items about the place - which she offered to us - gratis.

We opted for a coffee and a hot chocolate and after careful consideration a piece each if vegetable quiche - which was so good I asked if the quiche was home made and Dorothy on the till told me that they were the product if her workmate Sarah's oven. I thanked Sarah and complimented her baking skill and the flavour and texture if the quiche which we had both thoroughly enjoyed - lovely pastry not doggy bit too hard - we'll set filling riddled with largish pieces of al dente onion. The coffee and the chocolate were very welcome and refreshing also.

The toilets were very clean and welcome as we had been out a lot longer than we had expected. We noticed - when we came out - we noticed that the train had departed - I tried to write more but think I've come up to the...

The oldest surviving single span railway arch in the world, I think. 1725.

This is a wonder that should be appreciated more. The views are hindered by unmanaged woodland but the paths are in decent shape if a bit muddy after all the rain. I’ve been visiting as a local since I was a boy.

It’s really easy to park near by and have a gentle walk to the arch along the railway line and back. You can see some of the arch through the trees. The best view though is from the footbridge at the bottom. You can do a short loop if you are more adventurous which involves some stairs and the view from the bridge. An even longer walk option is a circuit from tanfield to the arch and then back along Bobgins lane.

All of the information boards are in a poor state and the local relevant authority should get them...

It's okay, use to volunteer at Tanfield, downside is they leave you with very few jobs to do other than cleaning or moving furniture, got quite boring so ended up leaving the volunteering.

Wasn't intrested in operating the steam train, wanted to do labouring such as keeping the tracks fixed and even get taught about the engineering, sadly though was a waste of time, volunteered for 3 months in total and all the jobs they did have were rubbish, left and found other places which aim to assisting others in new skills.

Owners of Tanfield seem to have priorities all over the place, area is beautiful, just the staffing jobs are lame, all I got to do was sit around for 2/3rds of the day, they can find their own...