•     Introduction
•     Sunderland to   Fatfield
  •     Wearmouth Bridge
  •     Sunderland Railway Bridge
  •     Queen Alexandra Bridge
  •     Hylton Bridge
  •     Cox Green Footbridge
  •     Victoria Railway Viaduct
  •     Fatfield Bridge
  •     Chartershaugh Bridge
•     Fatfield to Chester-le-  Street
  •     Lambton Estate New Bridge
  •     Lambton Estate Lamb Bridge
  •     Chester New Bridge
  •     Lambton Road Bridge
  •     A1M Motorway Bridge
      Chester-le-Street
  •     New Lumley Bridge
•     Chester-le-Street  to    Durham
  •     Cocken Bridge
  •     Finchale Footbridge
  •     Brasside Footbridge
  •     Belmont Railway Viaduct
  •     Penny Ferry Bridge
  •     Milburngate Bridge
  •     Framwellgate Bridge
  •     Prebends Bridge
  •     Kingsgate Footbridge
  •     Old Elvet Bridge
  •     New Elvet Bridge
  •     Baths Bridge
  •     Maiden Castle Footbridge
•     Durham to Bishop   Auckland
  •     Shincliffe Bridge
  •     Croxdale Bridge
  •      Sunderland Bridge
  •     Croxdale Railway Viaduct
  •     Page Bank Bridge
  •     Jubilee Bridge Willington
  •     Pay Bridge
  •     Newton Cap Viaduct   Bishop  Auckland
  •     Newton Cap Bridge   Bishop  Auckland
•     Bishop Auckland to   Frosterley
  •     Witton Park Railway Viaduct
  •     Witton Park Bridge
  •     Witton Bridge
  •     Witton A68 Bridge
  •     Harperley Footbridge
  •     Wolsingham Railway Bridge
  •     Wolsingham Bridge
  •     New Bridge, Holebeck Mill
  •     Broadwood Bridge Frosterley
  •     Broadwood Railway Bridge   Frosterley
  •     Kenneth's Bridge Frosterley
  •     Frosterley Bridge
•     Frosterley to   Stanhope
  •     Rogerley Railway Bridge
  •     Gas Works Bridge
  •     Stanhope East Railway Bridge
  •     Stanhope Central Railway Bridge
  •     Stanhope Footbridge
  •     Stanhope Stepping Stones
  •     Stanhope Stone Bridge
  •     Stanhope West Railway Bridge
•     Stanhope to   Daddry  Shield
  •     Hag Bridge, Eastgate
  •     Eastgate Railway Bridge
  •     Eastgate Conveyor Bridge
  •     Brotherlee Footbridge
  •     Haswicks Bridge, Westgate
  •     Britton Bridge, Westgate
  •     Waterside House Footbridge
      and Stepping Stones, Westgate
  •     Daddry Shield Bridge
•     Daddry Shield to   Wearhead
  •     Huntshield Footbridge and
      Stepping Stones
  •     Ponderlane Footbridge
      St John's Chapel
  •     Broken Way Footbridge
      St John's Chapel
  •     Bridge End Footbridge
  •     Coronation Bridge, Ireshopeburn
  •     Blackdene Mine Bridge
  •     Blackdene Bridge
  •     Sparks Farm Bridge
  •     Wearhead Bridge
  •     Confluence of Killhope
      and Burnhope Burns
•     Wearhead to   Killhope Head
  •     Westfall Bridge
  •     Burtreeford Bridge
  •     Burtreeford Footbridge
  •     Bells Bridge
  •     Low Allers Bridge
  •     Heathery Bridge
  •     Lanehead Footbridge
  •     Killhopeburn Bridge
  •     Weardale Estate Bridge
  •     Killhope Mine Bridge
  •     Killhopehead Bridge
  •     Killhope Cross and Source
•     Former Bridges, Fords   and   Ferries
•     Reference
•     Links
•     Bridges On The Tyne
•     Bridges on the   Derwent
•     Bridges on the Tees
•     Bridges on the   Coquet
•     Bridges on the   Wansbeck
•     Bridges on the Blyth
•     Bridges on the Aln
•     Bridges on the Tweed

STANHOPE STEPPING STONES AND FORD

"Botanists flock to Stanhope, not to seek the blooms on the local moors or in Woodlands, but because of the fossil tree now almost embedded into the churchyard wall. This was found between Stanhope and Edmondbyers and has been identified as a giant plant similar to the small mares tails which still grow today in the dry areas of the district. Some 250 million years ago what is now the moorlands of Upper Teesdale was a huge area of swampland full of giant trees. This one has been so long in the ground that it looks and feels as smooth as gun metal. Stan means stoney and Hope means a valley."

Discovering County Durham. Ron and Marlen Freetly. 1994.

The stepping stones and ford alongside are located at the west end of Stanhope down a minor road and give access to the B6278 road which goes across the mooors to Middleton-in-Teesdale.

The ford has been the scene of many vehicle rescues when the river waters make it dangerous to cross. Though large warning signs are posted on either side the problem has now made it necessary following an inquiry, for Durham County Council to close it permanently from February 2012. An alternative route is available over the old bridge west of the town, adding a mile or so to the journey. Barriers had been erected at the ford to prevent motorists from attempting to cross in winter when it was also closed before closure became permanent. Both the Fire Brigade and RAF rescue helicopters have been involved in rescuing drivers trapped in their vehicles, sometimes after being washed downstream. The stepping stones are concrete and are used by visitors and locals alike.

Stanhope is an old market town and is popular with visitors. The Durham Dales centre has information, crafts and a tea room. In an attractive setting with moors to north and south it lies at the current terminus of the Weardale Railway and pubs and shops are to be found on the long main street. An agricultural show is held in September of each year.

 Stanhope Stepping Stones and Ford