Upper Teesdale in Snow

On Location 29th December 2020.

The days of a long hard winter seem to have gone in Teesdale. Apart from the occasional “snow days” in late November or December much of the winter weather seems to turn up on the early months of the year.

However, when the snow does arrive it can make for some picturesque scenes appreciated by photographers and artists. Not so much for the farmers who take it in their stride.

So it was on this day, a good fall of snow in the upper dale was too good an opportunity to miss. I headed off to obtain some references for work.

There are several remote houses dotted around the landscape of Forest in Teesdale. With the backdrop of Cronkley Fell I was looking for something a bit different from the usual. The snowcovered reeds in the foreground provide the interest that I was after. I already have in my mind the painting idea for this shot.

This is more of the “standard” shot of New House in winter. The farmer turned up just at the right time.

The B6277 road winds its way up through the dale, heading to a distant Alston.

The last house on the road out of the dale provides a good subject with the early morning glow in the sky. Looking back to the dale.

Frog Hall at Harwood sits at 460m (1500′) and gets plenty of harsh weather. In summer this meadow is carpeted with colourful wildflowers.

Today a lone sheep stood its ground.

This may not be the remotest post box in the country but it can’t be far off. It is perfectly placed for a great composition.

Driving round past the houses of Harwood there are several good photo opportunities. Today the sky made an interesting backdrop over the abandoned farmstead of Unthank. The “standard” shot of this location is taken further along the road looking back this way.

I happened to see these three Greyhen, they are the females of the Black Grouse family. At one time they were very rare but they are making a remarkable recovery in numbers and I see them regularly in the dale.

The sheltered hamlet of Langdon Beck. Well known to those who travel along the Pennine Way. The Langdon Beck Hotel is just over to my right.

Photographs taken it was time to head back to the studio. Work to be done.

Thanks for reading.