Wandering Horsley Burn: Waterfalls, Quarries & Forgotten Homes in Weardale

I set off this morning with no particular plan in mind, and as is often the case, I found myself drawn back to Weardale - a place that never fails to deliver something new, even when revisiting familiar landscapes. Today’s explore started near the bottom of Horsley Burn, a lesser-known but beautiful corner of the dale, and from there I followed the burn upstream, climbing one side toward Eastgate Quarry, then looping back down the opposite side.

What followed was a peaceful, rugged and surprisingly rich walk—with crystal-clear waterfalls, the remains of mining infrastructure, and a collection of abandoned farmhouses and byres slowly being reclaimed by the moor. The weather played its part too, with bright skies and soft light casting long shadows across the hillsides. It was the kind of day that reminds you how much history and beauty lies just beneath the surface in places like Weardale—you just have to wander to find it.

Eastgate Quarry – Industrial Echoes in the Hills

Eastgate Quarry, perched high above the valley in Weardale, was once part of the region’s vital limestone extraction industry. This area of County Durham has long been associated with heavy industry, and Eastgate played its part by supplying limestone for use in construction, agriculture, and and cement. The quarry is located near the site of the former Eastgate Cement Works, which opened in the 1960s and operated for several decades before its closure in 2002. While the larger industrial site has since been cleared, the quarry itself still bears the scars and contours of intensive extraction, and stands as a reminder of a time when Weardale’s hillsides weren’t just admired—they were worked.

From the air, Eastgate Quarry reveals its full scale and structure, with deep terracing and exposed limestone facesetched into the landscape. The contrast between the rugged man-made cuts and the soft moorland surrounding it makes for a striking composition, especially in the clear light of a spring morning. Capturing it from above allowed me to trace the patterns left by machinery and blasting, now softened by time and slowly being reclaimed by nature. The remnants of trackways, access roads, and spoil heaps are still clearly visible, offering a layered view into the quarry’s past activity. Though now quiet, the site holds a raw beauty, and seeing it from above really highlights the powerful relationship between Weardale’s natural resources and its industrial heritage.

Horsley Burn Waterfalls – Hidden Cascades of Weardale

Following Horsley Burn up through the valley revealed a series of beautiful, lesser-known waterfalls—small, tucked-away cascades that added a sense of quiet drama to the walk. There were around five distinct falls, each one different in size and character, and all formed naturally by the burn cutting its way through layers of rock over centuries. Unlike the larger, more well-known falls in the region, these were subtle and secluded—hidden gems that would easily be missed without wandering off the beaten path. These waterfalls are shaped by the geology of the area, where limestone, shale and sandstone layers create natural steps and ledges for the water to tumble over. Though unnamed and mostly unmarked, they offered a perfect snapshot of the untouched, tranquil beauty that makes Weardale so rewarding to explore.

Although it wasn’t possible to capture these spots with the drone due to the tight, tree-lined nature of the burn, I did manage to photograph them on my phone—and even at ground level, they were absolutely worth the stop. The sound of rushing water, mixed with birdsong and the rustle of spring leaves, created a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere. The soft spring light filtering through the trees danced across the water, highlighting the movement and texture of each cascade. Some were short drops over rocky ledges, others more spread out into multi-step flows across mossy stone, but all added a unique charm to the route. Even without dramatic height, these natural features felt special—a reward for straying from the path and slowing down to see what the landscape quietly offers.

Abandoned Farmhouses of Horsley Burn – Forgotten Lives on the Hillside

One of the most fascinating aspects of today’s wander along Horsley Burn was the sheer number of abandoned farm buildings scattered along the slopes—each one with its own character, slowly being reclaimed by the surrounding moor. These weren’t just ruins—they were once working homes and shelters, part of a vibrant rural community that thrived when Weardale’s farms and mines were in full flow. Among them were the remains of Snowhope Close, Easter House, Snape Gate, West Newlandside, and Clay Hole, along with a small byre near Clay Hole, tucked discreetly into the landscape. While many are now roofless or partially collapsed, the stonework, doorways, and field walls still whisper stories of those who lived and worked here, often in tough and isolated conditions.

Captured from the air, these ruins dot the hillsides like quiet sentinels, each one sitting within its own patch of faded farmland, surrounded by dry stone walls and open views. The drone allowed me to highlight their placement in the wider landscape, showing how each farm was connected—often by barely visible old trackways—and how they made use of the terrain. The light caught the remaining rooflines, shadowed interiors, and overgrown courtyards, giving each structure a haunting kind of dignity. The little byre near Clay Hole, though small, stood out as particularly atmospheric—a lone, forgotten building tucked into the land, almost missed if not for the aerial view. These captures serve as a quiet tribute to Weardale’s agricultural past, a visual reminder of the people who once made a life here, now left to the winds and the wild.

Wrapping Up the Day

Today was a perfect example of why wandering without a plan in Weardale often leads to the best discoveries. What started as a casual walk along Horsley Burn turned into a journey through layers of history, hidden beauty, and quiet solitude. From the towering scars of Eastgate Quarry, to the secluded waterfalls tumbling gently through the burn, and the abandoned farmhouses silently watching over the valley, every part of the landscape offered something unique to capture and reflect on.

What made this route so special wasn’t just the locations themselves, but how they all came together—the industrial past, the natural flow of water, and the rural remnants of lives once lived. With no crowds, no signs, and no fanfare, it felt like walking through a forgotten storybook, where every turn revealed something new. These places might not be marked on tourist maps, but from above—and from ground level—they speak volumes. Another reminder that Weardale always has more to give, especially when you just let the day lead you.