Wearhead
     
Situated near the source of the River Wear between Ireshopeburn and Cowshill, Wearhead stands at 1100 feet (335m) above
sea level and was once a summer base for the Bishop's cattle which would be moved to lower ground during the winter.
Wearhead is surrounded by some of the highest peaks in Co. Durham including Burnhope Seat which at 2451 feet (747m) was
the highest point in the historic county of Durham until Mickle Fell at 2585 feet (788m) was transferred into Co. Durham from
the North Riding of Yorkshire during the 1974 county boundary changes.

The Weardale Railway had an extension which ran up to Weardale to transport limestone, iron ore, lead ore and flourite to the
industrial towns of the north-east of England.  The line closed to passenger traffic in 1953 and freight in 1961.  Today the
railway operates as a heritage line between Bishop Auckland and Stanhope but one day trains may run up to Wearhead again.

The former Co-op shop which closed in 2005 is now being run as an independent store and the former Post Office is now a
craft shop and café.  The Methodist Church held it's last service before closing in the mid 2010's after 180 years.