Using Rookhope Burn Cottage as your base for exploring there are a wealth of activities on your doorstep, here are just a few examples. 
Mining
There are several disused lead mines in Rookhope such as Grove Rake, Bolts Burn Mine, Lintzgarth Smelt Mill and Stotsfield, which produced huge amounts of lead and fluorspar in its time.  Or for more history and the opportunity to take a guided tour down a mine visit Killhope Lead Mining Museum. http://www.killhope.org.uk

Fishing
If you are keen or aspiring fisherman there are numerous fishing opportunities in the local area. From Cow Green Reservoir with its reputation for the best wild brown trout to Derwent Reservoir which is well stocked with rainbow, blue and brown trout.  Or if you prefer river fishing, both the River Tyne and the River Wear run nearby and offer some of England’s best river fishing offering salmon and sea trout respectively.

Walking
If you enjoy walking, the Weardale Way offers 77 miles of unspoilt English beauty running from the North East coast at Roker in Sunderland to Killhope Lead Mining museum, winding through a designated area of outstanding natural beauty.  http://www.weardaleway.wanadoo.co.uk/

From Rookhope Burn Cottage, you’ll find walking routes that guide you around Rookhope Village, taking in the outstanding scenery and natural wildlife in the surrounding countryside. http://www.durham.gov.uk/PDFApproved/Countryside_pub_Rookhope_walk.pdf

Cycling
If you have loftier ambitions why not try to Coast to Coast (C2C) cycle route.  Running from Whitehaven off the West coast of England to Roker on the East coast of England, the C2C passes through some of the most beautiful, unspoilt country that England has to offer.  And with Rookhope Burn Cottage situated right on this route, it makes an ideal resting place for a day or two.  http://www.c2c-guide.co.uk/

Nature and Wildlife
No visit to the North Pennines is complete without taking in High Force; England's largest waterfall which suddenly and spectacularly drops 70 feet into a plunge pool below. A woodland walk leads you to the breathtaking sight. http://www.northpennines.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=12981

Don’t forget to look out for the amazing wildlife that can be found in Durham Dales too.  From bats, badgers, otters to birds such as red kites, tumbling lapwing, golden plover, oystercatcher, dunlin and redshank plus loads more.  http://www.durhamwt.co.uk/

Skiing
Varied skiing resorts for the North Pennines include Allenheads, Harwood, Yad Moss and Swinhope.

Other Activities
A daily bus runs to and from Stanhope, so if you’re feeling a bit warm, why not cool down in Weardales’ open air heated swimming pool, or for a more peaceful step back in time visit Weardale Railway and take a ride on the fully restored working steam train, enjoying the scenic route between Wolsingham and Stanhope. 

Alternatively, if you would prefer to explore further afield, Weardale Coach Travel offer a wide array of day trips to the surrounding areas.   For something a little more extreme, Weardale Off Road Centre offers off road courses, all terrain vehicles and even zorbing.

For those concerned with the environment, there is a planned renewable energy village being built in Eastgate on the site of the old cement works.  Plans for the site show that it will encompass not only new housing, but shops and a hotel when it is developed over the course of the next few years.