County Durham is unique, as for many centuries it was a virtually independent state ruled not by the king, but by powerful `Prince Bishops', who were given powers enabling them to hold their own parliament, raise their own armies, appoint their own sheriffs and Justices, administer their own laws, levy taxes and customs duties, create fairs and markets, issue charters, salvage shipwrecks, collect revenue from mines, administer the forests and mint their own coins.
Within Durham Dales and to the east of the Weardale `capital' of Stanhope, the River Wear is joined from the north by the Rookhope Burn, which when translated means `valley of the rooks'.  The poet W.H Auden, regarded by many as one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, was familiar with this whole area and its derelict lead mines, and stated in a 'New Year Letter' that it was in Rookhope that he first became aware of himself as a poet.
Historically Rookhope was famed for its farming traditions and mining connections, where lead and fluorspar were predominantly extracted.   For anyone interested in the history of mining, Killhope Lead Mining museum offers a unique experience where visitors can explore and experience the working and living of Victorian mining families and an opportunity to go down a real Lead Mine - Park Level Mine.
The internationally famous ore deposits of the North Pennines have attracted research from the earliest days of geological science. None more so than The Rookhope Borehole, drilled for the University of Durham’s Department of Geology in 1960 and 61, which was one of the area’s most important contributions to world geological science. For more information about historical Rookhope and its mining traditions, a visit to The Weardale Museum and High House Chapel in Ireshopeburn is recommended.
In terms of historical farming, the valley was the setting for a border fray in which a large group of cattle raiders from Tynedale made a raid upon the valley of Weardale on 8th December 1569. The raiders had decided to plunder the Wear valley for its livestock while most of the Weardale men were away plotting against the Queen in the famous `Rising of the North'. Resistance to the raid was expected to be low, but there were still a number of Weardale men left to defend their dale. The raiders were pursued north into the Rookhope valley as they made off with Weardale cattle and sheep and when the Weardale men eventually caught up with the cattle raiders, a fray ensued in which four of the Tynedalers lost their lives. The event is remembered in the `Rookhope Ryde', a 24 verse Weardale ballad dating from 1579.
For a less bloody taste of the past you can enjoy a ride on the famous Weardale Railway, where you can step back in time and take a ride on the fully restored working steam train, enjoying the scenic route between Wolsingham and Stanhope, providing a great way to fully appreciate the stunning vistas this quiet corner of England has to offer.