North Pennines National Landscape

Tree and hedge planting
2026-10-03 10:00 - 15:30 (Europe/London) | Teesdale
Join us on farms across Teesdale to create more space for nature and improve habitat connectivity by planting trees and hedgerows.
There are several volunteer opportunities for tree and hedge planting throughout the winter, at locations across Teesdale.
Tree and hedge planting dates, 10am to 3.30pm:

22 January
30 January
5 February
10 February
18 February
26 February
5 March
10 March
18 March
26 March
31 March
9 April
16 April

A light lunch will be provided but please bring any drinks and snacks. All ages are welcome, children must be supervised by adult. All training and equipment will be provided. Please wear outdoor clothing and bring waterproofs, and wear boots with a sturdy sole. A general level of fitness needed.
Volunteer opportunities may be postponed due to weather conditions, any changes will be communicated at least 24 hours before the event where possible.
For any enquires please email william@northpennines.org.uk
Please sign up using the volunteer site Better Impact

Mine site maintenance
2026-10-06 10:00 - 15:00, 2026-11-03 10:00 - 15:00, 2026-12-01 10:00 - 15:00 | TBC
Volunteer opportunities to undertake maintenance works to various mine sites across the North Pennines, on the first Tuesday of each month, commencing 3 March 2026, 10am to 3pm.
In this monthly activity you will join Gary and Arran of Heritage Consolidation, to undertake maintenance tasks at lead mining structures.
Steel toe capped boots and gloves are strongly recommended for this task, gloves can be provided.
More details will be provided upon signing up. Suitable for 18+
Locations will be decided closer to the date.
Dates are:-
3 March
7 April
5 May
2 June
7 July
4 August
1 September
6 October
3 November
1 December
Sign up using the Better Impact volunteer link

Volunteer day at Bowlees tree nursery
2026-10-06 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-11-03 13:00 - 16:00 | Bowlees Visitor Centre, Newbiggin, DL12 0XF
Volunteer at Bowlees Wildflower and Tree Nursery on the last Wednesday of each month from 1pm to 4pm. There are also extra drop in sessions on 11 March, 15 April, 13 may and 10 June.
You can help with our nature recovery work by seed collecting and sowing, potting on, and watering plants. For more information email william@northpennines.org.uk.
Delivered as part of the Tees-Swale: naturally connected programme. Tees-Swale is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and led by the North Pennines National Landscape team in collaboration with the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Sign up on the volunteer platform Better Impact

Access improvements
2026-10-08 10:00 - 15:00, 2026-11-12 10:00 - 15:00, 2026-12-10 10:00 - 15:00 | TBC
Volunteer with us to improve access to various lead mine sites across the North Pennines on the second Thursday of each month starting 14 May, 10am to 3pm.
In this monthly activity you will join Adam, Access Officer at the North Pennines National Landscape, to help make improvements to footpaths leading to mining sites.
Steel toe capped boots and gloves are strongly recommended for this task, gloves can be provided.
More details will be provided upon signing up. Suitable for 18+.
Exact locations will be decided closer to the date of the activity.
Dates for 2026, second Thursday of each month, 10am to 3pm:
9 April – postponed
14 May
11June
9July
13 August
10 September
8 October
12 November
10 December
Please sign up using the link to Better Impact volunteer system

Garden club - volunteer opportunity
2026-10-27 10:00 - 12:30, 2026-11-24 10:00 - 12:30 | Bowlees Visitor Centre, Newbiggin, DL12 0XF
Volunteer to help look after ‘Helen’s Garden’ at Bowlees Visitor Centre, and the raised beds and planters alongside the Centre on the last Tuesday of each month, 10am to 12.30pm.
General maintenance including weeding, dead heading, cutting back and planting. Watering the gardens when required. Tidying, sweeping the surfaced area around the Centre and painting garden benches. Hedge trimming and maintaining the willow arch in the car park.
Usually work for two to two and a half hours and finish with refreshments which are provided.
Sign up on the volunteer platform Better Impact

Historic environment on-site working day
2026-10-27 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-11-19 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-12-08 10:00 - 16:00
Come along and get involved in recording historic structures on working days at sites around the North Pennines. Held monthly apart from March and August, 10am to 4pm.
Help document key features through structured field recording and targeted photography, and contribute invaluable data for ongoing conservation work. The photographs taken will also support the creation of detailed 3D models through photogrammetry and feed into Historic England’s Missing Pieces project, helping to build a richer national record of heritage sites.
You’ll have the chance to work with other volunteers and trained staff, while helping us to safeguard these important sites.
You will need to bring walking boots and clothing appropriate for spending the day outdoors in a variety of weather. You will also need a packed lunch, snacks and a drink. If you want to bring equipment with you, you are welcome to, but we will also have some equipment available for you to use.
Dates for 2026:
Future dates with locations:
• Thursday 26th February – Rookhope Arch
• Tuesday 28th April – Nenthead
• Wednesday 27th May – Beldon Lead Mine
• Tuesday 23rd June – Lady’s Rake Mine
• Thursday 30th July – Silverband Mine
• Wednesday 23rd September – Pike Law
• Tuesday 27th October – Middle Level Greenlaw
• Thursday 19th November – Stublick Colliery/ Langley Barony Mine
• Tuesday 8th December – Brandon Walls
Each day is from 10am to 4pm.
Please book using the Better Impact volunteer system

Historic environment: indoor working day
2026-10-30 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-11-27 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-12-11 10:00 - 16:00 | North Pennines National Landscape office, 1 Martin Street, Stanhope,, DL132UY
These indoor sessions held in Stanhope, build on our field recording work and gives volunteers the opportunity to develop their skills further. During the day we will process the photographs collected on site to create detailed photogrammetry models, exploring how digital techniques can enhance our understanding of historic landscapes.
The first indoor session for 2026 is Friday 30 January, 10 am to 4pm.
Volunteers will also work with a range of sources—including written accounts, LiDAR data and QGIS mapping—to place the recorded lead mining sites in their wider historical context. Our findings will be added to Historic England’s Missing Pieces project, helping to expand and enrich the national record.
No previous experience is needed; this session is designed to support beginners while offering plenty of scope for those wishing to grow their research and digital heritage skills.
Please bring your lunch. Refreshments will be provided throughout the day. If you want to bring equipment with you, you are welcome to, but we will also have some equipment available for you to use.
You do not need to have attended the associated site day to join us for these indoor work sessions.
Dates for 2026 – all at Stanhope are drop in sessions from 10am to 4pm:
• Friday 30th January – Cancelled due to adverse weather conditions
• Friday 27th February
• Friday 1st May
• Friday 29th May
• Friday 26th June
• Friday 31st July
• Friday 25th September
• Friday 30th October
• Friday 27th November
• Friday 11th December)
Please sign up using the Better Impact volunteer system

Volunteer catch-up session: Land of Lead and Silver project
2026-12-10 11:30 - 15:30 | High Forest Community Centre, Sinderhope, NE47 9SJ
We are holding a volunteer catch-up and feedback session highlighting the volunteer work on the North Pennines National Landscape Land of Lead and Silver project. Join us for a Christmas catch-up on 10 December, 11.30am to 3.30pm at High Forest Community Centre, Sinderhope.
This event is also an opportunity to show our thanks for the commitment you have made being a volunteer. Share your experiences of volunteering with the Land of Lead and Silver project. We would like to be responsive to your feedback and ideas.
Suitable for all ages, children must be supervised by an adult. There is no need to book, free festive refreshments will be available.
