North Pennines National Landscape

Hands-on heritage volunteer opportunity: lime pointing
2025-11-27 10:00 - 15:00 (Europe/London) | Holms Linn Mine Site, off Shield Street, NE47 9ST
Step back in time and help protect our industrial heritage with a day of lime pointing and conservation at the atmospheric Holms Linn Mine site, Sinderhope, Allendale, 10am to 3pm. This volunteer opportunity is part of the Land of Lead and Silver project and is suitable for 18+.
Guided by Gary Simpson of Heritage Consolidation Ltd, you will gain unique insight into traditional building skills and take part in real restoration work in a stunning landscape rich with history.
What you will do
• Take part in a site safety briefing
• Explore the Lime Cycle and understand how lime is produced and used
• Watch a live lime slake and learn to mix lime mortars
• Discover how to select and apply appropriate mortars for historic structures
• Try your hand at raking out joints, pointing, and knocking-back techniques
• Learn how to manage the drying cycle in changing weather conditions
All tools and protective equipment (glasses and gloves) will be provided. Please wear sturdy boots (steel toe caps if you have them), warm and waterproof layers, and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
Please bring a packed lunch and drinks.
Please sign up using the volunteer platform Better Impact

Volunteer opportunities - plug planting
2025-11-27 10:00 - 15:30, 2025-12-03 10:00 - 15:30 | Teesdale
This autumn we are looking for volunteers to help with plug planting on farms across Teesdale.
Plug planting helps to increase biodiversity, creates habitats for pollinators and conserves threatened wildflower species in hay meadows.
We will be plug planting at several locations across Teesdale throughout the autumn.
Plug planting dates:

23 September, 10:00 – 15:30
9 October, 10:00 – 15:30
17 October, 10:00 – 15:30
22 October, 10:00 – 15:30
29 October, 10:00 – 13:00 (followed by Bowlees Nursery drop in)
6 November, 10:00 – 15:30
27 November, 10:00 – 15:30
3 December, 10:00-15:30

All training and equipment will be provided
A general level of fitness is required, please wear outdoor clothing and sturdy shoes. The exact locations will be given closer to the dates.
Please sign up using the volunteer platform Better Impact.

Historic environment indoor working day
2025-11-28 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-12 10:00 - 16:00
These indoor working days follow each on-site working day, giving the opportunity to get involved with processing photogrammetry images into models, archiving condition assessment data, and undertaking historic research. You’ll have the chance to work with other volunteers and trained staff, while helping us to safeguard these important sites.
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 – all at Stanhope from 10am to 4pm:
Friday 24 October
Friday 28 November
Friday 12 December
Please book using the Better Impact volunteer system

Tree and hedge planting
2025-12-03 10:00 - 15:30 | Bowlees Visitor Centre
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:

14 November
19 November
25 November
2 December
3 December
10 December
16 January 2026
22 January
30 January
5 February
10 February
18 February

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

Introduction to QGIS workshop
2025-12-04 10:00 - 16:00 | High Forest Community Centre, Sinderhope, NE47 9SJ
Help us map historic sites by learning how to use this digital mapping software, QGIS (Quantum Geographic Information System). This can be used to look at how many historic sites we have in a particular area of the North Pennines, where they are located, and give insight into how the sites were used.
The QGIS workshop is on Thursday 4 December 10am to 4pm, at High Forest Community Centre, Sinderhope.
QGIS is a free digital mapping software that is commonly used in archaeology and heritage management. The programme can be used to gather, store and visualise data. You will also receive a copy of our QGIS manual that you can keep and use as you continue using the programme.
Please note, all attendees need to be over the age of 18 and will need to bring along their own laptop in order to be able to join the workshop.
Please sign up using the volunteer system Better Impact.

Historic environment on-site working day
2025-12-09 10:00 - 16:00
Come along and get involved in recording historic structures on working days at sites around the North Pennines. This is a chance to use your skills related to recording historic features, including photogrammetry and condition assessment. 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 weathers. You will also need a packed lunch, snacks and a drink. You are welcome to bring equipment with you, but we will also have some equipment available for you to use.
Dates:
Tuesday 21 October – Allen Mill, near Allendale, Northumberland
Tuesday 25 November – Dukesfield Smelt Mill, Northumberland tbc
Tuesday 9 December – Nenthead Mines, Cumbria
Please book using the Better Impact volunteer system

Historic environment research workshop: unlocking the asylum archives
2025-12-12 12:30 - 17:00 | The Story, (Durham County Archives), Mount Oswald, Durham, DH1 3TQ
Come along to The Story (Durham County Archives), Friday 12 December, 12.30pm to 5pm, for an opportunity to develop archival skills and interact with historical material from The Winterton Hospital (formerly known as Durham County Lunatic Asylum) Collection.
The workshop will include:

A display class with historical material from the Winterton Collection (patient registers, illustrated casebooks, post-mortem reports) exploring how to use them and what they can tell us.
An illustrated history of Durham County Asylum.
Introduction to palaeography skills (reading old handwriting) session with an activity using original documents
Introduction to digital resources session with activity using Ancestry records.

This is the first archival skills workshop for up to ten volunteers as part of a new volunteer research project “Melancholy, Mania and Metallurgy: Unlocking the Asylum Archives” which be uncovering the stories of North Pennines lead miners and their families who spent time in County Asylums.
There will be similar workshops held at Carlisle Archives and Northumberland Archives early next year.
(Please note that this project is for adults only. Historical documents use outdated terminology to describe disability and mental health conditions and may also contain material that some people find offensive or distressing.)
Please sign up using the volunteer platform Better Impact
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Historic environment on-site working day
2026-01-28 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, the first date is Wednesday 28 January, 10am to 4pm at Nenthead Mines.
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:
Wednesday 28 January – Nenthead Mines, Cumbria. Cancelled due to adverse weather conditions
Future dates with locations TBC:
• Thursday 26th February
• Tuesday 28th April
• Wednesday 27th May
• Tuesday 23rd June
• Thursday 30th July
• Wednesday 23rd September
• Tuesday 27th October
• Thursday 19th November
• Tuesday 8th December
Each day is from 10am to 4pm.
Please book using the Better Impact volunteer system

Historic environment: indoor working day
2026-01-30 10:00 - 16:00 | North Pennines National Landscape office, 1 Martin Street, Stanhope,, DL132UY
The monthly volunteer indoor working days at our Stanhope Office build on our historical research /field recording work and gives volunteers the opportunity to develop their skills further.
Historical Research volunteers
For volunteers working on historical research projects (such as “Unlocking the Asylum Archives” and “Caldwell Harpur: Diaries of a Crank”) these monthly research meetings are an excellent opportunity to meet others working on the same project to share exciting research findings, explore emerging themes, and work on any tricky transcriptions together.
Staff will be on hand to offer guidance on resources, answer questions, and help you work through any challenges and supply much needed tea and biscuits.
Photogrammetry and Archaeology volunteers
Photogrammetry volunteers can process the photographs collected on site to create detailed photogrammetry models, exploring how digital techniques can enhance our understanding of historic landscapes. 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; these sessions are designed to support beginners while offering plenty of scope for those wishing to grow their research and digital heritage skills. You do not need to have attended the associated site day to join us for these indoor work sessions.
Refreshments are provided throughout the day but please bring a lunch if needed. 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 – all at Stanhope are drop in sessions from 10am to 4pm:
• Friday 1st May
• Friday 5th June
• Friday 3rd July
• Friday 7th August
• Friday 2nd October
• Friday 30th October
• Friday 4th December
• Friday 18th December)
Please sign up using the Better Impact volunteer system

Garden club - volunteer opportunity
2026-02-24 10:00 - 12:30 | Bowlees Visitor Centre
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

Volunteer day at Bowlees tree nursery
2026-02-25 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-11 13:00 - 16:00 | Bowlees Visitor Centre
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

Historic environment on-site working day
2026-02-26 10:00 - 16:00 | Rookhope Arch
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

Mine site maintenance
2026-03-03 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

Historic environment research workshop: unlocking the asylum archives
2026-03-03 12:00 - 16:00 | Carlisle Archive Centre, Petteril Bank Road, Carlisle, CA1 3AJ
Join us for an exciting skills workshop at Carlisle Archives as part of a new volunteer research project “Melancholy, Mania and Metallurgy: Unlocking the Asylum Archives”. This project will be uncovering the stories of North Pennines lead miners and their families who spent time in county asylums.
The workshop, on Tuesday 3 March, 12 noon to 4pm, is an opportunity to learn archive skills and interact with historical material from the Garlands Hospital collection (formerly known as Cumberland and Westmorland County Lunatic Asylum). It will include:
• A behind the scenes tour of the archive
• A display class with historical material from the Garlands Hospital collection (patient registers, illustrated casebooks, post-mortem reports) exploring how to use them and what they can tell us
• An illustrated history of Cumberland and Westmorland County Lunatic Asylum
• Introduction to palaeography skills (reading old handwriting) with an activity using original documents
• Introduction to digital resources session with an activity using Ancestry records
Please note that this project is for adults only. Historical documents use outdated terminology to describe disability and mental health conditions and may also contain material that some people find offensive or distressing.
Please sign up using the volunteer platform Better Impact
Image (c) Ninesergeants

Pennine Way volunteer information sessions - online
2026-03-03 18:30 - 19:30 | Online
We are looking for volunteers to join our team of Pennine Way People – a team of volunteers who help us monitor and maintain a 73-mile stretch from Tan Hill on the Teesdale/ North Yorkshire border to Greenhead in Northumberland. We are holding two online information sessions, which will be for about an hour, on Tuesday 3 March and Monday 9 March, to share more details of how to get involved.
The route attracts thousands of walkers every year and when combined with temperamental weather conditions the trail can become a victim of its own success, with the ground underfoot becoming boggy and eroded, and stiles and gates becoming difficult to use.
How can you can get involved?
We are looking for:-
Champion volunteers – people who will ‘adopt’ a stretch of the Pennine Way. This involves walking a designated stretch of the route 3 to 5 times per year and reporting any problems.
Buddy volunteers – those who may be available to double up with a champion on certain stretches and help with transport logistics from the start to the finish of the route..
Maintenance volunteers – those that can help with a regular programme of practical works including stile repairs, drystone walling, path resurfacing and drainage works.
Join a session without commitment, find out about what is entailed with each of the roles, and to let you know how you can register your interest and what the next steps will be. No prior experience is required but an appropriate level of fitness suited to the volunteer role would be beneficial.
Please register to attend one of the two events here via our TicketSource platform.

If you have any other questions or are unable to attend one of the designated information sessions, please feel free to contact Adam Crolla at adamc@northpennines.org.uk or Emma Harle at Eharle@northpennine.org.uk

Pennine Way volunteer information sessions - online
2026-03-09 18:30 - 19:30 | Online
We are looking for volunteers to join our team of Pennine Way People – a team of volunteers who help us monitor and maintain a 73-mile stretch from Tan Hill on the Teesdale/ North Yorkshire border to Greenhead in Northumberland. We are holding two online information sessions, which will be for about an hour, on Monday 9 March, to share more details of how to get involved.
The route attracts thousands of walkers every year and when combined with temperamental weather conditions the trail can become a victim of its own success, with the ground underfoot becoming boggy and eroded, and stiles and gates becoming difficult to use.
How can you can get involved?
We are looking for:-
Champion volunteers – people who will ‘adopt’ a stretch of the Pennine Way. This involves walking a designated stretch of the route 3 to 5 times per year and reporting any problems.
Buddy volunteers – those who may be available to double up with a champion on certain stretches and help with transport logistics from the start to the finish of the route..
Maintenance volunteers – those that can help with a regular programme of practical works including stile repairs, drystone walling, path resurfacing and drainage works.
Join a session without commitment, find out about what is entailed with each of the roles, and to let you know how you can register your interest and what the next steps will be. No prior experience is required but an appropriate level of fitness suited to the volunteer role would be beneficial.
Please register to attend one of the two events here via our TicketSource platform.

If you have any other questions or are unable to attend one of the designated information sessions, please feel free to contact Adam Crolla at adamc@northpennines.org.uk or Emma Harle at Eharle@northpennine.org.uk

Archaeological landscape surveys - volunteer opportunity
2026-03-10 10:00 - 15:00, 2026-03-11 10:00 - 15:00, 2026-03-12 10:00 - 15:00, 2026-03-13 10:00 - 15:00, 2026-03-14 10:00 - 15:00, 2026-03-17 10:00 - 15:00, 2026-03-18 10:00 - 15:00, 2026-03-19 10:00 - 15:00 | Garrigill, CA9 3DS
Have you ever wondered how Archaeologists map their finds and sites?
The answer is archaeological surveying, an important aspect of archaeological fieldwork that records the footprint, profile, and location of a site, as well as the location of any important artefacts discovered.
Facilitated by Elder Archaeology, there are volunteer opportunities to help survey mining sites in the Alston Moor area.
There are a total of 15 volunteer days across three weeks starting Tuesday 10 March, 10am to 3pm. Volunteers can register for any day, and any number of days. Dates in March are 10-14, 17-21 and 24-28. Ideally suited for 18+.
As a volunteer you will help conduct these surveys in a variety of ways, utilising technology such as laser scanners, global positioning systems, and drones. As well as more basic technology, such as dumpy levels, measuring tapes, and drawing implements. Training will be provided by experts from Elder Archaeology.
Please sign up using the system Better Impact
Future opportunities.
Over the next two years there will be two month-long opportunities to participate in archaeological surveying on sites in the North Pennines National Landscape and UNESCO Geopark as part of the Land of Lead and Silver project. Elder Archaeology CIC will provide instructions and guidance as you compile your own surveys across these sites. No experience is required, and all equipment will be provided, however it will require lots of walking across uneven moorland in inclement weather, so warm and waterproof clothing is strongly recommended.

Volunteer day at Bowlees tree nursery
2026-03-11 13:00 - 16:00 | Bowlees Visitor Centre
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 harry@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

Tree and hedge planting
2026-03-18 10:00 - 15:30 | 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

Adder survey training
2026-03-19 09:00 - 12:30 | Slaley Forest, NE47 0BY
Apologies, bookings are now closed for this event.
Would you like to contribute to the conservation of adders in the North Pennines National Landscape?
Learn how to survey for adders and other reptiles and amphibians in the North Pennines. Training will follow on from the adder survey training webinar, covering safety, animal identification and survey techniques.
The training at Longburnford Quarry Nature Reserve near Castleside is on 19 March, 9am to 12.30pm. Full details of the meeting point will be given when signing up to volunteer.
There are two other opportunities available, 26 March and 2 April at different locations.
The session is suitable for adults, and children over the age of 12 who are supervised. Unsuitable for wheelchairs, dogs and young children.
Apologies, bookings are now closed for this event.
