2025 marks the 200^th anniversary of the planning of the village of Nenthead by the London Lead Company. The North Pennines National Landscape team and members of the local community have organised a weekend-long event on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 August to celebrate which will be a traditional village fair at the playing field, with competitions, games, music, and activities, alongside an evening supper with music and a dance, and an historical quiz.

Saturday 23, 10am to 5pm, and Sunday 24 August, 11am to 4pm:
Food and drink stalls, including Alston ices, traditional games and activities, and a children’s bouncy castle in the playing field
Wedding exhibition and food and drink for sale at The Hive
Mine tours at Nenthead Mines, please book via their website
Mining display at the Nenthead Mines barracks building
Animation drop-in sessions with local animation artist, Robin Webb, at the barracks building – have a go at producing stop-motion animations and bring your Nenthead-inspired creations to life. No prior experience required.

Saturday 23 August:
10am Costume procession from the mines car park to the playing field
10.30am to 12pm Costume competition in the playing field
11am to 2pm Craft stalls and demonstrations, puppet-making and creative performance drop-in sessions in the marquees
12pm to 5pm Local bands playing in St. John’s Church
6pm to 11pm supper and music in the village hall, £10 per adult, under 16’s are free. Book online

Sunday 24 August:
11am Outdoor blessing at Nenthead Mines
11am to 2pm Agricultural and craft competitions in the marquees
1pm to 3pm Stanhope Silver Band playing in the marquees
3.15pm Awards ceremony at the playing field
5pm (for a 5.30pm start) Historical quiz at The Hive

Park and ride buses Saturday 23 August 8am to 6pm / Sunday 24 August 9am to 4pm:
Coaches will leave from the bus stop at Alston Spar on the hour for Nenthead, and from Wright’s bus garage in Nenthead on the half hour for Alston. Request stops at Fairhilland Nenthall caravan park. Parking is available at Tyne Willows, Alston CA9 3HZ (not available in wet weather).

Competitions:
Open for all to enter.

Photograph competition and exhibition – cancelled due to a lack of entries.

Under 16s nature photograph competition – cancelled due to a lack of entries.

Scarecrow competition – mining-related or Nenthead history-themed scarecrows to be displayed outside homes from Monday 4 August. Entries will be judged by the Leek Club. The winners announced on the afternoon of Sunday 24 August.

Costume competition – dress in mining-related or Nenthead-inspired garb and meet at Nenthead Mines car park on Saturday 23 August, 10am, to process to the playing field for judging. There will be prizes for under 11s, 11-18 year olds, adults, and the best mining costume.

Agricultural and craft competitions – entries to be dropped off to the marquee by 10.45am on Sunday 24 August. Categories:
3D model of a Nenthead landscape – area no bigger than A4
A4 rag rug/mat – any design/material
Mining memorabilia – anything mining related
Summer flower display – 12 blooms in a vase
Country crafts – let your imagination run wild
Chutneys
Jams/jellies
Cakes
Pastries
Doughs

Heritage trail and alternative timeline – pick up a leaflet and follow the route around the village to find out about heritage buildings and the people who lived in Nenthead.

Children’s treasure hunt will run through the summer holidays with goody bags for those who successfully complete the trail.

View the weekend programme here or click the image below.

Nenthead200 events:

The event is part of the Land of Lead and Silver project, run by the North Pennines National Landscape team and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players, and Historic England.