The Old Weardale Repository (OWR) at oldwdale.info
Maps page

This OWR Maps page contains maps at various scales and dates.


Contents of this Maps page:
  • 1857/8 25 inch maps


  • 1st edition OS 25 inch (1:2500) maps of Weardale Railways.
    These are snapshots and scans of the 25 inch OS 1st edition maps of the Weardale area, which were surveyed in 1857 and 1858. They show in great detail the state of the railways in 1857/8, except that most copies of the maps covering Frosterley to Stanhope are later reprints (e.g. 1860s or 1870s) which have had the railway from Frosterley to Stanhope and to Newlandside Quarrry added (but are still described as 1st edition).

    The survey date for each map area can be read at the bottom left-hand corner of the 1895 revisions of each map sheet, which can be viewed on-line on the National Library of Scotland website at NLS Durham Index.

    Until November 2021, the 1st edition 25 inch OS maps could be viewed on-line, for non-commercial purposes, on the website www.old-maps.co.uk. That website has now been closed, but the following files contain snapshots taken from old-maps of all the railways in the Weardale area and some other areas of Weardale with railway interest.

    Also here are high resolution scans of the 1st edition 25 inch OS maps of Frosterley as originally surveyed (from British Library) and of Crawleyside/Stanhopeburn, Weatherhill and Park Head (from original printed copies).

  • Bishop Auckland and Weardale Railway area (22.5 MB) Link
  • 106 snapshots from old-maps, covering Bishop Auckland, to Wear Valley Junction, to Crook and surrounding areas, to Tow Law and surrounding areas, to Waskerley.

  • Stanhope and Tyne Railroad area (8.2 MB) Link
  • 34 snapshots from old-maps, covering Hownsgill, to Waskerley, to Crawleyside, to Stanhopeburn.

  • Wear Valley Railway area (12.5 MB) Link
  • 57 snapshots from old-maps, covering Wear Valley Junction, to Wolsingham, to Frosterley, to Stanhope and Newlandside, and Bishopley Branch and old waggonway to Bollihope.

  • Weardale Iron Company Railway area (13.3 MB) Link
  • 66 snapshots from old-maps, covering Parkhead, to Boltslaw, to Rookhope, to Bishopseat, to Heights, to Middlehope Valley, and Rookhope Valley to Groverake and North Grain.

  • Other Weardale areas of railway interest (5.4 MB) Link
  • 23 snapshots from old-maps, covering the route from Stanhope to Wearhead and some quarries and mines, including High Slit Mine, Middlehope Bank, Harthope, Greenlaws Mine, New House, Burtreeford, Burtree Pasture Mine, Cowhorse Level and Killhope Park Lead Mine.

  • High resolution of Frosterley in 1857 on Durham XXIV.15 (2.6 MB) Link
  • Scan from British Library copy, showing railway terminating at Frosterley and with Frosterley Engine Shed (as building 240, but not connected). Zoom to 400% for close-up view.

  • High resolution of Durham XXIV.5 of Crawleyside and Stanhopeburn in 1857 (18.6 MB) Link
  • Scan from original paper copy, showing Crawley Engine, part of Stanhope Burn Iron Works, Lanehead Quarry, Red Vein Quarry, Noah's Ark Quarry, West Pasture Mine, Stanhopeburn Washing, Shield Hirst Level, Stanhope Smelting Mill. Zoom to 400% for close-up view.

  • High resolution of Durham XXIV.2 of Weatherhill Incline in 1857, left part, Stanhope Parish (10.3 MB) Link
  • Scan from original paper copy, showing Weatherhill Incline, Weatherhill Engine and Park Head Depot. Zoom to 400% for close-up view.

  • High resolution of Durham XXIV.2 of East of Park Head in 1857, right part, Muggleswick Parish (7.7 MB) Link
  • Scan from original paper copy, showing Pease's Quarry (Sandstone), near Park Head Depot. Zoom to 400% for close-up view.