Consett Nested In The Stunning Pennines

The midsize town of Consett lies on the northern border of County Durham

, to the south of Northumberland. The town itself lies on the edge of the Pennines and, as such is one of the highest market towns in Britain. Perched on the banks of the picturesque River Derwent, Consett has naturally become a popular place to live and also to visit for a weekend away. That said, the proximity to the commercial hub that is Newcastle, just 10km away to the north east, has certainly contributed to the popularity and helped to boost the population to some 27,500.

The history of the town, however, lies in more local commodities and the very beginnings of the industrial revolution. In 1841, Consett was but a small village with a population of just 145. It was, however on the edge of an industrial boom. Beneath the fields and countryside of the local whereabouts lie a mixture of iron ore, coal and limestone: the vital ingredients of the blast furnace for making iron and steel. It was in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that the area grew quickly with increasing demand for these precious metals of the industrial era. Unfortunately for the budding industrialists, developments in iron manufacture techniques took business away and to neighbouring Sheffield which later became the steel capital of the world. For today's residents this is surely a good thing, gone are the industrial buildings and the polluted atmosphere, re-establishing the natural beauty of the local area.

In recent times Consett has become more famous for its celebrity exports than its industrial produce. Famous former residents and local hero's include Rowan Atkinson, Alan Campbell and cricketer Paul Collingwood. The town is also well known for its annual music and beer festivals

Consett offers a typical array of shops, pubs, bars and restaurants typical for a town of such size, boasting all the essential amenities including supermarkets and sports facilities. Indeed, plans are afoot for a new 20 million pound sport complex to house the local Consett Athletic Football Club as well as offering the communities a gymnasium, swimming pool and tennis courts. For anything you can't find on your doorstep, Newcastle is just a short ride away.

Outside of the town itself, the stunningly rugged Pennines await the outdoor enthusiast yet offer some easily accessible beauty for the less energetically inclined. The famous Derwent Reservoir is just a few miles away. Built to provide water for the industrial boom, Derwent Reservoir can hold nearly 10 million cubic metres of water penned behind a fabulous neo-gothic damn. This great body of water offers a base for a wide range of water related activities including fishing and sailing as well as providing some beautiful backdrops to the well trodden path that follows its perimeter.

Whatever it is that brings you to Consett, you'll likely find it and also a myriad other things you never expected that will make you glad you came and never want to leave.

by: Matt Fay

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