a potted history
Rookhope is now a fraction of the place it used to be. Due to lead and iron mining this was once a very busy and productive village, which, like others, has had to cope with the loss of old industries. A small village of some 250 people it has a very strong community spirit and offers a village shop (with tea and coffee for sale) public house and a working men's club. Rookhope is a quiet and restful place to recharge your batteries before the last big climb of the trip over the Rookhope Incline.

places of interest
Lintzgarth Arch - all that remains of a bridge which carried a 2 mile long horizontal chimney away from the site of the mining operations and is passed on the right just before entering Rookhope.

eating places
The Pub in Rookhope has now reopened after an extended closure and is now offering food again (Jason McKewon recommends the sunday lunch - thanks Jason). There is also an excellent Public House at nearby Eastgate which offers some very good meals.

cycle shops
The Rookhope Inn (for details see below) - Cyclists are welcome to make use of the Inn's well equipped workshop should their machines require fettling, and they also have one bicycle for loan should you be unfortunate enough to suffer terminal mechanical failure.
The Bike Stop -Terry and Lorraine Turnbull - tel: 01388 526434 - Located at mile marker 100 at the start of the Waskerly Way. This is an ongoing development currently offering bike spares and repairs as well as being an excellent refreshment stop - ask for Terry's homemade soup!. They also offer toilet facilities, C2C merchandise, telephone and as from June 2002 they also plan to offer B&B, ring for further details. I have heard lots of very good reports about The Bike Stop as well as experiencing their hospitality and friendliness firsthand.

route features
There are 3 route options when you reach Rookhope, one of which is an excellent off road section which climbs the Rookhope incline and levels off onto the Waskerly Way. The other two options are on road, one via Stanhope and the other is a rather more roundabout (but quieter) route onto the Waskerly Way avoiding the Rookhope incline. Please remember though, that the off road section is shut at certain times during the shooting season (notices are posted) and you must take an alternative route. Whichever way you go you can be sure of a hill to climb (the one out of Stanhope is a killer) but the good news is that these will the last major climbs and from now on its easy cycling all the way to the North Sea.

recommendations
If you have found a cafe, eating place, cycle shop or anywhere you might like to recommend to other C2C'ers then send it in for inclusion into The C2C Guide

accommodation
Please try to book accommodation in advance and give as much notice as possible if you have
to cancel the booking so the room can be re-let otherwise your deposit may be forfeited. Also
if you are going to be late arriving at your accommodation it is always a good idea to ring and
let the proprietor know so they can keep your room open for you.

Remember to double check all details with the establishment as this guide cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or omissions nor for any loss arising as a result.

 - When booking accommodation please mention this guide -

The Old Vicarage

Colin Lomas
The Old Vicarage, Stotsfield Burn, Rookhope-in-Weardale, Co. Durham DL13 2AE
tel: 01388 517375
fax: 01388 517701
web-site: http://mysite.freeserve.com/rookhopevicarageb_b
e-mail: colin@finetime.wanadoo.co.uk

rooms .... 3 rooms with adult single beds, 2x3 & 1x4
months open .... February - October
B & B .... £25.00 per person
evening meal .... £9.50 please pre book - vegetarians catered for
packed lunch .... £3.50 please pre book
secure cycle parking: yes
distance from route: on route
pub: 750 metres in the village
working mens club: club 500 metres

"The Old Vicarage is a private non-smoking Family Home with a resident Border Collie. Set in its own grounds it is located directly en-route for the final lap via Rookhope Incline onto Waskerly Way or the road via Stanhope. The rooms are comfortable, have TV. tea & coffee making facilities and guest have a large lounge, with open fire. We offer an evening meal and cater for vegetarians, all served at a pace that allows you time to stroll to the pub and enjoy real ales, a few jokes and possibly a song or two before returning for that all important restful nights sleep. "

For C2C'ers and other cyclists wishing to camp we have room in the grounds for tents. It is a simple & tranquil location and offers a wc, h/c hand basin and shower with separate sinks for washing-up etc., the rate is £5.00 pp per night. Please book in advance.