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This was my first Naturetrek holiday and I can't think of what could be improved. Our guides, Steve and Richard, provided a wealth of information and their enthusiasm for the wildflowers was infectious. It was a completely unique experience for me and I enjoyed it immensely. Thank you.
NC, Canada, June 2023
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The Wild Flowers of Upper Teesdale
Tour Code: GBR29A 5-day exploration of the botanical treasures of this unique and scenic limestone region.
5 days
from
£995
£995
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
Upper Teesdale is a plant-lover’s paradise. The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, of which Upper Teesdale is an integral part, became the first area in Britain to be awarded the status of a UNESCO European and Global Geopark in June 2003. It has an incredible level of plant (and animal) diversity and during this short break we will visit some of the main botanical hotspots of this unique and scenic limestone region, visiting a wide range of habitats from low-lying hay meadows, rough grazing pastures and juniper woods to limestone grassland.
- Biggest diversity of rare plants & species in one location in Britain
- Search for rare Arctic-alpine flora
- Melancholy Thistle, Meadow Crane’s-bill & Sweet Cicely on road verges
- Visit botanical hotspots & see as many species of the Teesdale Assemblage as possible
- Black Grouse, Red Grouse, Lapwing & Curlew
- Walk along River Tees & visit the famous waterfalls of Low & High Force
Grading
There will be a reasonable amount of quite strenuous walking on this holiday, covering between two and 10 miles each day, but this will be at a slow `botanising pace'.
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DETAILED INFORMATION
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive at hotel; Low Force (River Tees)
Day 2
Widdybank Farm and Cetry Bank
Day 3
Harwood & Cow Green
Day 4
Cronkley Fell (weather permitting)
Day 5
High Force (River Tees); Depart
What's Included?
- Accommodation: Accommodation will be at the Teesdale Hotel located in the quaint and pretty Dales village of Middleton-in-Teesdale in the heart of the Durham Dales near Barnard Castle. Accommodation will be in twin or double rooms, all en suite and with tea and coffee-making facilities.
- Food: Breakfasts and evening meals are included in the holiday cost, beginning with the evening meal on Day 1 and finishing with breakfast on Day 4. The tour price includes a 3-course dinner using fresh, seasonal, good quality locally sourced ingredients. Lunches, and daytime snacks and drinks, are not included in the cost of this tour. We will need to carry our own picnic lunch each day (these can be provided by the hotel at a small extra charge).
Reviews
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Two superb guides, outstanding habitats and scenery, wonderful weather, excellent accommodation and food and a friendly, knowledgeable and helpful group, made for the perfect break. Naturetrek are a professional, efficient, friendly and experienced tour operator. The website is excellent and easy to navigate. Help is always at hand should you have any queries and all levels of experience are catered for.
S.B. Nottinghamshire, Jun 21 -
Our tour leader, Steve Gater, was a fantastic fountain of knowledge about all things botanical, also birds and anything else really. He went the extra mile to help us find the minutest specimens, for example, just one lesser twayblade found in acres of moorland!
M.S, South Yorkshire, July 19 -
A small group of fellow amateur botanists enjoyed a few days in this wild, empty and very beautiful landscape with and expert tour leader. The habitats we visited varied from limestone, to acid to riverside and fells.
R.W. Dorset, June 18 -
A botany trip to Teesdale with an excellent guide - professional, knowledgeable, flexible and fun to be with. The rest of the (small) group were also good companions. I learned a lot and we saw and identified some wonderful plants.
A.M. East Sussex, June 18 -
Dawn Nelson was an excellent tour leader and superb botanist. I am not a botanist but she was very patient in answering my questions and helping me to get to know better some of the magical plants and flowers of Teesdale.
A.L. Kent
Dates & Prices
2025
Departures
Availability
Cost
Mon 9th Jun – Fri 13th Jun
5
£995
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£995
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£165
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Steve Gater
Tour Leader: Steve Gater
Steve's had a life-long interest in wildlife, particularly plants, birds and butterflies. After graduating in biology and completing a PhD, he taught for many years, running field trips in the Yorkshire dales and elsewhere. As headteacher, he led trips to three continents before retiring to concentrate on conservation work. He established Durham Wildlife Trust botany group, chaired DWT and edited the 5th edition of The Natural History of Upper Teesdale. He especially enjoys giving talks and training, leading walks and surveying in his home county. When not on Naturetrek trips he is botanising and birding in Upper Teesdale and environs, or practicing his French and Spanish! Other credits to his name include being the secretary of the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland and is the editor of newly published first edition ‘The natural history of Upper Weardale (companion volume to the 'Upper Teesdale' book). Steve is also the current President of Darlington & Teesdale Naturalists' Field Club.
2026
Departures
Availability
Cost
Mon 22nd Jun – Fri 26th Jun
SPACES
£995
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£995
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£165
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
Enquire
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
