122 Golden Lane, London, EC1Y 0TL, UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 7251 8414 Fax: +44 (0)20 7251 8600

THIS year is the 250th anniversary of John Wesley's first visit (of many) to Weardale, Co Durham.

John Wesley visited this isolated North Pennine community 13 times and High House chapel, Ireshopeburn, which was built by the lead-miners in 1760, is now the oldest purpose-built Methodist chapel in continuous weekly use since its foundation. It is one of only four chapels listed in "England's Thousand Best Churches" by Simon Jenkins (Penguin Books).

The Weardale museum, housed in the chapel's adjoining manse, chronicles the story of the visits and the growth of Methodism in Weardale and contains a John Wesley Room which houses a fine collection of memorabilia.

Other exhibits include a Weardale kitchen, furnished as it would have been for lead-mining and farming families 100 years ago; a collection of local crystallised minerals and fossils; the history of the Weardale Railway; a large library of Weardale publications and the complete census record for the whole of Stanhope parish for 1841 to 1891, both on paper files and on computer.

Many people come to the museum in search of information about their Weardale ancestors ­ the Pearts, Featherstones, Emersons, Lonsdales and Lowes, for example. Visitors can search the records for themselves or, for a small fee, museum staff may be able to conduct the search for them.

Church parties are welcome to join the congregation at 11am each Sunday, to bring their own minister for a special service at any time or simply to visit.

Ireshopeburn lies on the A689 between Durham and Penrith ­ another reason to visit this beautiful, historic and hospitable region of Britain. 

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