Stanhope is the `capital' of Weardale and its Anglo-Saxon name, meaning `stony valley', is a good description of the Wear and the burns in the area. Like many towns in the North Pennine dales, Stanhope grew most significantly in the nineteenth century as a lead mining centre, but is unmistakably a dalestown. 

Lead is a mineral, being forced up from the molten core of the earth through cracks and fissures in surrounding rocks. It cannot be identified as coming from a particular vein, but its area of origin can be determined by other minerals or rocks that are incorporated in the ore. It is interesting to note that the present day prized fluorspar was a waste by-product of the washing process of the lead ore, and waste heaps or “deads” have been worked over for the extraction of the fluorspar.

Once a year on the second weekend in September the whole town is taken over by 'The Show'. Stanhope Agricultural Society was formed in 1834and has held an annual show in Stanhope since then with the exception of the war years, postponements and foot and mouth. The show consists primarily of the exhibition of local sheep, cattle and industrial produce, Showjumping, horse and pony classes, but each year other spectacles fill the main arena. Music is always provided by the Towns famous Silver band who march through the town and onto the show field, marking the official opening of the event. It is held at Unthank Park, Stanhope and at the same time the town centre is overrun by the Show Fun Fair, which packs all the streets with colour and noise.