Major city · United Kingdom
Consett
Skip Consett as a base unless you have a car: 1 night for the Derwent Valley and Derwentcote furnace, or a half-day stop on the C2C cycle path.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, wet, 270 m elevation)
- Airports
- NCL · MME
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
Consett is a former steel town on a 270 m ridge above the River Derwent, 14 miles southwest of Newcastle. The steelworks closed in 1980 and the town itself is workaday; what draws people is the surrounding Derwent Valley, the C2C cycle path and the Derwentcote Steel Furnace. Without a car you are limited to the town centre and the bus network.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Consett, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyA quiet, low-crime town; the real risks are steep, wet valley roads, patchy mobile signal and winter cold at 270 m.
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police, fire, ambulance · 101 police non-urgent · 111 NHS non-urgent
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportNCL Newcastle International (About 30–40 min by car or taxi to Consett; no direct bus, change in Newcastle.).
- Getting aroundYou need wheels to get out of town and enjoy the moors and Derwent Valley.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee in a café£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealPub main course£10–16 (≈ US$14–25)
- BeerPint of ale£4–5.50 (≈ US$6–8)
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miTaxi, 5 miles£12–18 (≈ US$16–25) (check)
- Metro or bus rideBus fare, local single£2–4 (≈ US$3–6) (check)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week£8–15 (≈ US$11–20)
- Budget bedHostel or bunkhouse bed, a night, per person£25 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedPub or hotel double room, a night, per room£95 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedPub or hotel double room, a night, per room£140 (≈ US$190)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £85 (≈ US$120) · High £150 (≈ US$200)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- NCL Newcastle International (About 30–40 min by car or taxi to Consett; no direct bus, change in Newcastle.) · MME Teesside International (About 1 h by car; rail and bus connections via Darlington.)
Weather and climate
Consett: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
6°C43°F
1°C34°F
13 rd
Feb
6°C43°F
1°C34°F
11 rd
Mar
8°C46°F
2°C36°F
12 rd
Apr
11°C52°F
3°C37°F
10 rd
May
14°C57°F
6°C43°F
10 rd
Jun
17°C63°F
9°C48°F
10 rd
Jul
19°C66°F
11°C52°F
10 rd
Aug
19°C66°F
11°C52°F
11 rd
Sep
16°C61°F
9°C48°F
10 rd
Oct
12°C54°F
6°C43°F
13 rd
Nov
9°C48°F
3°C37°F
13 rd
Dec
6°C43°F
1°C34°F
13 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need wheels to get out of town and enjoy the moors and Derwent Valley. Local buses link the centre with Newcastle (X45/X71), Durham (X5/X15) and Sunderland (78). Taxis wait at the bus station. The C2C cycle path and Derwent Walk pass through on traffic-free former railway lines.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Bus X5/X15 from Consett bus station, about 40 min
Cathedral and castle on the river peninsula; the best half-day from Consett.
Newcastle upon Tyne
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Bus X45 every 30 min or X71 hourly, about 1 h
Big-city museums, shopping and the Quayside; easy day out.
Barnard Castle
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Car via A68 and A688, about 45 min
Castle ruins, Bowes Museum and Teesdale walking; car strongly preferred.
Chester-le-Street
cautionDoor to door: About 50 min
Bus 78 towards Sunderland, about 40 min
The 78 continues to Sunderland and takes almost 2 h end to end.
Bishop Auckland
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Car via A692 and A68, about 30 min
Auckland Castle and the mining heritage sites; no direct bus.
Hadrian's Wall
goDoor to door: 1–1.5 h
Car to Heddon-on-the-Wall or Corbridge, 40–60 min
Substantial Roman remains only from Corbridge west towards Brampton.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Consett town centre
Bus station, Front Street pubs and the few town-centre rooms; walkable but limited choice.
Shotley Bridge and Allensford
2–3 miles west on the A694/A68; riverside hotels and pub-with-rooms, needs a car or taxi.
Knitsley and Lanchester
Rural rooms and glamping pods south and east; car essential.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £45–70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- £70–120 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- £120 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Pub or hotel double room1 × 1 night × £95 | £95 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £85 | £170 |
| Bus Newcastle → Consett, one way2 × £4 · check | £8 |
| Taxi Durham or Newcastle → Consett1 × £45 · check | £45 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10 | £20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £34 |
| Trip total≈ £186 per person per day, bed included | £372≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in pounds; travel to Consett excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee in a café | £3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub main course | £10–16 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Pint of ale | £4–5.50 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Bus fare, local single | £2–4 (≈ US$3–6) (check) |
| Taxi, 5 miles | £12–18 (≈ US$16–25) (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | £8–15 (≈ US$11–20) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Buses are the only public transport: the railway closed in 1980 and has not returned.
- Roads are switchback over the valley sides; cyclists should expect steep, brake-heavy descents on the A68 below Castleside.
- Mobile signal is basic: O2 for calls, 4G from EE, Three and Vodafone, no 5G.
- Winter at 270 m is distinctly cold and wet; pack for wind and rain even in summer.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 999
- Police non-urgent
- 101
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ConsettConsett
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance999
- Police non-urgent101
- NHS non-urgent111
Embassy
No embassies in Consett; the US, Canadian, Australian and Irish missions are in London, with consulates in Edinburgh and Belfast (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Newcastle → Consett (X45/X71): about £4 (≈ US$6), about 1 h (check)
- Bus Durham → Consett (X5/X15): about £3.50 (≈ US$5), about 40 min (check)
- Taxi Durham or Newcastle → Consett: £40–50 (≈ US$55–70) (check)
Say or show
- Single to Consett, please — Single to Consett, please
- Return to Durham, please — Return to Durham, please
- Where is the bus station? — Where is the bus station?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is there a taxi rank here? — Is there a taxi rank here?
- Thanks very much — Thanks very much
English is the only language you need; local accents are strong but friendly.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Consett. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, wet, 270 m elevation) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for NCL: last bus and taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: bus station and Front Street, Shotley Bridge, Allensford and Derwentcote.
- Place pages with verified access (Terris Novalis, Derwentcote Steel Furnace, Ebchester church) and eat pages with last orders.
- Arrival fixtures for the C2C cycle path and Derwent Walk so gates A–D can go green.