The South Tyne as it flows to the east creates a more gentle, fertile landscape with fine mature woodland and charming villages and hamlets.

 Melkridge, Henshaw, Bardon Mill, Redburn & Tow House: Are a thriving group of villages. Bardon Mill's name derives from the woollen mill which used to be here. There is a small inn, The Bowes, so called because of the area's close associations with the late Queen Mother's family, the Bowes-Lyons. There is a traditional salt-glaze pottery with beehive kiln. In years gone by they manufactured traditional chimney pots. Today, the product range focusses on a variety of garden pots which can be found in gardens and garden centres across the country.