of the most celebrated stretches through Teesdale, a lush valley with dramatic river scenery including the twin attractions of High Force and Cauldron Snout. Culture The great English poet W. H. Auden spent much time in this area and some forty poems and two plays are set here. Auden visited the area in 1919 and "five years later was writing poems about Alston Moor and Allendale." He referred to the region as his "Mutterland", his "great good place", and equated it with his idea of Eden. Scores of Pennine place-names are found in his work, including Cauldron Snout and Rookhope. Visitor centre There is a small visitor centre at Bowlees which aims to provide a gateway to Upper Teesdale and the wider North Pennines AONB. Notes References External links North Pennines AONB Partnership website Protected areas of County Durham Protected areas of North Yorkshire Protected areas of Northumberland Pennines Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England Geoparks in England Global Geoparks Network members Natural regions of England