All That Remains.

This project visually explores the effect mother nature and her changing elements have on buildings that should have been well protected for historical purposes. This is a project in progress.

On my first ever visit to the North Pennines I was initially left confused by the area; it seemed ominous, sparse with little nuggets of civilisation dotted amongst the moor land. Beautiful in its own right of course, but perhaps having spent most of my time photographing the Northumberland coastline where tourism is way more apparent, and beauty tends to hit you in the face, I was expecting a similar feeling from the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The more days I have spent driving in and out of the North Pennines, walking, exploring, parking in questionable places to grab a quick photo, the higher it climbs up my list of favourite places. It feels like an escape to me now, a sigh of relief as I approach the stone built villages and rolling dales. I’ve fallen in love with what the landscape doesn’t say, but if you’re lucky enough the sun can make it feel like a golden draped curtain, yet stormy days leave you as an intruder in what belongs to earth.

The idea for "All That Remains" developed over time, largely by chance. I had stumbled across a few of the more obvious road side mining and farming remains in the North Pennines on spontaneous drives. But the more I delved into the area's history, the more was revealed. Whether it be a simple outbuilding left to decay or the weathered stonework from an ancient engine house, I became obsessed with finding, photographing and documenting these structures that could vanish following any given storm.

Some locations featured in "All That Remains" are hidden in plain sight, not listed or easily found by satellite view. Others receive a healthy amount of visitors due to preservation and promotional efforts. Despite the latter, the North Pennines does not get enough credit. Cyclists may roam the roads and locals may still call it home, but the feeling of it being forgotten is one I could not shake.