Binchester to Whitworth, The Way of Life
This shorter section allows follows the Auckland Way for a time before crossing farmland to Whitworth Hall and Deer Park.
Description
Start : Bus stop at Binchester, nearby the junction between Pitt Street and Long Lane (DL14 8AW) Grid ref. NZ 231 319
(S) From the bus stop, walk South-East along Long Lane to reach the junction with Granville Terrace. Turn right and walk along Granville Terrace bearing left to walk along the back of the street.
(1) Turn right to rejoin the Auckland Way at the end of the street. Follow this path North crossing Long Lane and passing underneath Church Street. Cross one further road and then follow the path around to the right.
(2) As you emerge from the trees, there will be a junction with a number of paths, turn to your left and follow the path West until you reach Church Street. Turn right (North) into Church Street and walk to the St Peter's Church.
(3) Just after the church, turn right (East) into Hagg Lane opposite the war memorial. At the end of the tarmac road continue in the same direction on to the wide track. This is still Hagg Lane and bends to the right to head in a South-Easterly direction.
(4) After crossing Hagg Beck, the track will bend sharply to the left and then head North-Eastwards along the treeline. You will still be on Hagg Lane.
(5) After following the field, the track will head through some trees (North) and over a beck before passing Hagg Farm, continue on this Northerly track. The track will bend to the right and emerge on Stanner's Lane opposite Whitworth Hall and Country Park where this section end (E).
Waypoints
- S : km 0 - alt. 129 m - Granville Terrace, Binchester
- 1 : km 0.59 - alt. 127 m - End of Granville Terrace
- 2 : km 1.93 - alt. 114 m - Path Junction
- 3 : km 2.75 - alt. 105 m - Hagg Lane
- 4 : km 3.18 - alt. 95 m - Hagg Beck/Hagg Lane
- 5 : km 3.55 - alt. 95 m - Hagg Farm
- E : km 4.54 - alt. 102 m - Whitworth Hall and Country Park
Useful Information
Start : Bus stop at Binchester, nearby the junction between Pitt Street and Long Lane (DL14 8AW) Grid ref. NZ 231 319
Transport: There is no transport to Whitworth Hall. Parking is available on Whitworth Road from where you can walk down Whitworth Road (700m) to Whitworth Academy where a bus 6 or X21 can be taken to Binchester Service Station. At the end of the walk it is a 1.3 km walk back to the car park. Alternatively Park in Spennymoor and walk back to Spennymoor (2km) or continue along the next stage.
Facilities: There are no facilities on this route, Whitworth Hall is currently undergoing refurbishment but the Deer Park is still accessible along public footpaths. Cafes, shops and public toilets can be found in Spennymoor.
Accessibility: This walk covers pavements and dirt paths which can be muddy after rain.
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
During the walk or to do/see around
- Whitworth Hall and Country Park (currently closed) - their website is under develop and updates on reopening can be found on Facebook.
- The Spennymoor Town Hall Art Gallery is worth visiting if in the area. This has an interesting Norman Cornish Collection.
