Houghton-Le-Spring Town Walk (Accessible)

A short circular walk around Houghton-Le-Spring Town Centre passing some of the oldest buildings along the way. This walk has some gentle slopes but is on paved surfaces throughout.

Technical sheet

22668213
A Sunderland walk posted on 04/06/22 by sarahhcfe. Last update : 09/06/22
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.22 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 0h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 19 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 19 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 79 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 58 m
  • ⚐
    District: Sunderland 
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 54.845117° / W 1.473413°

  • Today’s forecast: … Loading…

Description

(S/E) From Station Road car park turn right (northeast) up Station Road and walk to the junction turning right (south) into Newbottle Street. This is the main shopping area and the cafes can be found here.

(1) Turn left at the White Lion pub into Sunderland Street. Walk along Sunderland Street until you reach the rear of Weatherspoons (The Wild Boar), turn right (northeast) along the paved area and then under the A690, there is a path around the roundabout and a subway with ramp. From the roundabout, walk up Lake Road (east).

(2) Turn right into Nesham Place (southwest). Some of the older houses line this street. When you reach the cross roads, note Houghton Hall on the corner. Continue straight on into Church Street and cross the bridge over the A690 (west).

If you are able, enter the churchyard via the steps to your right. If you cannot use the steps, continue down Church Street, turn right and then enter the churchyard through the archway and up the ramp. Here you will find the Church of St Michael and All Angels, along with Almshouses and Kepier Hall, once Kepier Grammar School.

(3) When you have finished exploring the buildings around the church, leave via the archway and cross the road. Enter Rectory Park, the Old Rectory will be on your right. At the fork in the path, take the right-hand diagonal path across the park. At the end, turn right and exit the park. Note: this gateway may be too narrow for large wheelchairs, if this is the case, leave the park via the main entrance you came in by, turn left onto The Broadway and continue to the Britannia Inn. Turn left here and continue down the path until you reach the narrow gate to the park.

Turn left onto Burn Promenade, cross Wheler Street and continue on the footpath opposite. This will bring you back to the Miner's Welfare Hall on your left and the Station Road car park on your right(S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 60 m - Station Road Car Park
  2. 1 : km 0.42 - alt. 68 m - White Lion PH
  3. 2 : km 1.01 - alt. 73 m - Houghton Hall
  4. 3 : km 1.54 - alt. 67 m - Gate to St Michael and All Angels Church
  5. S/E : km 2.22 - alt. 60 m - Station Road Car Park

Useful Information

Transport: Park in either Station Road Car Park or Brinkburn Road Car Park just a little further down the road. Buses stop in front of the church so you can begin your walk here.

Facilities: There are lots of takeaways, cafes and pubs in the area. There are no public toilets. You will pass the library at the end of Station Road at the beginning of the walk and the Houghton Sports and Wellness Centre as well as the Miners Welfare Hall at the end of the walk.

Accessibility: There are some sloping gradients, but these are relatively gentle. The one problem you may come across is the width of some of the entry/exit points to the Rectory Park, an alternative route is given in the description above.

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

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine.

The GPS track and description are the property of the author.

Loading…