Start : Shincliffe Lane. Grid ref. NZ 306 412
(S) From Shincliffe Lane crossroads, walk in a westerly direction towards Durham. Cross the A1(M) and look for the information board on your right.
(1) At the information board, turn right and follow the path down to Old Beck, after crossing the footbridge, turn left and follow the path along the treeline. This will turn north around the garden centre. Old Beck will be on your left. After the kennels, the parth will turn west and then north again until it meets Bent House Lane.
(2) At the lane, turn right (North) and continue until you reach the gate.
(3) Turn left onto the W2W cycle route (North-West). You will pass Old Durham Farmhouse on your left and a small parking area on your right for Old Durham Gardens. Continue around the southern boundary of Old Durham Gardens. The W2W route then turns north continuing to follow the boundary of the gardens.
(4) The path will lead you to the river, opposite is the Durham University Rowing Club, double back along the river bank in a southwesterly direction and follow the path to the bridge by the sports pitches. Cross the bridge and turn right.
(5) At the path junction take the gravel path around the cricket pitch at the base of the hill looking for a path on your right at the end of the pitch. Turn right onto this path, keep left and go up the steps, cross the stile and keep right across the open area following the hedgeline North). Cross another stile and continue following the treeline in a northerly direction. There will be a new housing development on your left. The path will take a sharp left.
(6) After 50m you will reach the prison visitor centre, take the path to your right doubling back on yourself exiting the trees and passing between 2 buildings. Turn left and walk through Parson's Field (student accommodation) until you reach the road junction. Alternative route: when you reach the prison visitor centre continue straight ahead to Whinney Hill road and turn right until you reach the road junction with Green Lane. Walk straight ahead into Old Elvet. The law courts will be on your left and some of the older buildings in Durham on your right. Continue past Hotel Indigo to the traffic lights. Cross New Elvet and walk up Elvet Bridge. At the junction with Saddler Street, turn left walking up Saddler Street. At the fork, take the left-hand road, Owengate, to Palace Green. Cross Palace Green to Durham Cathedral (E).
