Annfield Plain to Leadgate - Durham Round Trail

This 5th and short section of the Durham Round Trail walk continues to follow the C2C cycle route through villages and countryside. It can easily be combined with other sections on the route.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Durham Round Trail

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.51 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: No
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 20 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 11 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 261 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 240 m
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Description of the walk

Start : East of the junction of Loud View Terrace on the A693. Grid ref. NZ 159 509 (Nearby postcode DH9 8PD).

(S) Pick up the trail just East of the junction of Loud View Terrace on the A693, cross the busy road with care and take the right cycle path (West) crossing Tower road with care after which the path will swing North-West. After 1.2 Km there will be a path to your right leading to the A693, ignore this and continue straight ahead.

(1) Ignore further paths to the left and right before arriving at the ruins of Bankling Lime Kilns. After your visit, return to the path which heads North then West.

(2) Cross over Stonyheap Lane via the old bridge. Just after the bridge is the sculpture, The Old Transformers by David Kemp. Continue to follow the path for around 900m, over the 'Old Bridge' and past the church.

(3) You will then reach another Coast to Coast earthen sculpture, the path follows the contours of the earthworks.

(4) Cross the roundabout picking the cycle path up again in front of the Jolly Drovers pub. Continue to follow the cycle path alongside St Ives' Road. St Ives' Church will be on your left. The path will then go behind some houses.

(5) Cross Watling Street (B6309 - Dere Street) and continue to take the path alongside Railway Street (West). At the end of the path, turn left onto Front Street (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 251 m - Loud View Terrace/A693
  2. 1 : km 1.38 - alt. 248 m - Bantling Lime Kilns
  3. 2 : km 1.79 - alt. 247 m - Old bridge - The Old Transformers sculpture
  4. 3 : km 3.2 - alt. 253 m - Coast to Coast earthen sculpture
  5. 4 : km 3.4 - alt. 252 m - Jolly Drover's Pub
  6. 5 : km 4.1 - alt. 255 m - Watling Street
  7. E : km 4.51 - alt. 255 m - Front Street, Leadgate

Practical information

Start : East of the junction of Loud View Terrace on the A693. Grid ref. NZ 159 509 (Nearby postcode DH9 8PD).

Transport: There is no dedicated parking at either the start of finish so care should be taken when parking on the roadside. The 78 Country Ranger bus stops at both Loud View Terrace, Anfield Plain and Front Street in Leadgate.

Facilities: The route is mostly rural but passes the Jolly Drover and there are cafes in Leadgate at the end of the route.

Accessibility: This section is relatively flat and is on cycle paths and tarmac footpaths and is therefore fully accessible.

Accommodation: The closest accommodation is the Three Horse Shoes Inn at Maiden Law.

In the nearby area

Along the route look out for the sculptures listed in the description above. These are made from old parts taken from the Consett Steelworks when it closed and can be seen along a large stretch of the path.

Other walks in the area

Walking Lanchester to Ushaw College - Way of Light

Walker
↔9.96 km ↗+113 m ↘-54 m ◔3h 10 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Lanchester (County Durham)
This 7th section of the Way of Light begins in the village of Lanchester and crosses farmland, passes nature reserves, the villages of Quebec and Esh Winning and finishes at the entrance to the impressive Ushaw College. This walk is across rolling green fields and passes many farms. It could also be called the walk of the many stiles, gates and cattle grids.

Walking Leadgate to Rowley - Durham Round Trail

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↔5.67 km ↗+23 m ↘-20 m ◔1h 40 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from County Durham
This is the 6th section of the Durham Round Trail walk. Continuing to follow the C2C cycle path, the first half of the walk is through urban landscapes, passing through Consett and then into open countryside, following the Saints' Trail the Way of Light to Rowley Station Picnic Area. Rowley Station itself is now in Beamish Museum.

Walking Beamish to Chester-Le-Street - Angel's Way

Walker
↔6.89 km ↗+11 m ↘-137 m ◔2h 00 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Urpeth (County Durham)
This final stretch of the walk starts at Beamish and follows cycle paths through countryside and villages into Chester-le-Street town centre alongside Chester Burn, finishing at St Mary and St Cuthbert;s Church one of the many churches on the pilgrim walking route.

Walking Great North Forest Beamish to Vigo

Walker
↔6.62 km ↗+1 m ↘-112 m ◔1h 55 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Urpeth (County Durham)
This part of the walk starts at Beamish and follows the C2C cycle route back towards Birtley and Washington through open fields and the outskirts of villages. The walk is downhill for most of the route along hard cycle paths and there is accessible to most.

Walking Beamish to Annfield Plain - Durham Round Trail

Walker
↔7.50 km ↗+104 m ↘-1 m ◔2h 25 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Urpeth (County Durham)
This 4th section of the Durham Round Trail walk continues to follow the C2C cyle route though open countryside and then through towns and villages ending at Annfield Plain. Interestingly, the coop buildings from Annfield Plain were moved to Beamish Museum which is well worth a visit.

Walking Great North Forest Causey Arch to Beamish

Walker
↔5.53 km ↗+65 m ↘-56 m ◔1h 45 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Stanley (County Durham)
This walk begins at Causey Arch and ends at Beamish following woodland paths for the majority of the route with one small section across fields linking two historically important locations. Be sure to explore Causey Arch and Tanfield Railway before beginning the walk.

Walking Rowley to Waskerley Station - Durham Round Trail

Walker
↔6.56 km ↗+106 m ↘-10 m ◔2h 10 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Healeyfield (County Durham)
This is the 7th section of the Durham Round Trail walk. County Durham is well-known for its towns including Bishop Auckland and Barnard Castle as well as Durham City, however today's walk leaves behind the urban areas and heads out into the open countryside. This and the next few sections showcase the wilder side of County Durham. The section continues to follow the C2C cycle path/Waskerley Way and has a number of picnic spots along the way.

Walking Castleside to Lanchester - Way of Light

Walker
↔10.55 km ↗+46 m ↘-156 m ◔3h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Healeyfield (County Durham)
This section of the Way of Light from rural Castleside to the pretty village of Lanchester passes through some of the rolling hilly landscapes of County Durham. The route first passes over the impressive Hownsgill Viaduct then follows the Lanchester Valley Path through farmland.

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author. Do not copy them without permission.