Country:
District:
Start: St John the Evangelist Church, Castleside (DH8 9QW) Grid ref. NZ 077 487
(S) From St John the Evangelist Church, turn left and walk to the crossroads with A68, cross the junction walking in a North-Easterly direction along Consett Road (A692).
(1) Turn right at the industrial estate towards the new housing development. Where the road bends to the left go up the steps to your right and walk along the back of the new houses. This path will take a sharp left and then swing around to the right running between 2 fences.
(2) As you enter the woods, the path swings left (East) and then exits on the other side of the woods. The path runs along the edge of the treeline then passes through more trees to reach the Hownsgill Viaduct.
Alternative Accessible Route: from the church, turn right at the crossroads down Rowley Road. Follow the road through Rowley and along Rowley Bank until you reach Rowley Baptist Church and Rowley Station Picnic Area (there is no station here now, it has been moved to Beamish Museum). Turn left onto the coast to coast cycle path and follow this route until you reach the Hownsgill Viaduct.
(3) Turn left and cross the Hownsgill Viaduct following the Coast to Coast cycle route to Lydgett's Junction Car Park.
(4) Turn right at the Old Hot Metal Carriage sculpture then turn right again and then left crossing a road. There will be a caravan park on your right, follow the Lanchester Railway Valley Walk across the open fields in a South-Easterly direction. The path then turns North East passing under another road.
(5) Cross Knitsley Lane and continue Eastwards. The path will then swing South-East and run past an industrial estate on your left. There will be a new housing development on your left.
(6) Then the path will cross Busfield Lane, cross with care. Knitsley Farm Shop will be on your right as you continue along the path which will turn sharply to your left and then sharply to the right running parallel to Stockerley Lane. The path will join a lane.
(7) Then cross Humberhill Lane. A row of cottages will be on your left. Continue walking in an Easterly direction.
(8) Pass Hurbuck Farm then decide which route you will take. To follow the main route, go through the gate in front of you, staying on an Easterly direction. The path will bend briefly to the right (South) and then the left (East) crossing a track (watch out for horses) before reaching Low Meadows Equestrian Centre.
Alternative route: You can continue to follow the Lanchester Valley Railway Walk, turn right through the gate and stay on the path until you reach Lanchester Cemetery.
(9) Leave the equestrian centre via the road crossing Smallhope Burn. Follow Kitswell Road to Lanchester Cemetery. There is a cut through here to the Lanchester Valley Railway Walk where you can switch routes if you wish.
Alternative Route: Continue to follow the Lanchester Valley Railway Walk.
(10) Continue to follow Kitswell Road passing All Saints RC Church. At the road junction, continue straight ahead onto Front Street (South-East) passing the school on your left, the Blackbull Inn, you will see the church up ahead.
(11) As you pass the bus stop on the green, bear left onto the footpath and walk towards All Saints (Anglican) Church (E).
If you have been following the Lanchester Valley Railway Path, when you exit onto Station Road, turn left and follow the road to the green at waypoint (11). Then, bear right to the church (E).
Walker
Easy 
