Chester Moor to Birtley Along the Great North Road

The 7th section of the Along the Great North Road walk begins at the Chester Moor pub and then becomes an urban walk through small towns and past industrial developments. Throughout the walk you will see evidence of the route of the Great North Road through buildings and pubs, and also of the industrial history of the area. The route closely follows the East Coast Mainline so do look out for the Chester-le-Street viaduct which is an impressive structure.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Along the Great North Road (County Durham)

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.14 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 2h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: No
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 28 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 48 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 60 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 12 m

Description de la randonnée

Start: Chester Moor Pub, Chester Moor(DH2 3RJ) Grid ref. NZ 266 492

(S) From the Chester Moor, walk North-Eastwards along the A167 towards Chester-le-Street, passing underneath the East Coast Mainline Railway for 1.4 Km crossing the roundabout.

(1) Just beyond the roundabout, turn left and cross the A167 using the pedestrian crossing. Turn left and walk back towards the roundabout and then turn right into Durham Road. Continue walking North until you reach the next roundabout.

(2) Cross the roundabout and continue walking North into Front Street, the main shopping area of Chester-le-Street.

(3) At the far end of Front Street is the Market Place with seating if you wish to stop for a rest. Look to the left to see the railway viaduct carrying the East Coast Mainline. Cross the road, continuing North past the Methodist Church into Newcastle Road.

(4) At the next roundabout, navigate your way to the opposite side along North Road. Look out for some notable pubs along this road including the Lambton Worm (left), the Wheatsheaf (left just after passing under the C2C Cycle Route), and the Barley Mow (right).

(5) Cross the roundabout at the Barley Mow continuing to head Northwards along Durham Road (A167). The area at this point will become industrial with factories.

(6) On reaching the junction with Harras Bank you will be entering Birtley and the industrial landscape becomes shops and residential again. The restaurant on the corner of Harras Bank was formerly the William IV Hotel. Continue past the petrol station and the impressive former Coop Building on your right. The next building of note on your right is the Railway Hotel and the Hanlon (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 60 m - Chester Moor Pub
  2. 1 : km 1.38 - alt. 32 m - Pedestrian Crossing
  3. 2 : km 2.09 - alt. 26 m - Roundabout
  4. 3 : km 2.89 - alt. 12 m - Market Place, Chester-le-Street
  5. 4 : km 3.85 - alt. 33 m - Park Road North/Roundabout
  6. 5 : km 5.19 - alt. 34 m - Barley Mow
  7. 6 : km 6.69 - alt. 34 m - Durham Road/Harras Bank Junction
  8. E : km 7.14 - alt. 40 m - Railway Hotel/The Hanlon

Practical information

Start: Chester Moor Pub, Chester Moor(DH2 3RJ) Grid ref. NZ 266 492

Transport: Park near the Chester Moor (check if it is ok if you leave the car in the car park) or in one of the many car parks in Chester-le-Street, bus 21 Angel stops just past the Railway Hotel and passes through Chester-Le-Street and Chester Moor.

Facilities: The walk begins at the Chester Moor, then heads through Chester-le-Street and Birtley where there are a number of pubs, cafes and public toilets along the way.

Accessibility: The entire route is along paved footpaths and is relatively flat, it is therefore fully accessible.

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