Durham Parks and Paths

Description

(D/A) From Wharton Park car park, exit the park using the access road you entered by. When you reach the road, turn left and walk towards St Cuthbert's Church. Continue along the road past the Garden House pub until you reach the pedestrian crossing, cross the road here and continue walking to the roundabout.

(1) Go through the gates into County Hall, continue walking straight on past the visitor's car park on your right and take the footpath through the hedge on your right. Follow this footpath until you reach a junction in the path, bear left and follow this path down the steps, around the pond and past the DLI Museum building (now closed) Continue following this around until you reach the entrance to the car park, take the next footpath on your left and follow this path back to the road, you will now have completed a loop and be opposite the entrance to Wharton Park.

(2) Turn left onto Framwellgate Peth and walk down under the bridge, just under the bridge on your left you will see the Fram Well. Follow the footpath between the building and the road and down the steps (alternatively continue along the main road and take the next left into Sidegate). Continue walking down Sidegate until you reach the car park, turn right towards the river and then turn right again and walk along the river bank heading towards the city centre.

(3) Cross the Pennyferry footbridge and take the path between the 2 office blocks, you will see Freeman's Quay Leisure Centre in front of you, turn left and walk in front of the offices, when you reach the grass on your left, cross the grass and walk along the river bank (alternatively, stay on the road, The Sands. and turn left at the junction). The riverbank footpath will eventually merge back onto the Sands. Continue along the road passing the new houses, then take the left road at the fork in the road.

(4) When you reach Kepier Hospital (now a private residence and farm), walk through the archway into Kepier Lane. Follow the lane past the farmhouse on your left and then take the left-hand track which will bring you around the buildings until you reach the gateway again. To extend the walk you can follow the footpath around the river bank which will bring you back to the track in front of Kepier Hospital. Retrace your steps back along The Sands to the new multi-storey car park.

(5) At the car park, keep left continue walking up Providence Row until you reach the traffic lights, turn right onto Claypath and continue down this road until you reach the Market Place.

(6) From the Market Place, bear right down Silver Street and cross Framwellgate Bridge at the bottom. Follow the road straight in front of you and continue up North Road.

(7) You need to cross the roundabout and walk under the railway viaduct. There is a footbridge to your right which will take you to Station Approach and from there you can walk down under the viaduct back onto North Road, this is probably the safest way to cross this very busy roundabout. To your left you will see the old County Hospital which is now private residences, continue past this keeping right. You should see the entrance to Wharton Park on your right, the first entrance includes a flight of steps, the second entrance has a ramp. Walk through the park along one of the many paths back to the Wharton Park car park . (D/A)