Finchale Priory to Chester-le-Street - Durham Round Trail

This 2nd section of the Durham Round Trail walk heads away from Durham City, starting at the picturesque Finchale Priory, then meandering through woodland and crossing farmland to rejoin the banks of the River Wear at the magnificent Lumley Castle, before heading through Riverside Park to Chester-le-Street Market Place. The initial part of the walk involves a steep climb, then it is all downhill from Lumley.

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

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.32 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 2h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: No
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 56 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 69 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 74 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 6 m

Description de la randonnée

Start : Finchale Priory. (DH1 5SH) Grid ref. NZ 296 471

(S) From Finchale Priory, cross the bridge over the River Wear and turn right (East) following the river bank to the South. On reaching a split in the path, bear left (South) up the steps and then the steep path up through Cocken Wood (North) until you reach Cocken Road. Go through the gate and turn left (West) walking along Cocken Road until you reach the junction.

Alternative Route: If you do not wish to walk through the woods, take the steps straight up from the bridge to the road. The steps end at the path gate.

(1) Cross the road and follow Cocken Lane North for 1 Km or so.

(2) At the bend in the road, continue straight ahead (North-West) along the path along the edge of the field. This route follows Cuddy's Course, Weardale Way and the Way of Learning so look for these markers. On reaching Cambridge Drive cross the road, still walking North, and walk up Exeter Close. At the end of Exeter Close, turn left then immediately right walking along the side of the house until you exit on Hazel Leigh, walk up Hazel Leigh (North) until you reach Front Street.

(3) Turn left (West) and walk along Front Street and round the right-hand bend into Back Lane. Turn left (West) at the wooden sculpture and bench taking the footpath across the field. There is a Saints' Trail information board here too. The path initially heads West then turns sharply North along the edge of the field until you reach a stile, a farm will be ahead of you.

(4) Cross the stile, and then a second, turning left (West) following the field boundary to a wooded area. Turn right (North) and walk along the edge of the wooded area. The path will bend North-West into the trees.

(5) The path will end at a stile, cross the stile, cross the access road, cross the stile at the far side of the road and follow the path to the banks of the River Wear, turning North. Continue to follow the river bank until you pass under Lumley New Road (B1284) and reach Lumley Castle car park.

(6) Turn right and walk through the car park taking the exit road onto Lumley New Road (B1284). Cross the bridge you have just walked under, over River Wear. Continue until you reach a footpath to your right.

(7) Take this path into Riverside Park. Continue walking North along the riverbank.

(8) When you reach Chester Burn, turn left and follow the path along the edge of the burn and through the underpass. Continue to follow Chester Burn which is on your left into Cone Terrace (North-West). The burn here runs under a car park. Cross the mini roundabout and continue along Cone Terrace. Cross Front Street to the Market Place where Chester Burn reappears (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 24 m - Finchale Priory
  2. 1 : km 1.05 - alt. 43 m - Junction of Cocken Road and Cocken Lane
  3. 2 : km 2.02 - alt. 68 m - Right Bend in Cocken Lane
  4. 3 : km 3.02 - alt. 71 m - Front Street, Lumley
  5. 4 : km 4.22 - alt. 41 m - Stiles
  6. 5 : km 4.71 - alt. 14 m - Access Road/Stiles
  7. 6 : km 5.43 - alt. 11 m - Lumley Castle
  8. 7 : km 5.86 - alt. 11 m - Footpath to Riverside Park
  9. 8 : km 6.75 - alt. 8 m - Chester Burn
  10. E : km 7.32 - alt. 12 m - Market Place, Chester-le-Street

Practical information

Start : Finchale Priory. (DH1 5SH) Grid ref. NZ 296 471

Transport: There are no bus routes to Finchale Priory, if staying in Durham then either take bus 62 to Brasside getting off at Frankland Prison and walking to the start point. There is parking on Cocken Road and in Chester-le-Street. Buses and trains run between Durham and Chester-le-Street.

Facilities: There are toilets and a cafe at Finchale Priory (English Heritage). There are toilets and a cafe in Riverside Park at Chester-le-Street. Lumley Castle is a good place for afternoon tea. There are many cafes and public toilets in Chester-le-Street itself.

Accessibility: There are a number of steps and stiles as well as muddy fields and steep gradients on this route.

Accommodation: There are a number of hotels in Durham including Hotel Indigo, Premier Inn and Radisson. There are also a number of hotels in Chester-Le-Street including the Lambton Worm, Lambton Arms and Lambton Castle..

In the nearby area

  • Finchael Priory - This English Heritage managed property is located on the beautiful River Wear. The ruin gives a very tranquil feel to the location.
  • Cocken Wood - The route snakes along the river bank and up through the woods, a cool shady place for a picnic in summer.
  • Lumley Castle - Just a lovely place for an afternoon tea. They also have an escape room here.
  • Riverside Park - This open space by the River Wear is a good space to relax.

Other walks in the area

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