Start: Finchale Priory, Durham (DH1 5SH). Grid ref. NZ 295 471
(S) Leave Finchale Priory by the access road first West, then after 1.2 Km following the road around to the South.
(1) On reaching the prison, turn right (West) onto Finchale Avenue. At the end of the car park, turn left (South-West) and continue walking through the car park and onto the bridleway at the end of the car park. When you reach the end of the prison the path will bend around to the left to a small parking area.
(2) Turn right at the parking area (South-West) and continue down Frankland Lane passing Dovecote Farm Boarding Kennels and then Brasside House on your left. Continue following the bridleway through the trees.
(3) When you reach Brasside Farm, continue Southwards on Frankland Lane until you reach the River Wear (around 700m).
Alternative route: At the end of Brasside Farm a public footpath to your right will join back to Frankland Lane at the River Wear.
(4) Continue on Frankland Lane, this will veer away from the river and pass a sewerage treatment plant on your right before reaching the river again. Follow Frankland Lane towards Durham.
(5) On the pass Crook Hall (National Trust), the Radisson Hotel and Pennyferry Bridge. From here you will see Durham Castle and Cathedral high on the promontory. Continue walking under the modern Milburngate Bridge. Continue along the riverbank, walking under Framwellgate Bridge.
(6) Take the steps to your right, and then turn right crossing the bridge and walking up Silver Street to the Market Place.
Accessible Route: to avoid the steps, follow the road around to your right before you reach Framwellgate Bridge. At the junction, turn left and then left again into North Road. You will then see the bridge.
(7) At the Market Place, turn right (South-East) into Saddler Street and along the North Bailey. After around 350m at the end of the North Bailey, turn right (West) and walk up Dun Cow Lane to the Palace Green and the cathedral (E).
Alternative Route: Dun Cow Lane is narrow and cobbled, to avoid this turn right at the top of Saddler Street into Owengate which has now been tarmaced to the Palace Green, this give a good first view of the cathedral.