Great Aycliffe walks

Coatham Mundeville to Rushyford - Along the Great North Road

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Departure from Coatham Mundeville (Darlington)

This 3rd section of the Along the Great North Road passes a number of inns both new and old along the route and takes in the pretty Aycliffe Village. The rest of the route follows the A167 but the path is surrounded by trees for most of the route and is therefore shaded in summer months.

Rushyford to Croxdale - Along the Great North Road

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Departure from Chilton (County Durham)

The 4th section of the Along the Great North Road walk joins two former coaching inns and roughly follows the modern day A167 through countryside, diverting into the former mining communities of Ferryhill and Chilton. Along the way is evidence of the old coaching route if you look out for it.

Around the Western area of Darlington

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Departure from Darlington

A walk suitable for all ages, good well preserved footpaths, nature reserve, museum on the route, watching trout jump the weir on the river Tess, good opportunities for pub food and cafe snacks.

Bishop Auckland to Binchester, The Way of Life

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Departure from Bishop Auckland (County Durham)

This section of The Way of Life is relatively short to enable you to fully explore Bishop Auckland Castle Park and Binchester Roman Fort, a short diversion from the path.

Bishop Auckland Castle and Deer House

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Departure from Bishop Auckland (County Durham)

A gentle walk through Auckland Park taking in the River Wear, River Gaunless, Walled Garden and Deer House.

Binchester to Whitworth, The Way of Life

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Departure from County Durham

This shorter section allows follows the Auckland Way for a time before crossing farmland to Whitworth Hall and Deer Park.

Stillington to Wynyard - Durham Round Trail

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Departure from Stillington and Whitton (Stockton-on-Tees)

The 30th section of the walk starts in Stillington and crosses open farmland until it reaches the Castle Eden Walkway Country Park at Thorpe Thewles. From there follows the Castle Eden Walkway, a cycle and walking route which follows the route of old railway lines.

Sadberge to Stillington - Durham Round Trail

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Departure from Sadberge (Darlington)

The 29th section is another walk through open countryside and farms finishing in the village of Stillington where evidence of the industrial past is evident through the rows of terraced houses and the railway which runs through the centre of the village.

Darlington to Coatham Mundeville Along the Great North Road

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Departure from Darlington

This 2nd section starts in Darlington town centre and follows the route out of town up North Road past the historic Skerne Bridge and Stockton and Darlington Railway development at Hopetown to the village of Coatham Mundeville. Look out for evidence of the history of this railway town during the walk.

West Auckland to Escomb, The Way of Life

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Departure from West Auckland (County Durham)

The final section of the Gainford to Escomb section of The Way of Life continues across farmland and through small villages finishing at the ancient church in Escomb. A section of this walk follows the Etherley Incline, the route of the first passenger railway in the world. The last part of the walk shares a route with the Weardale Way.

Low Coniscliffe to Croft-on-Tees - Durham Round Trail

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Departure from Darlington

The 25th section of the walk veers away from the River Tees today, crossing farmland and following bridle paths through the villages of Blackwell, Stapleton and ending at Croft-on-Tees.

West Darlington Circular

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Departure from Darlington

A diverse walk crossing open fields, following burbling brooks and a beautiful section of the river Tees incorporating part of the Teesdale way.

Escomb to Bishop Auckland, The Way of Life

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Departure from County Durham

This short walk from Escomb to Bishop Auckland follows the River Wear. It affords a great view of the Newton Cap Viaduct and allows plenty of time to explore Bishop Auckland.

Whitworth to Sunderland Bridge, The Way of Life

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Departure from Spennymoor (County Durham)

This section of the walk begins at Whitworth Hall Country Park with its deer, crosses farmland before passing through the pretty village of Tudhoe and then joins the Weardale Way for a short section before reaching the outskirts of Durham City.

Piercebridge to Low Coniscliffe - Durham Round Trail

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Departure from Piercebridge (Darlington)

The 24th section of the route follows the Teesdale Way along the banks of the River Tees passing through villages along the way. The River Tees is very tranquil and picturesque here so there are plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the area.

Croxdale to Durham Along the Great North Road

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Departure from Spennymoor (County Durham)

This 5th section of the Along the Great North Road, from Croxdale, starts in open countryside, then crosses the old Sunderland Bridge which once carried the Great North Road across the River Wear. The route then passes the landmark Cock o' the North roundabout, then follows South Road past the modern university buildings down New Elvet into the heart of Durham City finishing in the historic Market Place.

Ingleton to West Auckland, The Way of Life

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Departure from Ingleton (County Durham)

This section of the walk crosses farmland and follows country lanes starting in the village of Ingleton and finishing in West Auckland with its numerous interesting and historic buildings.

Weardale Way - Willington to Sunderland Bridge

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Departure from Greater Willington (County Durham)

This section of the Weardale Way follows the loops of the River Wear. It is a tranquil place with many vistas of the river along the way ending at Sunderland Bridge.

The Way of Life - Gainford to Durham

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Departure from Gainford (County Durham)

The Way of Life is one of the Northern Saints' Trails and takes in the religious centre of Bishop Auckland with its castle and art galleries. The trail passes through many County Durham villages from the banks of the River Tees to the banks of the River Wear. Evidence of County Durham's religious and industrial past can be seen throughout the walk including the Etherley Incline, an early railway, Medieval Durham, Escomb Saxon Church and Binchester Roman Fort.

Gainford to Ingleton - The Way of Life

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Departure from Gainford (County Durham)

The start of this walk begins at the historic St Mary's Church on the banks of the River Tees in Gainford and passes through farmland and pretty villages finishing in Ingleton.

Kelloe to Sherburn House, Way of Love

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Departure from Kelloe (County Durham)

This is a largely rural walk, taking in the villages of Kelloe and Cassop. The walk follows field boundaries and woodland, giving a view of County Durham which would have been very different 50 years ago when the collieries were still operating. Keep a look out for evidence of the mining heritage of County Durham during your walk.

Weardale Way - Sunderland Bridge to Durham City Centre

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Departure from Brandon and Byshottles (County Durham)

This walk is a little more challenging and includes some steep gradients but finishes with a more leisurely walk along the river banks in the city itself finishing at Brown's Boat House next to Elvet Bridge. Along the way the route passes several farms, Croxdale Hall with its Chapel and Shincliffe Hall. These are closed to the public but make good route points.

Sunderland Bridge to Durham Cathedral - The Way of Life

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Departure from Brandon and Byshottles (County Durham)

This walk largely follows the River Browney and then the River Wear passing through managed woodland around the outskirts of Durham City before passing the university and St Oswald's Church before rejoining the banks of the River Wear finishing with a walk along the South Bailey to Durham Cathedral.

Middleton One Row to Sadberge - Durham Round Trail

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Departure from Middleton St George (Darlington)

The 28th section of the walk takes in several villages before crossing open farmland before arriving in Sadberge. An alternative, more accessible route has been given which is equally as charming.

Trimdon Grange to Kelloe - Way of Love

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Departure from Trimdon (County Durham)

This stretch of path follows two railway paths across open farmland between the former mining villages of Trimdon Grange and Kelloe. A church can be found at each end of the walk, St Alban's in Trimdon Grange and St Helen's in Kelloe.

Along the Great North Road (County Durham)

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Departure from Hurworth (Darlington)

The Great North Road ran from London in the south to Edinburgh in the north. This was once a coaching route, but in later years this has been replaced by the A1 which sadly bypasses many of the pretty villages and towns along the route. This trail traces the route from Croft-on-Tees in the south on the border of North Yorkshire and County Durham to Newcastle-upon-Tyne. There are still remnants of that bygone age to be seen on this historical journey.

Croft-on Tees to Darlington Along the Great North Road

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Departure from Hurworth (Darlington)

Starting in the pretty village of Croft-on-Tees, the first section of the walk follows the route of the Great North Road through countryside and into the heart of Darlington, once a busy market town with many street names indicating the history of the town ending at the impressive clock tower above the market hall.

Croft-on-Tees to Girsby - Durham Round Trail

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Departure from Croft-on-Tees (North Yorkshire)

The 26th section of the walk continues through beautiful countryside and the pretty villages of Croft-on-Tees, Hurworth, Neasham and Girsby giving occasional glimpses of the River Tees.

Wingate Quarry Loop

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Departure from Wheatley Hill (County Durham)

This walk takes in Wingate Quarry Nature Reserve and Wingate Welfare Park with its football pitch, bowling green, play park and woodland walk. The walk first follows a green lane and passes through the site of Wingate Grange pit, then on the return follows the track of the old Wingate railway line.

Shincliffe Circular Walk

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Shincliffe Circular Walk

Departure from Shincliffe (County Durham)

An easy circular walk from Low Shincliffe beside the River Wear and up through Shincliffe Woods to High Shincliffe with a return leg via the old railway track.

Durham Loop

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Departure from City of Durham (County Durham)

This walk takes in the main visitor attractions in Durham, starting from the Howlands Park and Ride, visiting the Oriental Museum, Botanical Gardens, Castle, Cathedral and Market Place. There are some steep hills, but a bus can be caught from Elvet back to the Park and Ride.

Colleges of Durham

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Departure from City of Durham (County Durham)

This walk follows some of the oldest and most historic streets in the city and passes all 17 Durham University Colleges as well as its visitor attractions. Throughout the walk are many visitas of the castle, cathedral and River Wear.

Girsby to Middleton One Row - Durham Round Trail

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Departure from Girsby (North Yorkshire)

The 27th section of the walk is through open countryside and through woodland, crossing the River Tees midway through the walk and then following the river to Middleton One Row.

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