Great North Forest Beamish to Vigo

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This part of the walk starts at Beamish and follows the C2C cycle route back towards Birtley and Washington through open fields and the outskirts of villages. The walk is downhill for most of the route along hard cycle paths and there is accessible to most.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Great North Forest Path

Details

n°22527612
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–
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.11 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 3 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 367 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 489 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 121 ft
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Description of the walk

(S) From Eden Place Picnic Area, cross the road and take the path to the right, after a short distance this will branch to the left and then join the Consett and Sunderland Railway Path/C2C Cycle Path. Follow this cycle path first in an easterly direction and then the path turns southeasterly direction passing under the A693.

(1) The cycle path will then turn easterly again after crossing the bridge over Station Lane and will then pass the Old King Cole Sculpture.

(2) The cycle path will then turn northeast and pass under Pelton Lane ignore any footpaths and tracks leading away from the cycle path mainttaining the northeast direction.

(3) The path continues under the A693, keep left here ignoring any footpaths to the right. The cycle path is clearly defined.

(4) Cross the railway bridge and continue in a northeasterly direction until you reach A167, cross the bridge and then take the access ramp to your right. At the bottom, turn right onto Durham Road (A176) and go under the bridge you have just crossed to the Wheatsheaf Inn (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : mi 0 - alt. 486 ft - Eden Place Picnic Area
  2. 1 : mi 2.53 - alt. 194 ft - Old King Coal Sculpture
  3. 2 : mi 3.24 - alt. 180 ft - Pelton Lane
  4. 3 : mi 3.52 - alt. 161 ft - A693
  5. 4 : mi 3.85 - alt. 131 ft - Railway Bridge
  6. E : mi 4.11 - alt. 121 ft - Wheatsheaf Inn

Notes

Transport: Park at the Eden Place Picnic Area. To return, take any bus along Durham Road/North Road to Chester-le-Street Market Place (21Angel/25) then 8 Country Ranger back to the Shepherd and Shepherdess near the parking area.

Facilities: The Shepherd and Shepherdess is located near the Eden Place Picnic Area and Car Park and the Wheatsheaf Inn at the end of the walk.

Accessibility: This walk is accessible as it follows the C2C cycle path from Beamish to Vigo.

Accommodation: The Beamish Hall Hotel or the Beamish Mary in No Place are good options depending on the budget. The main Washington Hotels are also about a mile from here further along the cycle route.

Worth a visit

Beamish Open Air Museum - This museum should take all day to get around. The entrance is just a short distance from the Eden Place Picnic Area. Different periods of history are represented, a Georgian farm, 1940s farm, 1900s town, pit and school and a new 1950s town area. Catch a tram, bus or train from the station or just walk. Or use this as a rest day if you are doing the whole walk.

Other walks in the area

Walking Beamish to Annfield Plain - Durham Round Trail

Visorando Member
↔4.66 mi ↗+341 ft ↘-3 ft ◔2h 25 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Urpeth (County Durham)
This 4th section of the Durham Round Trail walk continues to follow the C2C cyle route though open countryside and then through towns and villages ending at Annfield Plain. Interestingly, the coop buildings from Annfield Plain were moved to Beamish Museum which is well worth a visit.

Walking Beamish to Chester-Le-Street - Angel's Way

Visorando Member
↔4.28 mi ↗+36 ft ↘-449 ft ◔2h 00 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Urpeth (County Durham)
This final stretch of the walk starts at Beamish and follows cycle paths through countryside and villages into Chester-le-Street town centre alongside Chester Burn, finishing at St Mary and St Cuthbert;s Church one of the many churches on the pilgrim walking route.

Walking Great North Forest Causey Arch to Beamish

Visorando Member
↔3.44 mi ↗+213 ft ↘-184 ft ◔1h 45 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Stanley (County Durham)
This walk begins at Causey Arch and ends at Beamish following woodland paths for the majority of the route with one small section across fields linking two historically important locations. Be sure to explore Causey Arch and Tanfield Railway before beginning the walk.

Walking Great North Forest Vigo to Lumley Castle

Visorando Member
↔4.42 mi ↗+220 ft ↘-240 ft ◔2h 15 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from North Lodge (County Durham)
The path continues along the C2C cycle route then passes through the new village of Rickleton and the old village of Picktree before passing the Lambton estate with its ornate castle then winding its way through the grounds of Lumley Castle on the banks of the Wear.

Walking Birtley to Gateshead Along the Great North Road

Visorando Member
↔4.86 mi ↗+194 ft ↘-148 ft ◔2h 25 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Gateshead (England)
The 8th section of the Along the Great North Road walk continues through urban landscapes of many different architectural types, traditional Tyneside flats, modern developments, Victorian and interwar semi-detached houses, and many inns, both new and old, giving plenty of evidence of the Great North Roads route. The walk also passes the iconic Angel of the North and the beautiful Victorian Saltwell Park, allow plenty of time for diversions.

Walking Chester-le-Street to Beamish - Durham Round Trail

Visorando Member
↔4.46 mi ↗+449 ft ↘-3 ft ◔2h 25 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from County Durham
This 3rd section of the Durham Round Trail walk, begins with an urban walk through the outskirts of Chester-le-Street before picking up the C2C cycle route making the walking easy going, however the entire route is uphill alll the way from Chester-le-Street to Beamish. Look out for sculptures along the way which relate to the industrial past as well as legend.

Walking Great North Forest Birtley to Causey Arch

Visorando Member
↔5.06 mi ↗+538 ft ↘-289 ft ◔2h 50 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Lamesley (England)
This section of the walk follows the old railway route and forms the second part of the Bowes Railway Path, starting at Birtley near the Bowes Incline (named after the system of pulleys used to pull coal trucks uphill) and continuing through open farmland to the Tanfield Railway and Causey Arch, the oldest surviving single span railway bridge. This walk celebrates the history of the Pontop and Jarrow Railway.

Walking Chester-le-Street to Finchale Priory - Way of Learning

Visorando Member
↔4.20 mi ↗+197 ft ↘-167 ft ◔2h 05 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from County Durham
This is the 9th section of the Way of Learning. Beginning in Chester-le-Street, the walk begins in the urban town centre, then retraces the route back to Riverside Park with a walk along the banks of the Wear. Passing by Lumley Castle again, the walk continues on the opposite bank of the river before climbing up through farmland to the village of Great Lumley. Leaving the village the route continues along country lanes before descending through woodland to Finchael Priory.

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