Houghall, The Botanic Gardens and Woodland/Riverside Circular

Turn off the A177 signposted The Pump House and Houghall Equine Centre. Park immediately on the left where is room for about 8 cars parked sensibly.

(S/E) Walk up the road towards the old pump house, pass this and continue along the road which bends to the right to follow the line of a dismantled railway. Just as you enter some woods look out for a narrow path on the left leading to a circular structure.

(1) Leave the road and follow the path to the structure, which is the top of an old (capped) mine shaft. There are information boards here and you can follow a route to the left and then back right to explore the remains of the abandoned Houghall Colliery. Rejoin the road, turn left and follow it past the entrance to the equine centre. You will see another sign on the left and a gate leading to the old fish ponds used by the monks. (The paths were being repaired in March 2025 and were not open but when they are it is a nice loop.) After the fish ponds you will come to cross roads.

(2) Go straight ahead, through a gate to follow a track which is the continuation of the railway line. Pass some more information boards and and then arrive at a junction in the path.

(3) Turn right and follow the path, contouring the bottom of the woods, look out for a junction with a track on the left which leads uphill.

(4) At the junction turn left and follow the track uphill, it leads to gate which lets onto a road. Go through and turn right. Follow the road and cross over to the car park and entrance to the Botanic Gardens. (5) (It is well worth paying the entry fee and looking around, or alternatively the cafe has a range of drinks and food.)

(5) When you are finished, return the way you came to the gate and woods. This time follow the path on the left which contours the top of the wood, look out for a junction with a narrow path on the right, leading down.

(6) Take the narrow path downhill and at the bottom join the lower path. Turn left and walk with woods on your left and Houghall College farmland on your right. This path will lead to the A177.

(7) Turn right and walk to the  blue sign post, cross the road and walk back to the gate on the other side. (Take care it can be busy, or follow the pavement further to the traffic lights and crossing and on the other side turn left and walk back) Go through the gate and follow the path which contours beneath Maiden Castle with playing fields on your right. The path arrives at at footbridge. You can follow the path on either side of the river back towards Shincliffe; the track shown follow the south side of the river and arrives at the A177 next to the bridge. (The path on the north side joins the A177 on the other side of the bridge.)

(8) Cross the road (take care) turn right and walk back to your car. (S/E)

Quite a sheltered walk, apart for the last section beside the river. The paths and tracks are good and even in winter they are not too muddy. Approach type shoes or light boots will be fine.

There is a cafe at the pump house and at the Botanic Gardens. Alternatively at the bridge next to Shincliffe there is the Rose Tree pub which does great food.

This is a link to the Botanic Gardens so you check opening times https://www.durham.ac.uk/things-to-do/venues/botanic-garden/ 

At the time of writing Adult entry was £5, concessions were £4.50 and it is free for children under 16.

The Pump House was just that, supplying water from the River Wear.

The remains of Houghall Colliery are interesting, particularly the capped mine shaft and the outlines of the old colliery housing.

Houghall has a long history, the original manor house was demolished in 1966 but the agricultural college dates back to 1938. More history can be found here https://edc.ac.uk/discover/locations/houghall-campus/the-history-of-edcs-houghall-campus