Houghton-le-Spring to Bournmoor - Way of Learning

Leaving St Michael's and All Angels' Church behind, the route heads through a park, past housing developments into open countryside before returning to villages ending at the Floater's Mill pub.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: The Way of Learning - Jarrow to Durham

Technical sheet

30506187
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.27 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 1h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: No
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 15 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 42 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 68 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 35 m

Description de la randonnée

Start: St Michael and all Angels Church, Houghton-le-Spring (DH4 4DN) Grid ref. NZ 341 498

(S) From the church, cross the road and enter the park walking West passing the Old Rectory on your right. At the end of the building, bear right diagonally across the park (North-West). On reaching the children's play area, leave the park and take the path on your left which runs along the fence around the play area and into Thornhill Street. Continue walking West along the street which becomes Gilpin Street. When Gilpin Street bends to the right, continue straight ahead on the footpath which runs along the front of the bungalows.

(1) At the end of the path you will reach a road, Greenwood Avenue, turn left (South-East) and walk down the path at the side of the Aged Miner's Homes. Turn right (West) onto Dairy Lane (A1052). Cross the road and turn into Ninelands (South). When Ninelands bends to the left, turn right and follow the path between the houses (West) and cross the stile. Continue to follow this path across the field.

(2) On reaching the fork in the path at Rainton Burn, bear left and cross the footbridge. Follow the hedgeline to your right first South-West then North-West and then South-West again, Red Burn should be on your right and a pond on your left. At the far side of the field, cross the stile onto the B1284. Turn right (North-West).

(3) Cross the road and turn left into Blackboy Road.

(4) After 615 m or so, when you reach Blackboy Bridge, walk down the grass slope at the left-hand side of the bridge onto the cycle path below. Turn right and walk underneath the bridge continuing North. After 700 m or so, a wooded area will be to your left. When you reach the allotments on your right, look for a path to your left through the woods (West) to Morton House.

Alternative Route: At the time of writing building work was going on at the Blackboy Bridge and it is not clear if the access point will continue to be available. If not accessible, continue along Blackboy Road over the bridge to the Chiltern Lodge, turn right and follow Newbottle Lane first north and then east until it meets the cycle path. Alternatively, continue walking past the Chiltern Lodge and take the next right onto the bridleway which will bring you to Morton House.

(5) Turn right at Morton House cottages joining the access road and continuing North. The road will emerge on Front Street opposite Burnside Working Mens Club, turn left walking along the A1052.

(6) After passing Burnmoor Scout Hall on your right, take the next path on your right (North-East). Cross the footbridge over Lumley Park Burn and bear left. Keep left and take the path running parallel to Lumley Park Burn which will be on your left until you reach the A1052 again, turn left and finish the walk at the Floater's Mill pub (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 68 m - St Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring
  2. 1 : km 0.76 - alt. 46 m - Greenwood Avenue/Aged Miners' Homes
  3. 2 : km 1.27 - alt. 43 m - Footbridge
  4. 3 : km 2.09 - alt. 52 m - Blackboy Road
  5. 4 : km 2.71 - alt. 54 m - Blackboy Bridge
  6. 5 : km 3.77 - alt. 61 m - Morton House and Cottages
  7. 6 : km 4.66 - alt. 46 m - Burnmoor Scout Hall
  8. E : km 5.27 - alt. 38 m - Floaters Mill Pub

Practical information

Start: St Michael and all Angels Church, Houghton-le-Spring (DH4 4DN) Grid ref. NZ 341 498

Transport: Park in Houghton-le-Spring, there are a number of car parks a short distance from the church. Take bus 4 from the Fire Station stop (there is no longer a fire station at the site) just up the road from the Floater's Mill to Hillside Way or 71 from round the corner at Woodlea Court to St Michael's.

Facilities: There are shops, pubs and takeaways in Houghton-le-Spring and the Floater's Mill is a good place to stop at the end of the walk. There are no other facilities on the route.

Accessibility: This route contains stiles and stretches across fields. To avoid this section continue along Dairy Lane from (1). At the end of Dairy Lane turn left onto Front Street and rejoin the route at (3). You may also skip the last step, from (6) continue straight ahead on the footpath, you should see the Floater's Mill down the road.

Accommodation: The nearest accommodation is Highfield Hotel near Houghton-le-Spring, or in Chester-le-Street, there is Lumley Castle, The Lambton Arms and the Lambton Worm.

In the nearby area

  • St Michael and All Angels Church, Houghton-le-Spring, one of the oldest churches in the area.
  • The area here was once very industrial and is unrecognisable today from what it once was. Look out for any evidence of the mining past, check out the Bournmoor history website for old photos of the Floater's Mill and surrounding area.

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