Kepier and Gilesgate Circular

Start: Park in Walkergate or The Sands multi-story car parks in the city centre. The walk begins in front of the Freeman's Quay Leisure Centre (DH1 1SW). Grid ref. NZ 273 428

(S/E) With Freeman's Quay behind walk towards the Pennyferry footbridge in front of you. Do not cross the bridge but turn right and walk in front of the new office block with the River Wear on your left. Walk up the steps to the wooded area. Exit the trees and walk along the edge of the grassed area (The Sands) keeping the river to your left.

(1) The path will join The Sands road at the junction of Ferens Close, turn left and continue walking Eastwards along The Sands. Ferens Park was the name of the old football ground, but is now a housing estate on your right.

(2) On reaching the fork in the road at Orchard Drive, take the lane to the left closest to the River Wear. Continue to follow the lane as it turns North.

(3) On reaching the ancient Kepier Hospital turn right walking through the archway. Follow the Kepier Lane past Kepier Farm and begin the long climb towards the A690 passing the Northern Powergrid Depot on your right.

(4) Cross the A690 with care. Follow the path first to the right and then left walking along the back of the gardens. Cross Pilgrim's Way and continue following the path first bearing left and then right exiting at the old entrance to Gilesgate School, now a new housing development. Turn right and cross Bradford Crescent into Roosevelt Road (South-West), follow this around Churchill Square and turn left into Churchill Avenue.

(5) At the end of the road is the Three Horse Shoes, turn right and cross the road via the crossing then turn right passing Sainsbury's. At the end of the shopping parade, cross the road by the Queen's Head with care. At the side of the Queen's Head is the entrance to the Vane Tempest Hall. Continue along Gilesgate (A181). At the end of the terraced houses take the footpath diagonally across the grassed area (Duck Pond) and continue down Gilesgate passing St Giles Church on your left.

(6) At the bottom of the hill you will reach the Durham University College of St Hild and St Bede. Turn right and cross Gilesgate via the pedestrian crossing. Continue around the roundabout. Look to your left, the old Gilesgate Station is now a hotel. Cross back over the A690 at the pedestrian crossing. Turn right and walk to the ruined chapel.

(7) Turn left into Ashwood by the Chapel and then turn right into Magdalene Heights. At the end of the road continue straight ahead down the path, there are quite a few steps here, until you reach the riverbank at the waypoint (2) again, turn left and retrace your steps back to Freeman's Quay (S/E).

Start: Park in Walkergate or The Sands multi-story car parks in the city centre. The walk begins in front of the Freeman's Quay Leisure Centre (DH1 1SW). Grid ref. NZ 273 428

Transport: The nearest car parks are Walkergate and The Sands. most buses stop at Leazes Underpass or Framwellgate Bridge, however the starting point is a short walk from the bus station and railway station.

Facilities: There are cafes and bars at Milennium Place, Walkergate. Take the steps/life up from Freemans Quay. Toilets are available in the Gala Theatre and Clayport Library in Milennium Place.

Accessibility/Terrain: The entire walk is on paved surfaces however there is one very long steep hill with steps at the top and steps back down after the chapel.

• Light Sculptures, Freeman's Quay - check out the Heron next to Framwellgate Bridge, the viewpoint by the bar and the Light Benches in front of the Passport Office (S/E).
• Kepier Hospital (now a private residence) holds an idyllic place on the riverbank (3).
• The post-war housing development includes roads named after important military figures from the world war including Roosevelt and Churchill and a number of recipients of the Victoria Cross (4)/(5).
• The Duck Pond - there is no duck pond here any more but the name still stands, the route crosses the grassed area between (5) and (6).
• St Giles Church - dating from 1112, this church is well worth visiting (5)/(6).
• St Mary Magdalene Chapel - founded in the 13th Century, this small ruined chapel stands beside the busy A690 (7).