Leadgate to Rowley - Durham Round Trail

Start : Junction between Front Street and West Street, Leadgate (Nearby postcode DH8 7SA)

(S) With the Old Coop Buildings on your left and the cricket club on your right, walk for a short distance (West) along Front Street before crossing to the south side of the road. Then carry on walking West to reach a roundabout.

(1) Cross the A692 (Leadgate Bypass) with care at the roundabout. The path now swings South-West and into a wooded area, the path emerges briefly, cross the road and continue ahead for around 400 m.

(2) Keep left at the fork in the path (South). The playing fields will be on your left. When you reach the car park, join the access road, then cross Delves Lane with care. The path will first be South-West, then North-West then South-West again along the side of the Consett Bypass (A692). Cross Knitsley Lane with care and continue on the cycle path alongside the bypass.

(3) On reaching the roundabout, cross the road with care and rejoin the cycle path heading South.

(4) Pass the Terris Novalis Sculpture on your left, after this the path turns South-East and pass a large warehouse before entering a wooded area.

(5) The path exits the trees at Lyggets Junction, to your right leave the cycle path to visit Hownsgill Tea Rooms, then rejoin the cycle path to cross Hownsgill Viaduct. The path will then turn Southwards.

(6) You will pass a pond to your left, cross the road and continue Southwards. The path will then turn West before reaching Rowley Bank and Rowley Station Picnic Area (E).

Start : Junction between Front Street and West Street, Leadgate (Nearby postcode DH8 7SA)

Transport: Park at Rowley Station Picnic Area, then walk to Castleside up Rowley Bank and take the X15 bus from the Horse and Groom Pub to Front Street, Leadgate. Alternatively you may consider taking a taxi to the start of the walk.

Facilities: The only facilities along the route can be found at Hownsgill Tea Rooms.

Accessibility: The entire route is relatively flat and on cycle paths and is therefore accessible to most.

Accommodation: The closest accommodation is Deneview Bed and Breakfast in Castleside. There are touring pitches at Hownsgill Farm.

Look out for the sculptures along the way as described above.