Pittington to Durham City - Durham Round Trail

Start just west of the Blacksmiths Arms, 21 Station Rd, Low Pittington, Durham DH6 1BJ

(S) From the Blacksmiths Arms, walk to the end of the previous section and cross the stile on the opposite side of the road heading south east. Cross the field and cross the stile at the far side of the field. Alternatively, from the Blacksmith's Arms cross the road and turn into Lady's Piece Lane for 100m. Cross the road and cross the stile. Continue walking across the field in a south west direction.

(1) You will pass a golf course on your right which has 3 small bridges over a beck. When you reach the beck (this runs under a culvert but you should see it to your right), continue in the same direction into an old railway cutting. Keep left. The path will turn south.

(2) You will reach the old railway junction, above you is the old Leamside Line, do not go under the bridge but bear left to pick up the path and continue walking in a southerly direction towards Sherburn. You will be walking along the bottom of the embankment to your right.

(3) When you pass the building on your left, take the next left path (east) and then turn right onto a wider track (south). Follow this track past the park to your left until you reach the tarmac road, continue walking south down the footpath to Front Street. Turn right and after 100m cross the road.

(4) Cross the bridge, then turn left and continue walking in a southerly direction. You will have the Leamside Railway Bed to your left. When you reach the end of the houses to your left, the path will bear right, there should be a beck to your right.

(5) As you enter the trees, cross the stile and footbridge and take the path to the right (northwest). This path will then turn to the left (southwest). Sherburn House Beck will be on your right. As you continue on you will see Sherburn House Hospital to your left. Cross the footbridge over the beck and continue to the road crossing the stile.

(6) Cross the road, cross the stile and continue following the path westwards. Be aware that there are a number of steps through the woods. After the steps, the path turns north, then west again passing underneath the A1(M).

(7) As you emerge from the A1(M) underpass, turn left until you reach the beck, then turn right walking along the edge of the beck which will be to your left.

(8) On reaching the Shincliffe Mill Garden Centre, you will be following the Way of Love footpath and may see signs indicating this. Continue to follow the beck on your left. This will turn west and then join a wider track. When you reach Bent House Lane, turn right (north).

(9) After 300m you will see a sign for the W2W cycle route, turn left (northwest) and follow the route until you reach Old Durham Gardens parking area.

(10) Turn right at the car park and walk alongside the buildings. Turn left at the end of the buildings. At the turning circle, look for a path to your right down through the woods until you reach the River Wear. Alternatively, follow the cycle path past Old Durham Gardens to the River Wear. When you reach the river, turn right and follow the footpath alongside the river towards Durham City.

(11) When you reach Brown's Boathouse, look for the steps up to Elvet Bridge, take these steps. At the top of the steps turn right and continue to walk up Elvet Bridge. To your left you will see a set of steps, the Magdalen Steps. Go up these steps and turn left up Saddler Street towards the Cathedral.

(12) At the top of Saddler Street, take the right hand street, Owengate, to the cathedral and Palace Green (E).

Transport: As this walk finishes in the centre of Durham, it would be wise to park here and take the bus to the start of the walk as there is no parking in Pittington. Take the Prince Bishops 65 bus towards Seaham and get off at the Blacksmiths Arms.

Facilities: There are no facilities along this route until you reach Durham where there are public toilets, cafes and restaurants.

Accessibility: This route has many stiles along the way and lots of field sections which can be very muddy in wet weather.

An alternative more accessible route would be to follow Lady's Piece Lane to Hallgarth Manor bearing right to continue to Sherburn. There is a very narrow path, but after Hallgarth Manor junction you will need to walk on the grass verge or road until you reach Sherburn. Continue to the roundabout at Sherburn, turn right onto Front Street. You will then reach the B1283 (4). Do not follow the instructions but remain on the B1283 crossing over the A1(M). At the second set of traffic lights, turn left following the sign for Old Durham Gardens then follow the rest of the route from (9). There are a number of steep hills on this route.

Accommodation: There is plentiful accommodation in Durham including the Premier Inn, Radisson Blu, Hotel Indigo and Marriott hotels. In Pittington is the Hallgarth Manor Hotel if you are walking multiple sections of the trail.

• Look out for evidence of mining in these former pit villages including the Leamside Line.
• Old Durham Gardens - visit these tranquil gardens, established over 300 years ago.
• Enjoy a pieceful stroll along the River Wear, or hire a boat at Brown's Boathouse.
• Durham Cathedral and Palace Green attractions. At the heart of the city is the Norman Cathedral high up on the promontory. Across the Palace Green is the castle, now part of Durham University. There are many other buildings here including the Palace Green Library and Archeaology Museum