River Wear Trail

Start: Fatfield Bridge, Bonemill Lane, Fatfield, Washington, NE38 8AJ

(S) From the bridge turn eastwards into South View and walk along the road with the river to your right. Keep following South View, which continually narrows for approximately 1km until you reach the Victoria Viaduct.

(1) Continue under the viaduct. To your right you will see a wall with a gate, look over the wall to see the model cow. Directly in front of you is a path with a marker on it, continue ahead onto the path. This path will continue roughly northeastwards for another 1 km until you reach the Cox Green footbridge. The Weardale Way passes this bridge on the opposite bank.

(2) From the car park, turn left and then after 20m take the lane on your right into the woods following the C2C cycle route eastwards. The path continues north for around 80m then turns east again. Keep right ignoring all paths to your left.

(3) After 400m the C2C cycle route turns north, continue eastwards along the banks of the Wear. After passing under powerlines, the path turns north, then east, then north, then east around a small reservoir on your right and a factory on your left. Turn north again at the end of the factory and continue to the car park of the Washington Wetlands Centre.

(4) Cross the car park and look for the C2C cycle path to your right. Turn right onto the path and continue through North Wood. As you emerge from North Wood continue straight ahead on the footpath, ignoring the cycle path to your left. This path will take you right back to the banks of the River Wear.

(5) Turn northeast and continue to follow the bank as the river loops first south and then north. Passing buildings on your right, bear right at the path junction onto Ferryboat Lane to the A19 bridge.

(6) Continue along Ferryboat Lane passing underneath the A19 bridge. Passing the Shipwright's pub, follow the road up the hill (you are now back on Cycle Route 7).

(7) At the kennels and cattery, bear right into Grange Road. Take the cycle path to the right just before the bridge. Continue until you reach the roundabout. The cycle path turns right here back to the banks of the River Wear and follows along the banks, passing offices on the left. Continue to follow the cycle route as it bears left and then right to the Northern Spire Bridge. There is a viewing point here.

(8) Continue on the cycle path, passing underneath the Northern Spire Bridge. Keep right, heading back to the river. Follow the footpath keeping the river to your right and the offices to your left. The path will turn northeast to Alexandra Avenue. Turn left and then take the path to your right (steps) to the cycle path.

Alternative Route: After passing under the bridge, continue to follow the cycle path to (9).

(9) Pass under the Northern Way. To your right you will see the Queen Alexandra Bridge. You will be walking across the middle of a large roundabout, passing under Stoney Lane and continuing to follow the cycle path.

(10) At the cycle path junction, take the right-hand route, turning left into Wayfarer Road and then taking the right-hand path at the end of the road back to the banks of the River Wear. Follow this around to the south, passing the lime kilns to your left. Across the river you will see some cranes, some of the last evidence of the shipyards which once stood here. Continue passing the Stadium of Light on your left until you reach Wearmouth Bridge.

(11) Pass under the bridges and continue along the path, passing Sunderland University St Peter's Campus and the National Glass Centre on your left.

(12) Follow the path up to the petrol station onto Sand Point Road. Go straight ahead onto the path, passing the marina on your right. The path will double back on itself around the marina and new housing development to the Old North Pier (closed).

(13) Turn left at the pier and walk along the promenade until you reach the Roker Pier entrance and food outlets.

(14) Finish the walk with a walk to the end of the pier, recently reopened after storm damage (E).

Transport: There is some on-street parking near Fatfield Bridge, but it is recommended to park in Marine Walk Car Park at the end of the walk. From here, take bus E1 to Fawcett Street, then walk through the Bridges Shopping Centre to Green Terrace and pick up bus 2 to Washington, getting off at the stop just over Fatfield Bridge.

Facilities: There are very few facilities along the route. There are a number of pubs/restaurants in Fatfield at the start of the route, The Shipwright's about half-way and then public toilets and takeaways on the seafront.

Accessibility: There is one set of steps which can be avoided by following the cycle path, making this route accessible to all with some slight adjustment.

• See the location the famed Lambton Worm called home at Worm Hill (S).
• Beautiful River Wear, villages and Victoria Viaduct near the start of the walk (1).
• Washington Wetland Centre - stop and spend some time with the birds at the wetland centre (4).
• Cretehawser Wreck on the banks of the River Wear (8).
• River Wear Lime Kilns and cranes (between (10) and (11)).
• Remains of the Wearmouth Colliery Staithes (between (10) and (11)).
• Look out for sculptures along the trail.
• The Wearmouth Bridges - the train and road bridges sit side by side here (11).
• Roker Pier - to find out more about the restoration or book a tour, the pier has its own website (E).