Sadberge to Stillington - Durham Round Trail

Start at The Tuns pub in Sadberge.

(S) With your back to the pub turn right and walk down to the main road (Hill House Lane), continue down Hill House Lane (north) until you pass the last building. Turn right between the trees, the footpath is not marked. After 25m, turn left (north) and follow the boundary of the field for approximately 100m before turning right to follow the field boundary northeast. After 230m turn left (northwest) for 100m then right (northeast) continuing to follow the field boundaries.

(1) After a further 350m you will reach another field boundary, turn left (northwest) keeping to the right of hedge and ditch for 150m then turn right heading for the electricity pylon. When you reach the pylon turn left (northeast) straight across the field for 150m to the field boundary. The path then cuts across the next field towards the next pylon (east) then turns northeast again. If there are crops in the field you may need to follow the field boundary rather than following the route across the field.

(2) On reaching the field boundary, turn right and walk along the back of the property to your left. At the field boundary turn north walking towards the driveway.

(3) Turn right and walk along the road eastwards through the village of West Newbiggin.

(4) When you reach the bend in the road near look for a path on your left which heads first northeast. Cross the beck and then turn left (west) for 50m before turning north and walking alongside the edge of the beck for about 150m. Turn right (east) at the field boundary for about 100m then turn north keeping to the righthand side of the hedge. At the end of the hedge, continue straight ahead (north) until you reach Pitfield Farm.

(5) At the corner of the first building, bear right walking northeastwards across the field, heading for the electricity pylon in the distance. The path will pass to the right of the pylon heading to the corner of the field. Cross the field boundary and continue on the same northeast heading until you reach Bishopton Beck and a track.

(6) Turn north following the track until you reach Folly Bank.

(7) Continue North following Folly Bank. At the junction, turn right onto The Green and walk through Bishopton.

(8) At The Talbot pub, keep left walking down Church View, passing the church on your right. Just past the village hall, look to your left (opposite the first bungalow on your right), you should see what looks like a driveway. Take this driveway, after the garage it should become a lane between the 2 streets of houses. This will open into a field, continue ahead (north) crossing a track. Continue walking across the field heading for the gap in the field boundary, continue across the next field to Stillington Beck.

(9) Cross the beck via Stillington Footbridge and continue north to the next field boundary. Bear northeast and continue until you reach the road, climbing the stile.

(10) Turn right and follow the road around the bend (northeast) and into South Street (Stillington). Continue along the road.

(11) You pass underneath the railway bridge to reach the Community Centre (E).

Transport: There are no buses to either Sadberge of Stillington. There is on-street parking in both villages so taxis may be needed. There is plenty of parking in Darlington, which is the largest nearby town. Parking in Sedgefield is also an option.

Facilities: The walk starts at The Tuns in Sadberge where you can also find the Buck Inn. The Talbot Pub (8) is on the route in Bishopton. The Blue Bell Inn is also located in Bishopton, a short diversion from the route.

Terrain: This walk crosses fields and is not classed as accessible.

Accommodation: There are lots of options in Darlington, Stockton-on-Tees and Sedgefield.

• Evidence of Bishopton Castle can be seen through earthworks in the landscape south of the Blue Bell Inn (8).
• Stillington Forest Park is a hidden gem in the area. It is situated on the site of a former slag heap (waste from the local coal mine) and was derelict for some time before being redeveloped into this beautiful community space.