Shincliffe Circular Walk

Park in Low Shincliffe (this might be difficult as parking is hard to find but the road from the junction with the A177 at Shincliffe Bridge usually has a few roadside spaces) The walk shown starts and finishes at the gates of Poplar Tree Garden Centre NZ287405; you will need to walk to the gates of the garden centre from where ever you can find parking.

(S/E) Walk out of the garden centre and turn right to follow Hall Lane in a southerly direction, you will pass beside fields and towards a wooded section.

(1) At the start of the woods take the gate on the right and follow the path trough the woods to exit beside the garden of Shincliffe Hall. Continue following the path and where it enters a field take the track sloping down on the right towards the river. Follow the river side path back to a junction with the Weardale Way path and the woods.

(2) Turn right and follow the Weardale Way path through the woods. The path weaves its way, at one point climbing via some steps and then descending again before once more climbing steadily to exit at High Butterby Farm.

(3) On the farm track turn left and walk along the track around the left curving bend. Keep following the track to a place where a path on the left and a track on the right cross the main farm track.

(4) Turn left and follow the path (muddy in the winter months) towards High Grange Farm, there will be gates to pass through. Once past High grange Farm you are following the same track to pass between West and East Grange farms. At the short dog leg do not take the track to West Grange Farm, instead keep straight ahead (North) on a tarmac farm road to a T junction with the A177.

(5) Cross over (take care) and follow the road the right into High Shincliffe village passing a useful information board showing other local walks. Walk past the tea shop (or call in for a cuppa) and take the first turning on the left. You are walking into a housing estate, please keep to the pavements but there are places where there are none so take care. Take the road to its end and follow it where it bends to the right, keep on walking until there is housing on your right and a field on your left. Look out for some woods on the left and a sign post.

(6) Turn left at the sign post and walk to the information board. Now follow the path through the woods which returns to the main track. Now follow the track North to pass beside Manor Farm. The track now descends beside more woods and curves to the right to a junction with another track on the left.

(7) Turn left and follow the track of the old railway through the woods of Shincliffe Park. 

(8) At the end cross into a field, turn left and walk to the gate which leads onto the edge of the A177. Carefully cross the road and follow the signpost to take the steps leading up. Follow the path beside the graveyard and church to a junction with the village high street.

(9) Cross over and turn right, follow the pavement to the T junction, turn right and walk along the road and back to the garden centre. (S/E)

There is not much shelter but the tea room at High Shincliffe could be a useful retreat or a nice place to have a mid walk cup of tea.

The walk can be muddy in the winter months, particularly between (4) and (5) so wear appropriate footwear.

The garden centre has a good cafe and it is worth calling in at the end of your walk.

The walk takes in a river side path, woodland, farm paths, villages, the site of an old mine and old railway tracks. Some of the old buildings in Low Shincliffe show their industrial heritage.

The woodland at (6) is the site of the old pit at Shincliffe.