Tees Barrage Circular, Stockton-on-Tees

Start : Parking at the Tees Barrage, junction between Whitewater Way and Tees Barrage Way. Grid ref. NZ 462 192)

(S/E) From the car park, take the footpath South that leeds to the white water course and walk along the edge of the water. Walk under Tees Barrage Way and turn left crossing the bridge.

(1) Walk towards the north abutment and cross the footbridge over the River Tees turning right (West) at the end of the bridge. This is a shared cycle and footpath so watch out for the cyclists. Continue past the slipway, keeping right to hug the river bank for around 700 m.

(2) When you reach the Durham University International Study Centre (Queen's Campus), check out the view of the Infinity Bridge, then follow the path around to the left and then to the right skirting the university buildings. Walk underneath the Infinity Bridge and continue along the riverbank. As you continue you will walk around an inlet, notice the canoe polo nets.

As you continue to walk you will be forced to turn left and walk along another inlet, much longer than the first. This will become a channel which opens out into a wider pool.

(3) Before you reach the large pool, walk up the ramp and cross the blue bridge. Go down the ramp towards the water and then double back under the bridge. Walk along to the next bridge and take the ramp on your left onto University Boulevard. Turn left and walk towards the round about. Cross the road and turn right at the roundabout onto Council of Europe Boulevard (North).

Alternative Route: The walk can be extended here by going straight across the roundabout staying on University Boulevard and crossing the Millennium Bridge and taking the ramp down to the right onto the north bank of the River Tees. At the bottom of the ramp, turn right and rejoin the route at (4).

(4) Cross the Princeess of Wales Bridge looking upstream to see the Infinity Bridge again turning right immediately after the bridge towards the riverbank and then pick up the footpath on the left. Follow this footpath along the riverbank back towards the Infinity Bridge.

(5) Next to the Infinity Bridge is an office complex called Northshore One with Bentley's Coffee Shop, a nice place to stop. Continue along the riverbank back to barrage. Walk under Tees Barrage Way and turn left back to the car park (S/E).

Start : Parking at the Tees Barrage, junction between Whitewater Way and Tees Barrage Way. Grid ref. NZ 462 192)

Transport: There is parking at the Tees Barrage. The walk can also be started at (4), parking available at the long stay Riverside Car Park. Buses stop at Stockton High Street from where it is a short walk along Bishop Street to (4). Trains stop at Thornaby station from where the walk can be joined at the river basin (3).

Facilities: There are many facilities in Stockton town centre, shops, cafes, public toilets. On the route is Bentley's Coffee Shop (8am-3pm Monday to Friday).

Accessibility: The entire route is paved and is wheelchair and pushchair friendly with ramps to access the bridges.

• Book an activity at the Tees Barrage, a white water centre, details here.
• Look out for remnants of Stockton's industrial past, this leaflet gives some history of the area.