The remains of Beau Repaire from the Broom Park car park.

Park in the car park for the Deerness Valley Railway Walk, Broompark, Durham DH7 7RJ, Grid Ref: NZ250415

(S/E) From the parking follow the path (South) to the Deerness Valley Railway Path. Turn right and follow the good track in a westerly direction. You will pass below the village of Broompark on your right. Look out for a cross road of narrow paths at the end of the village.

(1) Turn right and take the narrow path towards some houses and the road. Cross over, walk leftwards for a few metres and then turn right to take the track. Follow this and where it turns right cross over into a field. Follow the path to a gate and pass through to follow a wide, rutted track down hill to a metal gate. Pass through and walk between the fish ponds and then beside the farm buildings to a T junction. (Lanchester Valley Railway Path)

(2) Turn left and follow the track to the road, cross over (take care) and continue following the railway path in a north-westerly direction. Look out for an obvious cross roads in the track.

(3) At the cross roads, turn right and walk downhill to the River Browney. Cross the bridge.

(4) Just after the bridge climb over a wooden stile into the field and follow the narrow path which slopes uphill to the remains of Beau Repaire.

(5) There is an information board; enjoy looking around the ruins. When you have finished return to the stile and climb back over to the track.

(4) Turn right and follow the track uphill to Bearpark Hall Farm (obvious black barn conversion on the right). Keep following the track passing Stotgate Farm and then around a right hand bend; look out power lines on the left and for a yellow marker on the left as the track turns South and starts to slope downhill.

(6) Cross into the field, do not follow the field boundary on the left but instead pass under the power lines and follow a path diagonally across the field heading to a house with two dormer windows in the roof. The path leads to and passes beside this house (old Arbour House), it then leads down to the road. (The site the Battle of Neville's Cross is in front of you).

(7) At the road turn right and follow the pavement for a few metres before crossing the road and following the signposted road downhill to cross a bridge over the River Browney. Then walk uphill to the farm and pass through the farmyard. Go through a metal gate and to the junction with the Lanchester Valley Railway Path.

(8) Turn left and follow the track southwards to pass beside the East Coast Mainline Railway and under a road bridge. Shortly after this the track curves to the right and you can walk over the grass and back to the parking (S/E). 

No shelters along the way.

The railway path walks are in good condition but the section between (1) and (2) can be muddy. Wear appropriate footwear.

Beau Repaire was a retreat for the Prior of Durham Cathedral and was built in 1258. It was surrounded by a hunting park and together, over time, gave the modern name Bear Park.

In 1346 the Scottish army of Kind David II camped on the site before the Battle of Neville's Cross.  The English army defeated the Scots and Kind David was captured. Legend says this is because he was hiding beneath the bridge at Aldin Grange (near (2) ) and was given away by his reflection in the river.