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Start : Main gate for Ushaw College (DH7 9RH) Grid ref. NZ 217 435
(S) From the main gate for Ushaw College, walk up the main driveway (North) and bear right in front of the building then turn left (North) again around the side of the main building until you reach College Road. Turn right and then left following the track into the trees in a Northerly direction.
(1) After passing the house on your right you will come to a track junction, take the right track which goes diagonally (North-East) across the field. Cross over the track and stile and continue on this bearing along a track keeping the hedgerow to your left. At the end of the hedgerow you will see a track to you left, ignore this and continue over the stile on this bearing.
(2) Cross the Lanchester Valley Railway Path and continue until you reach the next track. Turn left onto this track (North). On reaching the ford, continue to follow the path to the left and cross the River Browney via the bridge.
(3) Continue North-Eastwards past the sewage works to St Michael and All Angels Church at Witton Gilbert.
(4) At the church gate, turn right onto Coach Lane. As you reach the corner of the churchyard, there will be an information board on your left cross Dene Burn. At the track junction take the central footpath not the wider track. Follow this path through the trees.
(5) As the path turns Southwards you will see the River Browney on your right. Continue following this until you reach a bridge over the River Browney (about 1.3 Km), to your left you will see the ruins of Beaurepaire Abbey.
(6) After your visit, retrace your steps to the bridge and turn right at the stile and then right again away from the path along the River Browney. Continue South-East through Bearpark Farm to a second farm, Stotgate Farm.
(7) Continue past the cottages and Stotgate Farm. The track will bear right (South) just past the bend look for a path to your left. Go through the gate and follow the path North-East along the hedge row. There will be a pond on each side of the path. The path will then turn Eastwards. At an information board, the path will join Club Lane passing a number of houses before exiting onto Whitesmocks/A167.
(8) Cross the road with great care taking the footpath Eastwards between the houses. The footpath will exit onto Springfield Park, walk to the end of the road and turn right onto Fieldhouse Lane. Take the next right turn onto Flassburn Road. At the end of the street continue on the footpath which turns left as it enters the trees, stay on the first path to your left which runs along the back of the gardens and past allotments.
(9) Cross Hangman's Hill and follow the path between the 2 houses to the south exiting onto Valeside. Turn left and then right onto Back Western Hill. Follow this road downhill around the back of the Old County Hospital which is now residential properties and then turn right (South-East) onto North Road.
(10) Look out to admire the railway viaduct, then walk walk up Station Approach towards the railway station. Turn right onto the footbridge. At the far side, walk towards the roundabout and then turn left down North Road. Cross Framwellgate Bridge and turn right down the steps to the side of the restaurant. Take the left hand path up the hill towards the cathedral. At the top of this path, turn left up Windy Gap onto the Palace Green. You will be directly in front of Durham Cathedral (E).
Walker
