(S) From Finchale priory, cross the bridge and walk up the steps to Cocken Road. Turn left onto Cocken Road.
Alternative Start: If you have visited Finchale Priory on a previous visit and are parking on Cocken Road, start the walk from here.
(1) Turn right onto Cocken Lane.
(2) Continue walking down the Cocken Lane until it bends to the right, keep left following the path across the fields. There Weardale Way follows the same course as the Cuddy's Corse walk here so look out for either waymarker.
When you reach Cambridge Drive, turn left and follow the road around the bend until it meets Front Street, turn left and follow the road around the bend.
(3) At the wooden sculpture, turn left and follow the footpath across the fields which turns right after a short distance.
(4) Continue in a northerly direction until you see a track bearing right to the farm, turn left here and walk towards the treeline. Turn right and follow the footpath (there were stiles here) straight ahead, you will follow the Wear river to Lumley New Road (B1284).
(5) Follow the path under Lumley New Road continue in a northerly direction (you may see waymarkers for Cuddy's Corse and the Way of Learning which turns to the right, ignore these). You will see Lumley Castle to your right. The path bears right and then right again around the golf course and along the Lumley Park Burn.
(6) When you have reached the north side of the golf course, you will see a path to your left, follow this down and over the stone bridge crossing Lumley Park Burn. At the far side of the bridge follow the path around to the right.
(7) At the fork in the path, follow the left-hand path, and you will eventually emerge from the trees. Continue walking along the tree line until you see a path to your right before the path turns to an access road, turn right onto this path and follow this in a south-easterly direction crossing Lumley Park Burn again.
(8) Go straight ahead. You will emerge from the trees onto a track by some garages, continue to the roundabout. Turn left onto Forge Road.
(9) Continue on Forge Road until you reach the Smiths Arms, take the footpath at the left-hand side of the pub.
Alternative Route: The Way of Learning path follows a route further down Forge Road along the Lumley Park Burn, you can take this instead if you wish as both tracks meet again at (10) .
(10) Continue on this path until you reach the road. The Floaters Mill pub is directly opposite the end of the path. (E).