Winston to Piercebridge - Durham Round Trail

Start: Start on the B6274 just north of Winston Bridge. Grid ref. NZ 142 163

(S) From the layby just north of the bridge, go through the kissing gate signposted Teesdale Way/Gainford. The River Tees will be on your right. Keep right ignoring any paths to the left. The path follows the banks of the Tees for most of the walk, initally in a North-East direction.

(1) On reaching the layby, the river will bend to the right, continue to follow the path through the trees in an Easterly direction, the path is not straight but winds back and forth through the trees.

(2) The path will emerge right on the banks of the River Tees, look upstreem to see the bridge. Continue Eastwards along the river bank.

(3) On reaching the bridge, the path will turn left (North-West), continue to the road (A67) turning right to walk along Darlington Road. Take care when walking on the verge, there are no footpaths. Cross Grant Bridge. Continue around the bend (there is a narrow footpath here) and up Grant Bank which has a wider footpath.

(4) At the top of the bank is a road junction, keep walking along the A67, this will now be heading South-East.

(5) At the noticeboard, there is a sign for the Teesdale Way, take the path down through the woods to the river bank. At the river bank the footpath takes a sharp left to head South-East again along the banks of the River Tees. You will pass Gainford Spa and Whispering Waters House and Lodges to your left. Alternatively, continue walking along the road as the paths will meet further along the route.

(6) The path will emerge back onto the A67 by a layby, those having taking the alternative route will arrive here. Turn right and continue walking along the A67 towards Gainford.

(7) On reaching Gainford, turn right into Low Road, follow this around past the school and junction to the strangely named Piggy Lane. Gainford village green will be on your right.

(8) Low Road will eventually rejoin Main Road, turn right and continue walking Eastwards along the A67 Main Road passing Gainford Surgery and leaving the village. After a further 350m there will be a farm track to your left and a sign to your right for the Teesdale Way.

(9) Go through the kissing gate and follow this path South-East down across the fields until it reaches the River Tees. Continue following the riverbank for 2.3 Km.

(10) The footpath will deviate away from the river and cross the fields to a farm.

(11) At the farm, continue North-East on the tarmac drive until you find a path to your right. Take this path Eastwards until you reach The Green, climbing the stile onto the B6275 (E).

Start: Start on the B6274 just north of Winston Bridge. Grid ref. NZ 142 163

Parking: There is a small layby at Winston Bridge, however there is a larger car park on the south bank of the River Tees near the Roman Bridge.

Transport: Arriva bus X75/X76 connects Darlington, Piercebridge, Winston and Barnard Castle.

Facilities: There are no facilities in Winston, however there is a pub and chip shop in Gainford and The Fox Hole and The George (next to the car park) in Piercebridge, however these have limited opening times.

Accessibility: This route crosses farmland and dirt paths and includes a kissing gate so is not complete accessible.

Accommodation: The George in Piercebridge has rooms. The bus connects to both Darlington and Barnard Castle if you wish to use one of these as a base.

• This walk takes in the picturesque views of the River Tees and the pretty village of Gainford.
• Do visit the Roman Fort and Bridge at the end of the walk. There are information boards in the car park.