April 2014 - March 2015 Walks in Derwentside A programme of walks in County Durham incorporating supported walks and independent walks.
Delivered in partnership by Durham County Council Culture and Sport, Leisureworks and County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust and supported by the national charity, Ramblers walk4life in Derwentside is part of the county-wide walk4life programme. Our aim is to establish a co-ordinated delivery of walking opportunities across County Durham, with a focus on reaching people who are inactive, overweight and are at risk of Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. What do we offer? A programme of ten weekly short led walks across County Durham Information on existing walk groups across County Durham Trained walk leaders Safe, risk assessed routes Volunteering opportunities in your local community. Anyone can turn up and join in... it s free and fun! How much walking do I need to do? Current guidelines recommend you to build up to a total of 150 minutes of moderate activity each week, such as brisk walking. At first, start walking gently and gradually build up so that you are breathing a little faster, but still able to hold a conversation. Getting Started A good pair of comfortable, supportive shoes is all you need! However, please dress appropriately for the weather and bring along a bottle of water, or sun hat and cream if it is hot. 2
Walk to Well-Being The Derwentside Physical Activity Development Group supported by Leisureworks have created a series of progressive health walks in the community. Doorstep Walks these walks provide an introduction to walking for health and are delivered every Friday morning. They are approximately 2 miles long and are suitable for most fitness levels. Country Walks these walks provide a progression from the doorstep programme and consist of 90 minutes of walking over a 2 hour period. They vary in length and grade and are suitable for confident walker. The Country walks are delivered every Wednesday morning. Acorn Amblers this programme provides further progression and is delivered on the third Sunday of each month. All of our walks start at 10.30am. Why Walk More? Walking can help improve mood, selfesteem and cognitive function. Walking is the easiest and most accessible form of physical activity. Brisk walking has clear positive effects on cardiovascular disease. Walking at around four mph on average is sufficient to classify it as moderate intensity activity beneficial to heart health. Walking is a weight bearing activity, which helps to increase bone mineral density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Walking at a slower pace also has health benefits notably in expending energy to help control body weight. 3
Derwentside Doorstep Walks Every Friday apart from Good Friday and w/c 22nd and 29th December. April 2014 Fri 04 - Beamish Fri 11 - Blackhill/Consett Park Fri 18 - BANK HOLIDAY Fri 25 - Tanfield Lea May 2014 Fri 02 - Burnhope Fri 09 - Leadgate Fri 16 - Hownsgill Fri 23 - Broom House Farm Fri 30 - Allensford June 2014 Fri 06 - Burnhopfield Fri 13 - Haperley Woods Fri 20 - Catchgate Fri 27 - Hamsterley July 2014 Fri 04 - Medomsley Fri 11 - Rowley Station Fri 18 - Delves Lane Fri 25 - Shotley Bridge August 2014 Fri 01 - Causey Arch Fri 08 - Malton Nature Reserve Fri 18 - Greencroft Fri 25 - Esh September 2014 Fri 05 - Beamish Fri 12 - Blackhill/Consett Park Fri 19 - Tanfield Lea Fri 26 - Burnhope Walk 1 Beamish A lovely walk exploring the woods and paths around Beamish, with some challenging terrain. Meet: Eden Place cycle track car park off Beamish roundabout, DH9 0RE. Walk 2 Blackhill/Consett Park An enjoyable walk through Blackhill and Consett Park and the old steelworks site, taking in stunning views across the Pennine moors. With some steep slopes. Meet: Blackhill and Consett Heritage Park entrance, Laburnum Avenue, Blackhill, DH8 5TA. Walk 3 Tanfield Lea A pleasant 2.5 mile walk through fields exploring Tanfield Lea Marsh Nature Reserve. Meet: Tanfield Lea Nature Reserve car park. Walk 4 Burnhope A pleasant walk around Burnhope with extensive views across the hillsides. Meet: Car park off Langley Lane near the crossroads. Walk 5 Leadgate A pleasant walk along the C2C cycle track and through the Watling Wood. Meet: Leadgate Surgery, Watling Street, Leadgate, DH8 6DP. Walk 6 Hownsgill and Grove Ponds A pleasant but challenging walk with lovely views around the Grove Ponds. Meet: Lydgetts Lane Junction car park, DH8 9AA. Walk 7 Broom House Farm A slightly more challenging walk with beautiful views. Meet: Broom House Farm, Witton Gilbert, Durham, DH7 6TR Walk 8 Allensford A delightful walk through pleasant woodland and open fields in the valley of the river Derwent. Meet: Allensford Country Park car park, next to caravan site, DH8 9BA. Walk 9 Burnopfield A slightly more challenging walk of 2.5 miles through Burnopfield Plantation. Includes some steep slopes and challenging terrain. Meet: Burnopfield Community Centre, Syke Road, Burnopfield, NE16 6JF. Walk 10 Harperley Woods A lovely 2.25 miles walk through Harperley Woods Local Nature Reserve. Meet: Harperley Hotel, Harperley, Stanley, DH9 9TY. Pushchair/ wheelchair friendly 4
Meet at 10.15am for a 10.30am start. October 2014 Fri 03 - Leadgate Fri 10 - Hownsgill Fri 17 - Broom House Farm Fri 24 - Allensford Fri 31 - Burnhopfield November 2014 Fri 07 - Haperley Woods Fri 14 - Catchgate Fri 21 - Hamsterley Fri 28 - Medomsley Walk 11 Catchgate A walk from Catchgate up to Pontop Pike to experience the stunning views. Includes some steep slopes. Meet: Outside the shops on Front Street, Catchgate, nearest postcode DH9 8HA. Walk 12 Hamsterley A slightly more challenging walk of 2.5 miles incorporating a section of the Derwent Walk, with some steep slopes and some paths across fields. Meet: Derwent Care Home, Newcastle Road, Low Westwood, Hamsterley, NE17 7PL. Walk 13 Medomsley A pleasant 2.5 mile walk exploring some pretty woodland. Meet: St. Mary Magdolene C of E Church, Medomsley, DH8 6PN. December 2014 Fri 05 - Rowley Station Fri 12 - Delves Lane Fri 19 - Shotley Bridge Fri 26 - CHRISTMAS BREAK January 2015 Fri 02 - CHRISTMAS BREAK Fri 09 - Causey Arch Fri 16 - Malton Nature Reserve Fri 23 - Greencroft Fri 30 - Esh Walk 14 Rowley Station A pleasant and easy 2 mile walk along the Waskerley Way, going over Hownsgill Viaduct. Meet: Rowley Station car park, off A68, DH8 9AB. Walk 15 Delves Lane A lovely 2.5 mile walk through Caribees Community woodland and local countryside. Meet: Outside the shops on Briardale, Delves Lane, nearest postcode DH8 7BG. (First left after traffic lights when travelling from Consett direction). Walk 16 Shotley Bridge A fairly gentle and enjoyable 2.25 mile walk along the Derwent Walk towards Ebchester and back along the country lane. Meet: Derwent Walk car park, Summerhill, Shotley Bridge, nearest postcode DH8 0NQ. February 2015 Fri 06 - Beamish Fri 13 - Blackhill/Consett Park Fri 20 - Tanfield Lea Fri 27 - Burnhope March 2015 Fri 06 - Leadgate Fri 13 - Hownsgill Fri 20 - Broom House Farm Fri 27 - Allensford Walk 17 Causey Arch A lovely walk through the enchanting Causey Gill, taking in sites of historical interest including the Tanfield Railway and Causey Arch. Meet: Causey Arch country park car park (off A6076), NE16 5ET. Walk 18 Malton Nature Reserve A lovely walk exploring Malton Nature Reserve. Meet: Malton Picnic site, off Durham Road, Lanchester, nearest postcode DH7 0TH. Walk 19 Greencroft A pleasant, fairly flat walk along a short section of the C2C cycle route and exploring Greencroft woodland. Meet: Tesco car park, Durham Road, Annfield Plain, DH9 7UZ. Walk 20 Esh A lovely walk around the village of Esh with extensive views. Meet: Layby in the centre of Esh, DH7 9QR. (On corner of Hall Road and Front Street). 5
Derwentside Country Walks Every Wednesday apart from the w/c 22nd and 29th December. April 2014 Wed 02 - Shotley Bridge Wed 09 - Witton Gilbert Wed 16 - Hamsterley Wed 23 - Burnopfield May 2014 Wed 07 - Langley Park Wed 14 - Grove Ponds Wed 21 - Causey Arch Wed 28 - Allensford June 2014 Wed 04 - Beamish Wed 11 - Medomsley Wed 18 - Lanchester Wed 25 - Dipton July 2014 Wed 02 - Broom House Farm Wed 09 - Thornley W/land Wed 16 - Derwentcote Wed 23 - Shotley Bridge Wed 30 - Witton Gilbert August 2014 Wed 06 - Hamsterley Wed 13 - Burnopfield Wed 20 - Langley Park Wed 27 - Grove Ponds September 2014 Wed 03 - Causey Arch Wed 10 - Allensford Wed 17 - Beamish Wed 24 - Medomsley Walk 1 Shotley Bridge - A fairly easy and pleasant walk along the Derwent Walk towards Ebchester and back along the country lane. Meeting Point Derwent Walk car park, Summerhill, Shotley Bridge, nearest postcode DH8 0NQ. Walk 2 Witton Gilbert A pleasant 4 mile walk along the River Browney and Lanchester Valley walk, with some steep slopes. Meeting Point Traveller s Rest pub, in the centre of Witton Gilbert, DH7 6TQ. Walk 3 Hamsterley - A moderate 4 mile walk along Derwent Valley, with some slopes and paths across fields. Meeting Point Derwent Care Home, Newcastle Road, Low Westwood, Hamsterley, NE17 7PL. Walk 4 Burnopfield A varied walk visiting Black Hill woodland and the Bowes Railway Path and the fields around the golf course towards Tanfield Village. Meeting Burnopfield Community Centre, Skye Road, Burnopfield, NE16 6JF. Walk 5 Langley Park - A pleasant walk starting from Langley Park heading up towards Burnhope, passing the remains of Langley Hall. Meeting Point Langley Park Post Office, 28A Quebec Street, Langley Park, DH7 9XA. Walk 6 Grove Ponds A lovely walk along the banks of the River Derwent to Allensford also visiting the Grove Ponds and Taylor s Wood. Meeting Point Car park on Hallgarth Road, the Grove, DH8 8BJ. Walk 7 Causey Arch A picturesque 4 mile walk, mostly on tracks with a few small slopes. Taking in sights such as Tanfield Railway and the famous Causey Arch. Meeting Point - Causey Arch country park car park (off A6076), NE16 5ET. Walk 8 Allensford A circular walk along the riverside and through woodland, set in the beautiful Derwent Valley. Meeting Point - Allensford Country Park car park, next to caravan site, DH8 9BA. 6
Meet at 10.15am for a 10.30am start. October 2014 Wed 01 - Lanchester Wed 08 - Dipton Wed 15 - Broom House Farm Wed 22 - Thornley W/land Wed 29 - Derwentcote November 2014 Wed 5 - Shotley Bridge Wed 12 - Witton Gilbert Wed 19 - Hamsterley Wed 26 - Burnopfield December 2014 Wed 03 - Langley Park Wed 10 - Grove Ponds Wed 17 - Causey Arch Wed 24 - CHRISTMAS BREAK Wed 31 - CHRISTMAS BREAK January 2015 Wed 07 - Allensford Wed 14 - Beamish Wed 21 - Medomsley Wed 28 - Lanchester February 2015 Wed 04 - Dipton Wed 11 - Broom House Farm Wed 18 - Thornley W/land Wed 25 - Derwentcote March 2015 Wed 4 - Shotley Bridge Wed 11 - Witton Gilbert Wed 18 - Hamsterley Wed 25 - Burnopfield Walk 9 Beamish A more challenging walk with some slopes, taking in the sights of the Beamish countryside. Meeting Point Eden Place cycle track car park, off Beamish roundabout, nearest postcode DH8 6PN. Walk 10 Medomsley A slightly challenging walk of woodland and fields set in the beautiful Derwent Valley with some lovely views. Meeting Point St Mary Magdalene C of E, Medomsley, DH8 6PN. Walk 11 Lanchester A walk along the cycle track taking in some of the lovely sights along the trail. Meeting Point Kings Head Public House, Lanchester, DH7 0EX. Walk 13 Broom House Farm A beautiful walk of the local area surrounding the farm, with some wonderful views. Meeting Point Broom House Farm, Witton Gilbert, Durham, DH7 6TR. Walk 14 Thornley Woodland Park A walk through Thornley Woodland Park and along the Derwent Walk, hopefully with a glimpse of the famous Red Kites. Meeting Point Thornley Woodland Centre car park, NE39 1AU (on the A694 near Rowlands Gill). Walk 15 Derwentcote Steel Furnace A pleasant walk taking in the historical Derwentcote Steel Furnace and surrounding areas. Meeting Point Derwentcote Rowlands Gill, Nr Newcastle, Tyne and Wear NE17 7RS Walk 12 Dipton A guided tour around Dipton Woods, taking in the ancient Boundary stones. Meeting Point Dipton Community Centre, Dipton, DH9 9DR. 7
Acorn Amblers Every 3rd Sunday Please note the Acorn Amblers walk will now commence at 10.30am. Please meet at 10.15am. Walks last 2-3 hours. April 20th Allensford A pleasant 5 mile walk through wooded country around Allensford and Castleside. With some steep slopes. Meet: Allensford Country Park car park, next to caravan site, DH8 9BA. May 18th Durham Riverside & Houghall Woods A 6 mile walk along Durham s beautiful riverside and through Houghall woods. Some steep slopes. Meet: Pennyferry Bridge car park, Durham (near Walkergate, DH1 1SQ). Transport available Pick up route A June 15th Shotley Grove (Bridgehill) A pleasant walk crossing the River Derwent and exploring the surrounding area. Meet: Shotley Grove car park, Shotley Grove Road, Bridgehill, DH8 8SF. July 20th Medomsley A 5 mile walk exploring the pretty countryside around Medomsley. With some steep slopes. Meet: Bishop Ian Ramsey School, Manor Road, Medomsley, DH8 6QN. August 17th Waldridge Fell A 5 mile walk exploring Waldridge Fell and Cong Burn Woods Nature Reserve. Meet: Waldridge Fell Country Park, DH2 3RY. September 21st Broom House Farm A pleasant walk exploring the area surrounding the farm. With some steep slopes. Meet: Broom House Farm, Witton Gilbert, Durham, DH7 6TR. Transport available Pick up route B 8
Meet at 10.15am for a 10.30am start. October 20th Shincliffe Woods and Durham Riverside A walk through the lovely Shincliffe woods and along the riverside paths. With some steep slopes and steps. Meet: The Graham Sports Centre, Maiden Castle, Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3SE (off A177 opposite Houghall College) Transport available Pick up route A November 16th Chopwell Woods A 5 mile walk exploring the pleasant woodlands of Chopwell. With some steep slopes. Meet: Chopwell Wood main car park, NE39 1LT. Transport available Pick up route A December 21st Witton Gilbert A pleasant 4 mile walk along the River Browney and Lanchester Valley Walk, with some steep slopes. January 18th Beamish A lovely walk exploring the woods and countryside around Beamish. Meet: Eden Place cycle track car park, off Beamish roundabout, nearest postcode DH8 6PN February 15th Lanchester A 5 mile walk following the Lanchester Roman Walk Meet: Newbiggin Lane car park, Lanchester, DH7 0NX. March 15th Penshaw monument A walk exploring the iconic Penshaw monument, Herrington Country Park and the banks of the river Wear. Meet: Herrington Country Park main car park, Chester Road, Penshaw, DH4 7EL (opposite Penshaw Monument). Transport available Pick up route B Meet: Traveller s Rest pub, Witton Gilbert, DH7 6TQ. 9
Walk Levels All of our Acorn Amblers walks are of a moderate level. There may be some rough terrain and quite steep slopes on all of the walks. All walks are approximately 5 miles. Please note: Whilst we attempt to lead all walks as per the route described within this booklet changes may be made at short notice. Transport Transport to and from the start of selected walks is available for a small fee of 4. The fee is payable on the bus and places must be booked in advance. Where cancellations are made less than 48 hours in advance of the walk the fee will still be charged. The time of pick ups will be determined by the walk location. If the walk has an A next to it this indicates pick up times will be as below: Time: 9.40 a.m. Location: Meet outside of the Stanley Civic Hall, Stanley. Time: 9.55 a.m. Location: Meet at Braes PH, Sherburn Terrace, Consett If the walk has a B next to it this indicates pick up times will be as below: Time: 9.40 a.m. Location: Meet at Braes PH, Sherburn Terrace, Consett Time: 9.55 a.m. Location: Meet outside of the Stanley Civic Hall, Stanley. If you would like to book a space on the transport provided or require further information please contact Laura Hood, Physical Activity Co ordinator on 01207 218874 or email l.hood@leisureworks.net. 10
Other information No walks will be available on Bank Holidays and during weeks commencing 22nd and 29th December 2014. Those with sight, hearing, mobility or other problems that may necessitate additional assistance are invited to contact the Lifestyle Manager to discuss their particular requirements. Whilst we endeavour to have our meeting points in areas where parking is free of charge, there may be occasions when parking charges are applicable. Please check with your local bus company for information on transport routes to all of our walks. Alternatively, please visit Go North East at - www.simplygo.com for all local bus timetables. Always follow the country code Be safe, plan ahead and follow any signs. Leave gates and property as you find them. Protect plants and animals and take your litter home. Keep dogs under close control. Consider other people. 11
Want to volunteer? At Leisureworks, we recognise and appreciate the value of volunteers and the role they play in local communities. With our new volunteer scheme we want to encourage more people to take up volunteering. As well as being very rewarding, volunteering can have great benefits for you. Join us and you ll soon be: Meeting new people and having fun. Learning new skills and improving your career prospects. Escaping from your every day routine. We provide constant support to volunteers and ensure they have adequate training. Independent Walks A pack of independent walks is also available. The pack contains maps and information on individual walks to enable you to make healthy walking part of your daily life. There are walks of a variety of distances within the pack, with an estimated walking time given for each. To obtain an independant walk pack please contact Laura Hood on 01207 218874 Where can I find more information? For further information on Walk4life, including walks across Durham and Easington, please contact us on the details below:- www.durham.gov.uk/walk4life walk4lifedurhamcounty