Barnard Castle - Egglestone Castle - Startforth - Flatts Wood

An interesting circular walk around historic Barnard Castle and the surrounding countryside, passing on the way the elegant, world-famous Bowes Museum plus the ruins of both Eggleston Abbey and the Norman castle after which the town is named. The route also passes through two glorious woods, namely Thorsgill Wood and the magnificent Flatts Wood.

The walk starts from the Demesnes riverside parkland and crosses the long footbridge over the River Tees. The route then travels along a riverside path, passes through a large caravan park then through fields and finally along a minor road to arrive at the remains of Eggleston Abbey, a Premonstratean monastery. The walk then descends into the long, narrow Thorsgill Wood, after which a little road- and field-walking takes the walker to the village of Startforth lying on the south side of the river to Barnard Castle. A little road-walking follows on pavements that provides great views of the Norman castle sat on a crag overlooking the River Tees. Shortly after, the route crosses the river on a footbridge to enter the absolute gem that is Flatts Wood. The walk emerges from the wood to pass through Barnard Castle Golf Course, followed by a little field-walking at the north end of the town before the route changes direction and heads south past Teesdale School. The last mile of the walk is through urban areas of the town, skirting around the boundary wall and then passing the entrance to the Bowes Museum before returning to the Demesnes car park.

England - North England - Durham - Teesdale

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Walk id: 7858

Walk grade

Moderate Walk

Length

7.5 Miles

Height gain

202 Metres

Duration

3 Hours 20 Mins

Average rating

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