Chester-le-Street - Great Lumley - Brasside - Durham City

Chester-le-Street - Great Lumley - Finchale Priory - Brasside - Durham City

This is a linear walk that for almost its entire length is along the upstream route of a section of the Weardale Way. The route also replicates the annual St Cuthbert Pilgrimage between Chester-le-Street and Durham City.

The walk starts from the marketplace in Chester-le-Street, then takes in the picturesque riverside park running alongside the River Wear. The route next crosses the river to intersect the Weardale Way near to the magnificent Lumley Castle, then continues to follow the river, only this time on the opposite bank. The walk passes the Riverside Stadium, home of Durham County Cricket Club on the opposite bank, before moving away from the river and rising through fields to intersect Great Lumley, sitting on a long ridge where the route levels off. Long lanes and quiet roads then lead to a steep descent of steps to cross the River Wear and intersect the ancient ruins of Finchale Priory. A long length of mainly flat road-walking follows before the route passes through the large complex of buildings that include Frankland and Low Newton high security prisons. From here a tree-lined dirt lane takes you to the farming hamlet of Frankland, followed by a level walk along an open, surfaced track with classic views of the World Heritage sites of both Durham Castle and Cathedral before entering the magnificent city and completing the walk.

England - North England - Durham - Countryside

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Walk id: 7121

Walk grade

Moderate Walk

Length

7.8 Miles

Height gain

158 Metres

Duration

3 Hours 25 Mins

Average rating

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