Tanfield Railway - Causey Arch - Beamish

Alan Anderson

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The walk lies in the area designated as 'The Great North Forest' and is to be found between Stanley and Gateshead on the northernmost borders of County Durham. The forest, one of several ‘Community Forests’ in England located in and around the largest towns and cities, is a long term initiative to regenerate and revitalize the urban fringe countryside in parts of the South Tyne & Wear and North Durham.

As well as following lengthy sections of the Great North Forest Trail the route also visits Tanfield Railway and Causey Arch two popular north east heritage attractions, before eventually passing the entrance to Beamish Museum the most visited tourist attraction in the north east. This undulating walk also features mile upon mile of paths through a series of glorious woodlands.

Andrews House Station on the Tanfield Railway is the starting point of the walk. From here the route descends through open fields to the steep sided and densely wooded Causey Gill to intersect the famous Causey Arch, the worlds oldest remaining railway bridge.

Leaving the Gill the route then passes along a short section of main road before once again taking to the fields and lanes to eventually enter in turn Carrickshill Wood, Hellhole Wood, Forgebank Plantation (Bordering Beamish Museum), Heughs Plantations, Ousebrough Wood and Mill Wood all collectively known as Beamish Woods.

Finally a pleasant walk through the extensive grounds of Hedley Hall a Woodland Trust property before the walk returns to the start point via The great North Forest Trail railway path.

England - North England - Durham - Countryside

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Flowers, Industrial Archaeology, Nature Trail, Pub, Public Transport, River, Wildlife, Woodland

2/5/2018 - janet binns

Did this walk yesterday with my partner. Started and ended at the Sheperd & Sheperdess where I can recommend Sunday lunch. Easy to follow directions lovely walk.

4/11/2014 - Sarah Unsworth

Good walk. My only piece of advice for other walkers is point 10. This takes you over a stile round the back of a stables, there are two jack russell type dogs that bark and growl on the other side of open fence. Unknown to me they are fitted with a collar that stops them from advancing under the open fence, the owner very rudely informed me that it was obvious that they wouldn't come any closer as they were fitted with this collar.... not that I would have known!