Waterhouses - Stockley Fell - Weather Hill - Waterhouses

Alan Anderson

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A rewarding walk that initially passes through the rolling hills of the mid-Deerness Valley. The terrain includes railway paths, wooded lanes, new coniferous plantations, woods, fields and surfaced roads. The route provides great panoramic views of the central Durham countryside.

Waterhouses lies in the Deerness Valley, just to the west of Durham City on the route of the Deerness Valley Railway Path. The walk starts along the railway path as it heads west then south. The route then leaves the railway path for a little road walking before heading north to enter Stockley Fell, an area that was extensively opencast-mined in the late 20th Century. After considerable landscaping the area is now returning to its former glory and the undulating route through the fell passes through both conifer plantations and mature woods.

The walk reaches its highest point at Weather Hill, from where there is only flat or downhill terrain remaining. Delightful byways and bridleways follow that reveal pleasant panoramic views as the route descends back into the Deerness Valley through fields and woods. At the valley bottom the route follows a quiet lane before re-intersecting the Deerness Valley Railway Path for the return to Waterhouses.

England - North England - Durham - Countryside

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Flowers, Great Views, Pub, River, Wildlife, Woodland

8/12/2022 - Alan Anderson

Since Ian's comments below, the route has been re-walked and changes have now been made to address his concerns. As such, his comments referring to points 5, 6, 7 and 8 are now no longer relevant. Alan Anderson

5/2/2022 - Ian Lessels

You can get here by bus. 43 from Durham runs every 20 minutes to point 19 on the walk.

5/1/2022 - Ian Lessels

At point 5 the stile is broken with no crosspiece and the path is very overgrown with young trees up to point 6. Between point 7 and point 8, it is not a right of way and is also very overgrown with young trees. These problems will only become worse over time.

1/29/2019 - Steve Wallace

A very nice, flat and dog-friendly walk - a few stiles, but nothing a Labrador can't navigate. Be careful though when parking - the locals are very protective over 'their' parking spaces.