W13: A Pilgrimage Walk – “The Way of Life” – Day 2 –Bishop Auckland to Durham - NEW
Start in front of Auckland Tower (GR: NZ 213 301, What3Words: ///starts.taken.sorry) at 9.30am. 15 Miles. Moderate. £7. This is a linear walk involving the use of public transport. Please see the details below of the recommended arrangements. All participants will be contacted in advance to finalise appropriate travel options.
See W10 for further background. Day 2 of our walk starts at Auckland Tower near the gateway to Auckland Castle, former home to the Bishops of Durham and now the centrepiece of the Auckland Project. Sadly, we will not have time to linger but will make our way through the Deer Park and onto the railway path towards Byers Green. Passing through Whitworth, the former home of “Bonny Bobby Shafto” of the famous song, we pass through Tudhoe Village to Sunderland Bridge. From here we are on the final leg towards our goal of reaching Durham Cathedral. We will get a wonderful view of this from the aptly named Mount Joy before we descend into the City and make our way to the Cathedral. Although this is relatively straightforward walking, mainly on wooded tracks and paths, the length of the route justifies the grading of hard and means we will need to maintain a good pace throughout.
RECOMMENDED TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS
It is considered that the most appropriate transport arrangements are based on those taking part making their way to Bishop Auckland by car at the start of the day. Free long stay parking is available near the start at The Batts Car Park (DL14 7QE) at the foot of Wear Chare. It is a short albeit steep walk uphill to the start at Auckland Tower. Please allow around 10 minutes from the car park to the starting point. At the end of the day we will make our way from Durham Cathedral to the bus station where there are 4 buses an hour back to Bishop Auckland. We can alight in the square near Auckland Tower to return to our cars. If you have one please remember to bring your bus pass.
It is recognised that other options might prove more suitable to some, Your leader will contact you before the walk to confirm arrangements with you.
W14: High Force and Teesdale from Bowlees - NEW
Leave Station car park 9.00am. Start at Bowlees Visitor Centre CP (GR: NY 908 283, What3Words: ///good.dockers.wake) at 10.00am. 9 Miles. Moderate. £7
We walk from the Visitor Centre down to the Tees at Low Force Waterfall, crossing over at the famous Wynch Bridge, and follow a delightful path along the riverbank to High Force, impressive at any time and particularly after rain. Continuing along the Pennine Way we recross the Tees and head towards Langdon Beck before heading back east on field tracks and paths to Bowlees. This area is rich in geology, and in particular the Whin Sill which crosses the landscape here, and the area is dotted with the white painted farmhouses of the Raby Estate. All this promises a varied and exhilarating walk.
W15: Cotherstone, Eggleston Hall Gardens and The Tees Railway Path - NEW
Leave Station car park 9.15am. Start in front of The Fox and Hounds PH in Cotherstone (GR: NZ 010 198, What3Words:///score.rise.baguette) at 10.00am. 6.5 Miles. Moderate. £12 to include the charge for the Garden visit.
The highlight of this walk will be a guided tour of the beautiful, 400-year-old garden at Eggleston Hall [www.egglestonhallgardens.co.uk]. A treat for all gardeners and historians!
We will leave Cotherstone taking the Teesdale Way, giving splendid views over the Tees, and arrive at Eggleston Hall in time for lunch, which can be enjoyed at the café, and for the garden tour. We will return to Cotherstone at the end of the afternoon via the lovely Tees Railway Path on the south side of the valley. The walk is graded moderate due to a number of stiles, all well-maintained, on the Teesdale Way section, with an easy return section along the old railway path.
T2: Exploring Richmond
Meet outside the Town Hall at 12.00 noon. Free but donations to the Richmond Mayor’s Charity most welcome.
Your costumed guide, a Richmond policeman of 1842, takes you for a walk back in time lasting just over one hour.
E13: Pilgrim Cello - 42 Cathedrals on a Bike - Kenneth Wilson
Richmond Town Hall, DL10 4QL| 7:30pm | £10 | refreshments | bookstall | disabled access
Kenneth Wilson is a writer, a cellist, and a dreamer. His latest book – Pilgrim Cello – chronicles his 1,900-mile journey around all forty-two English cathedrals. In every cathedral, except one, Kenneth performed a Meditation on the Seven Last Words of Jesus. It’s a story of stamina and endurance, combining adventure with music and a spiritual response to our historic holy places. Many of you will remember Kenneth from his last musical voyage to Rome, Highway Cello. Now from the great architectural icons of Canterbury and York to the lesser-known gems of Southwell, Derby, and Carlisle, Kenneth weaves an account of a personal response to the religious and historic traditions of this country. Come along and enjoy the ride – and the music!