Walk Around the World - Durham
Starting in Lanchester Park at 2pm, behind the Kings Head (where there is parking available) the route crosses the road and continues along the reclaimed railway passing the former station. After 2.4 km (1½ miles) the track follows an embankment at Knitsley. There was once a magnificent wooden viaduct here until 1915 when it was filled in with colliery waste and converted into the Hurbuck embankment, which can be seen today.
Disused railways are favourite wintering places for redwings and fieldfares from Scandinavia , particularly where berry-bearing shrubs such as hawthorn, wild rose, blackthorn and elder, have colonised the cuttings. These cuttings are home to numerous blackbirds, thrushes, finches and tits. Roe deer are also known to use the walk during quiet periods.
The path continues past Hurbuck Farm and Hurbuck Cottages, crosses the road and continues through fields before joining the original track at Knitsley Station. The diversion of the route here is due to the line being lost through opencast mining and farming.
The track ends at Lydgetts Junction on the former Consett steelworks site. Our walk however will divert off as it crosses Knitsley Lane with a short walk to my house for a drink and some nibbles.
See map of start and map of route below:
If you'd like to take part in the walk please contact:
Carole Chester
Durham Walk Team Leader:
Alternatively, you can also register on-line.