Lanchester Valley Railway Line

Dec 6th, 2022

Aug 24th, 2022

There's a few bike riders, very busy at school times, some rough walking areas as nature intended and in some places a picnic table
Jul 14th, 2022

Wow, I've never walked along this cycle path and boy i wasn't disappointed. I should of done it years ago. It have everything. Great flat roads for cycling, apart from 2 dips. Children play park. Great gardens on one side of the path and wild on the other side. Theres a woodland walk and so many paths to explore. I followed the river and I was amazed at what I found. Spotted a heron my first, mother duck with her duckling, lambs and some bright yellow dippers. Plenty of bird songs. A great peace walk with plenty of seats and picnic tables. Even free parking. I was well impressed, would recommend it if you wanting a walk nearer to home. Even thank you cycling sign and no dog doo.
May 10th, 2022

This is the old Lanchester branch railway line which has been converted into a multi-use path, suitable for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians, since its decommissioning. It runs from approximately 12 miles from Broompark picnic area in the east, on the outskirts of Durham city (where it also joins up with similar paths leading to Crook and Bishop Auckland), to Lydgett's Junction, close to Consett, in the west (with similar access to the Waskerley Way and Derwent Valley paths). The links to other paths are particularly convenient for cyclists, who can traverse much of County Durham in this way. The track is broad and impossible to lose. It is relatively flat, except for a few places where the original railway bridges were removed, necessitating inclines to and from the roads that it crosses. The surface is a mixture of gravel and dirt and is passable in all weathers, although it is tricky when puddles form and freeze in below-zero winter weather. The path passes through, or very close to, the villages of Bearpark, Langley Park and Lanchester (east-to-west). Other points of interest include on or near the line include the ruins of Beaurepaire Priory, Diggerland, Malton picnic area and nature reserve, and the Hownsgill viaduct. The terrain is a pleasant mixture of farmland and woodland. Recommended cafs en route are Aldin Grange, Caf Montealbano in Langley Park, Serendipity Caf and the Gallery Coffee Shop in Lanchester, Knitsley Farm Shop, and Hownsgill Farm Tearooms. Dedicated car parks are provided at periodic intervals along the path, and it is also served by the local 15 bus route, which follows the roughly-parallel A691 road.
Apr 24th, 2023