Durham City to Bearpark

About

The NCN14 cycle route through Durham City joins the A690 near an impressive stone arched railway viaduct. Find Sutton Street and Redhills Lane to continue to St Monica’s Grove and the A167 Newcastle road. Turn north and take a left turn (Toll House Road) signed for Bearpark. Join the NCN14 route via Baxter Wood and the Lanchester Valley walking and cycle route.  

This route passes through the site of the Battle of Neville’s Cross (17 October 1346). Savage and ferocious this was medieval hand-to-hand warfare at its most grim. England versus Scotland, the latter suffering a shattering defeat. King David II of Scotland hid beneath a bridge over the nearby River Browney only to be captured when his reflection in the water betrayed his location. At Baxter Wood the NCN14 cycle route joins the Lanchester Valley walk created along the route of a defunct railway line built to transport iron ore to the former steel works at Consett. Bearpark and Langley Park lie ahead. Fortunately there are no bears. The name derives from Beaurepaire and this “beautiful retreat” was the perfect location for a 13th century retreat house enjoyed by the Prior and monastic community of Durham Cathedral.