Sherburn Way Railway Path (Walking and Cycling Route)

About

Coal mining arrived in this area in the 1840s with the arrival of local railways. This Railway Path once formed part of the Lambton Railway and it linked three collieries: Sherburn House Colliery, Sherburn Colliery and Sherburn Hill Colliery.
The railway line transported coal to Lambton Staithes on the River Wear, near Penshaw. Today, the route is a quiet track with some pretty views over the surrounding countryside. The route is lined with trees and hedgerow and is home to a variety of songbirds whose warbling is deafening during the dawn chorus. Birds of prey have been seen soaring overhead in their search for food. It is not unusual to see kestrel and tawny owl.
After the road crossing at Hope Street a gap in the fence line allows access to a woodland walk. This short loop, lined with bluebells, white campion and ivy, runs above Sherburn House Beck. The sound of water running over the stones below is soothing and it is well worth a detour from the main path (not suitable for wheelchair users, cyclists or horse-riders).
Continuing along the hawthorn lined Railway Path you will reach an area of Magnesian Limestone grassland where the track bends. This is a globally rare habitat which contains wildflowers such as orchids, field scabious, knapweed, wild strawberry and kidney vetch. These provide a nectar source for a host of butterflies such as painted lady, common blue and dingy skipper.
The disused Sherburn Quarry, which can be seen from the track, is visited by deer, fox and even nesting peregrine falcons. The route then crosses the road and goes up Sherburn House Bank. From here there are fabulous views over Pittington and Durham, look behind you for a view of Durham Cathedral. Route supplied by Durham County Council Countryside Team.