Wolsingham Family Walk

About

Distance: 1.5 Miles
Grade of walk: Easy

​​​​​​A) From the car park at the Recreation Ground go left of the buildings and join the path as it winds left around the football pitch towards the woodland. Turn left and follow the path along the banks of the River Wear, eventually passing under the iron Wolsingham Bridge, which was built in 1894. The river has moved in recent years and now flows nearer the south bank, exposing wooden supports of an older bridge. This is the lowest point of the walk and can be flooded after heavy rain. Please take care.

B) Alternative Route. Turn left immediately up the side of the bridge, taking care as the path is steep. Go straight on and follow the road all the way up to Front Street, turning left to follow the road back to the Recreation Ground, or right to head to the Market Place.

C) Continue along the riverbank to a large wheelchair and pram accessible kissing gate taking you into the caravan park. In the early 19th century, the banks on both sides of the bridge were a hive of industrial activity. A mill race powered numerous small factories and ran through what is now the recreation area to a mill pond on the site of the caravan park.

D) Pass through the caravan park and out on to the road (East End) at the south-east corner of the Market Place.

E) Alternative Route. To return to the Recreation Ground simply turn left and follow the road all the way back. If using a wheelchair or pushing a pram it might be worth crossing the road first and using the pavements on the other side as there are some narrow sections of pavement on the south side.

F) To follow on the main route, cross over the road and turn left towards the Market Place. Stay on the pavement as it turns right on to Angate Street. There are public toilets on the left-hand side of the road. Continue along Angate Street where you will pass, on the right, an 18th century three storey house known as ‘Rivendell’, which was once a brewery. The former St. Anne’s convent on the left has been attractively converted into apartments. Next door is St Thomas’ Church, the only Catholic church in Weardale amongst the many Wesleyan chapels.

G) Alternative Route. There are steep, narrow sections on this route which may be difficult to negotiate for those using a manual wheelchair. At the public toilets turn right along Meadhope Street. Take the pavement on the left side of the street as the other has narrow points which can be difficult to negotiate. At the end of Meadhope Street, note the unusual outside staircase to the end house. Take care as the path is steep and narrow. Turn left into Silver Street and Angate Square, a small green surrounded by six lime trees. Then up a sharp incline to rejoin Angate Street at the former convent.

H) Both routes enter Demesne Mill picnic site. The name originates from the corn mill, probably established in Norman times. The mill was powered by the Waskerley Beck, which runs on the right of the footpath and was demolished in 1951.

I) Follow the path on the right as it runs alongside the beck. Once through the field gate, take the path as it turns right bringing you to a series of waterfalls and pools known as ‘The Sills’, a great attraction for children and when it is quiet, to herons and dippers. Continue on the path as it circles around a small clump of trees and brings you back onto the path. As you head back with the beck on your left, turn right up a short steep slope between fields. There is a fine view of the Parish Church of St. Mary and St. Stephen on the left. At the end of the lane turn left and head towards the churchyard.

J) Alternative Route. Go through the churchyard, taking the path as it bears right past the church. Go out through the gates and onto Church Lane. To the right is the 18th century building which housed the Grammar School (founded 1614) until 1911. Continue straight down Church Lane to the main street, turn right and return to the Recreation Ground.

K) To continue on the main footpaths, turn right at the churchyard corner and walk along what is locally known as ‘Lovers Lane.’ At the entrance to Wolsingham Sports Hall, turn left onto Tunstall Lane and proceed to the junction with the main road. On the right is the recently modernised Wolsingham School, the old building housed the old Grammar School and was built in 1914.

L) Turn left onto the main road and return to the Recreation Ground using the dropped kerbs where necessary.