Great North Forest Walk Washington to Birtley to finish
Start this walk by exploring more of Washington Old Hall and the new town of Washington with its mining heritage at the 'F' Pit Museum and Bowes Railway before crossing fields to Birtley along the Bowes Railway Path.
Description
(S) From the Avenue (Washington Old Hall), walk to the village crossroads and continue straight ahead along Spout Lane. At the end of Spout Lane, turn (west) left following the footpath and ignoring the underpass.
(1) At the end of the path you will have reached the end of Richmond Avenue, turn right and go through the underpass underneath the Sunderland Highway (A1231). There are a number of paths at the otherside, keep right (north) , the houses should be on your left and the school on the right.
(2) At the end of the houses, turn left (west) and continue walking along the back of the houses. The path will bear around to the right (north) and pass the Washington 'F' Pit Museum. Continue walking along Albany way until you reach the junction at Blue House Lane, turn left (west) and walk along the road. Cross the roundabout and cross the road so you are walking on the north side of the street still heading in a westerly direction.
Turn right into Blue House Court and then immediately left ont the path. This will turn right (north) after the house. Follow this path until you reach Donvale Road, turn left and walk along Donvale Road, then turn right continueing along Donvale Road, there is no footpath between Donvale Road and Donridge.
(4) The path will run alongside the church yard and then reach a roundabout. Turn left here and cross the bridge and continue along Pearth Hall Road.
(5) At the end of the road, turn right (northwest) onto Springwell Road and continue until you reach the Bowes Railway.
(6) Opposite the Bowes Railway car park you will see a bridleway signposted Eighton Banks, follow this path which heads southwest then south crossing the railway line, watch out for trains.
(7) Continue following the path southwards behind the car park to the end of Galloping Green Road, Follow the path staying on a southerly then southwesterly route until you reach RockcliffeWay by the Engine Room (formerly Lambton Arms).
(8) Cross the road and continue to follow the bridle path, signposted Wreckenton, in a southwesterly direction. At the fork in the track, keep left following the Bowes Railway Path. This will bend back due southwest and then pass under the A1M. When you reach the next underpass, take the ramp up to Newcastle Bank from where you can catch the bus back to the start (E).
Waypoints
- S : km 0 - alt. 62 m - Washington Old Hall
- 1 : km 0.75 - alt. 70 m - Richmond Avenue
- 2 : km 1.17 - alt. 70 m - Path Junction/End of Houses
- 3 : km 2.39 - alt. 89 m - Blue House Court
- 4 : km 3.38 - alt. 108 m - Church Yard/Roundabout
- 5 : km 4.27 - alt. 136 m - Pearth Hall Road/Springwell Road Junction
- 6 : km 4.77 - alt. 136 m - Bowes Railway
- 7 : km 5.59 - alt. 150 m - Waggon Inn
- 8 : km 5.97 - alt. 139 m - Engine Room
- E : km 7.41 - alt. 63 m - Newcastle Bank, Birtley
Useful Information
Transport: Park on The Avenue in Washington Village near Washington Old Hall. From Newcastle Bank, walk towards Birtley until you reach the bus stop, hop on any bus to Durham Road/Orchard Street, e.g. 21 Angel (or walk, it's about a mile) and then walk down the street to Durham Road/Beaconsfield Terrace on the opposite side of the street and pick up the 82 Little Pinks service back to The Avenue.
Facilities: There are bars and cafes in Washington Village and Birtley, and also the Waggon Inn and Engine Room on the way. There are toilets too at Washington Old Hall. There's also a tea room at Bowes Railway.
Accessibility: This walk is along roads, bridle paths and cycle paths although some of these are dirt paths, should be easily passable in dry weather. However there are bridle gates and steep inclines and therefore this walk may not be possible for all.
Accommodation: There are a number of hotels along Crowther Road in Washington, served by the 82 Little Pinks bus. Also, towards the end of the walk is the Bowes Incline Hotel, You will need to divert from the route between (8) and (A). After the left and right bends in the track you will cross a wider track leading to a farm, Turn left onto this track and walk to the road, turn right and follow this road to the Bowes Incline.
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
During the walk or to do/see around
- Washington Old Hall - Ancesral home of George Washington's family.
- Washingon F-Pit Museum - If you wish to visit the museum please check before you go as it is not open all year round, if it isn't open you can see the virtual tour instead.
- Bowes Railway - This is a preserved colliery railway, in part designed by George Stephenson. However do check before you go if you wish to visit the site as it is seasonal.
