Ouston walks

The 8th section of the Along the Great North Road walk continues through urban landscapes of many different architectural types, traditional Tyneside flats, modern developments, Victorian and interwar semi-detached houses, and many inns, both new and old, giving plenty of evidence of the Great North Roads route. The walk also passes the iconic Angel of the North and the beautiful Victorian Saltwell Park, allow plenty of time for diversions.

The path continues along the C2C cycle route then passes through the new village of Rickleton and the old village of Picktree before passing the Lambton estate with its ornate castle then winding its way through the grounds of Lumley Castle on the banks of the Wear.

This section of the walk follows the old railway route and forms the second part of the Bowes Railway Path, starting at Birtley near the Bowes Incline (named after the system of pulleys used to pull coal trucks uphill) and continuing through open farmland to the Tanfield Railway and Causey Arch, the oldest surviving single span railway bridge. This walk celebrates the history of the Pontop and Jarrow Railway.

This rural stretch of the Angel's Way begins at the Angel of the North and after passing under the A1 follows a paths across farmland and through woodland passing a number of villages on the way to Beamish. On there way, there are views of the area where once coalmines could be seen including those of Kibblesworth and Bewicke Main.

This 3rd section of the Durham Round Trail walk, begins with an urban walk through the outskirts of Chester-le-Street before picking up the C2C cycle route making the walking easy going, however the entire route is uphill alll the way from Chester-le-Street to Beamish. Look out for sculptures along the way which relate to the industrial past as well as legend.

This is the 9th section of the Way of Learning. Beginning in Chester-le-Street, the walk begins in the urban town centre, then retraces the route back to Riverside Park with a walk along the banks of the Wear. Passing by Lumley Castle again, the walk continues on the opposite bank of the river before climbing up through farmland to the village of Great Lumley. Leaving the village the route continues along country lanes before descending through woodland to Finchael Priory.

This 4th section of the Durham Round Trail walk continues to follow the C2C cyle route though open countryside and then through towns and villages ending at Annfield Plain. Interestingly, the coop buildings from Annfield Plain were moved to Beamish Museum which is well worth a visit.

This part of the walk starts at Beamish and follows the C2C cycle route back towards Birtley and Washington through open fields and the outskirts of villages. The walk is downhill for most of the route along hard cycle paths and there is accessible to most.

This final stretch of the walk starts at Beamish and follows cycle paths through countryside and villages into Chester-le-Street town centre alongside Chester Burn, finishing at St Mary and St Cuthbert;s Church one of the many churches on the pilgrim walking route.

Starting at the magnificent Lumley Castle, this walk winds its way through woodlands along the Lumley Park Burn before heading through Fenchouses and along bridlepaths through open fields before reaching Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve.

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.

An easy circular walk around the historic Lambton Estate.

The 7th section of the Along the Great North Road walk begins at the Chester Moor pub and then becomes an urban walk through small towns and past industrial developments. Throughout the walk you will see evidence of the route of the Great North Road through buildings and pubs, and also of the industrial history of the area. The route closely follows the East Coast Mainline so do look out for the Chester-le-Street viaduct which is an impressive structure.

This walk begins at Causey Arch and ends at Beamish following woodland paths for the majority of the route with one small section across fields linking two historically important locations. Be sure to explore Causey Arch and Tanfield Railway before beginning the walk.

This 8th section of the Way of Learning follows the meandering route of Lumley Park Burn from Bournmoor to the River Wear at Chester-le-Street. The majority of the walk is through woodland, Lumley Park Wood, circles Lumley Castle finishing at the church of St Mary and St Cuthbert in Chester-le-Street centre.

This short section of the Weardale Way winds through Biddick Woods and along both banks of the River Wear giving views of the Victoria Viaduct. It is gently downhill or level for most of the route and paved for most of the way making it a good walk after rain. There are a number of pubs along the river to while away a wet afternoon or enjoy a summer drink at the end of the walk.

This section of the walk follows the banks of the Wear then climbs up into the suburbs of Sunderland finishing at Hylton Castle. The Shipwrights is the only reminder here of shipbuilding in Hylton and Ferryboat Lane, the only reminder that there was once a ferry here.

This rural section of the walk takes in three of the North East's best known locations, Penshaw Monument, the River Wear and Washington Wetlands.

The 9th and final section of the Great North Road crosses the River Tyne, the original boundary between County Durham and Northumberland, over the iconic Tyne Bridge into Newcastle Upon Tyne and traces the route through the city, passing the Town Moor to Gosforth along the Great North Road - look out signs bearing this name as you walk.

This short walk gives some wonderful views of Finchale Priory (English Heritage). It is especially nice in summer when the slow walk through the woods is cooling under the trees. This is one of my favourite places, an idyllic stretch of the River Wear.

This section begins at Finchale Priory with a climb up through Cocken Woods, it then passess through Great Lumley before crossing farmland down to the river. The path then circles Lumley Castle and then follows Lumley Park Beck to Fencehouses. This section includes steep climbs as well as farm tracks and stiles.

The final 10th section of the Way of Learning leaves the tranquil Finchale Priory the heads towards Durham City Centre passing HMP Frankland, Brasside Ponds and following the River Wear once more before ending at Durham Cathedral.

This 2nd section of the Durham Round Trail walk heads away from Durham City, starting at the picturesque Finchale Priory, then meandering through woodland and crossing farmland to rejoin the banks of the River Wear at the magnificent Lumley Castle, before heading through Riverside Park to Chester-le-Street Market Place. The initial part of the walk involves a steep climb, then it is all downhill from Lumley.

The Coalfield Way is no longer a designated Long Distance Footpath, but still affords some spectacular views across former mining villages. The circular route passes through 2 country parks, Rainton Meadows and Hetton Lyons which are worth spending some time in. The route includes a climb from Rainton Meadows to Moorsley after which the route becomes more level. To enjoy the country parks, this could be enjoyed as a full day excursion.

This section walk starts at Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve and climbs up to the village of East Rainton before crossing fields to pick up the Pittington Way Railway Path to Low Pittington. As this route involves a climb you will have views back down towards Rainton Meadows.

The route circles the North East of England covering parts of County Durham and the former Tyne and Wear showcasing some of the best countryside the area has to offer from woodlands to the coast, passing through towns and former mining villages villages, the variety of landscapes passed on the way is constantly changing.

A short circular walk around Houghton-Le-Spring Town Centre passing some of the oldest buildings along the way. This walk has some gentle slopes but is on paved surfaces throughout.

This journey through Gateshead begins at the Baltic Centre for Contempoary Art on the Quayside and ends at the spectacular Angel of the North passing under the iconic Tyne Bridge, passing through the town centre, Victorian park and residential areas.

Newcastle was once a walled city with a castle (the clue is in the name). This city walk traces the route of the old city walls, some of which remains, through the modern city centre and along Newcastle Quayside passing many notable sites along the way.

This section of the Angel's Way explores Newcastle City Centre and Quayside. It starts in the suburb of Jesmond, takes in Exhibition Park, shopping areas, the magnificent Grainger Town and three key churches of St Thomas, St Mary and St Nicholas, Newcastle Castle and Keep before dropping down an ancient street, Side, to the Quayside finishing at the Millennium Bridge.

Bede's way is a 12 mile walk linking the twin monastic sites of St Paul's in Jarrow and St Peter's at Monkwearmouth in Sunderland. The walk is split into 6 easily walked sections which can be walked individually or all together. So why not follow in the footsteps of pilgrims and explore the North East's religious heritage.

Bede's way links the twin monastic sites of St Paul's in Jarrow and St Peter's at Monkwearmouth in Sunderland. The walk is split into 6 easily walked sections which can be walked individually or all together. So why not follow in the footsteps of pilgrims and explore the North East's religious heritage. This 2nd section begins at Leam Lane and ends at Boldon following the River Don Path.

The inital climb from Low Pittington to Moorsley can be tough, particularly after the rain, however the views back across to the Raintons and Houghton-Le-Spring are tremendous. The second half of the walk follows footpaths and cycle paths through Moorsley and Hetton to finish at Hetton Lyons Country Park.