West Darlington Circular

A diverse walk crossing open fields, following burbling brooks and a beautiful section of the river Tees incorporating part of the Teesdale way.

Technical sheet

4290235
A Darlington walk posted on 02/11/20 by woody121. Last update : 02/03/21
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.24 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 4h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 15 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 16 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 64 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 42 m
  • ⚐
    District: Darlington 
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 54.519337° / W 1.600817°

  • Today’s forecast: … Loading…

Description

(S/E) Broken Scar car park, Take a left on the A67, walk along the roadside footpath cross Baydale bridge and pass the Baydale Beck Inn to reach a lane on your right at the end of the layby.

(1) Turn right into the lane walk up to the end of the forest on your left passing the branch to the right follow the original lane uphill between fields to approach Coniscliffe Grange farm

(2) From the lane, before the farm follow the waymarked path to your left along the edge the field, take the path on your right before the motorway crossing, following this downhill to cross the B6279, continue over the road into another lane climbing up with the motorway on your left, to reach an underpass under the motorway.

(3) Passing under the motorway ( see notes below in useful information ) walk straight on passing a branch on the right to join the route of the disused railway. follow the railway route to reach an open field to your left before reaching the B6279, walk diagonally across the field to a stile to cross the road.

(4) Crossing the road take the lane directly ahead taking a short right, left turn to pass a private lane off to the right, follow the track ahead to come to a second lane leading to Hall Moor farm, cross the lane into a field, turning to the right follow the edge of the field around to a small pond on your right, you pass around this pond via a waymarked path to cross over the centre of an open field to join another lane leading to Hall Moor Farm.

(5) Take a left on reaching the lane for around 200M coming to a waymarked footpath on your right crossing the centre of a field, following the waymarked path over 4 fields through well defined steel gates to follow a fence passing riding stables on your left down to Ulnaby Back.

(6) Pass through the gate on your left and follow the track through woodland to Mill House, passing through a gate and take the road up to the village of High Consicliffe.

(7) Turn right on the main road passing the Inn to the church on your left hand side.

(8) Crossing the road to the church take the lane running down to the left of the church to the River Tees, keeping left follow the river all the way to an underpass over the motorway, passing under continue along the riverside with gardens on your left, taking you up into the village of Low Coniscliffe, if the waymarked footpath on your right is closed due to construction stay on the village road until you reach the A67.

(9) On reaching the A67 follow the road the short distance back to the Broken Scar Car Park.(S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 49 m - Broken Scar Car park
  2. 1 : km 0.83 - alt. 50 m - Bridleway Lane at end of Layby
  3. 2 : km 2.13 - alt. 64 m - Coniscliffe Grange Farm
  4. 3 : km 3.25 - alt. 61 m - AIM underpass
  5. 4 : km 4.53 - alt. 58 m - B6279 crossing
  6. 5 : km 5.63 - alt. 59 m - Hall Moor farm lane
  7. 6 : km 6.75 - alt. 57 m - Ulnaby beck bridge
  8. 7 : km 7.26 - alt. 62 m - A67 High Coniscliffe Village
  9. 8 : km 7.51 - alt. 64 m - St Edwins Church
  10. 9 : km 13.6 - alt. 46 m - A67 Low Coniscliffe
  11. S/E : km 14.24 - alt. 48 m - Broken Scar Car park

Useful Information

Full day walking equipment recommended, take food and drink if the two pubs may be closed when you pass them,

Field crossing is well signposted throughout though can be heavy in mud after rain.

Food and drinks can be taken at The Baydale beck Inn and the Spotted Dog if open.

The underpass at WP3 can be flooded after heavy rain, I would not recommend passing as water could be deep and I have also seen broken bottles in the area.
If unpassable retrace your steps back to the B6279, turn right and walk up to the lane at WP4 to continue the route.

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

Broken Scar Car park is spacious and is a pick nick / children's play area
You can visit the weir on the river Tess and the pumping station if open.

The little pond between WP 4 & 5 is nature reserve with plenty of bird life.

Passing the riding school fields between WP 5 & 6 provides scenes of horses under training if right time of day.

The stretch along the river Tees is very beautiful and provides the opportunity to see much wildlife and also trout jumping for food,

Reviews and comments

4 / 5
Based on 1 review

Clarity of route description
4 / 5
Clarity of route map
4 / 5
Walk interest
4 / 5
woody121
woody121

Hi Jude50

Thank you for correcting the path at waypoint 8
I should have said the path goes to the right of the church, mental lapse 😭
Pleased you enjoyed the walk
Agreed it is disappointing tat you have to leave the Tees at Low Coniscliffe, the land belongs to the waterboard and I see no reason why it could not continue through to Broken scar as it is part of a national footpath now.

David

Jude50
Jude50

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : 27/09/21
Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The walk instructions are good and we were able to follow them well for the most part. The turn at point 5 to cross the field today was easily missed as the hedge is somewhat overgrown. We didn't see a waymarker. We found the path eventually having had to retrace our steps.
At point 8, the lane by the side of the church leading down to the river is on the RIGHT as you cross the road, facing the church.
There are some lovely stretches along the river. Unfortunately the river footpath at Low Coniscliffe is still closed, necessitating return along the A67.

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