10.2 miles.
Explorer Map No 305 - Bishop Auckland
The walk takes in parkland, woodland,
and walking beside the River Wear. There is a short section of disused
railway track.
Highlights include the parkland of the Bishop's Palace, the woodland
of Bellburn Wood, the Roman Fort at Binchester, and the Saxon Church
at Escomb.
The walking is all fairly straightforward, though there may well be
some muddy sections in wet weather.
For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above
link.
(Overlay made with Version 4 of Memory Map)
The walk starts in Bishop Auckland town centre.
Note that car parking is not too straightforward in the town, you may
need to look around to find a suitable place.
Make for the Bishop's Palace, and head through the parkland for the Deer
Shelter.
From the Deer Shelter, take the path to Jock's Bridge and cross the beck.
Immediately over the bridge, turn right and head past the golf course
(on your left).
Cross the entrance road to the golf course, and take the footpath immediately
ahead that runs along the wall.
Continue until you come to a disused railway track. Turn left, and walk
for about 1 1/2 miles to the path that leads into Bellburn Wood.
Leaving Bellburn Wood, take the footpath left. When you reach the road,
turn right to Binchester.
From Binchester, walk beside the River Wear to the Newton Cap Viaduct.
Once under the viaduct, cross the road by the old bridge, and continue
along the River Wear to Escomb. Retrace your steps from Escomb to Bishop
Auckland beside the River Wear.