Image shared for Stanhope, the River Wear and the Fossil Tree
Canal / Riverside Circular

Stanhope, the River Wear and the Fossil Tree

Walk

Durham

Distance
1.8 mi
Est. time
1h 15m
Difficulty
Easy
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About this walk

A gentle look around Stanhope, combining the north bank of the River Wear with the village streets and its fossil tree. Start at the Durham Dales Centre car park, walk west along Front Street and turn down New Town Road by the open-air pool. The paved riverside path runs beside the playground and follows the Wear east to Park View and The Butts.

Return towards the market place, then continue along Front Street through the shops. A loop down Bondisle Way passes the approach to the Weardale Railway station before an uphill footpath brings you back to the main street. Finish beside St Thomas’ Church, where the large fossilised tree stands in the churchyard wall, then follow the pavement west towards the Dales Centre. Turn into Castle Gardens at the original car park entrance and return to the start.

Allow around an hour and a quarter, with time to stop by the water and look at the tree. Use the pavements and take care at road crossings. There are a few steps and short slopes, and paving can be slippery when wet. The car park has a four-hour limit. The centre offers toilets during opening hours, with shops and places to eat in the village.

Walk details

County
Durham
Walk type
Circular
Category
Canal / Riverside
Distance
1.8 mi (2.9 km)
Est. time
1h 15m
Explorer
Yes, off the beaten track

Route map

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Along the route

30 places
Access Land in the North Pennines
Information
Overflow car park
Parking
Welcome to the Durham Dales Centre
Information · 0.0 mi along
Parking
Essentials · 0.0 mi along
Guidepost
Navigation · 0.2 mi along
The Grey Bull
Pub · 0.3 mi along
Guidepost
Navigation · 0.3 mi along
Toilets
Essentials · 0.3 mi along
Parking
Essentials · 0.4 mi along
Pack Horse Inn
Pub · 0.8 mi along
Shelter
Essentials · 0.8 mi along
Parking
Essentials · 0.8 mi along
Parking
Essentials · 0.9 mi along
The Bonny Moorhen
Pub · 0.9 mi along
Everyday Cafe
Cafe · 0.9 mi along
Bakers Loaf and Tea Shop
Cafe · 0.9 mi along
Welcome to Stanhope
Information · 0.9 mi along
Cafe 1909
Cafe · 0.9 mi along
Information
Navigation · 0.9 mi along
Stanhope Convenience Store
Shop · 0.9 mi along
Sports & Social Club
Pub · 1.0 mi along
Welcome to Stanhope
Information · 1.3 mi along
Parking
Essentials · 1.3 mi along
Parking
Essentials · 1.3 mi along
Fifteas Vintage Tea Room
Cafe · 1.3 mi along
Guidepost
Navigation · 1.3 mi along
Parking
Essentials · 1.4 mi along
Information
Navigation · 1.7 mi along
Cavaliere Café Bistro
Restaurant · 1.8 mi along
Durham Dales Centre
Information · 1.8 mi along

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