Walks in the UK, One
These are all circular walks unless stated, the photos are all in order left to right (although they may not have been taken on the day of the walk). If you click on a photo you will be taken to a larger image on my flickr page, where you can also click on, map, down the left of the page to find the location.
If you would like more info, or have any comments you can email me at
ralph-dot@tiscali.co.ukWalk, Durham City (river Wear), January 2009
Approximately 3 mile or 5 kilometres
It was the second Sunday in January, it was old and damp, so we got wrapped up warm and set off to Durham City for a walk. We had been discussing it a few days before, Durham is our local Cathedral City and we hadn't been for years, we ha no plans for the route of the walk, we would just see when we got there, after all we did know the city pretty well.
Parked in the ice rink car park (it is actually the bowling alley now but until a new ice rink is built, that is what we will call it) £1.80 for all day on Sunday. The Cathedral, Castle and shops are practically on an island formed by a meander in the river Wear, so as we were on the river bank we thought we would follow the course of the river round the city.
We crossed over the river vie the Millennium footbridge to the outside of the bend and headed in an anticlockwise direction. There was now a very fine rain and although we were prepared for the weather taking photos was very difficult, the quality of he photos I did take are poor but show the cold atmosphere.
We passed under the modern Milburngate road bridge, where I could shelter beneath and look back for a photo of the Millennium footbridge,
Also let me get a shot of the Castle and Cathedral high on the hill without water getting on the camera lens. We walked under the much older Framwellgate Bridge (built around 1120) and continued along the river. The path here was slightly muddy and slippery but not too bad and we had walking shoes on. There is very little building down here and the main things you can see are the Castle, Cathedral and their associated building above the trees. You would think you were in the countryside not the middle of a city even a small city like Durham, down on river level there is only the odd old mill and some boathouses.
The next sight is Prebends Bridge (built in 1777), here the path climes gently up to the bridge and on the bride we can look back down the length of the river we have just walked. On the Bridge we had a discussion as to whether we should cross over now and head into town or cross over and walk the inside of the bend but in the end decided to stay on the outside and just carry on round that way.
Eventually around the bend the path climes gently up to the top of the bank and eventually at a church yard the path ends at Church street. We continued on to it's junction with New Elvet and Hallgarth street, where on the left, at the side of Dunelm House is the Kingsgate footbridge (built in 1963).
Here we cross over to the inside of the bend and go down some steps to the river, from there we walk on to Elvet bridge (built in 1228). From here we left the river for a wile and headed up the the Castle, the route is clearly signposted along North Bailey but it is uphill and quite steep, unfortunately the Castle was closed to the public today.
The Castle (built in 1072), was the seat of the Prince Bishops until 1832, it now houses University College but as it was shut, we went to look at the Cathedral next door, I had never been inside before and it is very impressive and only took 40 years to build starting in 1093. For some reason they do not allow photography in there, so no photos, I can understand it when services are in progress but not a full ban. I have photos from the Vatican. Did get a photo of the famous big Knocker on the Cathedral north door. A very contradictory part of the Cathedral is no photography allowed but they have a modern restaurant and also a book and gift shop in there. After a good look around, we used the toilets near the restaurant and left by the side entrance.
We continued our walk on South Bailey down hill back to Prebends Bridge, where we walked down a gentle slope to the river in the direction e had started the walk. Only we are now on the other side of the river, we pass one of the old mills we had seen from opposite and find it is now the Durham University Museum of Archaeology
When we got back to Framwellgate Bridge, we turned right and head up Silver street away from the river to the market place. Here Dot wanted to look around the shops, so that is what we did and then had a coffee in the BHS restaurant, if you can get a seat in the window, there are great views of Elvet bridge, the river Wear, the Cathedral and Castle.
By the time we started walking again it was getting dark and it was too late for more photos of Framwellgate Bridge, so we just crossed over it and walked through the Millburngate Shopping Centre (most shops were closing) and down the steps at the far end. Here we pass back under the Milburngate road bridge and make our way back to the car over the Millennium footbridge.
Walk, York (Ouse and Foss), November 2008
Approximately 3 mile or 4.7 kilometres
Not quite a cold today, so decided we would leave the Christmas shopping for a day and see where the river Foss flows through the city. We made a picnic and set off for the Foss, we actually took the long way to get there vie the millennium bridge. So the start point was the the car park on Terry Avenue at Rowntree Park where we headed south (totally the wrong direction but we knew the walk would be too short just following the Foss), for the millennium bridge to cross over to the east side and then head back north.
On reaching the confluence on the Ouse and Foss, we discovered that due to work on the flood barrier sluice gates, the side of the Foss we wanted to walk along was closed off, not much of a problem we just crossed over the Blue bridge and walked down the other side.
The first thing we came across that we hadn't seen before was a canal lock and another set of sluice gates. From there we crossed over Castle Mills bridge to the other side of the Foss, there is not much access to the river along this section, so walked along Piccadilly where we picked it up again near the Coppergate Shopping Centre. Here the sky turned black and there was a sudden flurry of snow, luckily we were near enough to take shelter in the shops for a while until the weather improved. The bad weather soon blew over and we set off along the river again.
To get back to the side of the river we went down Merchantgate then left over Fossgate Bridge and had find our way via some small alleyways on the right to eventually get there. Here we had our picnic on a bench under a large willow tree, it was a bit too cold for this and we also attracted lots of hungry ducks.
After lunch we continued to follow the river and crossed back over to the other side via a footbridge at Rowntree Wharf (or Navigation Warehouse or Leetham's Mills), a place we had never seen before in all our visits to York. From here it was just a short stroll to part of the river we had walked on our city walls walk. There is a wine warehouse at this point, well worth a look in and they also have beer. We crossed the road here and looked in to the new Morrison's supermarket mainly for a warm and to use the toilets. But we actually ended up doing some sopping, getting Christmas cards and some beers. There is also a cafe there if you want a drink or something to eat.
After our break we crossed back over the road and followed the river to Lathorpe Tower where we turned left over the road bridge onto Peasholme Green and headed back towards the river Ouse through the centre of York. Peasholme Green changes to The Stonebow, with lots of new developments on the right and then in the centre changes to Pavement, this leads down to to High Ousegate and eventually Low Ousegate, At the river turn left at the Ouse bridge and down the steps to the river side.
This is where Dot and I would usually stop for a rest (for about two hours in the Kings Arms) before following the river to Skeldergate Bridge. Here we cross over to the west side of the Ouse turn left and follow the river back to the car park.
River Tees Stockton-on-Tees
We have done two three mile walks along the river Tees at Stockton, both starting at the Tees barrage, one east and the other west. These could also be done a one longer six mile walk if required.
Walk, River Tees 1 (Stockton-on-Tees), January 2009
Approximately 3 mile or 4.7 kilometres
We set off from a parking place next to the Tees Barrage on the south side of the river Tees but you can use any of the car parks or Caravan Club site, on the other side and cross over. We headed west along Navigation Way and follow cycle/footpath along the river, towards he new footbridge and Stockton town centre.
As we get to the university buildings, we come to the first obstacle there is an inlet cut into the river bank that we have to walk around. After this we walk under the new bridge (we didn't actually, the path was closed for construction work but that should be clear soon, we had to follow diversion signs).
Then its round another of these manmade inlets for boats, although it looks like there has never been a boat in there. After this just as we think we are at the Princes Dianne bridge and can to cross over the river, the path turns left and follows a canal leading to another manmade basin and a footbridge. We cross over the bridge and follow the canal to the right and back to the river, where we turn right again and head for the millennium footbridge.
HM Bark Endeavour, a full size replica of the Whitby built collier, used by Captain Cook on his journeys of exploration, is on the opposite bank at this point. We have to walk around another inlet before we get to the bridge and cross over the Tees, to the Castlegate Shopping Centre.
Here there are toilets, cafés, shops, etc but it is market day and very busy, so we just turn right inside, walk through the centre to other side, come out and head to the right down Finkle street to Riverside. Then its left, to cross over the main road Riverside vie another footbridge and along the river side passed the dilapidated HMS Kellington, to the Princes Dianne bridge.
From here it is a straight walk along the north bank of the river, back under the new bridge (although we were diverted again), to the white water course and the barrage, where we cross back over using the pedestrian walkway to the car park. If you want a beer or meal at the end of your walk, there is a pub, The Talpore, at the top of the hill on the north side of the barrage.
If you wanted to do the longer six mile walk, you would just carry on along the north side of the river, see the description below. Or
Walk, River Tees 2 (Newport Bridge), October 2008
Approximately 3 mile or 4.7 kilometres
This walk can be done in conjunction with the one above for longer six mile walk if required.
For this walk we used the car park next to the The Talpore pub and walked down to the river before heading east, towards Newport bridge.
This may seam like a pretty straightforward walk, head to Newport bridge, cross over and walk back to the barrage, but there is plenty to see along the way. As we walk, the river is on the right and the Portack Marsh Nature Reserve is on our left, there is a chance to see rare birds here (if you know what to look for, I don't). Talking about wild life there was a seal feeding in the river and also several cormorants feeding as well, this is not unusual and we usually see them when we visit the Barrage.
Next we pass under the Tees flyover carrying the six lanes of the A19 high above us. Then just on the other side of the flyover, Lustrum Beck joins the Tees through a culvert (I didn't even know there was a Lustrum Beck).
From here the view is dominated by Newport Bridge, a big green vertical lift bridge (although it no longer lifts). On the left are green fields where until recently a huge incinerator stood but thankfully, it was demolished and the replacement built further down the river. Far over to the left is the large Billingham chemical complex, sadly no longer the major employer it once was though, since ICI sold it off to various other companies (that are now mostly failed enterprises).
When we got to Newport Bridge we walked underneath to the other side to see the confluence of Billingham Beck with the Tees and also look down the river to the old ICI jetties.
We then climbed the steps to the bridge road deck and walk along the footpath over to the south side of the river. Here we turned west and follow the railway lies back towards the Tees flyover and eventually our start point at the barrage. But we can not help looking back at Newport bridge.
Walking back along the opposite side of the river we can see where Lustrum Beck actually joins the tees through four pipes. On the left of the path is Maze Park, a green space with three manmade mounds, these can be climbed as part of the walk for better views (we did not this time but have done in the past). From the top of the highest mound you can look over Thornaby Marshalling Yards, Teesside Park shopping complex and the industry of Billingham,
Along the way there are also viewing points for looking over the river and some sculptured cycle racks in the form of butterflies and snails. Towards the end of the walk we crossed over a small bridge, over what was once the original course of the river Tees but is now just a small stream.
Back at the barrage the usual cormorant was there doing his fishing, and we were lucky enough to see the the trap at the top of the fish ladder being emptied. Some of the fish had bite marks in them, presumably from the seal, well that what the men emptying the trap thought.
Of course at the end of the walk, we had to pop into the Talpore for a beer (or two).
Walk, York (Ouse North), October 2008.
Approximately 4.0 mile or 6.5 kilometres
Cold and damp today but we decided we would have a walk upstream along the river Ouse anyway, it was something we hadn't done before. We walked from the car park on Terry Avenue at Rowntree Park, along the west side of the river and under Skeldergate Bridge. Here the route continues along Skeldergate parallel with the river but unfortunately there is no access to it. At the traffic lights we turned right towards Ouse bridge and then left to bring us back along the river and eventually under Lendal bridge.
Then along the river through a much more open part of the city and under Scarborough bridge (the rail bridge), then the plan was to just carry on walking until we came to the next bridge along. It was very muddy so we stuck to the path (not literally), on a good day we could have walked by the river but in this weather it was a no go. The path steered away from the river slightly, following instead the line of the main railway and eventually it goes into a housing estate. We took the first right turning we came to and followed this street (Balfour Street) to get back to the river, of course in good weather this would not be necessary.
At the next bridge, Clifton Bridge, we crossed over the rive and as the weather was now wet, we started to head straight back towards the centre for cover.
We followed the river back to Scarborough bridge but on the opposite side, there were nice views of the Minster over the trees. Anyway by the time we got to the other side of the bridge, near the tower at the south west corner of the Abbey of St Mary's walls, it had stopped raining, so we walked through the the museum botanical gardens. In the gardens there were squirrels all over the place, running up and down trees collecting and eating nuts.
We came out of the gardens and turned left onto Museum street and then left again at the lights and followed the road around Exhibition square to Bootham Bar. At this point we decided, as it was now dry, we would follow part of the wall again but on the outside at street level this time, we did the section from Bootham Bar to Monk Bar, along Gillygate and Lord Mayors Walk.
At Monk Bar we went back through the Wall into the centre and back towards the Minster, along Goodramgate then right onto Deangate and Minster Yard to the minster. On the left we passed the Minster's stonemasons yard, the Minster must be like my Dad's old hammer, it was fifty years old and had only had four new handles and two new heads. On the right is the Minster its self, I have seen cathedrals all over Europe and this one is up there with the best of them. At the Roman Column we turned left down Minster Gates away from the Minster onto Stonegate and the many busy shops.
At the end of Stonegate we passed through St Helens Square (where you can have a cuppa in Betty's) and left onto Coney Street, with even more shops. We do come to York all the time but there is always so much to see, epically if you remember to look up as you walk along, many of the modern shops have very ornate upper floors. At the end of the street we turned right, back to the river at Ouse bridge and then down the steps to the Kings Arms (as usual).
After refreshments we follow the river to Skeldergate Bridge where we cross over and walk to the car park.
Walk, Whitby (River Esk), September 2008.
Approximately 2.5 mile or 4.0 kilometres (although it is very steep in places)
Good weather again, the walk starts at the Abbey car park, and as the tide was out we walked over to the cliffs and got some photos of an old wreck on the rocks below, if you are looking for it, it is down the cliff, in line with the Abbey. Then it was down the 199 steps to the town, this is the easy way, not like coming back up.
The day before Dot had seen an offer for very cheep pie and peas, in a bakers just off the market place, so we headed there to get our lunch. We eat them sat on one of the short piers on the south side of the river, they were very good and made a change from the almost obligatory Whitby fish and chips. It also makes a change from the type of food we usually eat at home, as we tend to have mainly low fat healthy meals but when you are on holiday, you are on holiday. As we ate we were entertained by some cormorants in the river and a family creating art on the beach together, I think they were from the USA (the family not the cormorants).
Suitably fed, we set off inland passed the swing bridge, along the south side of the river, I thought I might be able to get a photo of the old railway viaduct from this side. We passed many parts of Whitby we had never noticed before, things like boat repair yards and a marina with apartments adjacent to it. This development looked very underused an under occupied, one of those ideas that look good on paper but are just not really required, anyway the developer properly made money from it.
We walked under the high road bridge and then the path ended, It didn't look far to the viaduct, so I left Dot there and walked on for the photo, I didn't get a good one but did get very muddy walking shoes.
We climbed up a steep zigzag track directly under road bridge to the road deck and crossed over to the north side of the river, there are some very good views of the town from up there.
On the other side we walked down a steep road on the right that took us back down to river level and we headed into town. We got an ice cream from a van on the riverside and set off towards the swing bridge.
At he bridge we turn left and head uphill on Flowergate into the shopping streets, then right along Silver street / Havelock Place / Belle Vue Terrace (all one road). At the T junction we went right and eventually ended up on East Terrace, at the top of the cliffs on the on the north side of the river mouth, opposite to where we started our walk.
Dot wanted to carry on walking north along the coast but I was tired and moaned a lot, until she gave in and we went back down into town, via the steps below the statue of Captain Cook. But before we went down, I did take some of the photos you are supposed to get on that side, captain Cook's statue the whale bone arch (if you have been you know the stuff).
Back down at the riverside heading for the swing bridge again, I wanted to find a cheep pub and we found one the Jolly Sailor, a Sam Smith's pub and the round was £2.40, what a difference, not the smartest pub in Whitby but that's nearly half price. We sat out the back for one but it cooled down so we had another in the bar. Back over the swing bridge we also had the usual couple in the Duke of York before the long climb back to the car park.