1. Raby Castle
Meeting Point: Raby Castle
We begin the Big Smile in the magnificent grounds of Raby Castle. We follow a broad path through the grassy landscape where Red and Fallow Deer herds live wild. We pass the impressively maintained medieval castle, built between 1367 and 1390 by John Neville, the 3rd Baron Neville de Raby.
We wander through Ladywood and then up towards Raby Home Farm and then Shotton enjoying the beautiful countryside home to some superb flora and fauna.
Eventually, we leave the Raby estate and find ourselves heading over Cockfield fell, common land pock marked with evidence of human habitation including flint arrowheads dating back to 8000BC.
We skirt around Cockfield itself and back through the estate to finish back at Raby Castle in a wonderful start to the Big Smile Walks.
Distance: 20 km ( 12.47 miles)
Difficulty Rating: ★★★☆☆
Sponsored By: The Ramside Hall Hotel
1. Raby Castle
Meeting Point: Raby Castle
We begin the Big Smile in the magnificent grounds of Raby Castle. We follow a broad path through the grassy landscape where Red and Fallow Deer herds live wild. We pass the impressively maintained medieval castle, built between 1367 and 1390 by John Neville, the 3rd Baron Neville de Raby.
We wander through Ladywood and then up towards Raby Home Farm and then Shotton enjoying the beautiful countryside home to some superb flora and fauna.
Eventually, we leave the Raby estate and find ourselves heading over Cockfield fell, common land pock marked with evidence of human habitation including flint arrowheads dating back to 8000BC.
We skirt around Cockfield itself and back through the estate to finish back at Raby Castle in a wonderful start to the Big Smile Walks.
Distance: 20 km ( 12.47 miles)
Difficulty Rating: ★★★☆☆
Sponsored By: The Ramside Hall Hotel
26. The Thornley Tread
Date: 26/07/2021
Meeting Point: Demesne Mill Picnic Area, Wolsingham, DL13 3DG
We start this stage of The Big Smile trek at the top of Hedleyhope Fell, following a path across open land towards Sunniside, and making our way towards the hamlet of Thornley. We cross Thornley Beck before climbing up to Tow Law - some 1,000 feet above sea level, and the site of the old Weardale Iron and Coal Company.
From here, we return to Hedleyhope Fell, one of the largest examples of mid-altitude heathland in County Durham. Managed by the Durham Wildlife Trust, this area is home to a myriad of bird and animal species, including slow worms and common lizards, as well as twenty species of butterfly.
A stage of undulating hills, fringe moorland and heathland, it is a quietly alluring and enjoyable part of the Trek.
Distance: 18.9 km (11.74 miles)
Difficulty Rating: ★★★☆☆