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
35. The Tynemouth Trek
Date: 06/08/2021
Meeting Point: Tynemouth Shore Pay & Display Car Park, Tynemouth, North Shields, NE30 4DB
A dramatic cliff-top start at Tynemouth first takes us past the imposing monument dedicated to Admiral Lord Collingwood - local boy and second-in-command to Admiral Lord Nelson during the Battle of Trafalgar. Then on to Tynemouth Priory, a building steeped in history, and dominating the headland, as it overlooks both the North Sea and the River Tyne.
We follow the coast road before dropping down to Longsands beach and then round to Cullercoats Bay. From here we carry on to Whitley Bay, keeping to the beach as we pass the recently renovated Spanish City.
This beautiful coastal stage continues to St Mary’s Lighthouse, and then onwards until we reach Seaton Sluice. Heading inland, we follow a track running alongside Seaton Burn, then pick up the Avenue Waggonway back towards Whitley Bay. From here we return to Tynemouth, staying above the beach.
Distance: 24.3 km (15.1 miles)
Difficulty Rating: ★★★☆☆