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
49. Consett Steel and Swords
Date: 26/08/2021
Meeting Point: Café at the Inn, Allensford Park, Consett, DH8 9BA
Our journey through the Derwent Valley begins at Allensford picnic area and then up through leafy woodland towards the impressive Hownsgill viaduct - one of the most impressive railway structures in North-East England, towering 46 metres above the tree canopy - before picking up the Waskerley Way to Rowley.
Dropping down into Comb Bridges, we’re surrounded by some beautiful woodland, before we cross the River Derwent and rise up to Crooked Oak. This is a truly stunning part of the valley, an area of outstanding natural beauty, and home to a wide variety of wildlife.
We head to Wallish Walls, before circling back towards Allensford through meadows and woodland, following the river to the start. A very scenic stage with scattered reminders of the area’s rich industrial heritage
Distance: 20.9 km (12.99 miles)
Difficulty Rating: ★★★☆☆
Sponsored By: The Genesis Project