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
Croxdale
Starting at Croxdale Community Centre, a former schoolhouse, which is considered to be one of the most haunted buildings in Durham. From the centre, the route follows the main road for a short distance before entering a woodland trail. Exiting at the River Wear, you can take a moment to appreciate the views of Sunderland Bridge as it crosses the Wear or observe the Sand Martins nesting on the riverbank. The route then follows the riverbank footpath until you reach Tudhoe Mill Wood, which occupies the site of the former Tudhoe Mill drift mine. Following the woodland trail that contains a mix of mature tree species, a mosaic of grasslands, and a variety of birds and butterflies, you will eventually arrive at the picturesque village of Tudhoe. Shortly after leaving the village, the route circles back to the starting point, passing through open farmland before returning to the community centre.
Distance: 8.38 km (5.2 miles)
Difficulty Rating: ★★★☆☆