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
Our stories
As part of the Heritage 100 experience we aim to create 100 accompanying stories that reflect the social, cultural, environmental and industrial heritage of each area. Each story will be written by David Willem, a renowned local author with the help and support of local community groups and residents.
About our author
David Willem
David Willem is a writer of history and a diarist. His journalism has appeared in the Times, the Guardian, the Independent on Sunday and the Irish Times. He has worked in Wales, England, Japan, Ireland and Scotland, and he writes about gatherings and artefacts, and how they support the creation of identity.
David Willem is a pen name.
01
Shotton, Haswell and South Hetton
Click the button below to download the story of Shotton, Haswell and South Hetton
02
Newton Hall
Click the button below to download the story of Newton Hall
03
Sherburn Hill
Click the button below to download the story of Sherburn Hill
04
Shadforth
Click the button below to download the story of Shadforth
