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
4. The Middleton Meander
Date: 24/06/2021
Meeting Point: Middleton-in-Teesdale Cricket Club, DL12 0TG
8:30am registration for 9:00am departure
From Middleton-in-Teesdale, we head out of the town and cross the River Tees, before following it as it winds its way upstream. We again cross its waters over the Wynch Bridge, from where we have an unparalleled view of the spectacular Low Force Waterfall.
We then head inland towards Bowlees and up through a stretch of woodland, before our path loops round Currick Hill and then skirts around Silver Hill. We pass a small lake at the bottom of Stable Green Quarry, before cutting across Hardbury Hill to Club Gill.
Finally, we descend through woodland until we get back to Middleton-in-Teesdale. Another lovely dales walk with plenty to see in a rich and diverse area for wildlife and local history.
Distance: 17.6 kms (11miles)
Difficulty Rating: ★★★☆☆