[1] From outside the Tow Law AFC Ground go down the hill along Ironworks Road.

Tow Law Town A.F.C. currently plays in the Northern League Division Two. In 1968, they got to the second round of the FA Cup where they lost in a replay with Shrewsbury Town.  If they had won, they would have entertained Arsenal in the 3rd round! The team, nicknamed "The Lawyers", play their home games at Ironworks Road. The club's fans are known as "The Misfits". Tow Law Town’s home colours are black and white stripes with black shorts. The football ground has a crowd capacity of 3,000. At 1,000 feet above sea level, it is the highest football ground in England. Because of its high altitude, the stadium is said to have its "own weather climate".

[2] Turn right at the T junction at the end of the road and then after 80m turn left onto a signed public footpath through the conifer wood.  Where the path forks, take the higher, clearer path and follow it as it rises until it meets a path crossing it near the top edge of the wood. 

Take care as this path can be muddy.

[3] Turn right and follow the path through the wood with a wire fence on the left and a steep slope to the right. The wood gradually thins out and is replaced by gorse and there are marvellous views down into the Wear valley. After a small conifer wood on the left, cross a low fence onto a track.

[4] Turn left along the track, and then right when a road is reached.

[5] Turn left after the first house on the left (Moor Cote), and follow a narrow road for 400m.

[6] 50m after the road starts to descend, turn left on a signed footpath through a gate and follow the stone wall on your right through 3 fields, and exit through a stile next to Thornley Grove.

[7] Follow the access road to that property up the hill to the A68, cross the road, turn right and go for 200m along the footpath.

[8] Turn left into Thornley Pit House Farm and go past the left of the farmhouse and through a gate at the rear.  Follow  the track across the next field and exit by a gate and turn left along another track.  (N.B. The definitive footpath actually crosses the field diagonally and exits by a stile but the farmer is content that walkers use the track instead.)  Continue on the track past the church on your right and continue as it becomes a road until it meets the A68 opposite some shops.

[9] Cross the road and turn right and continue for 150m and turn left into Grove Road.  Follow this to a road junction with Ironworks Road, turn left and return to the start.

Famous sportsman from Tow Law; Chris Waddle is now an international Premier League footballer. He started playing for Tow Law Town AFC.