[1] Start at the visitor centre exit towards the park and turn right.
Sedgefield is home to the Sedgefield Harriers, a local running and athletics club. The Harriers compete in road races, fell races, in cross country and on the tracks.The club hosts the Serpentine Trail Race each September. The England Athletics recognised the Sedgefield Harriers as National Development Club of the Year in 2011.
[2] Walk over the wooden platform past the cafe and continue to walk past picnic benches.
[3] After the benches keep on the path to your left and follow the path around next to the Serpentine River.
Alternatively after the benches take a right to walk past a play park on your right and a large white chair feature. Walk to go through the Gothic Ruin and keep walking forwards on the gravelled path walking down a steep slope before it levels out at the bottom next to the river.
[4] Follow the Serpentine River around and when the river appears to end follow the path as it bears right following the ‘Circuit Walk’ sign. Keep walking as the river re-appears again and ignore the first path which shoots off to your right.
[5] Keep on the same path with the river directly next to you to your left to avoid the slope.
Alternatively take the next path which turns to your right and follow as it bears left to follow the river. Continue to walk down the slope to be reunited with the main walking route.
[6] Walk for a short distance before turning right at the next path. Walk past Hardwick Hall Hotel on your right and the magnificent lake on your left.
[7] When you come to the ‘Circular Pond’ you can take either the path to your left closest to the lake or taking the path to your right will take you past the ‘Gothic Seat’ feature. Both paths meet after the pond.
[8] Continue walking on the wide gravelled path and follow it as it bears right past the site of the ‘Bath House’ on your left. As you are walking there will be a small forest to the right hand side of you.
[9] Follow the path around ignoring the first path to your left and then taking the second path to your left. Follow the path around past the ‘Battle Pond’ on your left & the ‘Bono Retiro’ feature on your right.
[10] When the path splits to the left and right take the path to the right and keep following the path as it bears left at a bench in front of you.
[11] You are now walking on the other side of the river; it will now be on the left of you. Keep on the path going forwards ignoring the cycle path to the right of you.
[12] Keep walking forwards on this track over a small stone bridge and after the small stone bridge when the path splits take the path to the right passing a very striking statue on your right hand side!
[13] Cross over the ‘Serpentine Bridge’ and continue straight forwards ignoring the immediate paths to your left and right. Follow the forwards track as it bears left and follow this track all the way back to the visitor centre.
Sedgefield offers various sports activities e.g. tennis, squash, golf and running. The Ladies' fun run through Hardwick Park took place on 20 May 2012. It encourages women and girls to take part in regular exercise. This run was organised by Durham County Council.