Houghall Farm Road Durham DH1 3PJ

Parking is available at the starting point. Furthermore, the route is accessible via public transport from direction of Durham e.g. with Arriva bus X1. You can even start the route at waymark 5, if it is easier for you to access Durham via public transport.

[1] Go out of the road leading to the 'Pump House' and walk towards the main road. Turn right and follow the main road.

Take care when crossing this busy main road.

[2] Go over the bridge and you will see a footpath sign on your left which you should follow along the riverside.

[3] Pass a bridge spanning the river and continue to keep the river to your left passing under a disused railway bridge.

[4] Cross the wooden footbridge and keep going along this path, Durham Cathedral will soon come into view.

[5] Cross the concrete bridge and turn left to walk back along the other side of the river.

Steve Rowbotham is an Olympic Bronze medallist in the double scull at Bejing in 2008 as a senior rowing squad member. He won two Bronze medals at the World Cup series events in Munich and Lucerne. Steve joined Durham University (Collingwood College) as a county level tennis player and only learnt to row at Durham. The students train on the River Wear and the Durham Regatta is held each year exactly where you just crossed the bridge.  

[6] You should head towards the bandstand and see the Durham Cow.

[7] Keep to the riverside path which will take you behind a large boathouse and slightly away from the river.

[8] Follow this rough path round; there is a new wooden fence to your left. At a turning or car park area turn left, cross the tarmac road and take the path into the wooded area. The path rejoins the riverside and there will be rugby fields to your right.

[9] Pass a bridge across the river and pass between new building, at the running track turn left to rejoin the riverside.

[10] Keep the river to your left and walk until you rejoin the main road, at this point turn right, cross the road and retrace your steps to the beginning.