Wolsingham: a leisurely 5000m walk around Mineral Valley
Starts at Wolsingham Market Place
1 hours 34 minutes | 3.2miles 5.1km | Leisurely
ID: 319.2 | Developed by: Filomena Solan |
This is an attractive circular walk south of Wolsingham incorporating the caravan parks of Wolsingham and walks part of the Mineral Valley walk. This route is not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Main Route
Alternative Route
Point of Interest
Waypoint
*move mouse over graph to see points on route
Starts at

Market Place Wolsingham Bishop Auckland DL13 3AF

Getting there

Parking is available near where the route starts at the Market Place. You can access the route via public transport. Take the bus Weardale Motor Service no. 101 from Crook or Bishop Auckland. From Consett, take Weardale Motor Service no. 764.

Route instructions

[1] From the Market Place cross the main road and turn left to follow a public footpath on your right through the caravan park.  This section is part of Wolsingham's 'Wheelchair Walk'.

[2] At the end of the Caravan Park go through a kissing gate designed for wheelchairs and follow the path to Wolsingham Bridge.

[3] Do not go under the bridge but bear right to the road and turn left over the bridge. Turn left down a lane between the station and another caravan park.

[4] Follow the lane to where it turns sharp left.  At this point ignore the turn and go through the gate ahead. This is way marked 'Mineral Valley Walk' as are most of the following gates and stiles.

[5] Go up the hill keeping to the right of a wide ditch. Go through the gate at the top and keep the hedge to your left.  Go through the small gate to the left of a metal gate and turn right.  After a short distance turn left though a gate and keeping the hedge to your left make for the ruin of Wigside.

[6] Before you reach the ruin turn right over a faint track across the field and through a gate.  Make for the wall on the left to reach a gate in front of the farm of Friarside.

[7] Keep the farm on your left (passing a barn on your right) and walk to High Wiserley.  Go through a kissing gate and over a small bridge in front of the farm to reach the farm lane.

[8] Turn right at the lane then go through the gate ahead where the lane turns right.  Bear left across the fields to reach a gate to Wear Bank road. Turn right down a lane parallel to the road to reach the road again just before the bridge. Turn right and over Wolsingham Bridge and proceed up The Causeway.

[9] Cross the main road (Front Street) and turn left (away from the Market place). Take the next street on your right (Church Lane) and follow it until Rectory Lane on your right. Turn right and follow Rectory Lane until you reach Angate Street (B6296). 

Take care when crossing this busy road.

[10] Turn left on Angate Street. Go over the bridge and follow the street. Take the first street on your right (which leads to Wolsingham Primary School). Now turn right after the first row of houses and follow the beck. Walk to the footbridge over Waskerley Beck and cross the beck.

[11] After the bridge you will reach Meadhope Street. Follow it and return to the Marketplace.

Wolsingham has a wide range offer of sporting activities. The Wolsingham sports hall provides a full size indoor hall with Basketball, Cricket, Badminton and Table Tennis equipment, an indoor climbing wall and a swimming pool which forms the central hub of the community.  

Acknowledgements
Developed by: Filomena Solan
River Wear
© Copyright Mick Garratt and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons LicenceRiver Wear © Copyright Mick Garratt and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
Photo taken by: Mick Garratt
Meadow near Wiserley Hall
© Copyright Les Hull and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons LicenceMeadow near Wiserley Hall © Copyright Les Hull and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
Photo taken by: Les Hull