[1] Turn right out of the Durham Dales Centre along the pavement passing the Fire Station.
[2] Just before Stanhope Town Hall cross the main road and continue in the same direction.
Take care when crossing the road.
[3] Continue around the bend to the left and down hill, and just after the Grey Bull Pub on the right, turn left down the pavement towards the river.
[4] Pass the entrance of the Stanhope Swimming Baths and continue down to the river. There has probably been a ford over the river at this point for thousands of years. It was certainly on the route of a roman road. Note the stepping stones over the river. Using the ford and stepping stones is dangerous when the river is high.
[5] Retrace the route towards the swimming baths, but immediately before reaching them, turn right down a tarmac footpath with the baths on the left and a park on the right.
Stanhope offers one of only two heated open air swimming pools in the North East. You can engage in water sports there. The pool has a length of 25m. Furthermore, it offers a slide for children, a soft play area and a new sauna! In the summer, much sporting activities are outside close to the Riverside, e.g. walking, cycling. A popular location for outdoor activities is the Ford at Stanhope. The stepping stones enable walkers to cross the river without getting their feet wet.
[6] Continue on the path with the river now on the right to a footbridge over the river.
[7] Continue on the same riverside path and exit it past two bollards, and continue straight ahead on the left side of the road ahead.
Take care along the roadside which has a narrow pavement.
[8] Continue up the road bearing left into the Market Square and continue on the left hand pavement past the entrance to Stanhope Castle. The stone cross in the Market Place is a reminder of the weekly markets that were held here from 1421 until the 19th century.
[9] Cross the main road, and turn left on the pavement back to the Dales Centre. Opposite the road crossing, note the fossilized tree stump in the church boundary wall.
Take care when crossing the road.
A famous sportsman in Stanhope; Dutch international footballer George Boateng lived in Stanhope when he played for Middlesbrough. He helped them qualify for the UEFA Cup and played in the 2006 UEFA Cup final.