Castle Eden Dene Oakerside Dene Lodge Stanhope Chase Peterlee SR8 1NJ

Parking is available directly at the starting point. This route is also accessible via public transport. From Durham, take Arriva bus no. 24 or 24A. From Peterlee, take Arriva bus no. 24A.

Exit the car park and go to the gate to enter Castle Eden Dene. Follow the path down the hill. Ignore the path that goes off sharply to your left and walk further down. 

Take care as the hill is steep. 

[1] At the junction of paths, turn left down to follow the ‘Tree way’. You will cross over a bridge on your right. Follow this path uphill.

[2] When one path goes off to the left and the other leads steeply uphill, choose the path that goes steeply uphill to walk up to the Castle.

[3] You will reach a gate on your left that leads to the entrance of the Castle. Turn right here to follow the path into the woods and along the golf course on your left.

Despite being a smaller village, Castle Eden offers one of the best golf courses of the County. The club goes back a long time and was founded under the name of The Dene Golf Club after the First World War. The 8^th hole on the course is one of the most interesting ones as it is 190 yards long and goes over a ravine.

[4] On your right, you will see an obvious path that leads down two steps to the beck in the valley. Take this path downhill and follow it until the end. 

Be careful as the paths might be muddy at times.

[5] Turn right at the end and follow the path around with the beck on your left. You will cross over a wooden bridge, so you have the beck on your right now. Follow this path until it ends.

[6] You are now back on a path that you have already been on. Turn left and immediately right to retrace your steps back to the Visitor Centre.