Itinerary Planner

The Way of Life – Bitesize Walk Three

Men of Coal & Iron, Four Brave Brothers the Beautiful Game and a Saxon Church

Distance: 4-6 miles

Start: West Auckland (public bus, car or bike)

Route: West Auckland – Low Etherley – Phoenix Row – New Inn Farm – East Park – Witton Park – Escomb

Finish: Escomb

In a nutshell:

A bronze sculpture on West Auckland’s village green perfectly illustrates links between football and coal mining.    Both figures have the same face, wear flat caps and shorts and the footballer’s leg is raised to a height representing the thickness of a coal seam. 

At Etherley 18^th century “blue sky” thinking solved the problem of transporting coal economically and efficiently.  An innovative combination of stationary steam engines and rope hauled wagons ensured coal was moved over inclines at reasonable cost.

Witton Park ironworks was one of the first in the north east but more poignantly is the chance to reflect on the sacrifice made by the four Bradford Brothers during World War One. “The Ball and The Bradford Boy” sculpture is full of compassion.

One of England’s most complete and oldest stone churches is found in the middle of modern day Escomb. Collect the church key from outside a nearby house and step into 1300 years of history.

Why not visit:

• Escomb Saxon Church
• Locomotion, Shildon