Skip To Main Content

  • Accommodation
    • Don't Miss
      • City Breaks
      • Coast and Countryside Escapes
      • Spa Breaks
      • Dog Friendly
      • Stunning Stays
    • Hotels
    • B&B and Guest Houses
    • Inns & Pubs
    • Self Catering & Holiday Cottages
      • Self Catering Agencies
    • Caravan, Camping & Glamping
    • Hostels
    • Special Offers
  • Things to Do
    • Don't Miss
      • Beamish Museum
      • Bowlees Visitor Centre
      • Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Centre
      • Durham Castle Tours
      • Durham Cathedral
      • Durham University Botanic Garden
      • Durham University Oriental Museum
      • Hamsterley Forest
      • Hardwick Park
      • High Force
      • Kynren- An epic Tale of England
      • Locomotion
      • Palace Green Library
      • Raby Castle
      • The Bowes Museum
      • Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
      • Wharton Park
    • Support Durham's Local Businesses
    • Attractions
      • Castles & Historic Houses
      • Cathedral & Churches
      • Hands on History
      • Gardens & Parks
      • Family Fun
      • Museums & Galleries
      • Waterfalls & Reservoirs
    • Activities
      • Adventure Activities
      • Cycling
      • Fishing
      • Golf
      • Horse Riding
      • Spas
      • Walking
    • Entertainment
      • Cinema
      • Theatre
    • Shopping
      • Antiques
      • Arts & Crafts
      • Farm Shops & Markets
      • Garden Centres
      • Independent Shops & Boutiques
      • Shopping Centres
      • Regional Delivery Service
    • Sightseeing, Tours & Guides
      • Attraction Tours
      • Tour Guides
      • Scenic Tours
      • Cycling Tours
      • Walking Tours
      • Durham City Guide - Churches, Chapels and Cafes
    • Weddings
      • Historic Wedding Venues
      • Hotel Wedding Venues
      • Wedding Fairs & Events
      • Stag & Hen Party Ideas
      • Wedding Packages
  • What's On
    • Dark Skies Events
    • Family Events
      • Free Events
      • Summer Holidays
    • Foodie Events
    • Historic Events
    • Cinema, Theatre & Music Events
      • Cinema Venues
      • Theatre Venues
    • Sporting Events
    • 2022 Top Ten Events
  • Food & Drink
    • Don't Miss
      • Cafe Bowes at The Bowes Museum
      • Collage Restaurant and Grill
      • Eating Out at Ushaw
      • Headlam Hall Restaurant
      • Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill
      • Ozone at Seaham Hall
      • The Dining Room
      • The Rose and Crown
      • Undercroft Restaurant
    • Support Durham's Local Businesses
    • Restaurants
    • Tearooms & Coffee Shops
    • Pubs & Bars
    • Local Produce
      • Farmers Markets
      • Farm Shops
    • Afternoon Tea in Durham
    • Inspire Me
      • Food Itineraries
      • Foodie Events
      • Tasty Tours
      • Tasty Places to Stay
  • Inspire Me
    • Don't Miss
      • Auckland Castle
      • Beamish Museum
      • Dalton Park
      • Durham Cathedral
      • Hamsterley Forest
      • High Force
      • Killhope
      • Kynren – an epic tale of England
      • North Pennines AONB
    • Short Break Ideas
      • Dark Skies
      • Escape the Everyday
      • Dog Friendly Durham
      • Romantic Getaways
      • Spa Breaks
      • Golf Breaks
      • Weddings
      • City Break
    • Seasonal
      • Spring Breaks
      • Summer Breaks
      • Autumn Breaks
      • Winter Breaks
    • Blog Squad
    • Taste Durham
    • Only in Durham
    • Discover Durham's Great Outdoors
    • Delve Into Our Heritage
    • Durham's Unmissable Highlights
    • Itineraries
  • Explore Durham
    • Durham City
    • Durham Dales
    • Vale of Durham
    • Durham Coast
    • Durham Towns
      • Barnard Castle
      • Bishop Auckland
      • Chester-le-Street
      • Seaham
      • Stanhope
    • North Pennines AONB and UNESCO Global Geopark
    • North East England
  • Visitor Information
    • Information Points
    • Maps of Durham
    • Getting to Durham
    • Getting Around Durham
      • Car Hire
      • Taxis
      • Electric Car Charging Points
    • Accessibility
    • Publications
    • Durham Apps
    • Durham Videos
    • Discover Durham Digitally

Don't Miss

  • Family Fun attractions in Durham

    Family Fun

  • Durham City short breaks

    City Break

  • High Force in Durham

    Only in Durham

  • Seaham summer beach holiday fun

    Summer Breaks

  • Corporate
  • Groups & Travel Trade
  • Durham Place Of Light
  • Northern Saints
Menu
  • Top Attractions

  • Places To Stay

  • Things to Do

    Things to Do in Durham

  • Planning Your Trip

    Planning Your Trip

  • Inspire Me

Site Search Icon
My Account icon

Login to your account

Welcome to the Itinerary Planner. Use this tool to build your own journey or choose from an exciting range of specially selected tours.

To build your own Itinerary, click Add to Excursion to add an item to your Itinerary basket.

List All My Saved Itineraries

  • Logo
  • Print Logo
Close Navigation

Follow Us...

  • Facebook

    Thumbnail for Facebook

  • Twitter

    Thumbnail for Twitter

  • YouTube

    YouTube Icon

  • Pintrest

    Pinterest

  • Instagram

    Instagram

  • Blog

    This is Durham Blog

You are here > Home > Things to Do > Beamish Woods Circular Walk

Beamish Woods Circular Walk

Start at Eden Place Picnic Area Car Park
Off the A693
Near entrance to Beamish Museum
Stanley
County Durham

Tel: +44 0300 026 5342

Email

Visit Website

Add Beamish Woods Circular Walk to your Itinerary

Alan McPhail Photography;

About

1. Start by leaving the car park at Eden Place Picnic Area (DH9 0RE), cross the road and turn left through the trees along the tarmac path. Presently you will see the imposing entrance of Beamish Museum ahead of you. Cross the road once more and head towards the 18th century Shepherd and Shepherdess public house. Turn left by the pub.

2. Turn right at the signposted footpath into the woods. The stone building on your right was a thatched barn in the 18th century. Further on, well hidden by the trees, are the remains of a quarry.

3. When you reach a metal gate follow the footpath leading off to the right. Continue until you reach an open area, with a footbridge on the right. Take the broad path between the large oak trees and continue through a tunnel of holly trees. Further along, climb a stile then turn left onto another track.

4. Turn left at the next signpost and return into the woodland. Continue downhill, on what used to be an old packhorse route. The path crosses a shallow valley with a footpath at the bottom going off to the left. Ignore this and continue up the other side where open countryside comes into view on your right.

5. After a further 250 metres, past some gorse bushes, turn left and follow a waymarked path down a long, steep flight of steps. When you reach the bottom you can see the remains of stone buildings. This was the site of a thriving paper mill which used waterpower and coal from the exposed coal measures to produce brown and blue paper.

6. Cross the footbridge, turn left and go through a metal gate. On the right of the gate you can see the entrance to an old drift mine. Continue on the wide track alongside the burn. This drift mine was opened in 1895. Coal was transported along the path you are now following. Some of it was used to power a steam pump further along, whilst the remainder was taken back underground down a vertical shaft and lifted via a second shaft at Eden Place. The 'wheel' situated on the side of the path is made out of old railway sleepers and serves as a reminder of the valley's industrial heritage. Continue on the track following the course of the stream. Continue past the interesting wood and stone seats shaped like pine cones.

7. Follow the curve of the stream and cross the footbridge. Before the footbridge was built, people used to cross by the old ford which you can see next to the bridge. This was the site of Middle Forge which was water-powered. From 1740 to 1780 tanning of leather was carried out using oak bark. Later it became a shop and finally became a tea room.

8. Continue for about 250 metres on an old waggonway. When you reach the road cross with care. On the other side, join a public footpath through a gap to the right of the gate and walk down a grassy slope. Climb a stile. Forge workers used to live in the cottages on the other side of the stream. Climb another stile on your left. After crossing another stile the footpath soon becomes a well surfaced track. Continue, between old stone posts, until you can see the red roof of the 12th century Flint Mill in the distance. This is the earliest building recorded in the valley.

This route passes near to the following Taste Durham establishments:
Black Horse - Beamish, The Stables - Beamish Hall Hotel and Dainty Dinah Tea Rooms and Davy's Fried Fish and Chip Potato Restaurant at Beamish Museum.

9. Just before reaching Flint Mill, turn sharp left and follow the track uphill. Join another track and pass the cottage gardens. Where the track widens out, take the broad track to your left. On the hillside is Pockerley Manor, based on a medieval fortified manor house.

10. Turn left when you join the Pockerley Farm track and walk uphill. Hammer Square House comes into view. This house once housed a community of outworkers from the forge. Follow the road to the right keeping to the footpath. At the Shepherd and Shepherdess, cross the road and take the footpath near the bus stop to return to Eden Place Picnic Area car park.

Book Tickets

TripAdvisor

Downloads

Beamish Woods Circular Walk Map
64 Kb

Beamish Woods Circular Walk Map

Click here to download Adobe Acrobat Reader

Facilities

Accessibility

  • Distance: 1-5 Miles
  • Grade: Moderate
  • Route Surface: Off Road

Provider Features

  • In countryside
  • Walk Distance - 3 miles.

Access Information

Opening Times

2022 (1 Jan 2022 - 31 Dec 2022)

Map & Directions

Map Link

View Map

What's Nearby

  1. 1950s welfare hall beamish museum

    1950's Welfare Hall at Beamish

    Experience the excitement and community spirit of the 1950's with our new welfare hall. 

    0.22 miles away
  2. a street in the 1900's town in Beamish Museum

    Beamish - The Living Museum of the North

    Discover an amazing journey through time at Beamish Museum as you travel back in time and…

    0.27 miles away
  3. Garden centre

    Congburn Nurseries & Garden Centre

    At Congburn Nurseries and Garden Centre we are a family-run business established since…

    2.79 miles away
  1. Holmside Park Soft play Durham

    Holmside Park

    Holmside Park, a newly refurbished 50 acre adventure park in Durham.  Full of adventure,…

    2.94 miles away
  2. Picnic Spot: Waldridge Fell (cycling not permitted)

    Picnic Spot: Waldridge Fell (cycling not permitted)

    There is no need to travel to the North Pennine hills to enjoy moorland. Waldridge Fell…

    3.07 miles away
  3. Ankers House and St Mary & St Cuthbert's Church














 


   
Product Details

    Ankers House and St Mary & St Cuthbert's Church

    The cathedral church and shrine of St Cuthbert from AD883 to 995 with attached anchorage…

    3.78 miles away
  4. Broom House Forest Adventure Trail

    Broom House Farm

    Fun Adventure Farm. Woodland trails and adventure activities for all the family. Farm…

    3.87 miles away
  5. Trees and a part area at National Trust - Gibside

    National Trust - Gibside

    Discover fine Derwent Valley views, winding paths and refreshing open spaces. Escape…

    4.16 miles away
  6. Chester-le-Street Riverside Park

    Chester-le-Street Riverside Park

    Created in the 1930s, Riverside Park has always been popular with visitors. It was…

    4.4 miles away
  7. Diggerland Durham Spindizzy Ride

    Diggerland

    Diggerland is the UK’s most unique construction-themed adventure park where guests can…

    5.32 miles away
  8. Derwentcote Steel Furnace

    Derwentcote Steel Furnace

    Built in the 1720s, Derwentcote is the earliest and most complete steel-making furnace to…

    5.8 miles away
  9. An owl at Potters World

    Potters World


    Located in Lanchester Garden Centre Potters World is home to three interactive and…

    6.15 miles away
  10. Finchale Priory

    Finchale Priory

    The very extensive remains of a 13thC priory, founded on the site of a retired pirate's…

    6.24 miles away
  11. Ushaw main house and gardens

    Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Ushaw is set in the beautiful Durham countryside and houses architectural gems by…

    6.29 miles away
  12. Feed the llamas at Adventure Valley

    Adventure Valley

    Discover a world of family adventures at Adventure Valley, the North East’s biggest…

    6.69 miles away
  13. Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre

    Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre

    Rainton Meadows was created by the restoration of the Rye Hill Opencast coal mine in 1996…

    7.23 miles away
Previous Next
More

Search What's Nearby

Product Type
Proximity
Within miles
  • Enewsletter Sign Up

  • Win

  • Save

  • Contact Us

this is our blog

  • How to explore Durham more sustainably

    a family cycling through Hamsterley Forest with their dog

    Going green has never been more important and with so many beautiful areas to explore in Durham, you'll find that it’s also extremely enjoyable. 

  • Accessible Days Out: Durham City

    Kate Stanforth sat in her wheelchair outside Durham Cathedral with her service dog.

    Join disabled blogger Kate Stanforth as she spends the day exploring historic Durham City.

  • Seven experiences in Durham to banish tourism fatigue

    children running and playing at The Plotter's Forest adventure playground

    Durham is unlike anywhere else in the UK! Durham offers a rich and diverse range of unique experiences that are sure to make your trip one to remember.

  • Seventy Years of the Railways

    Deltic train engine

    Celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee at Locomotion's new exhibition - Seventy Years of the Railways.

  • Durham's Royal Connections

    Raby Castle reflected in the lake on a bright sunny day

    From Kings of distant past and powerful Prince Bishops to the current Queen of England, Durham has many fascinating connections to royals throughout history.  

  • Loading..Loading..
    • Print Page
    • Email Page
    Home Accommodation
    • Hotels,
    • B&B and Guest Houses,
    • Inns & Pubs,
    • Self Catering & Holiday Cottages,
    • Caravan, Camping & Glamping,
    • Dog Friendly,
    • Hostels,
    • Special Offers,
    Things to Do
    • Attractions,
    • Activities,
    • Shopping,
    • Sightseeing, Tours & Guides,
    What's On
    • Family Events,
    • Foodie Events,
    • Historic Events,
    • Cinema, Theatre & Music Events,
    • Sporting Events,
    • 2022 Top Ten Events,
    Food & Drink
    • Restaurants,
    • Tearooms & Coffee Shops,
    • Pubs & Bars,
    • Local Produce,
    • Tasty Places to Stay,
    • Foodie Events,
    • Food Itineraries,
    • Special Offers,
    Inspire Me
    • Short Break Ideas,
    • Taste Durham,
    • Discover Durham's Great Outdoors,
    • Delve Into Our Heritage,
    • Durham's Unmissable Highlights,
    • Itineraries,
    Explore Durham
    • Durham City,
    • Durham Dales,
    • Vale of Durham,
    • Durham Coast,
    • Durham Towns,
    • North East England,
    Visitor Information
    • Information Points,
    • Maps of Durham,
    • Getting to Durham,
    • Getting Around Durham,
    • Accessibility,
    • Publications,
    Submit Event
    • Accessibility
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Site Map
    • Submit Event
    • Terms & Conditions

    © Copyright Visit County Durham. All Rights Reserved

    Registered Office: Visit County Durham, 2nd Floor, County Hall, Dryburn Road, Durham, DH1 5UL

    • North East England logo

    Ratings & Reviews

    Powered By

    tripadvisor

    • Durham County Council