Weardale Way facts for kids
The Weardale Way is a long walking path in the North East of England. It follows the beautiful River Wear for about 73 miles (that's about 117 kilometers!). The path starts at the Lindesfarne Memorial, right by the sea in Roker, which is part of the city of Sunderland. From there, it winds its way through several towns and villages. You'll pass places like Chester-le-Street, Durham, Bishop Auckland, Wolsingham, and Stanhope. The journey finishes in the small village of Wearhead in County Durham, right outside the Post Office.
Finding Your Way
The Weardale Way is designed to be easy to follow, but sometimes it can be a bit tricky!
Markers Along the Path
When you are walking near Sunderland, the path is supposed to follow something called the River Wear Trail. However, some of the signs for this part of the route have gone missing.
Once you get into County Durham, it becomes easier to find your way. The path is marked with special signs called "waymarkers." These are usually plastic disks attached to posts, trees, or even streetlights. They help guide walkers along the correct route.
You might also see wooden signs that look like fingers pointing the way. These signs are really helpful because they tell you how much further you have to go along the path in both directions!
Maps for Your Adventure
If you love maps, you'll be happy to know that the Weardale Way is shown on special maps called Ordnance Survey Explorer sheets. These maps are very detailed and can help you plan your walk. The path is covered by sheets 305, 307, 308, and OL31.
Cool Places to See
As you walk along the Weardale Way, you'll pass by many interesting places. Here are some of the highlights:
- Roker Pier: A long pier stretching out into the sea in Sunderland.
- Penshaw Monument: A famous landmark that looks like an ancient Greek temple, sitting high on a hill.
- Lumley Castle: A grand, historic castle near Chester-le-Street.
- Chester-le-Street Riverside Cricket Ground: A sports ground where you might catch a cricket match.
- Finchale Priory: The ruins of an old monastery, a peaceful and historic spot.
- Durham Cathedral: A huge, beautiful cathedral in Durham, famous for its amazing architecture.
- Durham Castle: Another impressive historic building in Durham, right next to the cathedral.
- Croxdale Hall: A lovely historic house with beautiful grounds.
- Escomb Church: A very old church, dating back to Anglo-Saxon times!
