The Derwent Walk

Grid Ref: NZ 199 621 Parking with permission at Blaydon Rugby Club. Grid Ref: NZ 199 493 Parking available.

https://www.newcastlegateshead.com/things-to-do/derwent-walk- p59981

This former railway line went along the Derwent Valley from Swalwell, Gateshead and on to Lydgetts Junction. The section from Shalwell starts off as a 3.5mile long bridleway and continues as an 8.5mile multi-user path to where it meets the Consett and Sunderland Railway path, The Waskerley Way and also the Lanchester Valley railway path. Plenty of opportunity for a long-distance ride and quite a few chances to join or leave byways and other bridleways. The railway line was opened in 1868 by the North Eastern Railway and carried passenger and freight traffic serving collieries, coke-ovens, brickworks, paper mills, dairy farms and the livestock market at Blackhill. After the war, passenger traffic failed to recover as road traffic had become more efficient and the line was closed to all transport in 1960.

Derwent Valley Walk near Ebchester © Copyright Robert Graham and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Derwent Valley Walk at Rowlands Gill © Copyright Oliver Dixon and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Derwent Valley Walk - Shotley Bridge Station © Copyright Oliver Dixon and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Derwent Valley Walk near Hamsterley Mill © Copyright Crispin Purdye and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

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The Derwent Walk

This former railway line went along the Derwent Valley from Swalwell, Gateshead and on to Lydgetts Junction. The section from Swalwell starts off as a 3.5mile long bridleway and continues as an 8.5mile multi-user path to where it meets the Consett and Sunderland Railway path, The Waskerley Way and also the Lanchester Valley railway path. Plenty of opportunity for a long-distance ride and quite a few chances to join or leave byways and other bridleways. The railway line was opened in 1868 by the North Eastern Railway and carried passenger and freight traffic serving collieries, coke-ovens, brickworks, paper mills, dairy farms and the livestock market at Blackhill. After the war, passenger traffic failed to recover as road traffic had become more efficient and the line was closed to all transport in 1960.

Grid Ref: NZ 199 621 Parking with permission at Blaydon Rugby Club. Grid Ref: NZ 199 493 Parking available.

https://www.newcastlegateshead.com/things-to-do/derwent-walk-p59981

Derwent Valley Walk - Shotley Bridge Station © Copyright Oliver Dixon and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Derwent Valley Walk at Rowlands Gill © Copyright Oliver Dixon and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Derwent Valley Walk near Hamsterley Mill © Copyright Crispin Purdye and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.