On a breezy, slightly overcast day, we started the walk at Tanfield Railway Car Park, the route taking us down the Bowes Railway path through the fields to Causey Woods. A beautiful walk through the woods along Causey burn, passing partially hidden historical markers relating to the rich local mining heritage, easily missed if it were not for the information signs nearby. This brought us to Causey Arch (the oldest surviving single arch railway bridge in the world, built 1725-1726).

After climbing a steep set of steps next to Causey Arch we turned right, carrying on through the woods to exit next to East Tanfield station. Crossing a busy road, we entered Tanfield Lea Marsh local nature reserve. The reserve was relatively quiet with only the occasional call of long-tailed tits, robins, blackbirds, a buzzard and wrens.

Turning right at the cycle path we went towards Tanfield Lea, where we turned off the cycle path and headed up to Sleepy Valley. At the main road, with views of Stanley off to our right, we walked towards the lovely village of Tanfield. Worth a visit just to see the gated entrance to Tanfield Hall.

Heading east out of Tanfield, we walked past stables and paddocks, through farmer’s fields (on a public footpath) to re-enter Causey Woods. The return path here took us over Causey Arch and past more historical remnants of the area. Descending back down to the lower levels of the gorge path, we found the direction signs for the entrance to the Causey culvert, and after a short diversion we returned to the walk, back through Causey Woods, up the Bowes Railway path to the Tanfield Railway car park.

Everyone remarked on a lovely walk with varied paths, scenery, history and some wildlife.

Author : John S

Photos : Linda P, Sue F, John S