On a glorious Spring morning we set off for a walk with a bit of everything; farm tracks, woodland, open fields, a river, a viaduct, a park and even a pub!

We left Whitworth car park to walk down a farm track until we entered Tudhoe woods, listening to birdsong, admiring blue bells that were just opening, and enjoyed the dappled shade the trees provided. We continued through the woods until we reached the River Wear, pausing to enjoy the views and take advantage of a photo opportunity.

Walking uphill the track took us to the bottom of Tudhoe village where we crossed the road, walked through open fields until we entered Croxdale woods, and rejoined the river. We lunched at Croxdale railway viaduct which was built in 1872.

After lunch we retraced some of our route back into the woods to take a different path skirting Croxdale village. Across the fields we arrived at Tudhoe village where we called at the Green Tree pub to “rehydrate”. Leaving the pub we passed Cow Plantation, a nature reserve recently vacated by hatched frogspawn. We crossed a green space known locally as “the valley” before we reached Jubilee Park which was gifted to Spennymoor by Queen Victoria to celebrate her jubilee, then returned to the car park.

Author - Sue M

Photos - Sue F, John S