The area in and around Chester Le Street offers excellent places to walk, hike, and generally enjoy being in nature. Consider one or more of our dog-friendly routes below when you’re considering your next holiday ramble in the area or want to get out and see the countryside and discover historical gems. Each one is family-friendly and doable with children, although some are a little farther to go for those who want to spend the day strolling through Durham countryside.
Here are the top 5 walks near Chester Le Street this autumn.
Chester-le-Street Heritage Trail
The 3.9km Chester-le-Street Heritage Trail will lead you to discover its 2000-year-old history. Along the way, you can visit Roman occupation sites and discover Christian heritage highlights, along with relics of Victorian Industry that dominated the North. Take your time to enjoy the character and history of each building and site on your walk. The way is popular, and of local significance, so it is marked with information boards along the route. You can join the path at any point because it’s a circular walk.
Waldridge Fell Cong Burn Circular
Exploring this stunning 3.7-km loop trail is easy from Chester Le Street. The route is considered a leisurely stroll and takes many walkers about an hour or so at a steady pace due to the flat terrain, which makes the trail great for hiking, running, and walking. Ramble through the Cong Burn Wood between Waldridge and Pelton Fell, enjoying beautiful natural scenery as you go. The area and woodland are particularly lovely when the bluebells bloom.
Chester-le-Street to Durham
This route is for those who want to take a few hours to explore the land and trail between Chester-le-Street and Durham. The track itself is 13.5-km and is a great one to wear out your four-legged friend and active children and is considered moderately challenging, taking around three and a half hours to complete, with a range of historic landmarks along the way.
Lumley Castle and Riverside Circular
Discovering this 8.7km loop trail is a real treat for those up to something a little shorter while still being moderately challenging. The route takes around two and a half hours to complete at a paced walk and is excellent for the dog and kids. There is even a play area at Riverside Park near the car park to burn off any remaining energy before heading home.
Waldridge and Daisy Hill Local Nature Reserve
One more mid-length route to discover is the Daisy Hill 7.2-km loop trail, which takes an average of two hours to complete. This trail offers a mix of sights and terrains along Waldridge Fell to the Daisy Hill Nature Reserve, where you can enjoy scenic paths while spotting wildlife and birds. There are some rougher sections along the road to take care on, but overall this track is safe and a must to explore.
We Look Forward to Your Visit
When considering Durham holiday accommodation, take a look at Plawsworth Hall. Our self-catering accommodation has everything you need for an enjoyable holiday.
