Low Bollihope Farm

Along its 77-mile length, the Weardale Way roughly follows the course of the River Wear, taking in woods, farmland, moors and villages as it meanders. To make it a bit more manageable it’s been divided into ten smaller sections, all of which make for a lovely day’s rural ramble. If you want to get max value out of your walking shoes, there are plenty more places to give them a workout nearby. 2000-hectare Hamsterley Forest is around 20 minutes away by car, with lots of trails for walking, cycling and horse riding and themed routes for kids. Spectacular High Force waterfall is about a half-hour drive away, and there are some fab seaside walks to be had along the Durham Heritage Coast 40 minutes away. Much of Durham, half an hour away by car, has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site – get your history fix taking in the city’s cathedral, castle and university buildings, or drive a little further to the Georgian and Victorian-themed open-air museum in Beamish.