Willington: an easy accessible 1500m walk

Parking is available close to the starting point (side street and off-street parking). This route is also accessible via public transport. From Durham, take Arriva bus no. 49A or 50A.

[1] Start this walk at Willington Cricket Club

[2] Leave the Cricket Club and walk down Surtees Drive (named after Jack Surtees, a champion of Willington Cricket Club!) there will be houses to your left. When you get to the end of the road cross over at the cricket club road sign then turn left and walk down the path along Manor Road.

[3] Bear right when you get to the Manor Road sign, the A690 road will now be to the left of you. You are now in Low Willington. Keep walking until you get to the Black Horse Pub and then at the pub cross over the A690 road and then turn right.

Take care when crossing this road as it can get very busy at times!

[4] You should keep walking and then bear left down the path just before the bus stop and memorial monuments. As you follow the path around you will see an information plaque to the left of you and if you look beyond the plaque you will see some magnificent views of the countryside. Follow the road around to go past the ‘Peace’ war memorial monument on your left and then turn right at the litter bin, then take the very next left which leads you to the green gate.

[5] Go through the green gate and follow the path which bears right to go through the allotments. Keep walking and then bear right again to reach the main road, once at the main road turn left and the take your next left.

[6] Continue walking along the road and then take a left to walk down Hall Lane Estate, cross over the road to reach Willington Football Club.

[A] Willington Cricket Club has been an established club for over 100 years only ceasing to play during the war years! The cricket club’s old pavilion was built in the 1930s by miners during the strike. There is a new pavilion which was built in 2004 and there are currently 9 teams playing within the club. In 1939 Willington Cricket Club featured in the final of the last ever Amateur cup and lost to fellow finalists and rivals Bishop Auckland.

[B]  WILLINGTON AFC joined the Northern League in 1911. They have reached the 1st Round of the FA Cup twice in their history and in 1950 they won the FA Amateur Cup! They play at the Hall Lane ground in Willington and their traditional local rivals are Crook Town. The club has had a number of famous players going on to play in the English Football Leagues, Internationals and FA Cup including Joe Banks for Spurs, George Tweedy for Grimsby Town, Billy Ashurst for Notts County, Ray Pointer for Burnley and Andy Graver for Lincoln City.

Willington Cricket Club & Wilington Football Club