Tow Law: a leisurely 3000m walk around Inkerman

The route is accessible via public transport. Bus No. 1 from Darlington via Bishop Auckland and Crook, and Bus 764 from Consett pass along the A68 near the start. There is adequate car parking available.

[1] From the start outside the Tow Law AFC Ground, go down Ironworks Road to where the road bears left.

Tow Law Town A.F.C. currently plays in the Northern League Division Two. In 1968, they got to the second round of the FA Cup where they lost in a replay with Shrewsbury Town.  If they had won, they would have entertained Arsenal in the 3rd round! The team, nicknamed "The Lawyers", play their home games at Ironworks Road. The club's fans are known as "The Misfits". Tow Law Town’s home colours are black and white stripes with black shorts. The football ground has a crowd capacity of 3,000. At 1,000 feet above sea level, it is the highest football ground in England. Because of its high altitude, the stadium is said to have its "own weather climate".

[2] Turn right down a track passing a house on the left and crossing a cattle grid. Follow the track as it winds up a hill to Thornley Old Vicarage, but do not enter the grounds but go straight ahead across a stile

[3] Turn right in the field with the Vicarage on your right and follow the fence line until about 50m from a fence line crossing your path. Cross a stile in the fence line on your right and turn left and follow the fence on your left up to the corner of Bounder House garden. Cross back to the other side of the fence through a stile and continue with the garden on your right. Go through a 5 bar gate, and immediately cross back to the other side of the fence line by a stile and continue in the same direction as before with the hedge on your left.

[4] Exit the field at a road and turn right until the A68 is reached. Turn right along the pavement of the A68 to the far end of the last field on your right.

[5] Turn right down a signed public footpath alongside a cemetery, and follow the path as it turns left around the back of the cemetery.

[6] After 100m, follow the path as it turns right with a wire fenced field on the right and a housing estate on the left. Exit into a track ahead and turn left along the track to a track T junction.

[7] Turn left uphill to the estate road, turn right and follow the road back to its junction with Ironworks Road. Turn left back to the start.

Famous sportsman from Tow Law; Chris Waddle is now an international Premier League footballer. He started playing for Tow Law Town AFC.

A. Tow Law was a major producer of coke, and down the Cornsay road are examples of the beehive coke ovens that were used.  These are also shown on the Tow law village signs that you will pass.

B. On the left of the access road into Bounder House is the remnants of the embankment of the Crook to Waskerley railway.