Castle Eden: a leisurely 3000m ramble in the woods

Parking is available at the starting point of the route. This route is also accessible via public transport. From Durham, take Arriva bus no. 24 or 24A. From Peterlee, take Arriva bus no. 24A.

[1] Exit the car park to enter Castle Eden Dene through the gate. Follow the path downhill. Ignore the path that turns sharp left.

[2] At the path junction, keep to your right and walk ahead (follow the ‘Red Squirrel Way’).  The path will go on for a distance with steep hills inbetween.

[3] Ignore the little paths going off the wide path and stay on the path straight ahead.

[4] There will be paths forking straight ahead or left down. Follow it left down to go to ‘Gunner’s Pool bridge’.

[5] Cross the bridge and turn left at the end of it. Follow this path around for a while.

Be careful as the path might be muddy at times.

[6] Follow the obvious path around for a distance which will lead you back to the Castle along the Golf course. Ignore any paths that leave the main path.

Despite being a smaller village, Castle Eden offers one of the best golf courses of the County. The club goes back a long time and was founded under the name of The Dene Golf Club after the First World War. The 8^th hole on the course is one of the most interesting ones as it is 190 yards long and goes over a ravine.

[7] At the Castle turn left down and follow it downhill.

[8] You will reach a T junction. Turn left to walk downhill. You will soon reach a bridge. Cross over the bridge.

[9] After the bridge keep slightly left to walk uphill. At the T junction, turn right to walk uphill back to the Visitor Centre.