Auckland Way Railway Path Total length: 4.3 miles (7km) Grid Reference for main access points: Brack’s Farm Bishop What is special? Auckland (western end): NZ 222 329 The line was built in two stages. In 1841 the section between Byers Green and Spennymoor was Coundon Station NZ 227 301 opened as part of the Clarence Railway Company’s ‘Byers Green Railway’ which served Port Clarence on Whitworth Road Teesside. This was used to carry coal around Byers Green and Willington. Spennymoor: NZ 245 337 Rosa Street Spennymoor In 1885, NER opened the route between Byers Green and Bishop Auckland and the whole line was then (eastern end): NZ 253 337 used by passengers. When in operation, it formed a link between Bishop Auckland and Cornforth, Map: OS Explorer 305 connecting the Darlington-Bishop Auckland line with what is now the main East Coast route. It was Directions: closed in 1939. Brack’s Farm A688 south of Coundongate roundabout, zoom The Railway Path passes through countryside which was once part of the Bishop’s Park. Remnants of between Bishop Auckland in its railway history can be seen along the route. Look for the very wide railway bridge with mature trees and Spennymoor. Signposted on it. Bishop Lightfoot hated the railway and would only give his consent for the use of his land if a Coundon Station located on © Crown Copyright and database right 2011 Ordnance Survey 100049055 special ‘double’ bridge was built over the railway for his personal use. The bridge is twice the normal A688 at New Coundon, width and had trees planted along each side to screen the Bishop from the detested railway. It is now between Bishop Auckland and Spennymoor. Entrance is next to petrol known as the Bishops Bridge and is unique in County Durham and possibly the country. station, opposite the Top House pub. Signposted from road Whitworth Road from A688 roundabout take the turning for At Byers Green you can see the remains of the old station platform. ‘Byers’ means ‘ancient woods’. Middlestone Moor, continue along the road for 1 mile. Turn left at They grew around the village, giving it its name. crossroads onto Whitworth Road. Car park is 600 metres on left Rosa Street from A688, take turning towards Spennymoor town centre, straight over mini-roundabout, left at next roundabout. Take second right onto Princess Road and follow road around. Access to Path is next to Rosa St Primary School Railway Path can also be accessed at Byers Green (NZ 227 329), Binchester (NZ 226 324) and various Public Rights of Way Parking: Brack’s Farm, Coundon Station (closed on evening) and more info... Whitworth Road (one disabled parking bay at each car park) Public transport: Numbers 2c, 56 (Arriva) and 21 (Go North East) run between Spennymoor and Bishop Auckland. Dogs: Allowed under control. Please clean up after your dog Designation: Railway Path, UK Woodland Assurance Scheme certified Contact the Countryside Service Suitable for: Walkers, cyclists, horse-riders, wheelchair users telephone: 0191 372 9100 Habitats: Scrub, hedgerow, grassland, woodland, wetland email: [email protected] www.durham.gov.uk/countryside Whilst every effort has been made by Durham County Council to ensure accuracy of information, the Council cannot accept any liability resulting from omissions or inaccuracies. Auckland Way Railway Path At New Coundon notice the Old Station House which, as its name suggests, was once Coundon Station. Today the roar of engines has been replaced by birdsong. The route here passes by a golf course and pasture fields grazed with sheep, horses and cows. Speckled wood The scrub and hedgerow which line the route are ideal feeding and nesting places for birds. There are a large variety of birds along the Auckland Walk including tree sparrow, bullfinch and song thrush. We have even had a sighting of a redstart, with its distinctive orange tail feathers. During the winter, look out for the redwing, a migrant from Scandinavia. They can often be seen feasting on the berries. Another notable species to look out for is the speckled wood butterfly which flies between April and October. Bullfinch Deer There are a variety of flowering plants along the route including herb robert, ox-eye daisy and the delicate field scabious. The wetland area near Bishops Close reflects the vibrant yellow blooms of marsh marigold each spring and yellow flag between May and July. To the west there are extensive views across the Wear Valley towards the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The route passes near Binchester Roman Fort and Redstart Auckland Park. Accessibility Statement Fly agaric Gorse This linear walk is gently undulating with several steep gradients where bridges once stood (please refer to the route profile). Path surfaces vary from tarmac, to unsealed hard surfaces with some large stones. Small sections of the path suffer from erosion and may have ruts and large stones in them. Broom The path width is generally two metres, however the sections near Binchester and between Bishops Close and Whitworth Lane narrows to one metre in places. Barn Owl There are a number of seats along the route. back Photographs: www.northeast wildlife.co.uk, S Priestley, T Coult Auckland Way Railway Path ft 800 400 I I I I I 0 miles 1 2 3 4 Bracks Farm Coundon Station Binchester Byers Green Whitworth Road Rosa St NZ 222 291 NZ 227 301 NZ 227 323 NZ 227 329 NZ 245 337 NZ 253 337 Parking Parking Parking zoom in Map 4 zoom in Map 3 zoom in Map 2 zoom Map 1 in back © Crown Copyright and database right 2011. Ordnance Survey 100049055 Auckland Way Railway Path Map 1 KEY Picnic Area A688 Spennymoor Seat Parking Disabled Parking Gate Coundon Steps Up Station gap 1.6m Medium Slope Up 1:20-1:10 into car park Bus Stop New Coundon Hard Unsealed Surface 6m zoom out Road/Tarmac A688 k Bishop Auckland al W d n la k Canney c u A Hill 12 steps up to road Bishop Auckland Brack’s Farm 30m gap 1.6m back Auckland A688 Park Bishop Auckland © Crown Copyright and database right 2011. Ordnance Survey 100049055 0 N 603m Auckland Way Railway Path Map 2 KEY gap 1.5m X Picnic Area Gate Pond Medium Slope Up 1:20-1:10 200m Medium Slope Down 1:20-1:10 Steep Slope Up 1:10-1:1 Direction of Travel Binchester Hard Unsealed Surface 15m Road Crossing 8m X zoom Binchester Roman Fort out (Vinovia) 8 8 6 k l A a W d n a l k c u A Bishops Bridge back © Crown Copyright and database right 2011. Ordnance Survey 100049055 0 N 588m Auckland Way Railway Path Map 3 W KEY h i tw Picnic Area o r th R Seat d Parking Disabled Parking Gate X Medium Slope Up 1:20-1:10 Medium Slope Down 1:20-1:10 gap 1.6m Hard Unsealed Surface 20m Road Crossing tra ck X to By ers Gr een zoom out 44m X gap 1.5m 65m Middlestone Moor former Byers Green Station 370m back © Crown Copyright and database right 2011. Ordnance Survey 100049055 0 N 588m Auckland Way Railway Path Map 4 KEY Parking Gate Medium Slope Down 1:20-1:10 Hard Unsealed Surface Toilets Bus Stop Spennymoor to 27m 18m Durham t Auckland Wa S lk h ig gap 1.6m H Rosa St R o 40m Primary sa S 88 t A6 zoom e ac out err e T yd 8 Cl 8 6 A back to Bishop Auckland © Crown Copyright and database right 2011. Ordnance Survey 100049055 0 N 440m.