County Durham – A Stroll in the Bearpark and Beaurepaire Manor
10 people attending
10 places left
A 12-mile circular walk taking in rolling County Durham landscapes, scenic streams and woodlands, the historic former Catholic seminary at Ushaw College and the tucked-away ruins of the 13th century manor house of Beaurepaire Priory built by Bertram de Middleton and destroyed by the Scottish raids of the 1640s. Also taking in the village of Brandon and the woodland of the Deerness valley. And easily accessible only 3 miles to the West of Durham!
What to bring
The terrain is not too demanding but certain parts can be muddy when wet. Proper walking boots recommended and no jeans please!
Water: bring at least two litres
Medicines: if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments etc.
Day rucksack: typically 20-30 litres, they are comfortable to wear and allow you to use your arms freely
Boots: waterproof and breathable and designed for hiking. Some of the terrain is uneven and could be muddy following rain. Walking boots highly recommended.
Gaiters: recommended for wet weather or boggy conditions
Socks: proper walking socks will keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters
Layered clothing: lets you quickly adapt to changes in the weather and body temperature. Go for a base layer (vest or t-shirt) and a mid layer (a micro fleece or shirt) and in cooler weather add an outer layer (a windproof jacket or thick fleece)
Trousers: no jeans as they become heavy and cold in the rain, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry and on warm days shorts are OK
Waterproof jacket: essential when hiking in all but the calmest of weather, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry
Gloves: Windproof, or better still, waterproof gloves are the best choice, bring a spare pair if expecting rain
Hat or cap: stay warm in winter and shaded in summer
Sunglasses: for any sunny day, even in winter
Sun cream: can be useful even on cloudy and winter days
Snacks: bring biscuits, energy bars, gels, bananas, chocolate or dried fruit for example and put them somewhere easy to get hold of
Lunch: bring a packed lunch
Food & drink
Please bring a packed lunch – the coffee/food places in the area lie somewhat off our route and are not guaranteed to be open.