After being dropped off in Staindrop we headed south down a small lane (opposite the church) at the end of which we took a footpath to our left, walking across fields until reaching the B6274.
Here we continued heading south until reaching the A67 at Winston where we turned left for a short while, following the main road, until being able to pick up the Teesdale Way where the main road skirted the river.
From here we followed the Teesdale Way passing Highcliffe Waters and Graft's Farm until reaching Grange Farm. At Grange Farm we took the left turn down a minor road into Whorlton where we stopped at the Bridge Inn for refreshments, deciding to sit outside in case we got too comfortable in front of the blazing fire.
As we were leaving we met another of our groups just arriving, who unfairly accused us of having spent the whole morning in the pub!
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Whorlton Suspension Bridge, a rare example of an unaltered 19th century suspension bridge. |
After leaving Whorlton we followed the road down to Whorlton Bridge. Just after crossing the bridge we took a footpath to our right to continue on the Teesdale Way, passing the ruins of West Thorpe.
Soon after this we passed through the Mortham Estate with Mortham Tower on our left and then crossed Dairy Bridge , said to be haunted, at the 'Meeting of the Waters'.
We continued on the Teesdale Way close to the banks of the River Tees until reaching Abbey Bridge where we climbed up a step bank to follow a minor road with Egglestone Abbey, a late 12th century Premonstratensian abbey, to our left. Just after the Abbey, Bow Bridge, an ancient packhorse bridge, can be seen.
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Bow Bridge, an ancient packhorse bridge, near to Egglestone Abbey |
Shortly after the bridge at a bend in the road we took a footpath to our right taking us into Barnard Castle .
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