August’s 4 Churches Together walkers visited Hardwick Park where they enjoyed a guided walk designed by Tony and Anna Smith.
The four churches are St Peter’s Byers Green, St Bartholomew’s Croxdale, St David’s Tudhoe and St John’s Kirk Merrington.
From Tony and Anna they learnt about John Burdon who transformed the Hardwick Estate into his own pleasure grounds in the 18th century.
After his death and a century of decay, Durham County Council restored the site to its former glory. It is now a free facility for people to enjoy.
Despite competition from the music festival, they chatted and strolled through the historic parkland admiring the eighteenth century buildings, and natural beauty of the lake and woodlands.
Sarah Heslop will lead our October walk which will take place on the 19th, meeting at the starting point at 2pm.
The walk will be a 3-mile circular from Coxhoe to Kelloe, taking in the sight of Coxhoe Hall (birthplace of Elizabeth Barrett Browning), a couple of interesting mining memorials and the rather beautiful church at Kelloe.
Paths are all pretty good whatever the weather and there is a gentle incline but nothing too tricky.
If anyone would like transport to and from the starting point, contact Rev Barbara or Sarah Brandon and they will arrange it.
Part of the walk is along the ‘Way of Love’ Northern Saints trail.
There is parking for 3-4 cars on a slightly rutted track – those who can walk a couple of hundred yards further can park on The Avenue.
To reach the start of the walk, if coming from the A177, turn right at the traffic lights in the centre of Coxhoe, towards Kelloe and Quarrington Hill.
At the junction at the top of the hill, take the right fork marked Kelloe and the Trimdon’s (with its annoying apostrophe!).
The track to park is unmarked so keep your eyes open – it’s as the road starts to bed slightly to the right 300 metres along opposite a footpath on the other side of the road. Sarah will aim to stand on the corner and wave at passing cars so you know where to go!
Spennymoor's local community newspaper.
