1. Raby Castle
Meeting Point: Raby Castle
We begin the Big Smile in the magnificent grounds of Raby Castle. We follow a broad path through the grassy landscape where Red and Fallow Deer herds live wild. We pass the impressively maintained medieval castle, built between 1367 and 1390 by John Neville, the 3rd Baron Neville de Raby.
We wander through Ladywood and then up towards Raby Home Farm and then Shotton enjoying the beautiful countryside home to some superb flora and fauna.
Eventually, we leave the Raby estate and find ourselves heading over Cockfield fell, common land pock marked with evidence of human habitation including flint arrowheads dating back to 8000BC.
We skirt around Cockfield itself and back through the estate to finish back at Raby Castle in a wonderful start to the Big Smile Walks.
Distance: 20 km ( 12.47 miles)
Difficulty Rating: ★★★☆☆
Sponsored By: The Ramside Hall Hotel
1. Raby Castle
Meeting Point: Raby Castle
We begin the Big Smile in the magnificent grounds of Raby Castle. We follow a broad path through the grassy landscape where Red and Fallow Deer herds live wild. We pass the impressively maintained medieval castle, built between 1367 and 1390 by John Neville, the 3rd Baron Neville de Raby.
We wander through Ladywood and then up towards Raby Home Farm and then Shotton enjoying the beautiful countryside home to some superb flora and fauna.
Eventually, we leave the Raby estate and find ourselves heading over Cockfield fell, common land pock marked with evidence of human habitation including flint arrowheads dating back to 8000BC.
We skirt around Cockfield itself and back through the estate to finish back at Raby Castle in a wonderful start to the Big Smile Walks.
Distance: 20 km ( 12.47 miles)
Difficulty Rating: ★★★☆☆
Sponsored By: The Ramside Hall Hotel
46. Durham Dales
Date: 22/08/2021
Meeting Point: Demesne Mill Picnic Area, Wolsingham, DL13 3DG
The region’s lead mining industry is in evidence again on this stage of The Big Smile, when we’re back in County Durham. Beginning and ending in Wolsingham, we start by leaving the town and climbing up onto high ground above the Wear Valley, reaching a high point of 480 metres, before dropping down towards Bollihope.
We follow the Bollihope Burn until it meets the River Wear beyond Frosterley. From here, we follow a track between the river and the Weardale railway which leads us back to our starting point in Wolsingham.
This is a true dales walk, with a tough uphill section at the beginning, compensated by a gentle, flat, finishing stretch. Situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty, there is plenty of wildlife to be seen over the dales, along with the littered remnants of Weardale’s lead mining heritage.
Distance: 24.2 km (15.04 miles)
Difficulty Rating: ★★★★☆
Sponsored By: EMG Solicitors