Causey Woods and Tanfield walk

Starting at the Tanfield Railway car park this route takes you down the Bowes Railway path through the fields to Causey Woods. A beautiful walk through the woods will see you walk past the Causey Arch (the oldest surviving single arch bridge in the world, built 1725-1726) and other partially hidden historical markers from the rich mining heritage, easily missed if it weren't for the information signs nearby.

After climbing a steep set of steps next to the Causey Arch you carry on through the woods to exit at the south side which is the end of the Tanfield railway line. (You can turn left and cross the little bridge here over Causey Burn to loop back and just do a lap of the woods). Upon exiting the woods and crossing the road you enter Tanfield Lea marsh and local nature reserve. (Keep your eyes peeled for deer down here!) You then turn right at the cycle path and head up towards Tanfield Lea. You then turn toward Tantobie, Flint Hill and Dipton (signposted) before turning right off the cycle path (no signpost) and heading up to Sleepy Valley to once again turn right and into the quaint Tanfield village where you can grab some refreshments at the Bayberry Hollow cafe or alternatively there’s the Peacock pub.

After refuelling you continue East out of Tanfield and past the horses stables and paddocks, through the farmers fields (on a public footpath) to re-enter Causey Woods. The return path here takes you over Causey Arch before descending back down to the bottom path which takes you out of Causey Woods and back up to the beginning.

There is so much wildlife and history in this area and this walk will hopefully give you a good taster of what's about. I strongly recommend you have a quick read up about the Tanfield Railway, the Causey Arch and the Causey Burn Culvert. If you do this walk on a weekend or a bank holiday then you could even buy train tickets from Andrews Station (the start/end point) and ride the steam train too!