We are the Ponteland Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
Setting out from Watergate Forest Park we follow the line of a disused part of the Tanfield Railway to beyond the old Sunniside Station. We pass through Marley Hill and then pick up the Tyne and Wear Heritage Way and follow this until we branch off onto Woodhouses Lane. After this we have a short distance through Whickham before a downhill stage back to the Watergate Forest Park.
Terrain Disused railway (surfaced), grassy paths, fields, woodland trail, and surfaced pavements. On the pre walk the farmer had ploughed over a field path which made walking hard going. However by the time of the walk hopefully he will have seeded the field or other walkers will have recreated the path.
Refreshments There will be coffee and lunch stops during the walk
Start point/parking Watergate Forest Park Car Park (NZ230 606), Whickham Highway, Whickham NE11 9RQ Directions to start point Take the A696 east from Ponteland and join the A1 South. Leave the A1 at junction 68 following the signs for Consett A692 and Whickham B6317. Go round the roundabout and up the hill for a short distance and as the road swings to the left turn right at the lights onto the B6317 signed Whickham and the Watergate Forest Park. The entrance to the car park is signposted a short distance on the left. The car park is free.
