B-Walking: Hamsterley to Wolsingham via Potato Hill

Our three walks on Sunday, 21st April were scheduled to take place in the Weardale area of County Durham. The B-Walk set off from Hamsterley and the C-Walk took the form of a circular route from Wolsingham. Unfortunately, the A-Walk did not take place due to a lack of A-Walkers.
 
The B-Walk was expertly led by Bill McTimoney (pictured below). There were 15 walkers in the group and the walk covered a distance of just under 12 miles.

Leaving Hamsterley on a north-westerly bearing, Bill's route took us down hill to Howlea Bridge and then west along Bedburn Beck to Bedburn. From here we made our way into Hamsterley Forest. We stopped for lunch at Ayhope Beck - near Potato Hill {NZ 071 312}.
 
After lunch we made our way in a westerly direction to the Meeting of the Grains and then turned onto a northerly bearing in order to cross over Pikeston Fell. We took a short tea break in a field at {NZ 042 344} - just east of Allotment House. From here we had some good views of Weardale - particularly, the area to the north of Frosterley.
 
Following our tea stop, we made a northerly descent to West Biggins Farm. From here we made our way in an easterly direction towards East Biggins Farm. Now changing to a north-easterly bearing we followed a footpath to Coves House Farm and then joined the 'old' route of the Weardale Way. We followed this in an easterly direction to Wolsingham Bridge - where we crossed the River Wear. From here we made our way into the centre of Wolsingham. We arrived in plenty of time to enable us to partake of refreshments before starting our journey home.
 
Many thanks to Bill for organising such a grand day out.
 
A selection of some of the photos that we took during today's walking expedition can be seen by clicking on the pink button below:

Credits:
Many thanks to Jane Thompson and Phil Barker for taking the photographs.
 

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