Hetton Lyons & Murton
This is a moderate circular route of just over 5.5 miles. After almost losing one of Chester le Street’s most important members in a quagmire, on the original route, this was tweaked (phew!) and is now entirely based on tracks and lanes. Obviously, that does not mean “mud-free” but it really isn’t too bad. We start by heading north through Hetton Lyons Country Park, past all the lakes, and then east onto Downs Pit Lane. This is the only real climb of the walk - going past Eppleton Quarry and close to Windmill Hill. We continue in a north-east direction on paths and tracks, past Sharpley Plantations and towards Seaton Bank Top. We then head south on an old railway track, to the edge of Murton. We return west, via Carr House Plantations and back to the car park.
The cafe plan, after the walk, is that we will head for Homer Hill Farm Shop, on Pittington Road, Rainton Gate, DH5 9RG, which is “almost” on the way back to Chester le Street. You can reach this via back roads, from the outskirts of Hetton, or the simplest route to follow is to return towards Chester le Street on the B1284; at Rainton Bridge, turn left to join the A690 towards Durham; take the Pittington turn off on the left (at traffic lights) and Homer Hill is on the right, after a very short distance.