Derwent Walk Country Park

The Derwent Walk Country Park is a mixture of woodlands, meadows, wetlands, riverside and reclaimed industrial sites all linked by the Derwent Walk. The Derwent Walk is the track-bed of the old Derwent Valley Railway. It is 11 miles (18 km) long and follows the Derwent Valley between Swalwell in the north and Consett in the south. The ancient woodlands of the Derwent Valley hold a wide variety of wildlife - carpets of springtime wood anemones and celandines, many birds including green and great spotted woodpecker, nuthatch and sparrow hawk and the occasional glimpse of animals such as, fox, badger and roe deer. The flowers found in the hay meadows support butterflies like the common blue and meadow brown. The Derwent Walk is home to blackcap and whitethroat, heard singing in summer, and bullfinches and flocks of siskins seen feeding in the winter. The River Derwent supports a wide range of wildlife including kingfisher, dipper and otter.

Please be considerate to all other users of the Country Park.

• Cyclists must slow down and give way to walkers and horse riders
• Horse riders must give way to pedestrians
• Dog owners must keep their dogs under close control and ‘scoop the poop’!
• Protect plants and animals and take your litter home
• Be aware that horses graze in the meadows during the summer
• No camping
• No fires