Three Villages Loop Walk

Thorpe Thewles, Stillington and Whitton

Walk Distance: Approx 7 miles.

Start/Finish: Wynyard Woodland Park, off the A177 between Stockton-On-Tees and Sedgefield.

Car Parking: Wynyard Woodland Park.

Public Transport: Buses to Thorpe Thewles Villages Nos.69, 234,236.

Facilities: Toilets, picnics areas, Visitors Centre and refreshments at the Country Park.

General: This walk is fairly easy going, the majority of the route crossing farmland. Dogs must be kept on leads where there are livestock or crops. Horses may be encountered in the fields.

Points of Interest:

• Observatory. The observatory is sited near the children's play area to the South of the Visitors Centre. It is the building with a large silver dome on the top
• Stoney Field. Stoney Field is the first field you entre after passing the observatory.
• Thorpe Thewles Church. Thorpe Thewles is a quiant little village with a very elegant looking church, it is certainly worth a closer look.
• Stillington Forest Park. Stillington Forest Park was opened in 1995 and is one of Stocktons newesst nature conservation sites.
• Honey Potts Wood. Honey Potts Wood is situated immediately south of the village of Whitton to Redmarshall Road.

Further Information: For further information about this and other walks around the Country park telephone the Countryside Wardens on (01740) 630011.

Billingham Beck Valley Country Park - Park to Wynyard Woodland Park

Walk Distance: Approx 9 miles.

Start/Finish: Billingham Beck Valley Country Park, signposted off the A19.

Car Parking: Billingham Beck Vally Country Park.

Public Transport: Bus No 36 to Station Road, Billingham from Stockton.

Facilities: Toilets, picnic area, Visitor Centre and refreshments at Billingham Beck Valley Country Park and Wynyard Woodland Park.

Points of Interest:

• Billingham Beck Valley Country Park. Billingham Beck Valley Country Park was opened in 1991, although the area has always been an important wetland site.
• Industrial History of the Valley. Norton village is rich in its industrial heritage; the area to the left of the path here being the site of the Norton Ironworks between 1855 and 1879.
• The Mills of the Valley. Thorpe Beck and Billingham Beck used to provide the power for seven corn mills and throughout the valley there is evidence of the mill 'leet' channels dug by canal navies, still visible along this section of the route.
• The View from the Bottle Hill. On a fine day, above the valley you may see as far as the Cleveland Hills and the familiar Rosebury Topping and Eston Nab.
• Thorpe Wood. This is one of the few remaining areas of the semi-natural ancient woodland in the the region. Visitors are able to walk throught he woodland on a number of circular paths
• Traditional Agriculture. Agriculture has been a major factor in creating a landscape we know and love. The open field system was extensively practised in the North East during Medieval times and signs of its existance can still be seen today.

Further Information: For further information about this and other walks around the country park contact the Countryside Wardens on (01642) 397609.