Ingleby Barwick John Walker's Walk, Bassleton Beck and Romano Park, family walk instructions

Starting at the Teal Arms on Lowfields Avenue, cross over the road and head west passing Thornwood Avenue until you reach the brown Tess Heritage Park sculpture next to the opening to the forest walkway.

Walk down the stepped hill onto the forest track which then heads up through the tree-lined path, running alongside Bassleton Beck which you can see on your left-hand side. The track undulates and twists and turns mirroring the beck's path. Follow it down to the left at the first split.

The path has offshoots up and down, but you stay on the main track, heading under a large arched tree which frames the walkway as you enter deeper into the forest.

At the signpost for Thornaby Road continue straight on. Before you get to a narrow green bridge, take the path to the right and head up with the beck on your left-hand side. You will see a bridge on your left-hand side, do not cross it and continue on the main path. The path will split, and you can take the low or high track as they meet back together in a hundred yards or so.

Once in the open forest area you will see fallen trees which is a nice spot for a rest. The path winds along the beck and you will cross a new wooden bridge. The path has a fairly steep climb as it twists to higher ground.

Pass the green bridge on your left-hand side. There is a path up to the right which leads to a pillbox, signposted River Tees. Hidden away behind a small gathering of trees to the left, you will find this historic building.

Despite being only a few hundred metres from the edge of a huge housing estate, this pillbox that formed part of the Northern Command: 59 Div. Reserve Stop Line is in excellent structural condition.

Head back down to the main path and continue right on the main track with the beck still on your left-hand side. The path narrows to a single track, and you will pass some houses on your right-hand side.

Continue with the beck on your left until you come to a small fence on your right-hand side. Take a left after that and follow the path under the underpass.

Keep on going up until you come to a gate on your left, follow this through and keep heading along the path. Continuing with the beck on the left, there are lots of fallen and broken branches in this area. The path is very windy and undulating. It narrows to a single path, and it continues through the forest. Take the curve to the right and continue straight on.

Eventually you will come to a stone sculpture, Convergence by Pat Walls. The design for the sculpture represents the three waterways surrounding Ingleby Barwick: the River Tees, the River Leven and Bassleton Beck. Carved from Hill House Edge sandstone, the circle has three intersecting facets to suggest each of the watercourses.

Continue along the twisty path until the crossroads and continue straight over. The path narrows and dissects the housing estate. Follow the fence line until you come to the main road with the school on your left.

Cross the main road to the left and follow the road around to the right on Windmill Way. Ingleby Mill Primary School will be on your left and you will see The Old Mill directly in front of you.

During the Second World War Ingleby Barwick stood near to the south-western perimeter of Thornaby Airfield and a number of aircraft crashed where Ingleby Barwick now stands. The last aircraft accident was a Photo Reconnaissance de Havilland Mosquito which was attempting to land at Thornaby on one engine and crashed into land which is now home to Ingleby Mill.

At the end of the path, you reach the Old Mill, a former windmill that was converted to a house in the 60's. If you turn left at the T-Junction and walk to the end of the path towards Low Lane, you can visit the Fox Covert which is located just on the right-hand side for a refreshment. Here you will also pass The Primitive Methodist Chapel which was at one time in the civil parish of Ingleby Barwick.

Head back towards the Old Mill on your right-hand side down Barwick Lane. This is one of the two original paths that connected the farms across the area. Continue on this path crossing Sober Hall Avenue, Pennine Way and Blair Avenue passing Cleveland View which is a former farm building belonging to Lane House Farm, until you reach Barwick Pond Local Nature Reserve.  It is home to the protected Crested Newt.

Taking a right at the crossroads will take you to the War Memorial, on the right-hand side of Romano Park. With the park on your right follow the path, turning left before the underpass. Continue straight, passing the Myton House Farm, under the bridge and straight until the path ends. Turn right before the dirt track and follow the main path back to the Teal Arms.