Stockton Rural John Walker's Walk, Eaglescliffe and Yarm, family walk

Introduction

This is a circular walk which can be started and completed at any point on the walk. It is part of the John Walkers walks across the Borough of Stockton on Tees and will ultimately form part of a series of walks connecting the Parish Communities of the Borough.

For the purposes of completeness we will start our walk at the Egglescliffe end of Yarm Bridge near the Blue Bell Inn, one of many refreshment options in the walk.

Points of Historical Interest are noted. Publications are available to help you discover more.

The Route

• From the bridge and with the Blue Bell Inn on your right walk towards Stockton along Yarm Road along past the Cleveland Bay on your left-hand side.
• Shortly we reach, first on our right, Butts Lane which will lead us into the lovely village green of Egglescliffe. Along the road on your left hand side you will pass Egglescliffe C of E Primary School. Sitting immediately east of the church we see the Old Rectory (largely rebuilt in 1845)
• Walking further along Butts Lane, and on our left, we approach Egglescliffe Hall (Late 18^th Century).
• We now take a left turn into Back Lane and follow the road round, past Manor Farm, run by the Smith Family (and the route down to the River and Teesdale Way) to the Manor House (18^th Century)
• We now continue past the ruin (on the left-hand side) that was the Old Hall and Rose Cottage and bear right through a narrow alley into Wells Cottages and Pump Row as the cottages are also known.
• Continue along the route and come to the Green.
• Leave the Green and walk along Church Road to The Pot and Glass
• We turn now right into the Churchyard of the church on the top of the hill, St John the Baptist Church.
• Walk through the church yard, but before you exit, look for the old stoney bench on your right and look under to find a John Walker Matchbox. When you exit the churchyard, turn right to stop briefly and look at the view of Yarm and surrounding area, and to visit the war memorial.
• Immediately left of the Memorial is Stoney Bank, which takes us down to the Blue Bell pub,
• Crossing over the bridge we enter Yarm High Street and continue our walk on the left hand side of the street. Shortly reach 124. Here is Bridge House.
• We then arrive at the first pub on the High Street, The Ketton Ox. This is a historic 17th-century part Grade II-listed inn.
• The next pub we come to is The George and Dragon, look for the plaque with information of a special meeting held here in 1821
• The Dutch style Town Hall, on our right was built by the Lord of the Manor, the 3rd Viscount Fauconberg and stands at what is probably the widest point on the High Street. Look at the various plaques on the Town Hall
• Continue along the High Street. 8-16 High Street demonstrates great examples of Georgian Merchants Houses.
• Turn left into Atlas Wynd. After a short distance go right through a car park to a narrow path leading down to the river and note the first flood gate we come across. Turn left to take us on a stroll along the river Tees.
• Walking along beside the river (passing the back of the Black Bull Pub) and continuing along the river we come to the octagon shaped Wesleyan Chapel, Yarm Methodist Chapel (on your left)
• We carry on walking alongside the river, eventually passing under the bridge. Keep straight on here, ignoring the passage on the left back to the High Street. We are now on a walkway called True Lovers Walk. Soon we reach the Viaduct. Turn left after going under the viaduct onto what looks a little like a dirt track! The end of this alley will bring you onto West Street. Turn right and follow the road round until you enter the churchyard of St Mary Magdalene Church.
• As we come out of the churchyard we cross West Street and see the famous landmark, Yarm Castle. This was built in 1882 by a Mr Doughty.
• We proceed along West Street until we reach, almost immediately Hope House on the corner of High Church Wynd.
• Carrying on up West Street we eventually cross back under the viaduct and face an old engineering works. As you continue walking you are now on Bentley Wynd.
• As we continue along Bentley Wynd we can see on the right hand side (just along from Snaiths Field) the Old Police Station and Old Police House (see if you can notice the bars still on the windows)