GPS Cycle and Walking Routescycle iconwalk icon

Allensford Country Park

3.11 miles (5 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap Enjoy riverside woodland walks and magnificent views of the Derwent Valley in this country park near Consett. The River Derwent runs right through the park, with riverside footpaths to follow. The park has picnic tables, a shop and a nature trail in Deneburn Wood.
Near the park there's also a picturesque waterfall and old bridge on the Wharnley burn. You can find this just west of the car park.
On the northern side of the river there's also the Allensford blast furnace which is part of the local heritage trail and of some industrial archaeological interest.

Postcode

DH8 9BA - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Allensford Country Park OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Allensford Country Park Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

At the eastern end of the park there's the Cafe at Inn on the Park for some post walk refreshment. They serve some lovely homemade food including a delicious Sunday lunch.

Dog Walking

The woodland and riverside trails make for a fine dog walk so you'll probably see other owners on your visit. The on site cafe mentioned above is also dog friendly.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Just to the east there's the town of Consett where you can pick up the popular Consett and Sunderland Railway Path. The shared cycling and walking route will take you along a disused railway path from Consett to Sunderland.
To the west there's a major local highlight at Pow Hill Country Park and Derwent Reservoir. There's some nice waterside trails along the expansive reservoir.
For more walking ideas in the area see the County Durham Walks page.

Photos

Allensford Park - geograph.org.uk - 897542

Allensford Park. A grassy park beside the River Derwent.

River Derwent - geograph.org.uk - 1529420

River Derwent in the park. Spring morning with rocks giving a lead into the focal point, with muted reflections giving a sense of tranquility.

Wharnley Burn Waterfall (16498619809)

Wharnley burn is near Allensford just up stream from a small country park area and hamlet in County Durham, in England. It is situated a short distance to the west of Consett, and to the east of Castleside on the River Derwent.
First recorded as Aleynforth in Bishop Hatfield's survey of c. 1382. The placename is sometimes listed as Allansford, "At Allansford...is a bridge over the Derwent into Northumberland, surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery on that stream; there are a few cottages on each side of the river".

Wharnley Beck bridge - geograph.org.uk - 1529592

Wharnley Beck bridge. Bridge over Wharnley Beck with small waterfall in the background. It is uncertain when a bridge replaced the ford, however a bridge was in existence in the late 17th century when the structure was in a "very ruinous and in greate decay” according to the Northumberland Quarter Sessions for 1687-1697. Allensford Mill farmhouse was originally called the Belsay Castle Inn, named after the estate of the Middleton family of Belsay Castle. Part of the inn was built in the late 17th century and may have been a bastle. Later additions continued throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. The inn was licensed until 1869. The upper room in the outbuilding served as a nonconformist chapel.

Derwent Valley - geograph.org.uk - 396950

Derwent Valley view, east of the park. The deeply incised valley of the River Derwent viewed from Pemberton Road. The large building on the far side is the Derwent Manor Hotel at Allensford

Allensford Picnic Area - geograph.org.uk - 74984

View along the main picnic area, the trees following along derwent river.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Allensford Country Park.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Allensford Country Park.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)