GPS Cycle and Walking Routescycle iconwalk icon

Gainford Walks

4.97 miles (8 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This Durham based village is located in a nice position on the River Tees just to the west of Piercebridge.
Gainford includes a picturesque village green, some historic Georgian Houses, a mineral spa fountain and a pleasant riverside park. The village is located on the Teesdale Way, a long distance waymarked trail which runs from Dufton, in Cumbria, to Redcar on the North Yorkshire coast.
This circular walk from the village heads west along the trail to visit Winston. You can start the walk at the Gainford Millennium Green, a small riverside park on the south western side of the settlement. Then head west along the tree lined path to the Gainford Spa, a hidden natural fountain with supposedly healing mineral water. It has a sulphur smell, but is apparently quite sweet to drink.
The route continues west past the West Tees Bridge to Winston where there is another riverside park and the historic Winston Bridge. The single arched stone bridge dates back to the mid 18th century and includes a small replica Spitfire. In July 1988, the bridge was used in the filming of the television serial Piece of Cake, where a Spitfire flew under the bridge piloted by Ray Hanna, a founding member of the RAF Red Arrows aerobatic display team.
You can return to Gainford on the same path or cross the bridge and follow alternative tracks on the southern side of the river.
To continue your walking in the area head east along the Teesdale trail to visit the ancient Piercebridge Roman Fort.

Gainford OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Gainford Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Walks near Gainford

  • Piercebridge - This walk visits the interesting Piercebridge Roman Fort before following the Teesdale Way along the River Tees to nearby Gainford
  • Teesdale Way - Follow the River Tees from Dufton, in Cumbria, to Redcar on the North Yorkshire coast
  • Darlington - The Teesdale Way runs through the large market town of Darlington in County Durham
  • Barnard Castle - Enjoy a walk around the historic castle and along the River Tees on this walk in County Durham
  • Hurworth on Tees - This riverside village is located just a few miles south of Darlington in County Durham
  • Egglestone Abbey - This circular walk visits the remains of the 12th century Egglestone Abbey near Barnard Castle in County Durham.
  • Greta Bridge - This walk visits the picturesque village of Greta Bridge in County Durham.

Photos

Steps and ramp to the Riverside Path - geograph.org.uk - 3425104

Steps and ramp to the Riverside Path

St Mary's Church, Gainford - geograph.org.uk - 2448578

St Mary's Church, Gainford

Village green, Gainford - geograph.org.uk - 2576665

Village green, Gainford

River Tees, Gainford - geograph.org.uk - 2448747

River Tees, Gainford

Resting place by Gainford Spa - geograph.org.uk - 1744467

Resting place by Gainford Spa

Upstream from Gainford Railway Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 952309

Upstream from Gainford Railway Bridge

West Tees Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 1572761

West Tees Bridge

Winston Bridge from the South - geograph.org.uk - 133619

Winston Bridge was opened in 1763 over the River Tees for the transport of coal via what is now the B6274 road from Staindrop, south to Richmond. 

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

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