How to Find Hownsgill Viaduct

Thanks to our writer Gaia for this post featuring a scenic walk with small children, a beautiful picnic spot and tea room with free parking. 

• Address: Howngill farm and tearooms
  Consett DH8 9AA
• Public transport - get the bus to Consett bus station or derwentside college and join the route at Consett Telescopes which is a mile from the Hownsgill Viaduct.
• Accessibility - this railway path is suitable for wheelchairs and buggies. The climb down from the top of the viaduct is not accessible (but easy to avoid).

Use my interactive map below to see exactly where the viaduct is located and what ideas for things to do nearby. Over 250 of my blog post reviews are linked in this map, simply click on the pins. The map is easier to use if you click on the 'full screen' button in the top corner first. Once you have opened the map, use the search bar to search for 'Hownsgill' and it will show you the exact location.

Hownsgill Viaduct

If you are looking for a walk through the countryside with incredible views and a bit of history thrown in then why not check out Hownsgill Viaduct.

There are a few different ways to get to Hownsgill Viaduct depending on how far you want to walk. We parked at Hownsgill Tearoom as we were going there after our walk, there were plenty of spaces and it was very laid back.

We spotted a public car park just round the corner from the tearoom (Lydgetts Junction Car Park - use postcode DH8 9AA) which had picnic tables too so that's another option for parking. 

We walked the short distance to the Viaduct (8 minute walk!), carrying on further along the Waskerley Way for a bit before finding a spot next to a field for a picnic.

We then came back over the Viaduct stopping to take in the incredible views. We really wanted to get under the Viaduct and see it from a distance so when we spotted signs for the Consett Heritage trail directly left after the Viaduct we followed the arrows and it led gradually down through the valley (this part is not buggy/wheelchair friendly).

We didn't get very far along this trail as some of the little ones were tired but it's a 6km circular walk that takes in the sites of Consetts heritage and industrial history. 

If you want a longer buggy friendly walk you could carry on along the Waskerley Way over the Viaduct, The Consett Telescopes are 1 mile away on the same route which is part of the C2C so you could start there and continue to Hownsgill Viaduct.

History

Completed in 1858, the viaduct was part of the modernisation of the line which linked the limestone quarries above Weardale and the north Durham coalfields with the seaport at South Shields, and enabled the steelworks at Consett to develop as a major industry.

Its 12 arches, constructed using over three million bricks, span 700ft (213m) and stand 175ft (53m) high. 

The Waskerley Way 

The Waskerley Way is a walking and cycling route built on a former railway line which runs from Parkhead station to Lydgetts junction near Consett, crossing over the impressive Hownsgill Viaducton the 9.7 mile route.

It’s a very scenic trail and we do little chunks of it that the kids can manage. You can see sheep farms, reservoirs, heather moorland and much more. It’s a great place to walk the dog or practice cycling (as long as you watch out for speedy cyclists!) 

Hownsgill Farm Tearoom 

This tearoom is on a working farm so you can spot cows and sheep while you enjoy your meal. They also have spaces for touring caravans and are a popular stop on the Coast to coast bike route which the Waskerley Way is part of. Check out their website here.

We grabbed one of the outside tables which offer great views across the rolling hills, and on a sunny day there was nowhere we'd rather be.

After our walk we needed to cool down so we went for ice creams and cans of pop, but they serve a variety of home cooked meals that other customers were tucking into from jacket potatoes to pie and chips and of course full English breakfasts. Click on the menu images below to zoom in.

It's all very down to earth and reasonably priced, we paid £8.70 for 3 cans of coke and 4 magnum-type ice creams. 

Dogs aren’t allowed inside the tearoom but there is outdoor seating including a wooden chalet if you’ve brought your pooch. An accessible toilet is available for customers of the tearooms. 

Hownsgill Viaduct walk

We enjoyed our walk exploring the Hownsgill Viaduct and surrounding area. The path is part of the C2C cycle network so on a nice day you do need to watch out for fast cyclists. It’s a lovely scenic route and nice to find out a bit of history about the local area too. Here are a few more photos from our adventure.......