Attractions and Places To See around Tow Law - Top 20

The area around Tow Law offers a variety of outdoor activities, particularly walking, cycling, and mountain biking. You can explore traffic-free cycle paths like Waskerley Way, or venture into Hamsterley Forest for extensive networks of trails. For more specific routes, you can find detailed guides for running, cycling, and gravel biking in the vicinity.

Yes, Tow Law has several historical landmarks reflecting its past. These include the Church of St Philip and St James (completed 1869), Attwood Place (Grade II listed houses from the mid-19th century), the Tow Law War Memorial (a Grade II listed memorial on the A68), and the Old Cattle Market Auction Building (built in 1882). You can also find the historic Coke Ovens at Inkerman Farm, which are among the last beehive coke ovens of their type in County Durham.

For scenic walks and rides, the Waskerley Way is a popular 15.6 km traffic-free path through County Durham's countryside. Hamsterley Forest offers numerous waymarked trails for walking, running, and mountain biking. Additionally, Hedleyhope Fell provides scenic walking routes with broad views, and Heatherley Clough features a public footpath with panoramic vistas, including parts of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Yes, Hamsterley Forest is a great family-friendly destination, offering a visitor centre with a café and toilets, along with various walking and cycling trails suitable for different ages. The Elephant Trees on Pikeston Fell are also considered family-friendly, offering a unique natural landmark that sparks imagination.

Beyond the extensive forests and fells, a prominent natural landmark is The Elephant Trees on Pikeston Fell, a beloved sight in the Durham Dales named for its distinctive shape. Hedleyhope Fell and Heatherley Clough both offer broad, panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, including glimpses of the North Pennines.

Visitors frequently praise the diverse outdoor opportunities, from the long gravel tracks and wide-open skies of Waskerley Way to the challenging mountain biking trails in Hamsterley Forest. The natural beauty and the chance to spot wildlife like slow worms and butterflies are also highly appreciated. The Hamsterley Forest Café is noted for providing convenient refreshments before or after exploring the trails.

Yes, for experienced mountain bikers, the Route 666 Trail in Hamsterley Forest is a black-rated trail known for its challenging climb and rooty, rutted sections. Another exciting spot is the Hamsterley Forest River Crossing and Footbridge, which features a rocky downhill section and a water crossing, offering different line choices for various skill levels.

The best time to visit largely depends on your preferred activities. For walking and cycling, spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures and vibrant scenery. Summer can be popular, but trails like Waskerley Way may be more crowded. Be aware that areas like Waskerley Way and Pikeston Fell (home to The Elephant Trees) can be exposed, and weather conditions can change quickly, so always be prepared.

Yes, at Hamsterley Forest, there is a visitor centre with a café and toilets, providing essential facilities for visitors. For other areas, it's advisable to check local amenities in nearby villages or towns like Tow Law itself, which has pubs like the New Market Pub that can serve as starting points for walks.

Many of the outdoor areas around Tow Law are suitable for dog walking. Hamsterley Forest, with its extensive network of trails, is generally dog-friendly. The Elephant Trees on Pikeston Fell are also noted as a dog-friendly natural monument. When walking with dogs, always ensure they are under control, especially around livestock, and adhere to any local signage regarding lead requirements.

Yes, many of the walking routes around Tow Law can be adapted for easier walks. While Waskerley Way is a longer path, sections of it are relatively flat and traffic-free, making them suitable for easier strolls. Hamsterley Forest also offers a variety of waymarked trails, some of which are designed to be less strenuous. You can find easy running routes in the area, such as the 'Running loop from Fir Tree' which is 4.5 km, by checking the running guide.