Croxdale Hall Circular

Croxdale Hall is a manor house near Sunderland Bridge. The house is owned by the Salvin family and has been since the staunchly Catholic Gerard Salvin moved to Croxdale in the 15th Century. Croxdale Hall is a grade 1 listed building. Just up from the Hall is an even older chapel, dating back to the 12th Century. The chapel used to belong to the parish of St Oswalds in Elvet. Unfortunately, there is no access to the chapel's green and the building itself is in a state of disrepair. But from the outside at least, it looks in fine shape for one of the oldest buildings in County Durham. 

Though there is very limited access to Croxdale Hall itself (I've read a number of sources suggesting that the hall is opened to the public on occasion, but I have been unable to find any information on how and when it is possible to visit), there are many public rights of way around and nearby the estate, offering some of the finest walking territory in this area. The walk devised here is just short of five miles. It starts at the historic 14th Century Sunderland Bridge, before dipping under the A167 to enter the estate. There is a fair amount of car parking space at Sunderland Bridge, but it can become busy at weekends, especially on nice days. 

Start: Sunderland Bridge

Difficulty: Easy

Length: 5 miles

1) From Sunderland Bridge, follow the path that goes under the main A167 road and enter Croxdale Hall, passing the gatehouse on the right. Continue to follow this track, which has trees either side. To the right is the village of Sunderland Bridge and St Bartholomew Church. The track leads to an old bridge crossing the rivulet that passes through the estate. On the bridge you might find a strange looking engraving with a horizontal line above three vertical markings. These are OS benchmarks and they are often found on old buildings. Their original purpose was to measure height above sea level.

2) Follow the track to the right as it gets steeper (avoiding the track left). The track works its way up past Croxdale Hall on the right, shortly followed by the old chapel on the left and a granary straight ahead. From the granary continue to follow the track with the woodland on your left. Keep following this track for about a mile and you will come to High Farm. The track then bends right and shortly after bends left. 

3) Take the next right turn along a footpath over farmer's fields. Unfortunately, there is no waymarker indicating that this track bearing right is a right of way, but the OS map clearly shows that it is (the waymarks are in place further along the path). The path leads to a thin section of woodland. Shortly after entering the woods, take the waymarked path to the right. This path leads to the picturesque white house at High Croxdale. After passing this house, continue to follow the path, which soon after leads back to Croxdale Hall. From here retrace your steps down the bank and over the rivulet back to the car park at Sunderland Bridge.