A guide has been launched at the Durham Dales Centre to give visitors a taster of the 120 walking and cycling trails that are featured on a new Durham website designed to encourage them to explore rural Durham on foot and bike.
The Durham Dales Centre in Stanhope is a member of the county’s Visitor Information Network and following the county’s high-profile national marketing campaign they are gearing up for an influx of outdoor enthusiasts as the tourist season gets underway.
Gillian Welsh, supervisor at the Durham Dales Centre, said “We stock a dedicated range of walking and cycling information for the county and the new guide is an excellent way to give visitors a taste of just a few of the many trails available across the county, and hopefully inspire them to explore more of Durham.”
The Durham Dales Centre welcomes all walkers and cyclists and has a variety of facilities in place to suit their needs, everything from maps and publications for walking and cycling to on site cycle racks, boot cleaning station and Tea Room for well-deserved refreshments.
Shane Harris, Tourism & Communications Manager at the North Pennines AONB Partnership, one of the campaign partners said “The North Pennines is marking the 25th anniversary of becoming an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) this year and what better way to celebrate than getting to grips with this stunning landscape on a walk or cycle ride? Visitors will find open heather moors, dramatic dales, tumbling upland rivers, glorious waterfalls, quiet roads, traffic-free routes, big skies, fantastic country walks, peace and tranquillity. In fact it’s an ideal place to explore, take stock and refresh.”
The guide features walks and cycle routes on the Durham Heritage Coast, in Hamsterley Forest, at Derwent Reservoir as well in the North Pennines AONB.
Walking and cycling is the first theme in a three year marketing campaign that will see Durham’s heritage and food and drink offer promoted on a national level. The campaign is made possible with funding of £450,000 from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF) administered by VisitEngland, and backed by match funding of £210,000 from partners and businesses in the county.
Visit www.thisisdurham.com/outdoors to view the full range of cycling and walking routes in Durham, as well as attractions, places to eat, and accommodation options.
