Search results

Consett and Sunderland Railway Path

The Consett & Sunderland Railway Path is a lovely trail which follows the line of a former railway into Sunderland, along the riverside and through the marina, before ending at the beach in Roker. There’s lots to see along the route, including specially-commissioned artworks and an open-air museum. ...

C2C or Sea to Sea

The Sea to Sea (C2C) can start at either Whitehaven or Workington, and has two possible endpoints on the North Sea coast in Sunderland or Tynemouth. There are some sections of the Whitehaven to Sunderland route that are not part of the National Cycle Network. Sea to Sea route sections from west to e...

Route 70

... the principal route of the Walney to Wear (W2W) long-distance Coast-to-Coast cycle route, linking the coast at Walney Island by Barrow-In-Furness to Sunderland. Forming the principal route of the Walney to Wear (W2W) - a long-distance coast to coast cycle route which links Walney Island on the sout...

Route 7

The sections of Route 7 between Sunderland and Inverness take in breathtaking views of forests, hills and lochs. It is over 540 miles long and passes through two National Parks before arriving in the Scottish Highlands at Inverness. The sections of Route 7 amount to 547.2 miles long. They take in Su...

How volunteering led to romance on National Cycle Route 1

He was a volunteer ranger on the Sunderland to Seaham section of National Cycle Network Route 1, helping to manage the path and keep it litter-free. We later went for our first cycle camping trip together on a beautiful route from Sunderland to Alnwick.

Roker Beach to Beamish

This ride starts on the seafront at Roker in Sunderland and travels inland to the pretty village of Beamish. From the seafront, you follow blue signs for Route 1 to the mouth of the River Wear and you travel behind the Marina. Following the route of the river, you pass the National Glass Centre and ...

Portrait Benches in Chester-le-Street

The Consett & Sunderland Railway Path is a lovely trail which follows the line of a former railway into Sunderland which was Britain’s first commercial railway and was closed in 1985.

Souter to St Mary's

It begins at Souter Lighthouse, located on Lizard Point, between South Shields and Sunderland. The Lighthouse opened in 1871 and is the world's first electric lighthouse. Now managed by the National Trust, the lighthouse offers fantastic views over Marsden Bay.

Traffic-free family rides

8. Consett and Sunderland Railway path, Tyne and Wear This route between Consett and Sunderland travels past the Beamish Open Air Museum and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Centre. As you head into Sunderland you pass the new Stadium of Light before arriving at the beach at Roker.

Volunteers needed for Washington’s Coast to Coast Path

... always including a café stop! We also attend local events where we offer free Dr Bike maintenance sessions, provide learn to ride classes and promote cycling and walking in the area. This year we organized a popular series of short bike rides for the crews when the Tall Ships visited Sunderland.”

Using the National Cycle Network to manage my mental health

“I use it every day. I use Route 7 from Consett and I’ll cycle over Waskerley Way, or I’ll follow the Network to Sunderland. I’ll also cycle Route 14 to Rowlands Gill or to Durham, so it’s great that there are so many routes you can choose from.

Best routes in the North East

There’s plenty to see on this route from Sunderland out to the pretty village of Beamish. Following the River Wear, you pass the Stadium of Light and Washington Wetlands Centre. Towards the end of the journey, you'll also come across the Beamish Museum, which is dedicated to life in the North East i...

Why are Cumbria's Sea to Sea signs changing?

C2C is a popular long distance cycling challenge route which runs 137 miles from Sunderland to Whitehaven. "The whole route from Sunderland to Whitehaven will now be labelled as Route 7.

Challenge rides in England 2025

137 miles (221km) from Whitehaven or Workington to Sunderland, Wearside or Tynemouth Between the wheel dips - a beautiful route through the northern Lake District and the Pennines. The picturesque market town of Keswick and the old railway paths of County Durham. Look out for the art trail that ador...

Our top 10 challenging rides

This is the most popular long-distance ride in the UK and takes you all the way from Irish Sea to the North Sea. You can start at either Whitehaven or Workington and then travel to Newcastle or Sunderland.

Children plant orchard on iron track

The 140 mile C2C runs from Whitehaven to Sunderland attracts over 15,000 people on foot or by bicycle each year.

Artworks and art trails on the National Cycle Network

An Old Transformer on the Consett and Sunderland Railway Path. Consett and Sunderland Railway Path

Spooky tales on the Old Tracks

The 140-mile C2C runs from Whitehaven to Sunderland attracts over 15,000 people on foot or by bicycle each year and is part of Sustrans’ National Cycle Network.

Three Rivers

You'll move along a host of interesting alternative routes including the C2C sculpture trail and the Three Rivers Cycleway between Sunderland and South Shields which passes Souter Lighthouse. The Three Rivers covers the network of traffic-free railway paths in the North-East, including the Derwent w...

Walney to Wear and Whitby (W2W)

This fantastic route stretches between Walney Island - just outside Barrow-in-Furness on Cumbria’s Irish Sea coast, and Wearmouth in Sunderland (155.5 miles) or Whitby (179.7 miles) both on the North Sea coast. Walney Island - Sunderland: 155.5 miles, 250.3 kilometres

Starting the year car-free: Mara's story

... Artist living and working on the East Coast of Durham. Her work explores ideas of 'what if?' inviting the viewer to examine their own ideas, and has been exhibited nationally and internationally. She was awarded an MA in Photography with Distinction by the University of Sunderland in 2016.

Where to hire bikes on the National Cycle Network

Darke Cycles near the Consett and Sunderland Railway Path, National Route 7, Durham The 24-mile Consett & Sunderland Railway Path has plenty to see along the route, including giant robot sculptures ‘The Transformers’ and Beamish open-air museum. Darke Cycles are located at the eastern end of the...

Our favourite low-traffic walking and cycling routes for summer

Beginning on the seafront at Roker in Sunderland, this route travels inland to the pretty village of Beamish.

Coast to coast cycle routes

137 miles (221kms) from Whitehaven or Workington to Newcastle or Sunderland 151 miles (243kms) from Walney Island, Cumbria to the mouth of the River Wear, Sunderland

17 brilliant beer gardens to find on the National Cycle Network

The Jolly Drovers, Leadgate, Consett & Sunderland Railway Path Its stylish and sizeable beer garden will make a welcome break from an activity-packed trip on the Consett and Sunderland Railway Path.

Residents invited to contribute to new Tynemouth bike sculpture

Ray is famous for his public artworks of large-scale steel sculptures such as Herring Girl in North Shields and 'Big Fella' in Silloth. He draws on his experience working in heavy industry in Sunderland.