Thorsgill Wood Walk from Egglestone Abbey
This short circular walk from Egglestone Abbey explores one of the quieter woodland corners near Barnard Castle. Starting beside the historic abbey ruins, the route leads into Thorsgill Wood, following the gentle flow of Thorsgill Beck through peaceful woodland before returning across open fields with wider countryside views.
Despite being a short walk, it offers a varied experience that feels longer than the distance suggests. You pass historic landmarks, an old packhorse bridge, calm woodland paths and small cascades along the beck, before looping back to the abbey. It is an easy and accessible walk in Teesdale, ideal for anyone looking for a calm woodland walk near Barnard Castle without crowds or long climbs.
QUICK FACTS
Distance: 2.3 miles
Time: Around 1 hour
Elevation Gain: Gentle
Start Point: Egglestone Abbey car park (DL12 9TN)
Route Type: Circular
Terrain: Quiet lanes, woodland paths, riverside tracks and open fields
Difficulty: Easy
Dog Friendly: Yes, but use leads.
OS Map: Explorer OL31
Digital Route: See the route
PARKING AT EGGLESTONE ABBEY
Parking for this walk is available at Egglestone Abbey car park (DL12 9TN). The car park is a well known starting point for local walks near Barnard Castle and provides easy access to woodland, riverside and countryside routes. Please park considerately and respect the historic surroundings.
ROUTE DESCRIPTION
Start the walk at Egglestone Abbey and head down the road leaving the car park towards the River Tees. The abbey ruins soon fade behind you as the route leads towards the river and into a quieter rural setting.
At the junction near Abbey Mill House, turn left and continue along the road. After about a minute, Bow Bridge comes into view. This stone bridge crosses Thorsgill Beck and is an old packhorse bridge, once used as part of the local route network linking farms and settlements across the Teesdale countryside.
Just before reaching Bow Bridge, turn left through the gate and follow the path alongside the beck. A short distance on, you reach a small footbridge. Cross here to enter Thorsgill Wood, where the character of the walk immediately changes.
The path now follows Thorsgill Beck through woodland. Water flows steadily over stones, with moss covered banks, shaded paths and occasional small falls along the beck. This section feels calm, enclosed and surprisingly remote for a walk so close to Barnard Castle, making it one of the most peaceful woodland walks in this part of Teesdale.
Around the halfway point, the path leads back out onto a road. Turn left and follow the road for a couple of minutes until you reach a small lay-by on the left. From here, head into the field and begin following the field edges.
This final section opens the walk out into wider countryside. Open fields replace woodland, with longer views across the surrounding landscape. Follow the field boundaries alongside Thorsgill Wood, then head diagonally right between two farm buildings. From here, the route leads gently back to Egglestone Abbey, completing a relaxed and rewarding circular walk.
Thorsgill Beck is a small stream flowing through Thorsgill Wood near Egglestone Abbey in Teesdale.
ABOUT THORSGILL WOOD
Thorsgill Wood is a small riverside woodland shaped by the course of Thorsgill Beck. Like many woodlands in Teesdale, it has developed along a natural watercourse, creating a sheltered environment rich in mosses, ferns and mature trees. The presence of old bridges, field boundaries and footpaths reflects centuries of local movement, farming and land use in the Barnard Castle area.
WHAT YOU’LL SEE ON THIS WALK
Although short, this walk includes a varied mix of scenery and landmarks.
Bow Bridge
A traditional stone packhorse bridge crossing Thorsgill Beck, offering a glimpse into how goods and livestock were once moved across the Teesdale landscape.
Open field near Thorsgill Wood
A gentle stretch of open field with views towards a traditional stone building on the hillside, offering a calm contrast to the enclosed woodland and a sense of the wider Teesdale landscape.
Footbridge over Thorsgill Beck
A small wooden footbridge crossing Thorsgill Beck, marking the entrance into Thorsgill Wood and the start of the peaceful woodland section of the walk.
Thorsgill Beck
A lively beck flowing through woodland, with mossy stones, gentle cascades and small falls that bring constant movement and sound to the walk.
Open Fields and Countryside Views
The return across open fields provides a contrast to the woodland, with wider views and a slower, more open feel to the final part of the walk.
Egglestone Abbey
The ruins of Egglestone Abbey date back to the twelfth century and form one of the most atmospheric historic sites near Barnard Castle. Beginning and ending the walk here adds a strong sense of place and history.
A MOMENT OF CALM IN THORSGILL WOOD
This walk is a reminder that you do not need a long route to find calm. Within a short distance, you move from abbey ruins into woodland, follow flowing water, and then return across open countryside. Walks like this are important. They offer space to slow down, breathe and reconnect with nature, especially for those looking for gentle walks near Barnard Castle and quieter Teesdale paths.
ABOUT THIS WALKING GUIDE
This guide is part of Discover Teesdale, our local guide to walks, waterfalls and peaceful places across Teesdale. This route has been walked and photographed by us and is based on real landmarks and clear directions. It is designed to help visitors confidently explore Thorsgill Wood, Egglestone Abbey and nearby countryside on an easy circular walk close to Barnard Castle.