Twelve of us met by the village green in Whorlton. Our 8 mile circular walk was possible for the first time in over five years due to the reopening of Whorlton bridge on 25 September. I had fond memories of the route to Egglestone Abbey and back as it was the very first u3a walk I went on in 2015.
We set off on the north side of the River Tees, skirting newly seeded agricultural land. There were lovely views down to the river through the trees sporting their autumn colour. After a bit of up and down crossing gullies it was an easy route. We declined the permissive path down to the viewpoint of the Meeting of the Waters preferring to retain height and the option to look at the Meeting on the south side. We had a welcome refreshment point at Egglestone Abbey helped by chocolates provided by Phil’s granddaughter from her Bournville trip.
We returned to Abbey bridge and walked beside the River Tees on the south side, enjoying seeing magnificent trees and goosander in the water. After a short road section, we reached the Meeting of the Waters (much admired by poets, artists and the walking group). The group photo on the bridge records the occasion. We passed in front of Mortham Tower which we had also viewed from the other side. Described as one of the best-preserved and most picturesque medieval fortified manor houses in the North of England it is a fine Grade I listed fortified courtyard house and pele tower dating from the time of King Henry VII (1485-1509), formerly part of the Rokeby estate. The previous house was burned down by a Scots raid after Bannockburn.
Walking on the ridge with fine views I recalled from an earlier walk that someone mentioned an erratic along the path. We then indulged in a game of hunt the erratic and failed miserably – can any other U3a member verify this?
We stopped for our lunch break, followed by a brief shower. We reached the edge of the magnificently restored bridge where two of our party peeled off and the rest of us walked along the south side of the river to Wycliffe. En route we met an enthusiastic fellow U3A member from Cheshire who loved this area. Wycliffe church is in a charming tranquil spot. It was built 1150-1250, although of Saxon origin, and is associated with John Wyclif. It is reputed to contain more mediaeval stained glass than anywhere else in County Durham – except the Cathedral.
Returning along the same route we experienced what was the first crossing of the renovated bridge. A very steep set of steps was the final part of the walk. A lovely autumn ramble with some interesting historic sites along the way.
Report by Nicky Grace
