On a day that had threatened high temperatures Teesdale as usual was cloudy, so the temperature was tolerable for a walk. Eleven of us met outside the Manor House hotel in West Auckland for a four-mile walk. This was unfamiliar territory for most of us, so we were intrigued to discover the route.
Starting through the hotel car park we quickly joined the Haggerleases railway line behind the hotel leading up to Spring Gardens on the A68. This railway line was a relic of the mining industry rather than a passenger line. Crossing over the A68 we continued along the railway line stopping to read the information about the Spring Gardens dam.
The Spring Gardens 15 metre high earth dam was built after West Auckland and South Church were badly affected by floods in 2000. It is not visible from the road, so it was a surprise to me to come across it. We admired the very attractive wildflower meadow that adjoins the path noting the variety of flowers and the insect’s enjoying the meadow.
We diverted from the railway line to the Spring Gardens Wetland, another surprise. However, after a dry period the pools were nearly dried up but does support a diverse wildlife, it was known locally as Toadpools.
Following the path we arrived at the Ramshaw/Evenwood border, walking past Ramshaw Primary. This took us over the river Gaunless which we had been crisscrossing since the start of the walk. We then rejoined the railway line to walk back to West Auckland.
Liz Colley Ju;y 2026