Teesdale Way - Thornaby to Eaglescliffe ~ Griffmonsters Great Walks

An 8 mile walk along the Teesdale Way between Thornaby and Eaglescliffe

A river side walk encompassing both urban and rural landscapes providing a rich and varied scenery. There are also a couple of micropubs worth seeking out in Stockton.

Walk Statistics

Start location: Thornaby Station
End location: Eaglescliffe Station
Distance: miles ( km)
Total Gain: ft ( metre)
Total Descent: ft ( metre)
Min Height: ft ( metre)
Max Height: ft ( metre)
Walk Time:
Walk Grade: Easy
Terrain: Footpath, Road

Maps:

The following maps and services can assist in navigating this route. There are links to printed maps and links to downloadable GPX route data for importing into navigational software and apps.

Ordnance Survey Explorer Map: OS Explorer 305 - Bishop Auckland
Ordnance Survey Explorer Map: OS Explorer 306 - Middlesbrough & Hartlepool
GPX Route File

Walk Notes

The original intention of this walk was to undertake the eastern section of the Stockton and Darlington Railway Trail of Discovery. As this is pretty much a town walk we decided to follow the Teesdale Way along the River Tees which made a pleasant ramble mixing both urban and rural environments.

This was a trail of discovery of our own and although the GPX route is pretty straight forward we had to do a lot more walking to seek out things we missed, particularly the two Stockton micro-pubs that are featured. This entailed re-walking into the town from Eaglesciffe taking the route of the SDR Trail of Discovery although this is a rather boring trawl along modern highways and through modern industrial areas. It was in one of the industrial units that we dropped into the Three Brothers Brewery and although they do not serve beer for folk off the street, they were nonetheless very helpful and pointed out the local ale houses that they supply beer, including the Tipsy Turtle and the Golden Smog, both in Stockton. The extra distance was well worth it. For anyone contemplating searching out these micropubs, I would advise following the GPX which is the best route that incorporates the two micropubs. The Three Brothers Blackcurrent and Liquorice Milk Stout was an most wonderful drink.

During the time we undertook this walk there was a lot of building work being undertaken on Stockton Quayside and once this is complete there may well be better alternatives for keeping alongside the river.

At the Victoria Bridge there is no official access up to the bridge from the riverside path which abruptly ends. We scrambled up the grass bank to access the bridge which was a simple enough process.

Directions

A riverside walk along the River Tees

From Thornaby railway station, take Station Street and then Harvard Avenue to reach the Infinity Bridge
Keep to the near side of the river and head to the Tees Barrage.
Follow the riverside path back towards Stockton
Cross the Millenium Bridge and continue along the opposite bank
At the Victoria Bridge scramble up the grass bank and cross the Bridge
Take the first left onto Boathouse Lane, then left again to return to the riverside
Either keep to the riverside path or if muddy you can cut across the loops in the river course.
The Teesdale Way eventually leads onto Yarn Road. Eaglescliffe Station can be accessed via Station Road on the right as you walk down this road

Directions

A riverside walk along the River Tees

From Thornaby railway station, take Station Street and then Harvard Avenue to reach the Infinity Bridge
Keep to the near side of the river and head to the Tees Barrage.
Follow the riverside path back towards Stockton
Cross the Millenium Bridge and continue along the opposite bank
At the Victoria Bridge scramble up the grass bank and cross the Bridge
Take the first left onto Boathouse Lane, then left again to return to the riverside
Either keep to the riverside path or if muddy you can cut across the loops in the river course.
The Teesdale Way eventually leads onto Yarn Road. Eaglescliffe Station can be accessed via Station Road on the right as you walk down this road

Pubs

Tipsy Turtle, Stockton-on-Tees

Address: Unit 5, regency west mall, Stockton-on-Tees TS18 1EF
Website: https://camra.org.uk/pubs/tipsy-turtle-stockton-on-tees-185464

A small but welcoming micropub that is well worth seeking out. A good selection of local ales from small brewers.

The Golden Smog, Stockton-on-Tees

Address: 1 Hambletonian Yard, Stockton-on-Tees TS18 1DS
Website: https://www.facebook.com/TheGoldenSmog

Hidden down a back alley, this may take time to find but you will not be disappointed. Very friendly, lots of local ales and a good laugh with the locals

Images