Natural England - Castle Eden Dene: how to get there

Castle Eden Dene: how to get there

Castle Eden Dene is in Durham.

We encourage the use of sustainable transport whenever possible.

By cycle

There are bike racks at Oakerside Dene Lodge. No bikes are allowed in the Dene, where the steep paths are dangerous for cycling. The reserve is near National Route 1external link (Peterlee Link) of the Sustrans National Cycle Network.

By bus

Walk from the Peterlee bus station and cross at the pelican crossing. Follow the tarmac footpath through the pine trees to the right of the Peterlee Lodge Hotel. Follow the footpath for approximately 1.5 miles (2.4km) keeping the Dene on your left. Take care crossing the road into Stanhope Chase to the Lodge.

For bus service details, phone Peterlee Tourist Information, 0191 5864450

By car

Castle Eden Dene is signposted from the A19 and from Peterlee town centre. There is a car park at Oakerside Dene Lodge.

Coming from the South
From the A19 north bound take the Peterlee turn off and go all the way round the roundabout back onto the A19 southbound then follow directions from the North.

Coming from the North
On the A19, do not take the first exit for Peterlee, take the next exit which is signposted Peterlee and Shotton onto a road called Passfield Way. (The turn off is just after you have gone under a grey metal footbridge over the A19). There is a roundabout very soon after the sliproad; go straight over the roundabout.

Pass a Vauxhall garage on your right. At the mini roundabout turn right into Durham Way.

Follow this road round as it bends to the left and then straightens up; you start going downhill and you will pass a pub on your left hand-side called The Oaklands.

The car park for the Dene is two roads past this pub, on the right hand side at the end of Stanhope Chase. Postcode SR8 1NJ.

Accessibility

Parts of Castle Eden Dene are very steep, with steps in some places. Most of the paths are natural soil and as a result they can become muddy in wet weather. In some places paths may be partially blocked by trees.

Castle Eden Dene NNR is also featured on The Nationwide Access Register.external link

Toilets are available at the lodge Monday – Friday 8am-5pm. There are also information boards around the lodge building.

Other local amenities and attractions

Thrislington National Nature Reserve – a fantastic grassland site that supports several rare species of plant.

You can find out more about the fantastic Durham Heritage Coastexternal link from the DHC website.

The Durham Wildlife Trust manage the nearby Hawthorn Deneexternal link.