A new year, a new challenge. To keep things manageable in uncertain Covid times, we’ve decided on a route closer to home than the ones we’ve done so far. That way we can even keep this one going if new restrictions or lockdowns would be introduced at any point this year (let’s hope not but one can never be sure).
Although we’ve already done bits and pieces of the route we are looking forward to re-visiting those places and at the same time we’re of course also excited to discover and explore some places we’ve not yet visited.
For those who are interested in reading more about the heritage sites we come across on our run I’ll be adding additional info on the sub-page “Tyne & Wear Heritage Way Explained“.
- North Shields to Tynemouth (Wednesday 5th January 2022)
We ran this first part as an out and back which took us up to about 5.5K – perfect for an early morning run!
It was bitterly cold as we set off from the ferry stop in North Shields and ran out to Tynemouth Priory. We ran past the local fish shops just as the fishermen were dropping off the fish they’d brought in from the sea and on our way back the sun was just coming up.
Even despite the cold, it was a really nice morning run and a perfect start to our round of the Tyne & Wear Heritage Way!
2. Tynemouth to Whitley Bay (Sunday 9th January 2022)
Instead of just documenting this year’s challenge in pictures and on the blog, we decided we’re going to film it as well as it may be a nice souvenir afterwards. We’ve been taking action cameras with us but the video footage of the first run didn’t quite turn out as expected which made us decide to do it a second time.
Instead of doing a complete repeat of the first run, we immediately added on the second part of the run taking us out to the Spanish City in Whitley Bay and back, which was a total distance of 14.5K.
Although the route for this run in itself isn’t particularly challenging, it was a cold morning with treacherously slippery footpaths. In addition, I “lost” my friend twice during this run (yes, it was an out-and-back so even I am not quite sure how that happened). It was a nice run, however, and definitely a good enough “Sunday, long run day” as far as I’m concerned! I have to say I really appreciated the hot shower and equally hot chocolate when I got home.
3. Whitley Bay (Spanish City – St Mary’s Lighthouse – Tuesday 11th January 2022)
Another early morning run as part of this year’s challenge today: 6K out and back taking us from the Spanish City to St Mary’s Lighthouse in Whitley Bay. At this rate we’ll have to watch out that we don’t end up completing this year’s challenge before the year’s even halfway! It’s easy enough to get over-excited and carried away when you’re pursuing a goal, though. Especially after the challenging times we’ve all been faced with in the past two years.
It was one of those runs where everything just clicked, it felt effortless and in addition it didn’t feel as cold as it has done lately. The sunrise wasn’t quite up to standard today but you can’t have it all, can you? It’s not a very eventful route but the buildings marking the start and finish are beautiful enough and apart from that, it was just lovely to be out on the beach this early in the morning, breathing in the sea air and getting ready to tackle the rest of the day. Just a few more runs along familiar routes before we get to explore less familiar places.
4. St Mary’s Lighthouse – Holywell Dene (Saturday 15th January 2022)
Part 4 of the Tyne & Wear Heritage Way took us from St Mary’s Lighthouse in Whitley Bay to Holywell Dene and back. Instead of an out and back, I plotted it as a loop, taking the opportunity to try a couple of public footpaths on the way back that we hadn’t used yet.
Turns out those footpaths were VERY muddy – I almost lost my trainers at one point when the mud was so thick and sticky that my shoes just got stuck . . . We managed to get to the finish in one piece, however, albeit a little bit dirty. Thankfully I had a dry and clean set of clothes waiting for me in the car.
Apart from the mud, it was a very nice run. We set off in the dark and the fact that it was a misty morning only added to the spooky and mysterious atmosphere. Apart from the mist, weather conditions were perfect for me personally: dry, cold and almost no wind at all.
The way out to Holywell Dene was still on familiar territory but from next time onwards, we’ll gradually start to explore more and more unknown areas – exciting times!!
5. Holywell Dene – Blyth & Tyne Railway (Sunday 23rd January 2022)
Another weekend, another part of the Tyne & Wear Heritage Way done. Once again we started off in darkness for this morning’s 10K. The days are starting to get longer, however, so we didn’t have to wait very long for the sun to come up today. Today’s route took us all the way through and along Holywell Dene, introducing us to some areas we hadn’t explored yet. The furthest point was where we joined what was once the Blyth & Tyne Railway. Next time will take us even further into unfamiliar territory so I’m looking forward to that. Hopefully it won’t be as muddy as it was today (and last week) because we’ve had our share of bog-trotting by now!
6. Seghill to Burradon Tower via old rail- and wagonways (Sunday 30th January 2022)
Such a beautiful morning following the violence of Storm Malik around this part of the country! Cold but a glorious sunshine and no wind at all. We ran a 10K loop which meant we got from Seghill to Burradon and chose Burradon Tower as the end point of today’s run.
There was a lot of debris on the trails and footpaths after yesterday’s storm and we had to scramble across fallen trees here and there as well but apart from that we got perfect running conditions in the quiet before the next storm (Corrie) is due to hit the country later in the day. Fingers crossed it won’t be too bad.
The route itself was beautiful – taking us through the countryside around Newcastle – but apart from Burradon Tower and the railway (which I already talked about last time), there weren’t really any special features this time. Except perhaps for the nice graffiti art under the railway bridge.
7. Burradon – Weetslade Country Park (Wednesday 9th February 2022)
Since we didn’t manage a run in the previous week, we
decided to do a double streak in the current week. The first run was a 6K loop before work, taking us from Burradon Tower to Weetslade Country Park and back. There are so many nice and quiet trails around there! I never explored that area just outside Newcastle before but am loving it.
Once again, it was a very windy morning but we didn’t let it stop us. It felt great to get it done.
8. Weetslade Country Park – Big Waters Reserve (Sunday 13th February 2022)
Second Heritage Way run this week: a 10K loop taking us from Weetslade Country Park to Big Waters Reserve.
This entire area used to be coal mines and many of the trails we’ve been following here are old railway tracks. After the mines were closed it was all re-purposed as recreational areas, nature reserves and cycle ways.
We tried to outrun the rain that was forecast for the day and surprisingly enough we just managed! The rain started the minute we got back into the car.
9. Weetslade Countryside Park – Dinnington (Sunday 20th February 2022)
Originally we’d planned to run 10 miles all the way out to Ponteland from Weetslade but storm Franklin messed up those plans. Due to heavy winds and all kinds of showers (hail, sleet, rain) it just wasn’t any fun trying to complete a 10 miler and we decided to cut it short in Dinnington. It still meant an 8K in awful weather conditions, however, so we still managed a “long run day” that took us close to Newcastle Airport. As a reward for our run in harsh conditions, we were greeted by a rainbow at the finish.
10. Dinnington – Ponteland (Sunday 6th March 2022)
The weather was a lot kinder to us during this part of the Heritage Way. A mix of 9K trails and roads out to Ponteland and back to Dinnington this time. Sunshine and cold temperatures with some icy patches here and there but it was just lovely to be out there in calm weather after all the storms we’ve had. The route took us past Prestwick Carr which used to be a lake but is now an area of wet grassland – beautiful views all around! A pity we didn’t get to see the wild ponies, though. If you want to read more, head over to the “Tyne & Wear Heritage Way Explained” page!
11. Ponteland to Callerton (Sunday 3rd April 2022)
Such a beautiful sunrise to guide us on this next part of the Tyne & Wear Heritage Way. It’s been a few weeks since we last went out to continue this route but other things (cycling and mountain hiking in the Lake District) got in the way.
Some lovely trails took us on a lap between Ponteland and Callerton, part of it going right past the end of Newcastle Airport’s runway so we obviously had to stop to do some plane spotting
12. Callerton to Walbottle (Sunday 10th April 2022)
A very cold, frosty morning in the middle of spring this time. The obvious signs of spring were there though: wild garlic, blossoms, little lambs in the pastures and lots and lots of rapeseed flowers in the fields (not so great if you suffer from hay fever like me!).
Really glad to get another part of the route done – a really beautiful and varied part of the route as well with fields, pastures, trails, a little bit of road and a loop of Throckley & Walbottle Dene. We’re really close to the river Tyne now and will be crossing over to the other side soon enough.
13. Walbottle – Newburn (Thursday 19 April 2022)
We did this one as a quick 5K before work as it was only a short drive from my front door. It had been a while since I’d last been out running in the Newburn area and I’d “forgotten” how steep the hill out of that valley actually is. It’s a lovely place, however, very green and quiet and rural yet so very close to both the city centre as well as some industrial estates. The industrial heritage from times gone by is also never far away . . .
14. Newburn – Wylam (Sunday 24 April 2022)
A slow, leisurely 10K after having done a fast 8 K the day before. It’s a nice enough route, however, so you never get bored. A very nice surprise is the recently resurfaced wagonway / cycleway linking up Newburn and Wylam – fantastic tarmac, can’t wait to give it a go on the bike!
On the way back we got a little distracted by so many rowers on the river Tyne. Turns out there was an actual race going on. I really enjoyed watching them while I completed the final few kms of my run – took my mind off how much it was hurting by that point!
15. Wylam – Bradley Fell (Monday 2nd May 2022)
Another 11K out of the way, parts of this run were a little more adventurous than I expected them to be and due to newbuilt housing estates popping up everywhere like mushrooms, footpaths that are supposed to be there according to OS Maps are often diverted but not always obvious to find. In addition there was a nasty steep, big hill to climb mid-way through. It was incredibly tough but I managed to make it to the top . . . And the view was SO worth it! It does mean the run took us slightly longer than planned as well, but in the end it’s not about speed, it’s all about the experience and discovering places I’ve not seen before!
Confessions of a Running Freak 