Walks Around Finchale Abbey
This walk visits the ancient Finchale Abbey in Framwellgate Moor, County Durham.
The English Heritage owned site dates back to the 13th-century and is designated as a Grade I listed building.
Today you can enjoy a pleasant stroll along the River Wear and around the extensive remaining ruins.
After exploring the ruins you can cross the footbridge and enjoy a walk around the riverside woodland on the eastern bank.
The Weardale Way passes right by the abbey. You could pick up the waymarked trail and follow it south into the city of Durham to extend the walk. Here you could visit the famous cathedral and pick up the Durham Riverside Walk along the River Wear.
Postcode
DH1 5SH - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsPlease click here for more information
Finchale Abbey Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Finchale Abbey Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Finchale Abbey OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Finchale Abbey Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
There is a small on site cafe where you can enjoy some refreshments after your exercise.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
The abbey is located just to the south east of Chester-le-Street. You could continue your walking here by enjoying a climb to Waldridge Fell Country Park for some glorious views over the area.
The Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve is located just a couple of miles to the east. Here you will find more nice footpaths with lots of wildlife around the pretty lakes and meadows.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
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Finchale Priory and the River Wear. The priory was an outpost of Durham Cathedral and was utilised as a holiday retreat for the monks of Durham until its suppression in 1538.
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Bridge to the woodland on the other side of the abbey.
Banks of the River Wear at Finchale Priory
Internal view 1
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Internal view 2
Finchale Priory from across the river with footbridge also shown.