Stockton Rural John Walker's Walk, Stillington and Whitton Village, family walk instructions

The route is suitable for all with minimal road walking and the option of an extension loop to the village of Whitton. The Whitton Loop is not suitable for people with limited mobility. Further information on Stillington and Whitton can be found at the Stillington and Whitton village website including a history timeline.

Stillington Loop

The total distance of this walk is just over 3km, almost two miles.

From the Village Hall and Community Hub on Lowson Street, look up through the car park to the church of St John the Divine which will be our first port of call.

At the top of Lowson Street turn right on the paved footpath to the main road Morrison Street. Turn left and into the churchyard and the path to the door of St John the Divine Church. Walk through the churchyard to the gate on Lowson Street and turn immediately right to reach the entrance to Stillington Forest Park.

There are numerous paths around the Stillington Forest Park to explore, but for this walk stay on the obvious main path until you reach a gate onto a lane.

At the gate turn left into the lane and walk down and through the beginning of the industrial estate between newer factory buildings. As you approach the railway line, follow the road as it bends left onto Ironmasters Way and follow this road until you reach the main road at South Street, a continuation of the earlier Morrison Street.

Turn right onto South Street, pass under the railway bridge and take an immediate right turn onto Messines Lane. Walk up Messines Lane towards Redmarshall Street, taking the opportunity to visit the War Memorial in the Remembrance Garden on your left just before the surgery.

Pass the surgery and cross Redmarshall Street bearing to your right to enter a narrow alleyway which brings you out in front of The Royal at the top of West Street.

Turn left into West Street and walk down towards the main road South Street and Old Stillington Lane. Shortly down West Street from The Royal on the right is a lovely old fire hydrant while further down on the left is Cassidi Gardens where once stood the Cassidi Hall.

You are now at the bottom of West Street at the Junction where South Street becomes Old Stillington Lane. Take a short walk towards Old Stillington by turning right. Walk along the road in front of the allotments and then a short way past the new developments to get a view of the wind farm built in 2016. Unfortunately to venture further towards Old Stillington is not appropriate and therefore retrace your steps to West Street.

At the junction with West Street and South Street continue straight along South Street towards the railway bridge we came through a short time ago. A row of houses will give way to a garden area at the junction of Kirk Street. A careful look will reveal Stillington's blue plaque dedicated to Sir Anthony Carlisle 1768-1840.

There are now two options. For those who wish to complete the walk at this point, cross Kirk Street and continue along South Street and under the railway bridge and cross Ironmasters Way, which we came down earlier. Continue along Morrison Street back to see our starting point, with the Village Hall and Community Hub to the left on Lowson Street.

Whitton Loop

The Whitton Loop adds approximately a further 2.4km or 1.5 miles.

The second option is to cross the road and enter Mount Pleasant Road. This is the road containing the six houses originally built for the iron works managers. Continue along Mount Pleasant Road to enter a field at the end of the road on an obvious and marked (Mill Lane) public footpath. This is the start of the Whitton loop.

Cross the field keeping to the path as you drop diagonally down to the right towards Bishopton Beck and continue over the stile, following the path with the beck always on your right-hand side. Be careful of fallen trees as you pass through the woodland.

At the end of the path take a right then a left at the bridge, keeping on the path with a large property to the left and a horse training area on the right across the beck.

Head over the stile and turn left onto Mill Lane, up towards Whitton village. Between two properties is the start of the bridleway that will take you back towards Stillington. Follow the path across the fields, taking in the stunning views across the area.

Continue on the narrow footpath between the building and fence until you arrive back on South Street. Turn right under the bridge towards Morrison Street back to the starting point, with the Village Hall and Community Hub to the left on Lowson Street.