Croxdale: Culture, River Landscapes and Historic Ways

Croxdale combines impressive architectural history with a landscape along the River Wear, where historic paths and nature experiences complement each other. Those choosing a holiday apartment or other accommodation in Croxdale can tailor their trip entirely to their own interests: culture, walks along the river and excursions on the Weardale Way offer different ways to experience this special place.

Historic Places Around Croxdale

A prominent landmark is Croxdale Hall, a Grade I listed country house that probably dates from the 17th century. At Croxdale Hall, a walled garden dating from the late 18th century lies within a parkland landscape whose origins date back to the early to mid-18th century. Both the walled garden and the lakes at Croxdale Hall were designed by the landscape gardener Lewis Kennedy. This combination of architecture, garden design and parkland makes Croxdale appealing to travellers who want to discover historic design not only in buildings but also in the landscape itself.

The religious buildings also tell different chapters of the local history. Old Croxdale Chapel is a medieval Grade I listed chapel with a nave and chancel. St Bartholomew’s Church, by contrast, was built by George Pickering between 1843 and 1846. The Way of Life route includes a loop near Croxdale that takes in St Bartholomew’s Church. This allows you to create a cultural focus for your day without losing sight of the area’s nature experiences.

Woodland, River and Paths

Croxdale Woods at the Croxdale Reclamation Site form part of the Weardale Way along the River Wear. The woods have mature pine trees on an old spoil heap that dominates the riverbank. This creates a landscape in which natural vegetation and the traces of earlier industrial use are directly intertwined. You can reach the Croxdale Reclamation Site by parking at Sunderland Bridge and walking down the road to Croxdale Woods.

For walkers, Section 10 of the Weardale Way provides another specific point of reference. After crossing the River Wear via the 16th-century Sunderland Bridge, the section leads into the grounds of the Croxdale Hall Estate. It then passes a driveway near Croxdale Hall and includes a short climb. Take this route into account when planning your excursions and choose your accommodation according to the combination of historic destinations, river landscapes and walking trails you want to experience during your stay.

Croxdale as a Starting Point for Planning Your Trip

Croxdale is particularly suitable for travellers who want to combine several themes in one place: a listed country house, a medieval chapel, a 19th-century church, a historic mill and paths through woodland and river landscapes. Croxdale Mill is the only surviving remnant of a series of mills dating from the 17th to the 19th century along Croxdale Beck. The mill therefore complements the larger buildings by providing an insight into the area’s commercial past.

Whether you prefer peaceful discoveries in the countryside or want to connect historic places along a route: when searching for a holiday apartment in Croxdale, consider which focus suits your planned pace of travel. For further orientation, you can also discover Stanley, Seaham, Haswell, Ebchester, Spennymoor, Bowburn, Shotley Bridge and Hamsterley.

For the higher-level travel overview: Durham.