Discover Lanchester: Nature Trails and Roman Heritage

Lanchester combines Roman traces with varied paths and nature-based experiences. Anyone planning a trip can choose between historical discoveries, short walks and longer circular routes. When searching for a holiday apartment or holiday house, it makes sense to first determine the type of trip you want: Should the accommodation serve as a base for walks, are cultural attractions the main focus, or would you like different types of excursions for the whole family?

Roman History and Special Church Art

A notable cultural point of interest is All Saints in Lanchester. The chancel displays three panels of medieval stained glass. The church also has Roman columns and a Roman altar. This brings medieval art and Roman evidence together in a single historic building. If you would like to visit All Saints, access can be arranged through the vicar or churchwardens. You should therefore plan this visit as a separate item on your itinerary and allow for the necessary contact beforehand.

The Roman past can also be encountered outside the church. The site of the Roman fort of Longovicium can be viewed from a lay-by on the B6296 west of the village of Lanchester. The fort itself is not open to the public because it is on private land. The Lanchester Roman Walk passes over the site of the Roman fort and crosses the route of the Roman road Dere Street. This makes it possible to combine the historic landscape with a walk without claiming that the fort itself can be entered.

Walks for Different Daily Itineraries

The Lanchester Roman Walk is a 5-mile, moderate circular route. It is suitable for a more active day on which the distance itself forms an important part of the experience. Another option is the Greencroft Walk, which runs for over 5 miles through Lanchester Parish. The two routes therefore provide concrete reference points for planning your day, while the Roman connections of the Lanchester Roman Walk create a distinctive thematic focus.

The circular route at Malton Picnic Area is considerably shorter. It is 0.5 miles (800 m) long and suitable for pedestrians, wheelchair users and people with pushchairs. This precise route length can be helpful if you would like to plan a shorter walk alongside a longer hike. Malton Picnic Area includes habitats with woodland, riverbank and a wildflower meadow.

Malton Nature Area and Wildlife Experiences

Malton Nature Reserve features a diverse landscape of oak woodland, mature hedgerows, ponds, meadows and scrubland. Its ponds attract reed moths, great crested newts and dragonflies. From Lanchester, the nature reserve can be reached by regular buses from Durham to Consett. From the Lanchester, Durham Road (A691) stop, follow the path to the reserve.

For an excursion with a different focus, Lanchester Garden Centre includes a zoo. Hall Hill Farm offers the opportunity to see and touch animals at close range, and also provides a ride on a farm trailer. The usual daily programme includes donkey rides, bottle-feeding lambs, a puppet show, pony grooming and getting to know the farm animals. This selection makes it easier to switch between nature observation, activity and a more experience-oriented day.

The Right Accommodation for Your Plans

When choosing accommodation, you can use the combination of nature, Roman history and different types of excursions as a guide. A holiday apartment in Lanchester is therefore a suitable search option for planning a varied trip.

More Destinations for Your Search

If you would like to compare Lanchester with other destinations in this selection, you can also include Hunwick, Bishop Auckland, Evenwood, Tow Law, Consett, Stanhope, Byers Green and Bishop Middleham in your research.

To the main travel overview: Durham.