North East

Penshaw Monument's Lambton Worm walk

A family comprising an adult woman, adult man and two small boys under seven walking through green spring woodland — A family walking through countryside around Penshaw Monument in Tyne and Wear | © National Trust Images/John Millar

In local folklore, a fearsome dragon known as the Lambton worm once terrorised the villagers of County Durham. Uncover the myths and legends on this trail around Penshaw Monument and the River Wear to see where the worm may once have slithered.

Near to

Penshaw Monument

Start point

Begin at the bottom of Penshaw Hill, just off the A183

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Address
Begin at the bottom of Penshaw Hill, just off the A183.
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Directions via Google Maps
By train
Chester-le-Street, 5 miles.
On foot
Penshaw Monument is a short walk from Penshaw village.
By bus
A number of buses stop at or near the base of Penshaw Hill, including the X6, X8, 638, 775, 777 and 778.
Cycling
See Sustrans website for local cycle routes.
Sustrans
By road
On the A183, one mile from the A19.
Dogs
Dogs welcome. Please keep on a lead when stock is grazing.
Car park
Free car parking available off Chester Road (A183). Limited parking is available at the bottom of Penshaw Hill. There is further parking nearby at Herrington Country Park.
Toilet
Toilet facilities are available at nearby Herrington Country Park.
Tea-room
Nearby cafés include Love Lily in Herrington Country Park, Penshaw Tearoom and Nursery at the bottom of Penshaw Hill, The New Plough tea and coffee trailer and the Old School House Kitchen in Cox Green.
Total stages: 11
Total stages: 11
Start point
Begin at the bottom of Penshaw Hill, just off the A183
Stage 1
Climb the steps up Penshaw Hill then follow the path left around the base of the monument. From the nearby viewpoint you might spot the top of Lambton Castle between a large area of trees.
Looking south west from the top of Penshaw Hill | © National Trust/Kate Horne
Stage 2
Take the path which leads to steps down into the woods. At the bottom, turn left. After a short distance, pass through a gate and continue straight on.
Stage 3
Ignore the first gate on your right into Penshaw Wood. A little further on, cross a stile on your right to follow a path across fields.
Stage 4
When you reach the road, cross straight over it. Go through the gate to the right of the farm drive, then over a stile, following yellow waymarkers along the edge of a field. Look back for a view of Penshaw Monument peaking above the treetops.
Stage 5
Go through a gate in the field corner, then turn right to pass a barn on your right and follow a path between trees. When the path forks, keep left.
Stage 6
Very soon, you'll come out of the woodland edge into the corner of a field. Turn left to follow the path downhill, then continue down steps towards the river.
Stage 7
Turn right to follow the riverside path, with the river on your left. Continue through the village of Cox Green, past houses and a pub.
The legend of the Lambton Worm continued
By now John had become a brave knight, fighting overseas. On hearing of the terrible trouble he had caused at home, he hurried back. On the way he met a witch in the woods who told him the only way to defeat the worm was to make a suit of armour covered in spikes and fight the beast in the river, so when he chopped it into bits all the pieces would float away.
The River Wear, near the village of Cox Green | © National Trust/Kate Horne
Stage 8
Pass over a small wooden footbridge, then immediately turn right up steps into woodland. Keep straight on up the hill.
Stage 9
Bear left to follow the footpath through Woodhouse Livery's yard and onto a quiet road which leads uphill, with a golf course on your left. Look out for Penshaw Monument coming into view again on your right.
The north side of Penshaw Hill and Penshaw Monument | © National Trust/Kate Horne
Stage 10
Where the road bends left, go through a gate on your right to follow the public footpath. Head diagonally up through the field and into the woods. Ignore the first set of steps on your left and continue along the main path.
Stage 11
Take the next steps on your left which lead up and out of the woods. Follow the middle path towards Penshaw Monument, then take the steps back down the hill to the starting point.
The Legend of the Lambton Worm - the final chapter
Sir John took the witch’s advice and successfully slayed the worm. Finally the little lambs, calves and children were safe again. As you get to the bottom of the hill look back behind you. It’s said that the worm got so large that it could wrap itself 10 times around the hill. Can you see any marks it left in the hillside? Some people believe the worm wrapped itself around Worm Hill in nearby Fatfield rather than Penshaw Hill. What do you think?
End point
The bottom of Penshaw Hill, just off the A183
Trail map
Penshaw Monument Lambton Worm walk | © National Trust
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A view across fields and clumps of trees and bushes towards the Greek style many columned folly of Penshaw Monument on top of a grassy hill against a pale blue sky with light streaks of cloud.

Place

Penshaw Monument

Discover sweeping views and a 70-foot high monument at the summit of Penshaw Hill

Chester Road, Penshaw, Tyne & Wear, DH4 7NJ

01914166879

penshaw.monument@nationaltrust.org.uk

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Start point

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Trail information

Difficulty

Accessibility*

Full trail

Getting here

Facilities

Trail route

Total stages: 11

Total stages: 11

Start point

Stage 1

Point of interest

Stage 2

Point of interest

Stage 3

Point of interest

Stage 4

Point of interest

Stage 5

Point of interest

Stage 6

Stage 7

Point of interest

Stage 8

Stage 9

Stage 10

Stage 11

Point of interest

End point

Trail map

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