Consett


tourist information centre
0191 3702533 (Beamish)

Whitehaven to Consett 110 miles
Consett to Sunderland 24 miles

a potted history
Before the early 1800s the Consett area was a wild and desolate place, then with the formation of the Derwent Iron Company came a degree of prosperity and a town built on industry. However with the dismantling of the steel works in 1980 the town went through a very desolate period, but with funding and a lot of work by the towns people and local and national assistance Consett is now building a better future.

places of interest
The Glass Gallery - a unique handmade range of gifts and crafts exhibited by over 60 artist's.
Terris Novalis - stainless steel surveying instruments depicted in 20ft high sculptures symbolising the areas economic regeneration.
Beamish Museum - just a short distance out of Consett lies this world famous outdoor museum. Try to budget for at least half a days visiting time, it is well worth it.

eating/drinking places
Joegios - Front Street, Consett. Italian restaurant recommended by Paul Hughes
The Grey Horse pub - a 'real' pub but with the added attraction of it's own on-site brewery.
The Demi - 2 minutes ride from the route on Albert Road, Consett.
The pub is the clubhouse for the local rugby club but is in the centre of the town. A lot of the rugby boys cycle and each year do their own coast to coast ride meaning that cyclists are always welcome. The management have no problem with bikes being taken in and bearing in mind it is a sporting club they have a good mix for anyone who wants a beer, or those who want lucozade for the final push to the coast! Food is also available. Recommended by John Paul L Heatherington

cycle shops
Consett Cycle Co. - 62, Medomsley Road, Consett Tel: 01207 581205

route features click here for a map of Consett
The vast majority of the route is now on cycle paths and is downhill or level going which makes it a nice change from the previous days hills, a word of warning though, it is too easy to go fast and miss out lots so take it easy and enjoy the easy riding. Consett is the place where you choose between either Sunderland or Newcastle. The choice is yours with both routes offering something different, the Newcastle section takes you on the Derwent Walk which is a delightful wooded track almost all the way to Newcastle while the Sunderland route is again on a disused railway track but this time with a few more barriers to contend with. It is six of one and half a dozen of the other although I mainly pplump for Sunderland as it is the 'traditional' finish point. You can now download a route map for Consett from the Urban Areas page of the site.

The route leading up to Consett takes you over Hownsgill Viaduct which was constructed in 1857 to carry the Stanhope and Tyne Railway, if you suffer from vertigo then don't look down! Dominating the landscape above the old Consett steelworks site is the Terris Novalis sculpture, built from stainless steel, which was designed to symbolize the economic regeneration of the region. You will find a lot more sculptures on the route from hereon in particularly on the section of route near the Beamish Museum, my favourites being the steel cows.

recommendations
If you have found a cafe, eating place, cycle shop or anywhere you might like to recommend to other C2C'ers then send it in for inclusion into The C2C Guide.

Hownsgill Bunkhouse
John & Stephen Shaw
Hownsgill Farm, Consett,
Co. Durham, DH8 9AA

tel: 01207 503597
mob: 07946797278

e-mail: hownsgill_bunkhouse@hotmail.co.uk
web site: www.c2cstopoff.co.uk


rooms .... room 1 has 1 set bunk beds - room 2 has 2 sets bunk beds
                  room 3 has 2 sets bunk beds - room 4 has a double bed
months open .... all year
B& B .... from £16 bed only
evening meal .... no although nearest eating place is only 1 mile away
non-smoking .... yes
secure cycle storage .... yes
distance from route .... 100 metres
distance from pub .... 1 miles

Hownsgill Bunkhouse offers 12 bed accommodation in 4 bedrooms, comprehensively fitted kitchen/dining area, WC/Shower area also suitable for less able as is access to property. Patio & barbecue area available. Located on Lydgetts Junction, ideal for exploring NCN routes 7 & 14.

Bee Cottage Guest House
David Blackburn or Irene Mordey
Bee Cottage Guest House, Castleside, Consett,
Co. Durham, DH8 9HW
tel: 01207 508224
e-mail: beecottage68@aol.com
web site: www.beecottage.co.uk

rooms .... 2 double - 2 twin - 4 family - 8 en suite
months open .... all year
B& B .... min £32.00 - max £40 p.p.p.n.
evening meal .... yes
packed lunch .... yes
non-smoking .... yes
secure cycle storage .... yes
distance from route .... 400 metres
distance from pub .... 4 miles
grading .... Visit Britain 4 Star

Bee Cottage enjoys a superb location overlooking the Durham Dales and is ideally situated to accommodate cyclists on the C2C route. We offer all of our guests a warm welcome, a relaxed atmosphere and comfortable surroundings for the duration of their stay.

Deneview

Catherine O'Keefe
15 Front Street, Castleside, Consett,
Co. Durham, DH8 9AR
tel: 01207 502925
e-mail: catherine@deneview.co.uk
home page: www.deneview.co.uk

rooms .... 1 double - 1 twin - 2 single - 4 en suite
months open .... all year
B&B .... £25.00 - £30.00 per person
evening meal .... no, although public house is close by
packed lunch .... yes
non-smoking .... no
secure cycle parking .... yes
distance from route .... approx 0.5 miles
pub .... 25 yards
grading .... 4 star

Superior B & B accommodation in Castleside village. Colour digital TV. Radio and Tea/Coffee making facilities. Only 25 yards from an excellent pub serving meals each day. 4 Diamond Award

Crown and Crossed Swords Hotel

Sheila, Victoria or Maureen
Front Street, Shotley Bridge, Consett, Co. Durham, DH8 0HU
tel: 01207 502006 fax: 01207 583111

rooms .... 1 single - 2 double - 4 twin - 2 family - 4 en suite
months open .... all year
B&B .... from £25
evening meal .... yes
packed lunch .... yes but please book in advance
secure cycle parking .... yes
distance from route .... 2 miles

Small Country Hotel in village 2 miles from Consett town centre. Public Bar, Lounge Bar, Restaurant and ten letting bedrooms. Private car park



Consett Y.M.C.A.

Mr. David Hodgson
YMCA, Parliament Street, Consett, Co. Durham, DH8 5DH
tel: 01207 502680
fax: 01207 501578
e-mail: ymca@derwentside.org.uk
home page: www.consettymca.org

rooms .... 10 family/dormitories - 2 en suite
months open .... all year
B&B .... £13.50
evening meal .... £5.00
packed lunch .... £3.00
secure cycle parking .... yes
distance from route .... 200 yards
pub .... 200 yards

Modern Hostel accommodation for youth groups, schools, colleges and very     suitable for families, on the C2C cycle route. Consett YMCA also has excellent provision of outdoor activities and is a licensed provider of Adventure Activities Programmes and holidays a speciality