Rokeby Park Walk

rokeby park walk

2 miles Map ref: O/S 599 (N201/11)
The Morritt - Rokeby Park Circular

Rokeby Park, which this short walk encircles, is a delightful blend of parkland and riverside scenery.

Your walk takes you across the A66 along the outer wall of the park. Looking across to your left the splendid Bowes Museum and the ruins of Egglestone Abbey are viewed in the distance.

At the gates to Rokeby Park the house can be seen, a beautifully proportioned, five-bay Palladian villa, designed in the 1730's by its owner Sir Thomas Robinson, one of the leading amateur architects of the day. With increasing commitments in London, Sir Thomas sold Rokeby to J.S. Morritt, and the house is still in the possession of the Morritt family today.

Sir Walter Scott was a frequent visitor to the house, composing his poem 'Rokeby' in the grounds using what has become known as 'Scott's Cave'. John Sell Cotman, Thomas Girten and J.M.W. Turner were also inspired by the beautiful landscapes surrounding Rokeby.

Just past the entrance you join the Teesdale Way following the River Tees along to the 'Meeting of the Waters' where the River Greta joins the Tees. Walking across the haunted Dairy Bridge, the path follows the wall along to the entrance to Mortham Tower. The path then climbs to a Dutch barn before dropping down to follow the north bank of the River Greta returning over the arched bridge to the Morritt Arms Hotel and a refreshing pot of tea!