Watergate Park history walk

Meet at Watergate Cafe. Car parks at Lobley Hill on Whickham Highway (B6317) or A692.
Watergate Park is the site of the former Watergate Colliery, in use 1924-1964, but its long history includes part of the Tanfield Railway dating from 1725, the site of the medieval manor house of Fugar, and is overlooked by the Roman fort at Washingwells. Reclamation and landscaping in the 1990s created the forest park, waterfall and lake (a haven for wildlife), sculptures and viewing points. This walk is about 2.5 miles (4km) on paths including steps, uneven (often muddy!) ground, next to a lake and streams, and some steep hills. Car parking available near Emmanuel College.