Low Burnhall. Walk

Spoiler alert! Although this area is managed by The Woodland Trust, Low Burnhall is not all mature woodland, yet. This is a relatively new nature reserve with many well-maintained paths, which are quite wide, so you feel like you are in theopen. I suggest taking a photo of the reserve map on the notice board near the carpark.

I chose this route to take in most of the sculptures/installations, and visited in theSpring, especially since it was dry.

I took a lime path lined with the beautiful May blossom. My first expectation for the first installation was for a Stonehenge-type structure, as it is called Stone Circle. It was, in reality, low stone boulders that I guess encourage a posse to sit around and tell tales of folklore.

Continuing on, it wasn't far till I glimpsed the Wicker Miners' children silhouetted against the backdrop of Croxdale and Hett Civil Parish. The Wicker children playing hoops are tall for their age.

Nearby, the Wicker Miner is enjoying the view. His jacket buttons give us a subtle idea of the artist.

Created by Ruth Thompson and Anna Turnbull under the name Sylvan Skills.

Take the steps down beside George and head south until a left turn, which will lead you north-east. It feels like you are heading back in the direction you came from. However, you swing around right to an area of juvenile trees, and even go through a bit of it. I managed to end up in a nice clover field and went to the end and turned right, where I went to investigate Saltwell Gill. This unfortunately has the record for Top of the Poops when I researched about it, as much sewage had been discharged into it. I can say it didn't look or smell of effluence.

The footbridge leads on to Pinnock Hill, which is featured in the 4 hillocks and a Ridge Walk Outside Durham.

Turn back and head left and south, which swoops around and then back up to a Stone Spiral. I'm not sure you would call it spiral if asked what it was without knowing. Most likely, give a nod to Alan Shearer and the wearing of the number 9 shirt!

With your back to the stone spiral, take the route on the right heading south and to the River Wear. You don't see the river for a stretch, but there are glimpses. You will be following this for a while. There is only one tricky bit where you see a gate, but don't go through it, instead follow the river, enjoying the vistas.

As you get to the south east corner of Low Burnhall Woods, you should see a wicker lady attending her chucks.

This is the Wicker Miner's Wife, and she has lived here since 2012. She is a tall lady of 15 feet and created by Sylvan Skills and Biteabout Arts. There are several styles and techniques in her creation, using willow, oak, holly, and blackthorn. It was completed over a two-week period by Ruth and Anna. Be sure to look into her eyes, and what do you see? Cleverly made eh!

She has not yet collected the eggs laid by her 4 hens.

I turn back and head left/west, which is the right-hand path in the photo. We're off to the Willow Arbour.

As I was the happy wanderer, it got me thinking about the use of willow here, and I thought it was not naturally growing here, when I came across a Willow bush/tree. Without knowing, you can easily dismiss this as just a tree, but there is a bench around the other side, and voilà, an arbour!

Continuing westerly, I came upon the next structure, which reminded me of a sink plunger! It is called Plant for the Future. The metal plate gave details while a spider posed.

Then head North East to the observation point (as it states on the map), or for many, a bird hide.

It has started to drizzle, so I snuck inside and had a lovely 10 minutes watching the light rain come down against a background of verdant trees. The main vista was over pleasing marshland. The only bird I saw was a stonechat. Back to the walk and with your back to the hide, take a northerly direction or the 2 o'clock path.

I was heading for the Stepping Stones, which looked like a giant mythological snake awaiting a suspect.

It is then to the left/northwest direction crossing over the tarmac lane, and choosing your pathway to the Willow Tunnel. You go under the high-voltage electricnetwork. To make it easier for myself, I opted to keep closer to the A167 and then take the path on the right by the kissing gate. As I got there, I didn't spot the Willow Tunnel at first because I saw what I believe is a cast iron Boiler End, probably left/found from industry in the 19th century. Croxdale Coal Pit was in the area back then. Take a look at the riveted plate technology. It may have been more recently used as a cattle feeder/water trough.

Of course, it's a must to go through the tunnel and I had a beam of sunlight too.

It's then a head north and back to thecar park. Nearby is The Story at Mount Oswald, where there is free parking, free admission to the museum, and facilities including toilets and a café.