IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Hownsgill Industrial Park, CONSETT, DH8 7NU

Part of the National Cycleway No. 7, the Coast to Coast using the dismantled Stanhope & Tyne Railway.

The Consett and Sunderland railway path is a component of the C2C cycle route, and carries large numbers of recreational cyclists throughout the year. This section runs between Lydgett Junction and the Consett By-pass

Winter view alongside the Consett and Sunderland Railway Path near the town centre. A belt of trees and scrubs line this section of the path.

Alongside the Consett & Sunderland Railway Walk. Trees in autumn colours.

These very striking giant surveying instruments have become a popular symbol for the town.

From Sustrans website:Terris Novalis by Tony Cragg This work consists of two measuring instruments; a theodolite and an engineer's level, faithfully reproduced an incredible twenty times life size, standing approximately six metres tall. Made from stainless steel and supported on animal feet, this awe inspiring work is visible for many miles and stands as a monument to the history of the area and a prominent mile marker for the C2C cycle route. The animal feet that hold these instruments aloft were inspired by symbolic heraldry found on shields, coats of arms, plaques and similar items associated with land and ownership. Included are a bird of prey, a horse lion, crocodile, cow and a primate's hand. Cast in solid stainless steel, from originals carved by Tony Cragg, these large feet are both beautiful and at the same time, daunting. The work sited at Consett, marks the watershed between the upland / moorland landscape and the extremes of the Industrial Age. Built on the Stanhope and Tyne Railway Line - the earliest commercial railway in Britain - Terris Novalis marks what was once Europe's largest steel works. Local people see this landmark as a monument to the scale of local industry and its demise - the tragedy that has followed.

Looking along the Consett & Sunderland Railway Path in the snow.

View northeast up the section from Lydgett's Junction to Consett. There is currently (2020) a proposal to reopen this former line to provide a rail link to Tyneside for Consett. Any new line would follow this route, but the prospects aren't that good. It would cost a lot of money.

From Sustrans website:Terris Novalis by Tony Cragg This work consists of two measuring instruments; a theodolite and an engineer's level, faithfully reproduced an incredible twenty times life size, standing approximately six metres tall. Made from stainless steel and supported on animal feet, this awe inspiring work is visible for many miles and stands as a monument to the history of the area and a prominent mile marker for the C2C cycle route. The animal feet that hold these instruments aloft were inspired by symbolic heraldry found on shields, coats of arms, plaques and similar items associated with land and ownership. Included are a bird of prey, a horse lion, crocodile, cow and a primate's hand. Cast in solid stainless steel, from originals carved by Tony Cragg, these large feet are both beautiful and at the same time, daunting. The work sited at Consett, marks the watershed between the upland / moorland landscape and the extremes of the Industrial Age. Built on the Stanhope and Tyne Railway Line - the earliest commercial railway in Britain - Terris Novalis marks what was once Europe's largest steel works. Local people see this landmark as a monument to the scale of local industry and its demise - the tragedy that has followed.

A sculpture of a theodolite in stainless steel by the side of the Coast to Coast route.