Our walk took place on the day when a massive storm was forecast for the south of Britain with hurricane force winds and deluges of rain. Up here in the safety of the North we escaped with just some blustery wind and rattling showers.

Starting out in the car park at Coxhoe Leisure Centre, our opening yards wound through terraced streets and back lanes before entering well marked woodland trails by the A177. We were once again blessed with golden October sunshine on this walk and crisp leaves underfoot to enhance our walking.

This corner of the country has so many secret corners and this walk proved to be a delight. We skirted past housing estates and A roads, weaving in and out of newly planted woodland (collecting sloes on the way) before stopping for lunch at Crow Trees viewing point.

Heading back towards Coxhoe, we encountered the empty site of Elizabeth Browning’s birthplace, the subject of this Local Heroes walk. Demolished in 1952 due to subsidence, this imposing house must have enjoyed fine views over the rolling hills of Durham but all that is left now are the cobbles of the courtyard and stonework foundations.