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At the first junction ///games.rate.shack the path to the right goes off to the Redhall Estate named after the red brick hall built on this site and latterly left to rack and ruin before being demolished for this estate of the same name. Above is the old house and below what remains of the old gateway to the Redhall Drive which now leads into the Redhall Estate. Latterly Redhall was used as a riding school then bought by Darlington Borough Council. The land where the stables were located has not been developed. A good portion of this land around the Skerne and down to Redhall Nature Reserve is a designated flood plain.
To the North of Redhall estate you can look over to the river Skerne which has travelled many miles on its journey south to the River Tees and is home to both passing water voles and otters. The area of pasture adjacent to the Redhall Estate is part of a large flood plain which provides valuable flood storage during storms, helping to reduce flooding downstream. Past industrial activities including Haughton Watermill have changed the meandering nature of the river through straightening. Future restoration of its natural character will encourage important habitat within and next to the river. The restored river will help wildlife which is already home to water voles, kingfishers and others.
Walking from the junction of Haughton Road and McMullan Road ///acute.hops.oval is the begining of an interesting walk along the south side of the River Skerne, the Anglo-Saxon's knew it as Sherne the shining river. Under the Norse influence Shrene became Skerne, bright water. This area like most other green spaces are Council Owned and as we make our way east there are several different parcels of land with different descriptions. For the sake of simplicity I will refer to this as the Skerne Valley Linear Park for the stretch of green space up to and beyond the A1150 Stockton Road. In total the area of land is in excess of 13 Ha. running initially to the south of the Skerne and then after Mill Lane and crossing footbridge over the river runs north of the Skerne in total just over a mile.
A path can be followed straight on keeping the river to your left around the Redhall development ending at Redhall Nature Reserve which includes three ponds and a total distance of 1 mile.
Walking along the Skerne but then taking a path alongside the Redhall Estate is some pasture which is a designated flood plain. The estate itself is lucky to have this vast open green space but also centrally located an extensive play area. If you continue on this path you will get to Redhall Nature Reserve which is featured on another page. Redhall Nature reserve link
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