How to get there - From A690 (Leazes Road) in Durham turn down Freeman's Place. Park a few hundred yards past an old ice rink. (map)
Suggested Launch Site - Launch from the ice rink car park on the right bank downstream of Durham's last weir. Don't tackle the weir.
General
Description - The five miles to Finchale Priory have good flow with some grade 2 rapids. Easy enough in a kayak but take care in a canadian.
Land left in the middle of the rapid just below the footbridge at Finchale Priory. (map). Good campsite. The next 8 miles to Chester-le-Street are pretty much all smooth water. Plenty of easy landing points by the bridge in Chester-le-Street. (map) (route)
I last paddled this about six years ago and experienced no problems, but there have been more recent reports of abusive fishermen.
