NEHL - The East Holywell Colliery railway met the mainline at Shiremoor, and was entirely single track to East Holywell Colliery. The line then followed a track from the Fenwick Pit to the C Pit which opened in 1828 as the A Pit at Holywell, but another pit was later sunk at the same site which became the Fenwick Pit.

The line was incredibly modest and will have only been worked by small tank locomotives throughout its life. It led over a small timber viaduct at Holywell Dene to reach the C Pit in the village. The stone culverting of the dene underneath can still be seen today.

WALKABILITY: ★★★★★

The line is an extremely pleasant walk between Shiremoor (or Northumberland Park) and Holywell. The ground is mostly even and very little of it has been constructed on. It is suitable for anyone of any ability as well as those with pushchairs and mobility aids.

The Metro can be caught from Northumberland Park, then you can walk past the shopping precinct and make your way from the old line at Earsdon Road. You can follow the entire course from here, under the A186, past the original engine house and up the straight gravel path to Holywell village. You can catch a bus back down to North Shields, Whitley Bay or continue walking to Seaton Delaval for better connections.