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Beamish woods and surrounding areas have long been somewhere to head on your bike for off road stuff, and some of the lanes and roads around there are great for road riding.
Durham Council are obviously looking to get in with the gravel scene as they have spread fresh gravel chippings for a mile and a half along a perfectly good road surface.
From the entrance of the museum to the junction with Beamish burn road where the climbing starts it's about an inch deep. The 2 steep and long descents from the museum entrance end past the farm and golf club down to beamish hall are as sketchy as it gets. Don't be twitching on the brakes.
I went through yesterday afternoon and a 20 strong MCC club ride went through last night, looks like a place to avoid on the road bike for a good few weeks till it beds in or washes away leaving a half finished crappy surface.
If your looking for somewhere to check out actual gravel on your gravel bike then you know where to go!