This year we headed to Cowfest North at Ushaw Historic House parkrun. Initially when the Cowfest locations were announced I had already been planning on going there. Not only was it going to be a letter U needed for my second alphabet, and a Floating Wilson number, but I had heard it was a great place to stay. So booked it immediately. Turned oput to be my 4th U!
Ushaw Historic House, Woodland Road, Ushaw Moor, Durham, DH7 7DW
Facilities
- Free parking
- Other transport options available – including a bus from Durham.
- Toilets
- Breakfast (Ushaw Historic House stay includes breakfast before parkrun. Alternatively they can make you a “pack up” and the lovely Kyle had it ready for us for after parkrun. You can vote for Kyle here.
- Beautiful house and gardens (Songs of Praise were recording there too)!
- Outdoor play park.
As we stayed in Ushaw Historic House we had access to the house and gardens whilst it was quiet. We even got a preview of the new exhibitions – as a bonus to the ones already there!
Plus it is a lovely walk into the town where we utilised the fish and chip shop. There were other options available too.
Volunteering at Cowfest North at Ushaw Historic House parkrun
Offering to Volunteer
Cowfest tends to be busy so after I booked my hotel I e-mailed in to see if I could help out with one of the early roles. It made sense as the start was so close to where I was staying. Either with pre-event set up or car parking. As I did still wish to run too.
They were quick to reply that helping with car parking would be great.
The Volunteering Itself
For car parking duty I was to meet at the start for 8am. There were already people setting things up. Fortunately this gave me a chance to get a photo of the Ushaw Historic House parkrun sign. I was greeted and explained what to do and I went and got my jacket. A few times I was moved around to different places (not too far away from each other) as they figured out what would work best I guess.
Luckily I was told it was okay to go at around 8:50. This gave me time to find the toilet before the start. It did mean that I had to make the decision not to be in the group photo though.
What I Learnt whilst Volunteering
It really did open my eyes as to why people say you should try volunteering in the different roles. Actually this completed the Volunteer of All Trades Challenge – as I have now completed 10 different volunteer roles.
People seemed to think they knew what to do, and there was just no reason for me to be there! But as it was people needed directing to different places due to the “Songs Of Praise” recording. Plus, when the car park was full they still needed directing through the carpark to get to the field where they now needed to park.
The Course at Ushaw Historic House parkrun
Really a two lap course. Small field, around the house and garden, a bit of wood, and another field. Lovely wood carvings to see.
It was perfectly fine in just road shoes but may have been very different in wet weather as you run on grass and a bit of a woody area.
Obviously I just needed to follow the person in front. As I had missed the first timers briefing I just asked another volunteer, Lee, if there was anything I needed to know. Having read it on the Ushaw Historic House parkrun page it sounded quiet complicated. It turns out that I think it was roughly two laps but with a bit around the field where you start added on.
However, on the second time around I managed to confuse myself about where to go through some bollards that had jackets over them. This was a combination of the woman I was following slowing down too much and the sheer exhaustion of the heat.
My Experience
Ushaw Historic House parkrun was such a lovely event on a nice course. Varied, if not a little challenging. To get out of the first field there’s a little incline – which you have to do three times!
Although I missed some Cowfest pre faff my husband managed to get me a badge someone had made and was giving away. Also I managed to get a photo with B19gles. The RD did a great speech about the Boomerangs too!
Jeffing at Ushaw Historic House parkrun
As it was so hot I decided to Jeff it. With a 60:30 ratio. The only time I ignored the walk was the very first one. At the start there was a dog yapping what felt really close to me and in quite in the middle of the pack. After being bitten by a dog at parkrun I have witnessed another lady having being bitten and heard of a further third bite so am a bit nervous.
Then it took a while before they said go because taking a group start photo. My anxiety was just shooting up. Then felt I went off too fast and this is why I didn’t walk the first time my alarm went off.
The Course itself and Jeffing
Generally Ushaw Historic House parkrun was okay to Jeff. Although some parts were more difficult than others. Pinch points meant that at times I walked as fast as people in front ran but couldn’t get around. Most people were nice about my jeffing. There was a part where we went around the junior field and not much room to overtake but I really couldn’t ignore my walk alert and the runner passing told me it was totally fine.
Thank you to all the volunteers for the encouragement. But particularly Lee who used my name when telling me how great I was doing. Thanks to Chris Cull for the photos. Despite not getting sub 30 (it was far too hot to Jeff that fast), I did manage a short sprint finish.
Ushaw Historic House parkrun Stats Event 30
Unfortunately an event was cancelled between when I booked and Cowfest – so I ended up doing 30 twice. The stats are as follows:
- 314 finishers – 156 of each sex and 2 unknown
- 18:40-1:04:46
- 3 sub 20
- First female 12th in 21:17 (SW20-24) 69.54% age grade
- 48 sub 25
- 139 sub 30
- 48 Hi Vis Heroes
- 32 PBs
- 6 people doing their very first parkrun
- 198 tourists
- It also turns out that it was my husband’s 300th parkrun too!
Age Grading
Highest was VW65-69 in 26:42 – 79.46% (position 69)
Male was VM60-64 in 20:53 (78.85%) position 7.
What is Cowfest?
Although Cowfest is an annual event for parkrun tourists to meet up, the last one we attended was the end of September 2025. You can read all about it and more information on Cowfest itself on that post.
Visit these other bloggers who cover parkrun: Sarah at Mum of Three World, Jackie at Never Imitate and Chrissy at It’s Me Chrissy J and Nickie at I am Typecast