Gardens North East

Outdoors and days out

Country parks and forests for a North East day out

Some days call for space rather than flower borders: a long walk, a bike ride, a picnic and somewhere for children and dogs to run. The region has plenty, from vast forest to city parks a bus ride from home.

By the Gardens North East teamPublished , 3 min read

A forest trail with a footbridge over a stream

The big forests

Kielder Water and Forest Park, in the far west of Northumberland, is the region's largest outdoor space: forest, a huge reservoir, walking and cycling routes, and some of the darkest night skies in England. It is a full day out, so plan food and fuel before you go.

In County Durham, Hamsterley Forest offers waymarked walks and cycle trails through mixed woodland. Local family bloggers North East Family Fun have written up a day there with children.

By the sea

Druridge Bay Country Park sits just behind a long Northumberland beach, so you can walk the sand and the park in one trip. The visitor centre makes it a reliable base in changeable weather. Our family beaches guide covers more of the coast.

City and town parks

You do not have to drive for an hour to find green space. In Newcastle, Jesmond Dene follows a wooded valley through the east of the city, looked after with the help of the parks charity Urban Green Newcastle. Nearby, Ouseburn Farm is a city farm run as a charity.

Across the river, Saltwell Park is Gateshead's big Victorian park. In Sunderland, Mowbray Park sits beside the Museum and Winter Gardens, a good fallback when it rains. In South Tyneside, Jarrow Hall combines a museum, farm and gardens.

Making the day easier

  • Check car park charges and opening times on each site's own page before you travel.
  • Waymarked trails are graded by length and difficulty at many forest sites; pick one to suit the youngest walker.
  • Keep dogs on leads near livestock and ground-nesting birds, and follow any signs on site.
  • Take layers and waterproofs. Upland forests can be several degrees colder and wetter than the coast.

Back home

A day of running around outside is a reminder of how much use a family garden gets. If yours is more mud than lawn, our turfing cost guide explains what goes into a new lawn and how to compare quotes, and when to lay turf covers timing.

Questions readers ask

Are country parks free?

Entry to most parks and forests is free, but parking often is not. Check charges on the site's own page.

Where can I go when it rains?

Sites with indoor space nearby, such as the Winter Gardens in Sunderland, Jarrow Hall or the Druridge Bay visitor centre, make rainy days easier.

Can I cycle in the forests?

Kielder and Hamsterley both have cycle routes. Check the routes and any trail closures before you go.

For your own garden

Places mentioned