*this article was originally posted in September 2018 and was updated in March 2023.
Sometimes the rest of my family does need a little persuading though, and the promise of a hot chocolate in a cafe and a play park will normally do it.
Today I am sharing my 10 favourite walks to take with the family that all have a cafe and a play area nearby. Be sure to share your favourites in the comments too.
The Rising Sun Country Park is probably the walk we take the most. It has featured on my blog 4-5 times over the years and I love it as it's so diverse.
There are various walking routes to follow which are clearly signposted. You can choose to walk in the woods, visit a community farm (under new management and currently very limited), walk around a pond and look through bird hides or even climb up a huge pit heap.
Parking is free and there's a lovely cafe at the visitor centre with beautiful views. There is a natural woodland play park is next to the cafe and a smaller area for toddlers too.
Essentials for Family Walks
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- I love these Wildlife Guides for Kids - ideal for learning more about the plants and insects you spot on your walk
- This bug hunting kit for little ones comes with a backpack, magnifying glass, net, flashlight and more and is really reasonably priced.
- These insulated water bottles for kids are ideal for little ones and will keep their water nice and cool
- If you are looking to save money, take a flask of coffee rather than visiting a cafe. Here are some nice flasks/leak proof mugs worth investing in.
- Again, if you want to take snacks with you, I really like this snack storage box for kids and these are an absolute bargain - I use them to make DIY lunchables
- You can't trust the British weather and it's always handy to have a pac-a-mac in your bag
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1 - Rising Sun Country Park
There are various walking routes to follow which are clearly signposted. You can choose to walk in the woods, visit a community farm (under new management and currently very limited), walk around a pond and look through bird hides or even climb up a huge pit heap.
Parking is free and there's a lovely cafe at the visitor centre with beautiful views. There is a natural woodland play park is next to the cafe and a smaller area for toddlers too.
Read more about Rising Sun Country Park in my blog post review here.
Plessey Woods is just up the road from us and I'm guilty of not visiting often enough. There's a special art trail running through the woodland which my kids love, you can look out for the trolls, swamp and fairy doors (2023 update - this trail has now been partially removed).
The walk can be hilly in parts and does get muddy in the wet weather but don't let that put you off. You can choose to walk along the river, across meadows and through woodland.
There's a play park and visitor centre/cafe at the entrance near the car park. Read more about Plessey Woods in my blog post review here.
Kielder Water is a bit of a drive (I think it's 17 miles from the nearest town) but it's somewhere that is most definitely worth it.
During our last trip, we didn't spot another person in the forest and it felt as if we had the place to ourselves.
Kielder is a place you can truly escape (especially as there's no phone signal) yet there are over 30 things to do in Kielder.
The free Zog trail (opens Easter 2023) is great fun for the family and there are a couple of little play parks spread about the site (as well as a Minotaur maze). The main Visitor Centre near the car park serves drinks and snacks too (do check their opening hours) or I'd recommend the pub at Landal Waterside a short drive away which has a small indoor play area and a fantastic outdoor play area for kids.
- Postcode: NE12 9SS (free parking)
- More Information: Visit the Rising Sun Country Park website here
2 - Plessey Woods
The walk can be hilly in parts and does get muddy in the wet weather but don't let that put you off. You can choose to walk along the river, across meadows and through woodland.
There's a play park and visitor centre/cafe at the entrance near the car park. Read more about Plessey Woods in my blog post review here.
- Postcode: NE22 6AN (paid parking)
- More Information: Visit the Plessey Woods website here
3 - Kielder Forest
During our last trip, we didn't spot another person in the forest and it felt as if we had the place to ourselves.
Kielder is a place you can truly escape (especially as there's no phone signal) yet there are over 30 things to do in Kielder.
The free Zog trail (opens Easter 2023) is great fun for the family and there are a couple of little play parks spread about the site (as well as a Minotaur maze). The main Visitor Centre near the car park serves drinks and snacks too (do check their opening hours) or I'd recommend the pub at Landal Waterside a short drive away which has a small indoor play area and a fantastic outdoor play area for kids.
- Postcode: NE48 1ER (paid parking)
- More Information: Visit the Kielder Forest website here
4 - Carlisle Park, Morpeth
There are formal gardens with aviaries or you can walk along the river or through the woods too.
There's a new-ish pavillion cafe and it's a 2-minute walk into Morpeth town centre where you'll be spoilt for choice for places to grab a drink or a bite to eat.
A brand new play park has just opened at Druridge Bay Country Park and it looks fab! The walk around Ladyburn Lake is perfect for toddlers (just over a mile in length) and the cafe in the visitor centre serves lovely hot chocolates with beautiful views.
The beach is at the end of the walk too (and in my opinion, it's one of the best in Northumberland). Read more about Druridge Bay Country Park in my blog post review here.
We visited Derwent Reservoir for the first time in 2018 (in the pouring rain) and were really impressed.
There's a lovely adventure play area with lots to keep kids of all ages occupied, a football pitch, enclosed dog exercise area and small visitor centre with cafe where you can also pick up a free trail to complete around the reservoir.
- Postcode: NE61 1PR (3 hours free parking with a Northumberland disc - available for £1 from the leisure centre)
- More Information: Visit the Carlisle Park website here
5 - Druridge Bay Country Park
The beach is at the end of the walk too (and in my opinion, it's one of the best in Northumberland). Read more about Druridge Bay Country Park in my blog post review here.
- Postcode: NE61 5BX (paid parking)
- More Information: Visit the Druridge Bay Country Park website here
6 - Derwent Waterside Park
We visited Derwent Reservoir for the first time in 2018 (in the pouring rain) and were really impressed.
There's a lovely adventure play area with lots to keep kids of all ages occupied, a football pitch, enclosed dog exercise area and small visitor centre with cafe where you can also pick up a free trail to complete around the reservoir.
It's such a fab day out for families. Read more about Derwent Reservoir in my blog post review here.
Thornley Woodlands Centre is just down the road from Gibside but should not be overlooked by it's bigger sister.
The visitor centre and cafe is fab for kids with toys to play, fact sheets to read and crafts to enjoy. There is a variety of woodland walks to enjoy - we like the sculpture trail but there are longer walks available too.
There isn't a formal play area here but there are natural play environments around the walk and toys inside of the visitor centre. Read more about Thornley Woodland Centre in my blog post review here.
If you're looking for a coastal walk that's perfect for kids, Blyth Beach to Seaton Sluice and back is ideal.
There's not one but three play parks to choose from (two at Blyth Beach and one at Seaton Sluice) and you can enjoy a nice drink and ice cream at Cicarrellis Ice Cream Parlour at Blyth Beach.
- Postcode: DH8 9TT (paid parking)
- More Information: Visit the Derwent Waterside Park website here
7 - Thornley Woodlands
Thornley Woodlands Centre is just down the road from Gibside but should not be overlooked by it's bigger sister.
The visitor centre and cafe is fab for kids with toys to play, fact sheets to read and crafts to enjoy. There is a variety of woodland walks to enjoy - we like the sculpture trail but there are longer walks available too.
There isn't a formal play area here but there are natural play environments around the walk and toys inside of the visitor centre. Read more about Thornley Woodland Centre in my blog post review here.
- Postcode: NE39 1AU
- More Information: Visit the Derwent Walk Country Park website here
8 - South Beach Blyth to Seaton Sluice
If you're looking for a coastal walk that's perfect for kids, Blyth Beach to Seaton Sluice and back is ideal.
There's not one but three play parks to choose from (two at Blyth Beach and one at Seaton Sluice) and you can enjoy a nice drink and ice cream at Cicarrellis Ice Cream Parlour at Blyth Beach.
Read more about South Beach Blyth in my blog post review here.
Jesmond Dene has always been a favourite amongst families looking for a walk and it's another place that has the best of everything.
As well as a visitor centre and cafe, there's also Pets Corner (which is free to visit - limited animals there at the moment) a nice little play area, plenty of green space and picnic tables plus woodland walks to enjoy.
- Postcode: NE24 3PL (free parking)
9 - Jesmond Dene
Jesmond Dene has always been a favourite amongst families looking for a walk and it's another place that has the best of everything.
As well as a visitor centre and cafe, there's also Pets Corner (which is free to visit - limited animals there at the moment) a nice little play area, plenty of green space and picnic tables plus woodland walks to enjoy.
There's also a Thomas Train during peak times. Read more about Jesmond Dene in my blog post review here.
Hamsterley Forest in Durham is home to fabulous woodland walks with natural adventure play equipment throughout the trail and a big adventure play area on-site too.
- Postcode: NE7 7BQ (limited paid and free parking)
- More Information: Visit the Jesmond Dene website here
10 - Hamsterley Forest
Hamsterley Forest in Durham is home to fabulous woodland walks with natural adventure play equipment throughout the trail and a big adventure play area on-site too.
There's also a free Gruffalo Trail and Zog Trail to enjoy and a cafe at the visitor centre near the car park. Read more about Hamsterley Forest in my blog post review here.
If you have enjoyed this post and found it useful, here are some ways you can say thanks and support North East Family Fun:
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- Postcode: DL13 3NL
- More Information: Visit the Hamsterley Forest website here
11 - Consett Heritage Trail
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| Credit - DY Family Photography / Cafe at Inn at the Park |
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| Credit : Cafe at Inn on the Park |
Consett Heritage Trail is a 6km route (you can walk the full length which should take around 3 hours or just part of the route).
The trail begins just a short walk from Allensford Car Park (follow the heritage trail signs) and walks along the River Derwent can be enjoyed.
Allensford is home to Cafe at Inn on the Park which is a gorgeous little cafe serving a wide range of delicious food, Kelly's milkshakes, desserts and treats to sit in (outdoor tables available) or takeaway including picnics and afternoon tea.
The cafe overlooks Allensford Play Park which has recently been refurbished. Read our blog guide to visiting here.
The trail begins just a short walk from Allensford Car Park (follow the heritage trail signs) and walks along the River Derwent can be enjoyed.
Allensford is home to Cafe at Inn on the Park which is a gorgeous little cafe serving a wide range of delicious food, Kelly's milkshakes, desserts and treats to sit in (outdoor tables available) or takeaway including picnics and afternoon tea.
The cafe overlooks Allensford Play Park which has recently been refurbished. Read our blog guide to visiting here.
- Find out more about the trail here and click here to find out more about Cafe at Inn on the Park.
- Postcode: DH8 9BA
If you have enjoyed this post and found it useful, here are some ways you can say thanks and support North East Family Fun:
1 - Click here to sign up to our FREE monthly guide to what's on. This monthly email will feature lots of ideas for things to do for the month ahead plus exclusive deals.
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If you're looking for more ideas like this try these articles next:
- 50+ Fmily Walks Across North East England
- 11 Woodland Walks to try in North East England
- The Best North East Coastal Walks for Kids
- 13 Best Pushchair Friendly Walks around North East England
Thank you for your support as always.
Pin Me For Later
10 Family Walks with a Cafe and Play Area
Find out more here: https://www.northeastfamilyfun.co.uk/2018/09/best-family-walks-in-north-east-play-park-cafe.html
1 - Rising Sun Country Park. Lovely nature walks with a woodland adventure playground & cafe with beautiful views. Free parking. NE12 9SS
2 - Plessey Woods. Fab woodland walks with meadows and a river. Lovely enclosed playground with cafe. Paid parking. NE22 6AN
3 - Kielder. Fantastic walks, a ZOG trail (hopefully opening over Easter), Kielder Castle Cafe (now open for the season), plus a minotaur maze. A small playground is available as part of the Zog trail but there is a fantastic outdoor adventure playground a short drive away at Landal Waterside which is much better (pop into the pub for a drink). Paid parking. NE48 1ER
4 - Carlisle Park, Morpeth. Lovely playgrounds and riverside walks with a cafe in the park or plenty of options in the town centre. Free parking but you need a parking disc (purchase on arrival if you don't have one) and make sure you read time restrictions. NE61 1PR
5 - Druridge Bay Country Park. 1.3 mile flat circular walk, lovely playground and dog friendly cafe with fab views. The beach is fantastic too. Paid parking. NE61 5BX
6 - Derwent Waterside Park. Reservoir walks and trails, small cafe, fantastic adventure playground and enclosed dog exercise field. Paid parking. DH8 9TT
7 - Blyth - Seaton Sluice. A nice 1.5-2 mile walk each way along the coast with a playground at each end. Ciccarelli's Ice Cream Parlour or Coastline Fish and Chips is where we'd recommend but there are a few options. Free parking. NE24 3PL
8 - Jesmond Dene. Beautiful walks through the dene with a cafe and park at the visitor centre. Limited free and paid parking. NE7 7BQ
9 - Hamsterley Forest. Brilliant adventure playground and various play equipment through the woods, ZOG trail, Gruffalo sculptures and cafe. Paid parking. DL13 3NL
10 - Allensford. Enjoy part (or all) of the Consett Heritage Trail which starts here. There is a lovely new (ish) playground and cafe too. Free parking. DH8 9BA
Find out more here: https://www.northeastfamilyfun.co.uk/2018/09/best-family-walks-in-north-east-play-park-cafe.html
This list should hopefully keep a few of us busy this year. #northeastfamilyfun
Photo - Carlisle Park in Morpeth (paddling pool usually opens in May Half Term).
Such a useful post for Autumn, thank you! Being married to Simon is a little bit like having kids, he's also very reluctant to go out walking unless there's cake or hot chocolate involved! Definitely stashing this up for future reference!
ReplyDeleteOh yes - let me know where serves the best cake x
DeleteSome good walks on that list, one or two I've never visited yet, thanks for the info and if I had to add one more it would be Cragside but lots of National trusts around
ReplyDelete