*This article was first published in March 2019 and updated in April 2023.
Ingram/ Breamish Valley, Northumberland
Ingram Valley is the place to be if you want a quiet picnic surrounded by beautiful countryside. It's a beautiful hidden gem and such a good place to visit with a big group when the sun is shining.
There's a well-kept toilet block near the river, plenty of open space to play ball games, a river to paddle in, giant hills to climb and stones to skim.
Kids love catching little fish too so don't forget your fishing nets and buckets. We used to visit Ingram Valley a lot with our neighbours when I was a child and I have lots of fond memories enjoying picnics here. You can read my full review of Ingram Valley here.
Jesmond Dene is a wonderful place to visit with younger children. There's a little play park, bridges over the river where you can play pooh sticks, easy woodland walks and Pet's Corner with lots of animals to meet and it's all FREE! There is plenty of picnic tables and open spaces too.
Jesmond Dene, Newcastle
Jesmond Dene is a wonderful place to visit with younger children. There's a little play park, bridges over the river where you can play pooh sticks, easy woodland walks and Pet's Corner with lots of animals to meet and it's all FREE! There is plenty of picnic tables and open spaces too.
My three used to love the little Thomas Train which runs during peak season (additional charge) and there are clean loos and a cafe too. Jesmond Dene is somewhere you can definitely spend a full afternoon as there is plenty to see and do. I recommend taking a walk to find the stunning waterfall.
You can read more about our trips to Jesmond Dene here and here.
I am a huge fan of Druridge Bay Country Park and it's a brilliant place to spend a lovely summer's day. We've enjoyed a couple of picnics here over the years and there are benches outside of the visitor centre (where there are also loos) or dotted around the lake.
Druridge Bay Country Park, Northumberland
I am a huge fan of Druridge Bay Country Park and it's a brilliant place to spend a lovely summer's day. We've enjoyed a couple of picnics here over the years and there are benches outside of the visitor centre (where there are also loos) or dotted around the lake.
We normally begin our visit with a picnic then take a stroll around Ladyburn Lake which is the perfect length for little legs. We love spotting the wildlife here and crossing the steppy stones.
Then we pop to the cafe for ice creams/hot drinks before playing in the park and then crossing over to the beach which is one of my favourites it the whole of Northumberland. It's honestly stunning and goes on for miles.
A picnic at Druridge Bay is a low-cost day out and gives you the best of the countryside and coast. You can check out our reviews from Druridge Bay Country Park here and here.
Preston Park is home to one of the best adventure playgrounds in the whole of the North East. It is completely free to park and visit and one of the best picnic spots to visit if you have older kids.
Preston Park, Stockton-On-Tees
Preston Park is home to one of the best adventure playgrounds in the whole of the North East. It is completely free to park and visit and one of the best picnic spots to visit if you have older kids.
There's a cafe and plenty of loos, a skate park, a huge adventure playground and riverside walk to enjoy with picnic tables dotted about the site. You can also visit the Victorian Street and Museum or Butterly World for a small additional charge.
My kids can spend hours and hours here so I'd recommend packing a big flask of coffee for your picnic as you're not going to want to leave. You can read about our most recent trips to Preston Park here and here.
South Marine Park in South Shields is where we hosted one of our blogger picnics a few years ago. I love it here as there is plenty of grass where you can set up camp for the day and not one but two play parks suitable for all ages.
Disclosure: I have recently worked with Preston Park on a different post. I was not paid or asked to include them in this post but they deserve to be featured.
South Marine Park, South Shields
South Marine Park in South Shields is where we hosted one of our blogger picnics a few years ago. I love it here as there is plenty of grass where you can set up camp for the day and not one but two play parks suitable for all ages.
There's also a toilet block, cafe, ice cream shack, boating lake and mini train so plenty to keep you entertained and you're just a hop, skip and a jump away from the beach too. You can read about our last picnic at South Marine Park here.
Like I say, it was difficult narrowing my list down to just 5 but I'm happy with my choices - I'd love to hear where your favourite spots are too. I've joined forces with a couple of other North East Bloggers to promote how fantastic the North East is as part of English Tourism Week.
Like I say, it was difficult narrowing my list down to just 5 but I'm happy with my choices - I'd love to hear where your favourite spots are too. I've joined forces with a couple of other North East Bloggers to promote how fantastic the North East is as part of English Tourism Week.
For 25 other reasons to visit, check out these posts below:
- 5 child-friendly cafes to try in North East England
- 5 of the best walks in North East England
- Top 5 castles in Northumberland
- Top 5 public art sculptures to visit with kids in North East England
- 5 of the best park runs in North East England
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I am determined that this year I am actually going to use that picnic basket and get out on a picnic!
ReplyDeleteSome great ones on here, half we’ve done and loved and half is going on my list!
ReplyDelete