Whenever I share a photo of stepping stones on Social Media, I am always asked for more info so I thought I would pop them together in a post. Crossing them all might be a fun challenge to set yourself this summer.
Let me know if there are any others from North East England that you would add to the list.
Who doesn't love jumping across steppy stones? We are lucky to have quite a few places where we can do this in the North East. It goes without saying but please always check water levels and that it's safe to cross and supervise children.
Other posts you may like:
Who doesn't love jumping across steppy stones? We are lucky to have quite a few places where we can do this in the North East. It goes without saying but please always check water levels and that it's safe to cross and supervise children.
1 - Druridge Bay Country Park
These are the steppy stones we probably visit the most. They can be a little wobbly which either adds to the fun or anxiety depending on your personality type.
Find them at Druridge Bay Country Park in Northumberland. Park the car up and start walking around the lake (face the lake and turn left). They are around halfway around the walk.
There is a pushchair friendly route across if you carry on walking for 10 seconds or so.
The whole walk around the lake is just over a mile, pushchair friendly (mostly grass and paths) and perfect for little ones.
In the wider country park you will find a brand new visitor centre, play park, public toilets and a cafe plus Druridge Bay Beach is just across the road on the opposite side of the car park.
Druridge Bay Country Park. Red Row. Morpeth. NE61 5BX. Parking is chargeable up to £4 per day.
2 - Morpeth Steppy Stones
We finally discovered Morpeth Steppy Stones when we took part in a Treasure Trail around the town last week. I have included a map from the car park before the bridge into Morpeth Park (where the Chinese Van / Leisure Centre is) to the stones for guidance.
The route on the map is slightly different to the one we took (and it won't let me change it!) From the main park car park, walk up past The Electrical Wizard pub until you reach the clock tower.
At the clock tower, turn left up Oldgate and cross over the bridge. Once over the bridge, turn right and follow the path along the river. You will soon spot the steppy stones.
The walk to the steppy stones is accessible and there are other places to cross the river nearby which are suitable for pushchairs (although the steppy stones would be out of view if you did this).
Car park postcode is NE61 1PR. Parking is free with a re-usable Northumberland Parking Disc (available to purchase from a machine in the car park for £1 if you don't have one) but check out parking time restrictions.
The walk to the steppy stones is accessible and there are other places to cross the river nearby which are suitable for pushchairs (although the steppy stones would be out of view if you did this).
Car park postcode is NE61 1PR. Parking is free with a re-usable Northumberland Parking Disc (available to purchase from a machine in the car park for £1 if you don't have one) but check out parking time restrictions.
3 - Humford Woods
Humford Woods are the steppy stones I remember playing on with friends as a child myself. They are pretty close to the Humford Mill car park (NE22 5RT) which is free.
From the car park, just walk down the bank and you will see the steppy stones.
There is no accessible route across the water and the gap between the stones requires a little jump. Some parents with toddlers swing their kids across the gaps or dunk them in the water between the spaces wearing wellies (it is usually fairly shallow but obviously check depths, especially after rainfall).
There is a play park (I am unsure if it has opened yet), play park and public loos just above the river and walks throughout the country park to enjoy. Sometimes an ice cream van will pop by too.
There is no accessible route across the water and the gap between the stones requires a little jump. Some parents with toddlers swing their kids across the gaps or dunk them in the water between the spaces wearing wellies (it is usually fairly shallow but obviously check depths, especially after rainfall).
There is a play park (I am unsure if it has opened yet), play park and public loos just above the river and walks throughout the country park to enjoy. Sometimes an ice cream van will pop by too.
4 - Bothal
We visited Bothal Stepping stones as part of our Northumberland Castle Challenge when we visited nearby Bothal Castle. Park in Bothal
5 - Stanhope Ford
Another set of stones which we have not visited. They were recommended by a few different people during my research for a post about where to paddle in streams.
The ford is now closed to vehicles but pedestrians can still cross over the stepping stones. There is a playground, open air swimming pool (check opening restrictions) and shopping nearby.
The ford is now closed to vehicles but pedestrians can still cross over the stepping stones. There is a playground, open air swimming pool (check opening restrictions) and shopping nearby.
Other posts you may like:
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.
2 - Join our Days Out Facebook Group here which includes lots of ideas for things to do - you can post your own recommendations too.
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.
2 - Join our Days Out Facebook Group here which includes lots of ideas for things to do - you can post your own recommendations too.
4 - Share this post with your friends
5 - Follow North East Family Fun on the following platforms :
Thank you for your support as always.
Who doesn't love jumping across steppy stones? It's FUN and usually FREE too.
Here are some of our favourites across the North East. Why not set yourselves a challenge to visit all of these this year?
1 - Druridge Bay Country Park
Park at Druridge Bay Country Park and walk around the lake (around 1.3 miles circular). There is a pushchair friendly alternative route if some of you want to avoid the stones. Postcode: NE61 5BX
2 - Morpeth
Park in Morpeth Town Centre, cross over the bridge to Carlisle Park and turn right. Walk along the riverside, always keeping the river on your right hand side and the steppy stones will appear after around 10 minutes.
3 - Humford Woods
Park at Humford Mill Car Park (it's only small and a little random to get there - postcode: NE22 5RT). Head down to the river bank and you should see the steppy stones.
4 - Bothal
Park in Bothal village (NE61 6SW) and follow the signposted path for the woods. You will walk behind Bothal Castle and it should be on your right hand side as you walk down the river. It is a bit of a steep (but short) climb down to the steppy stones here.
5 - Stanhope Ford
These ones are pretty easy to find down by the river in Stanhope. Park in the village.
6 - Wallington
The steppy stones at Wallington aren't always available as sometimes the water levels are too high. If available, they can be accessed by the riverside walk. Check out the map / follow the signposts / as a member of staff on arrival for directions.
7 - Rothbury
The steppy stones are fairly close to Hexham & Northern Marts Antique Shop. If you type 'Rothbury Steppy Stones' into google, their exact location comes up on Google Maps. Use NE65 7NY for parking.
Pin Me
No comments
Post a Comment