6 Circular National Trust Walks for Autumn (with playgrounds and cafes)

This is an advert for October 2024. As always, please double check information with venues direct before heading out for the most up to date info (some walking routes may close in particularly bad weather).

Autumn is my favourite time of year for heading out for a walk. You just can't beat those crisp days where you wrap up, grab a hot drink and go for a stroll and some fresh air. I love the crunch of the leaves underfoot and the beautiful autumn colours. It's the best!

In today's post, I thought I would share some of my favourite National Trust walks across North East England. These are all self-guided but you can follow a map/trail route online (I'll link to them) and dogs on leads are welcome on all of these routes too.

I'll share details of nearby cafes and playgrounds too as everyone knows that all of the best walks have to feature these.

I'd recommend walking boots for all of these routes in Autumn/Winter. National Trust Membership / Admission required unless stated otherwise.

1 - Wagonway Walk at Seaton Delaval Hall

This is a gentle 4 mile circular route which starts at Seaton Delaval Hall gates and takes in the wider estate incorperating local points of interest.

It will take you down the old waggonway where coal was transported from local mines to Seaton Sluice, along to the harbour and past the remains of Starlight Castle which was built by Sir Francis Drake Delaval as somewhere to hide his mistresses!

I love the story that he bet his friend he could build it in a day and apparantly, he managed it. Starlight Castle was indeed built in a day. However.....it turns out that the joke was on Francis as the castle was actually a Folly.

Toilets are available at the start / finish at Seaton Delaval Hall
A fab playground is hidden in the woods at Seaton Delaval Hall
Food & Drink is available from the Brewhouse at Seaton Delaval Hall or one of the lovely pubs in Seaton Sluice (we like The Waterford Arms). Of course, fish and chips from Harbour View are often too good to resist too.
Dogs on Leads are welcome but there are stiles
Access - the terrain is along country paths (some are rough) but mostly flat. There are stiles along the route.

Get the route / map: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/seaton-delaval-hall/wagonway-walk-at-seaton-delaval

Seaton Delaval Hall's Playground is fab in Autumn

2 - Explorer Family-Friendly Trail at Gibside

This is our go-to walk at Gibside and it's a brilliant walk to try with kids as there are regular things to do en-route. The circular trail is 2.2 miles but allow plenty of time to complete this walk as you'll be stopping a lot.

The route passes the Walled Garden, Stables (there's a coffee shop and enclosed dog exercise area here as well as indoor exhibitions), Bird Hides and Ponds, a Nature Playscape, Wooden Animal Sculptures to spot (look up and you might spot a bat hiding in the trees), a Den Building Zone, Low Ropes Course and Strawberry Castle Play Area.

This route is accessible on a rough surfaced path but it is a little hilly in parts. There are various places to stop and strategically placed benches at the top of any hilly parts.

Toilets can be found at the start/end (Market Place), Stables and Strawberry Castle Play Area
The Strawberry Castle Playground is towards the end of the route and a good carrot to dangle for kids. There's a takeaway kiosk here too.
Food & Drink available from Market Place at the start/end, the Stables and the Strawberry Castle Play Area (check opening hours though)
Dogs on Leads are welcome to join you. What I love about this walk is that there's an enclosed dog exercise field at the Stables where you can let your dog off lead too (this area only - make sure you read and follow the rules when entering).
Access - this walk is accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs but some of the path is rough gravel and there are inclines

Get the route: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/gibside/explorer-family-friendly-trail-at-gibside

3 - River walk at Wallington

This walk is an easy 2.6 mile circular route along the river. It's pretty flat and on surfaced paths. There are steppy stones but these can be avoided with a detour over the bridge. The steppy stones are out of use when the water levels are high.

It's a brilliant route for spotting wildlife and you can learn about the white-clawed crayfish in the river along the route too.

I love the scenery on this walk as you walk through East Woods and the Walled Garden - both stunning at this time of year and a lovely place to spot signs of Autumn.

Toilets are available in the Courtyard (start/finish) and the Walled Garden
There are four playgrounds at Wallington - all fantastic! Find them towards the end of the walk.
Food & Drink is available from the Clocktower Cafe (at the start/finish) and depending on the time of year there are kiosks next to the play areas and in the walled garden (seasonal opening)
Dogs on Leads are welcome to join you

Get the route here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/wallington/river-walk-at-wallington

One of Wallington's Play Areas

4 - Nelly's Moss Lakes Walk at Cragside

This is one of the first proper National Trust walks we tried when the kids were small and it's perfect for little legs. Accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs and flat throughout. It's a 1.5 mile circular loop around Nelly's Moss Lakes which ends at the playground with toilets and takeaway kiosk. Perfect!

Part at Crozier Car Park for this one and there are blue waymarkers to follow too which makes it super easy. You might spot frogs, newts and herons along the route.

Toilets are available at the start/end near Crozier Car Park
Cragside's playground is at the end of this walk
Food and drink is available from the takeaway kiosk in Crozier Car Park (or the main tea room if you fancy something more substantial)
Dogs on leads are welcome
This route is flat and accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs

Get the route and map: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/cragside/nellys-moss-lakes-walk

Cragside's Playground

5 - Craster to Low Newton

This is one of my favourite coastal walks and absolutely stunning in Autumn when you might be lucky and spot some migrating birds along the coastline.

The view of Dunstanburgh Castle and the rugged coastline is difficult to beat. I've spotted dolphins swimming off the coastline and a seal basking on the rocks here too (make sure you keep your distance and do not disturb wildlife).

The full route is 7.7 miles circular but you can shorten it and just walk from Craster Village to the Castle and back (just over 3 miles in total).

If you're a National Trust member, don't forget your membership cards as you can use them to visit Dunstanburgh Castle and it's worth popping in.

Toilets - in Craster Car Park at the start / end plus customer toilets in the Ship Inn Pub at Low Newton (mid-route)
Playground in Craster Village (at the end of your walk)
Food and drink available from the Ship Inn Pub at Low Newton (mid-route), the Jolly Fisherman in Craster (start/end) and The Craster Kipper Van in Craster Car Park. Seasonal opening hours may apply so do check
Dogs on leads welcome - take extra care when walking through cattle and keep them well away from any wildlife
Most of the route is accessible for all terrain pushchairs and wheelchairs - it's a well worn grass / gravel path. There is a climb down onto the beach towards the turning point which can be skipped. I'd recommend the shorter Craster - Dunstanburgh Castle route if visiting with wheels

Get the route: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/embleton-and-newton-links/craster-to-low-newton-coastal-walk

Craster Village Playground

6 - New Hydro-Power Trail at Cragside

This is a brand new walking route for 2024 and it's waymarked too so very easy to navigate. It's a 6.5 mile circular route with some inclines to navigate (not fully accessible for wheelchairs).

I think this route is ideal if you're planning on spending a full day at Cragside as it covers a fair bit of ground and there are plenty of points of interest to stop off at along the way too.

Start at the house and follow the purple waymarkers. Along the route you'll stop at Nelly's Moss Lakes, the Playground and Takeaway Kiosk/ Toilets (ideal for a breather), the Powerhouse and Waterwheel, Pinetum, Archimedes Screw, Iron Bridge and Tumbleton Lake Dam - like I said, you cover a lot of ground!

This walk ends at the tea room / toilets with lovely views of the lake too. Perfect.

Toilets - At Cragside House (start), Crozier Car Park (mid-route) and Tea Room (finish)
Playground and takeaway hut near Crozier Car Park (mid-route)
Tea Room at the end
Cragside admission / National Trust Membership required
Dogs on leads welcome
Not fully accessible with a few inclines/declines and steps

Get the route: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/cragside/hydro-power-trail

Looking for more days out with your National Trust Membership? Check out these posts:

Pin me