Walking has long been acknowledged as one of the best ways to enhance both our physical and mental wellbeing. From burning calories and increasing heart-health, to providing a pathway to mindfulness and mental calm, the activity has a raft of benefits and is accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels.
Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or prefer to take things at a more relaxed pace, Waterside Parks in Northumberland and County Durham provide an idyllic backdrop for walkers, combining nature reserves and forest trails, with shoreside walks and accessible pathways.
Each Waterside Park gives visitors something different to discover, including art and architecture at Kielder, a 3000-year-old bronze-age burial site at Fontburn, and a North Pennine moorland setting at Derwent.
Children and their dogs take a walk at Kielder
The family-friendly offering extends to adventure playgrounds, onsite café’s, shops, and secure dog fields where your energetic furry friends can run free.
The largest Waterside Park site in the North, Kielder is known for its 26-mile circular reservoir route and for being the home to ‘Britain’s most beautiful marathon’.
On the south side of the reservoir, The Lakeside Way is a 14-mile stretch from Kielder Dam to Kielder Castle Visitor Centre, via Tower Knowe Visitor Centre (Seasonal April – October) and Kielder Waterside (open 24/7). Kielder is also home to an inspiring collection of art and architecture, much of which is accessible from the Lakeside Way including the ever-popular Silvas Capitalis, also known as the ‘giant forest head’ and 55/02, the RIBA Award winning red contemporary shelter sited at Cock Stoor.
Walking the Lakeside Way at Kielder Waterside
When it comes to walking in Northumberland, Kielder Waterside is the perfect jumping off point to embark on the many surrounding forest walks and woodland trails. If you’re looking for a trail that can be done in a couple of hours, the 3.5 mile Kielder Waterside to Mirage, is the perfect route.
From Kielder Waterside walkers head up into the valley, crossing a small bridge into open moorland and forest before emerging back onto the shoreline towards the scenic and tranquil Lewisburn inlet. The path then climbs offering views from a natural stone table and chairs called Patterson’s Pause. Here herons can be seen hunting in the inlet, and buzzards, sparrowhawks and many other woodland birds are a common sight.
Walkers can retrace their steps back to Kielder Waterside, where you could enjoy more views across the reservoir from the comfort of The Forest Bar & Kitchen.
For the full Kielder map please follow this link.
Make the most of your visit and extend your stay with a lodge break. Marketed by our accommodation partner, Hoseasons, Kielder Waterside is home to 50 luxury lodges and offers facilities including a wellness centre, bookable activities, from Paddleboarding to Segways and onsite restaurants. Find out more and book your stay.
Nestled in the North Pennines on the border of Northumberland and County Durham is Derwent Waterside Park. The site is a favourite with day-visitors, hosting a range of family friendly events including free and low-cost activities during the school holidays. It’s also home to a fully accessible trail from Pow Hill Country Park to Millshield Picnic Area, spanning approximately 2.5 miles.
Users enjoy the accessible pathway at Derwent Waterside Park. Credit Visit County Durham
Starting at Millshield Picnic Area, a one mile stretch of path takes users to Cronkley Bay and offers a diverse backdrop with the Pennine hills notable to the south. At Cronkley Bay recently planted conifers thrive on the south facing slope with this area being a haven for a diverse range of wildlife.
The path continues to the north side of the dam wall and crosses the reservoir. On the south side, the trail extends into a hidden valley where Pow Hill County Park opens up. A circular walk surrounds the heathland and woodland and is a designated site of Special Scientific Interest.
For visitors entering the site at Waterside Park, access to the visitor centre and playpark can be found here. A path heads downhill towards the reservoir and picks up the accessible trail in both directions from the north side of the dam wall.
Download the walking trail guide for more information.
Fifteen miles North West of Morpeth lies Fontburn Waterside Park. Fontburn is a designated ‘wildlife site’, home to a variety of plants, animals and a ‘wet woodland’ of mature trees. It is also steeped in history and home to a 3000-year-old bronze age burial site, which can be accessed along the shoreline’s circular walk spanning approximately 3.5 miles.
For wildlife enthusiasts Fontburn is home to a wide variety of protected species including red squirrel, badger, row deer and stoat. Exmoor ponies graze the fields around the lagoon and all three native species of newt are found in the ponds. Adders can be spotted basking in the summer sun.
Download the walking guide for more information.
The view from behind the wet woodland at Fontburn Waterside Park.