Your handy guide to local walks with nice scenery and something for the kids to enjoy as well as being accessible with pushchairs and wheelchairs too.
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Raby Castle Deer Park and Gardens
šStaindrop, Darlington, DL23AH
Take a walk in the deer park. This is a flat walk with deer to spot and the castle and lake to walk past. You can also take a look round the castle (castle is not pushchair friendly). The 18th century walled gardens are also open now too.
Plotters forest is an adventure play on site too (pushchair/wheelchair friendly on lower levels).
COST? Yes, from Ā£7.50 (under 4s free) *based on Deer park and gardens ticket.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT? Yes, stops at North Lodge, 10 minutes walk away (number 84 from Darlington town centre heading towards Barnard Castle).
PARKING? Free onsite parking including disabled bays
FOOD AND DRINK? Bring your own to have at the picnic benches near the car park or purchase on site.
DOG FRIENDLY? Yes, in the deer park and walled gardens, well behaved and on leads.
ONSITE TOILETS? Yes, including disabled and baby changing.
My own images of Raby Castle Grounds. Map showing where the number 84 bus stops (North Lodge)
Hamsterley Forest - Forestry England.
šBedburn, DL133NL
There are lots of walking, running, cycling and even horse riding trails, including a pushchair and wheelchair friendly route.
They have a Gruffalo Party Trail (2024) to celebrate the Gruffaloās 25th birthday as well as The Viking Wild Adventure Play Area. These are on the pushchair/wheelchair friendly route (1.5 mile walk)
COST? Free, parking costs apply
PUBLIC TRANSPORT? No
PARKING?Ā Free onsite parking for national trust members, costs apply for non members. From Ā£5.50 for up to 2 hours up to Ā£8 for all day. Bedburn main car park and Windy Bank car park are the closest to their facilities.
FOOD AND DRINK?Ā Bring your own to have at the picnic benches near the car park or purchase on site.
DOG FRIENDLY?Ā Yes
ONSITE TOILETS? Yes, including disabled and baby changing.
Hardwick Park
šStockton on Tees, TS21 2DN
There are some nice walks around the park including horse riding and cycling routes.
The circuit walk is accessible to visitors of all abilities (around 1 mile long). This takes you round the lake and the historical sights of the park. The majority of the paths are flat and well surfaced, routes are marked with alternative path where there may be a slope. When walking round the park there are a few small ruins to explore, a bird feeding area with identification boards to watch and spot the birds and a lake with swans and birds (you can buy bird feed in the shop). There are a couple of play area near the cafe and entrance, suitable for different ages.
COST? Free, parking costs apply
PUBLIC TRANSPORT? Yes. The nearest bus stop is at Sedgefield High Street. From there it is aĀ half mile walk following a signposted footpath through the arch of the Hardwick Arms Hotel. (Approx 20 minutes walk)
PARKING?Ā Onsite parking including disabled bays. Costs apply for parking (last time I checked it was Ā£2.50 up to 2 hours/Ā£3.50 all day). This includes disabled badge holders too.
FOOD AND DRINK?Ā Bring your own to have at one of the benches/picnic area as you walk round the park or purchase on site. There are picnic tables next to the main park at the entrance too and a large grassy area.
DOG FRIENDLY?Ā Yes, on leads. There is a designated dog exercise area where they are allowed off their leads.
ONSITE TOILETS? Yes, including disabled, changing places toilet and baby changing.
Image Credit; Hardwick Park
Image Credit; Hardwick Park
Wynyard Woodland Park
šStation House Visitor Centre, Stockton on Tees, TS21 3JG
There are walking and cycling trails including circular routes along the disused railway line. Some are wheelchair and pushchair friendly with surfaced paths (the route heading north from the visitor centre towards Thorpe Wood is the most accessible). The routes are shared with cyclists so me be busy at peak times. Located on the site of an old railway track. It is 3 miles from one end to the other.
There are various play facilities for all ages, the arboretum, a planetarium and observatory all in the grounds near the visitor centre too.
Cafe and toilets on site but limited opening hours and no social media to check.
Free parking onsite. https://www.stockton.gov.uk/article/9614/Wynyard-Woodland-Park
COST? Free
PUBLIC TRANSPORT?
PARKING?Ā Free onsite parking including disabled bays. The visitor centre car park is the best base for families wanting facilities.
FOOD AND DRINK?Ā Bring your own or purchase on site. There are a couple of picnic tables next to the play area and next to the cafe. Cafe opening hours are limited.
DOG FRIENDLY?Ā Yes, on leads near play area
ONSITE TOILETS? Yes, including disabled toilets and baby changing.
My own images of Wynyard Woodland Park
Kirkleatham Museum & Grounds
šKirkleatham, Redcar, TS105NW
There is an accessible woodland walk and there are some interactive trails that have hard surfaced paths, suitable for those with access difficulties. The museum onsite is fully accessible too with free entry. They have various exhibitions and displays covering local industrial, maritime and social history (extra costs may apply for events/exhibitions). There is also an adventure play area mostly suitable for older kids including accessible swing and some sensory play for littler ones or those that may benefit.
COST? Free
PUBLIC TRANSPORT? Direct trains run to Redcar Central, then you can get the number 81 bus which takes around 15 minutes from Redcar town clock to St Cuthberts Church in Kirkleatham just round the corner from the museum.
PARKING?Ā Free onsite parking including disabled bays.
FOOD AND DRINK?Ā Bring your own to enjoy at the picnic benches near the play area or purchase on site at the museum cafe.
DOG FRIENDLY?Ā Yes, in the cafe and grounds. Not in the museum (hearing and guide dogs are allowed in the museum)
ONSITE TOILETS? Yes, including disabled toilets, and baby changing facilities. There is also a changing places toilet at the cafe.
Image Credit; Kirkleatham Museum and Grounds
My own image: Kirkleatham Museum and Grounds
My own image of the woodland walk at Kirkleatham Museum and Grounds
Richmond to Easby Abbey (from The Station)
šStation Yard, Richmond, DL10 4LD
A fairly flat walk passing the river Swale on route leading to Easby Abbey. This is a fairly easy and scenic walk starting at The Station building. There is a circular route option āEasby Loopā but this isnāt fully accessible unless you follow the alternative tarmac route which is a bit longer. We took a walk to the abbey along the old railway track to the abbey, explored the abbey and then headed back to the same way. We found this is suitable for accessibility and not too long with young kids either.
COST? Free
PUBLIC TRANSPORT? Yes, buses X26/X27 from Darlington stopping at Richmond Marketplace
PARKING?Ā Up to 4 hours is Ā£3. Free after 4pm. There are 5 disabled bays which are free parking.
FOOD AND DRINK?Ā Bring your own to enjoy on the walk maybe when you stop at Easby Abbey or eat at The Station Restaurant before/after.
DOG FRIENDLY?Ā Yes on the walk, and on leads at The Station outdoor seating area and all levels inside except the cafe level (unless assistance dog then they are allowed anywhere). Well behaved dogs are welcome in the shop, dog treats available.
ONSITE TOILETS? Yes at the Station building, including disabled toilets and baby changing facilities.
My own images of the walk from The Station to Easby Abbey
RSPB Saltholme
šSaltholme, Seaton Carew Road, TS21TU
A great place for spotting wildlife, bird watching and interactive fun too including pond dipping and family trails. Accessible circular trails are available throughout the site. Thereās a walled garden and natural adventure play area.
COST? Ā£3 child (under 5s are Free), Ā£6 adult. Free for RSPB Members.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT? Yes, the number 1 bus towards Hartlepool stops right outside. If leaving from Darlington get a train to Middlesbrough and then the number 1 bus from the bus station towards Hartlepool.
PARKING?Ā Free parking, disabled bays available.
FOOD AND DRINK?Ā Bring your own picnic, benches available around the reserve, or thereās a picnic area next to the play area. Onsite cafe also available.
DOG FRIENDLY?Ā No, except assistance dogs.
ONSITE TOILETS? Yes, including wheelchair accessible and baby changing.
My own images of RSPB Saltholme
Preston Park Museum and Grounds
šStockton on Tees, TS18 3RH
A great place for a full day out. The paths around the grounds are mostly flat even surfaced. Thereās a river walk too which is fairly accessible. In the grounds of the park thereās a large play area suitable for toddlers to teens.
For an extra cost you can explore the museum (wheelchair and pushchair accessible), walled gardens (entry via a gravel path which may be a bit difficult for some but overall wheelchair and pushchair accessible). Or you could visit Butterfly World too which is also in the grounds (wheelchair and pushchair accessible).
COST? FREE to explore the grounds and walled gardens (extra cost for the Museum and Butterfly World).
PUBLIC TRANSPORT? Yes, you can get a train to Eaglescliffe then the 6B bus from the village hall towards Stockton. Or its 15-20 minutes walk from Eaglescliffe station.
PARKING?Ā Free parking, disabled bays available.
FOOD AND DRINK?Ā Bring your own picnic to enjoy in the grassy areas around the park, benches dotted around along the paths. Cafe also available onsite next to the play area.
DOG FRIENDLY?Ā Yes, in the grounds.
ONSITE TOILETS? Yes, including wheelchair accessible and baby changing.
Image Credit; Preston Park Museum and Grounds
TEESAURUS Park and Tees Barrage
šMiddlesbrough, TS21QE (TEESAURUS Park) or TS182QW (Tees Barrage IWWRC)
Thereās a few options for accessible walks from here. You can either just walk round the park itself which will take around 10-15 minutes spotting the dinosaurs. Thereās a couple up on a hill which isnāt really wheelchair/pushchair accessible as itās quite steep, but you can just miss these out.
Thereās boards with QR codes next to each of the dinosaurs to read a bit about them. I have written a blog with some info on our visit to this park, CLICK HERE TO READ.
You could also follow the ironmasters trail from here. This is a much longer walk (2 and a half hours there and back). It takes you to Tees Barrage and you can learn all about the industrial heritage along the way.
This is wheelchair and pushchair accessible and mostly tarmacced. Some parts are gravelled so not as smooth but should still be manageable. Tees Barrage International White Water Centre offers various leisure and water sports facilities including Air Trail, Kayaking, Paddleboarding (costs and booking applies).
You could also choose to just walk part of the walk along the river and combine with a visit to TEESAURUS Park or Tees Barrage depending on your base. There are also some shorter circular walks around Tees Barrage too if you arenāt visiting TEESAURUS Park. The infinity bridge loop is popular for families, it is flat and traffic free and takes approximately 1 and a half hours.
COST? FREE
PUBLIC TRANSPORT? X10 bus from Middlesbrough bus station stops at Tees Barrage.
RP1 bus from Middlesbrough bus station stops at Whorlton Road, a few minutes walk from TEESAURUS Park.
Connecting buses/trains from Darlington available to Middlesbrough centre where the bus station is.
PARKING?Ā Free parking at both TEESAURUS Park and Tees Barrage IWWC.
FOOD AND DRINK?Ā There are a couple of places on the Infinity loop walk to stop for food such as The Talpore Beefeater and there are benches along the route too for a rest and a picnic. There is Cooks Cafe at the Tees Barrage centre too. Or if stopping at TEESAURUS Park thereās a large grassy area for a picnic. Tasty Tarts is also just over the road from TEESAURUS Park for some sweet treats.
DOG FRIENDLY?Ā Yes
ONSITE TOILETS? No, not at TEESAURUS Park. Iād visiting Tees Barrage IWWC, then there are toilet facilities, baby changing and disabled toilets.
My own image of TEESAURUS Park
Image Credit; Yorkshire.com showing the infinity bridge along the infinity bridge loop walk.
Riverside Park
šChester Le Street, DH33SJ
Thereās lots of grassy areas for picnics and plenty of paths around the park for walking, through the gardens or along the river too, all accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Some parts of the path are bit uneven in places with loose stones/gravel, but no steps.
Thereās a large play area for all ages, skate park and splash pad open in summer.
COST? FREE
PUBLIC TRANSPORT?
PARKING?Ā Ā£2 for up to 4 hours.
FOOD AND DRINK?Ā Take a picnic or purchase from the cafe in the park.
DOG FRIENDLY?Ā Yes, along riverside without a lead is ok, must be on lead in gardens. Not allowed in play areas.
ONSITE TOILETS? Yes, next to the cafe including baby changing and disabled.
My own images of Riverside Park, Chester Le Street
LOCAL PARKS FOR A QUICK VISIT
š”Local places in and on the outskirts of Darlington that are good for a walk more with older kids;
-Low Coniscliffe-High Coniscliffe
-Drinkfield Marsh Nature Reserve.
-Piercebridge (includes historic site of Roman fort)
-Red Hall/Great Burdon Loop
š”Local places in Darlington for a walk that also have play facilities;
-South Park
-West Park local nature reserve
-Broken Scar & River Tees
-Cockerbeck (small playground)-circular walk.
-The Denes
To view all of my individual blog posts on this topic go to https://www.familyfundarlomum.com/blog/categories/outdoor-play-and-explore
THANKS FOR READING š
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Many Thanks
Charlotte (familyfundarlomum)
-Mum to 2 boys, Kamron-8 and Leo-2, and stepmum to Damon- 15
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