17 of the best pushchair-friendly walks around North East England

There's nothing better than heading out for some fresh air with your baby or toddler. Today I am sharing 17 pushchair friendly walks which have been tried and tested by real parents. Let me know if you've tried any of these.

This post was first published in 2017 and shared 13 pushchair friendly walks to try in North East England.

Over the past few years, I have written about many more pushchair friendly walks and thought it was about time I included them all in this post. Please find the links below. You can read the original walks towards the end of this post. 

Parking postcodes below: 

1. Killingworth Lakeside Park  NE12 6TN
   
   
2. Nelly's Moss Lakes, Cragside NE65 7PX 
   
   
3. Roker to Seaburn SR6 0RG
   
   
4. Queen Elizabeth II NE63 9AT
   
   
5. Parkhead Station Railway Path DL13 2ES
   
   
6. Whitley Bay to Tynemouth NE26 1BG
   
   
7. Blyth to Seaton Sluice NE24 3PL
   
   
8. Rising Sun Country Park NE12 9SS
   
   
9. Rothbury Riverside Walk NE65 7QR
   
   
10. Derwent Waterside Park DH8 9TT
    
    
11. Thornley Woodland Sculpture Trail NE39 1AU
    
    
12. Hamsterley Forest DL13 3NL
    
    
13. Rainton Meadows DH4 6PU
    
    
14. Bolam Lake NE20 0HE
    
    
15. Low Hauxley Nature Reserve NE65 OJR
    
    
16. Watergate Forest Park NE11 9RQ
    
    
17. Hardwick Park TS21 2DN 

Killingworth Lakeside Park 

This is a short circular walk on a surfaced path with a playground, swans/ducks to feed and coffee hut. There is a free onsite car park and it's accessible by bus too.

Find out more: Killingworth Lake Pushchair Friendly Walk

Nelly's Moss Lakes - a 1.5 mile circular walk at Cragside 

This 1.5 mile circular walk loops around two lovely lakes and there is a playground / toilets / coffee hut at the start/end too. Read more: Nelly's Moss Lakes Walk Guide 

Roker to Seaburn 

This pushchair friendly walk along the coast is surfaced and you can walk as long as you like before turning back.


There are two playgrounds, lots of public loos and places to sit / grab a drink or bite to eat. Read our guide here: Roker to Seaburn Pushchair Friendly Walk 

Queen Elizabeth II Country Park 

This is a nice 40 minute circular walk around a lake near Woodhorn Museum. There is free parking, lots of swans and geese and there is often an ice cream van in the car park too. The Woodhorn Grange pub (with indoor and outdoor play areas) overlooks the lake too.

Part of this walk is on grass but you can just turn back and stick to the surfaced paths if needed. Read our guide to this walk here: Queen Elizabeth II Country Park Walk 

Parkhead Station Railway Path 

This flat walk with beautiful views has a free car park and there's a lovely tearoom too. Read our full guide to this walk here: Parkhead Station Railway Path 

Whitley Bay to Tynemouth 

This is a beautiful surfaced route which passes two playgrounds and lots of places to grab an ice cream / drink / bite to eat.

You can catch the Metro back if you don't fancy the return walk too. Read our full guide to this walk here: Whitley Bay to Tynemouth Pushchair Friendly Walk 

Blyth to Seaton Sluice Walk 

This surfaced route is a lovely walk along the coastline with three playgrounds, an ice cream parlour and places to stop for fish and chips.

Free parking and easy to get to by public transport too. Read our full guide to this walk here: Blyth to Seaton Sluice Pushchair Friendly Walk 

Rising Sun Country Park 

This country park offers several walking routes along surfaced paths. You can take in wildlife ponds, bird hides and may even spot a wild stag.

There is a cafe/visitor centre and playground at the start along with free parking. Read our guide to visiting here (the farm is temporarily closed - May 2023): Rising Sun Country Park Guide

Rothbury Riverside Walk 

This is a lovely walk along the river with a fab enclosed playground, free parking and places to stop for coffee in the town. Read our full guide to this walk here: Rothbury Riverside Walk Guide 

Derwent Waterside Park 

This is a lovely walk around a reservoir. There is a hill at the start but if you want to avoid this, drive up the hill and park in the car park next to the reservoir. There is a brilliant adventure playground, nature trail, cafe and toilets too.

Read our full guide here: Derwent Waterside Park Walk 

Thornley Woodland Centre Sculpture Trail 

This 20-30 minute circular route takes in various animal sculptures. Pick up a free trail sheet from the visitor centre. There is free parking and a bus stop outside plus a cafe and toilets.

The ground is natural woodland with a few small hills but I think it's ok for most pushchairs. 

Read our guide to this walk: Thornley Woodland Centre Sculpture Trail 

Hamsterley Forest 

There are pushchair friendly walks to try around Hamsterley Forest which include a Viking themed playground and Gruffalo sculptures. There is a cafe and toilets on site. 

Read our guide to visiting here: Hamsterley Forest Guide 

Rainton Meadows 

Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve includes some accessible walking routes as well as a cafe and new play area. Read our guide to visiting here: Rainton Meadows Walk 

Bolam Lake 

If you stick to the path that hugs the lake, this is 1.5 mile cicular route which is fully accessible. There is seating, wildlife to spot plus a cafe and toilets. 

Read our guide to visiting here: Bolam Lake Guide 

Low Hauxley Nature Reserve 

This nature reserve includes a fully accessible route and wildlife hide, a cafe and small wild play area. Pet dogs are not permitted here. Read our guide: Low Hauxley Nature Reserve 

Watergate Forest Park 

There is loads of free parking here as well as wide, surfaced paths suitable for pushchairs. Don't miss the fabulous dog-friendly cafe too. Read our guide to visiting: Watergate Forest Park Guide 

Hardwick Park 

This is a lovely circular walk with a small playground and cafe. There's a free augmented dinosaur trail too. Read our guide here: Hardwick Park Guide 

13 of the Best Pushchair Friendly Walks around North East England

1 - Hardwick Park as recommended by Eden Markl

Credit | Eden Markl

"Hardwick Park in County Durham is a Visit England accredited attraction and perfect for a stroll at any time of the year. The main park walk is accessible to all visitors and it's all flat with no steps so perfect for a pushchair.

As well as historic parkland, a lake, woodland and wildlife, there's a visitor centre, popular cafe and full events programme including Toddler Trails and Tales." Find out more here. 

2 - South Shields Marine Park as recommended by Here Come The Hoopers

Credit |  Katie Jane Online 

"You can have a walk up Ocean road to North and South Marine Park then onto the promenade. Plenty of play things in the park for babies and birds to watch in the lake.

The Marsden rattler is lovely for a cuppa or Minchellas for ice cream." Find out more here. 

3 - Druridge Bay Country Park as recommended by Big Stevie Cool 

"The walk around Ladyburn Lake is around 1.3 miles long. It is all flat and suitable for pushchairs. There are stepping stones across the lake but if you need an accessible route, continue walking past them around the perimeter of the lake and you'll manage fine with wheels.

There's a visitor centre, small park and you're right by the beach too." Find out more here.

4 - Durham River as recommended by Supermummy Secrets

Credit | Supermummy Secrets

"Durham river is the perfect place for a stroll with toddlers and pushchairs. You can stop and watch the various boats and ducks." 

5 - Derwent Reservoir as recommended by Sofa Stories

Credit | Sofa Stories

"Derwent Reservoir is lovely. Picnic and play areas on your walk. Also good area for jogging with a buggy." Find out more here. 

6 - The Coastal Route between Blyth and Seaton Sluice as recommended by Family Times UK

"The coastal route between blyth/Seaton sluice is lovely and there's a park at both ends to stop and have a play. The path is flat and perfect for pushchairs.

You can stop for Fish and chips along the way too."

7 - Whitley Bay to St Mary's Lighthouse as recommended by North East Family Fun

"It's around a 4 mile round trip from Whitley Bay town centre in North Tyneside to the lighthouse and back. It's a straight path that again is perfect for pushchairs and you'll be rewarded with lovely views.

If you plan a walk when the tide is out, you can cross the causeway to St Mary's Island with a pushchair too and you're lucky, you might spot some seals." Check out our blog review featuring this walk here. 

8 - Marden Quarry/Park as recommended by Babyfoote 

Credit | Babyfoote

"Marden Park is lovely too, and there are ducklings and goslings at the moment. The walk is around a lake from Marden Quarry. Nice little place for a toddle, or balance bike.

There are ponies in the stables at the top. If you see the balloons out on the roadside then you know the stables are open and you can go for a pony ride (about £3 for twice round the yard, and help brush the ponies too)."

9 - Jesmond Dene as recommended by My Boys Club

"I loved Jesmond Dene when the boys were little - a lovely, leafy walk, parking / public transport, a river for playing pooh sticks, play area, ice-cream good food and plenty of space for a picnic - not to mention the animals. It's fab." Find out more here

10 - Carlisle Park in Morpeth, Northumberland as recommended by Newcastle Family Life

"We go to Carlisle park which is pushchair friendly and walk along the river path feeding the ducks. It always wore my two out and they would fall asleep in the buggy so I could go for lunch or a look around the shops in peace while they slept in the buggy." Find out more here.

11 - North Shields Fish Quay to Tynemouth as recommended by Babyfoote

Credit | Babyfoote

"We really love North Shields Fish quay to Tynemouth and back. It's a lovely flat walk until right at the end when you've got two hills to get your heart beating and earning that coffee in Mr Woods or Dil and the Bear.

Along the way you can go and see Collingwood, who was a very good human. Worth talking about with little ones."

12 - Newburn to Wylam as recommended by Sprog on the Tyne

Credit | Sprog On The Tyne

"It's a long one, but I really like the circle route starting at Newburn along to Wylam then back over the other side of the water.

There is a playground at both Newburn and Wylam so the kids can run stretch their legs as well as being in the buggy, pretty much the whole 8 miles (!) loop is car-free so great for dogs too, and my toddlers love stopping at the little river beach at Wylam to throw in stones."

13 - Belsay Hall Gardens as recommended by North East Family Fun

I think Belsay's gardens are the prettiest in the North East. It's a beautiful 1.5 mile circular walk to Belsay Castle and back.

The paths are pushchair friendly and you'll spot lots of exotic looking plants and flowers as you walk through the walled garden, woodland and quarry.

There are picnic tables at the castle if you fancy packing some sandwiches and making the most of the countryside views.  Find out more here. 

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Looking for more suggestions? Check out these posts:

• 10 of the best family walks in North East England near a park and cafe
• 10 North East easy coastal walks