Queen Elizabeth II Country Park Walk

An easy pushchair and dog-friendly circular walk in Northumberland. 

The Queen Elizabeth II Country Park is located next to Woodhorn Museum  just off the A189 between Blyth and Ashington. There is ample free parking (use postcode NE63 9AT) and the area is a lovely spot for a family walk. 

The 16-acre lake is at the heart of the country park and there is a circular walk around the perimeter. It takes around 30-40 minutes to walk around and is pushchair friendly (although some areas are grass so maybe best to avoid with a pushchair in very wet weather).

There are lots of birds to spot in the lake and the area is best known for its swans - they are very friendly and not at all shy.
 

There are geese, ducks and other waterbirds too. Some people bring camping chairs and just enjoy a coffee in the car park overlooking the lake and birds. This is a perfect beauty spot for the elderly/those who may not manage the walk but would still like to enjoy nature. There are a few picnic tables by the car park too and on the day of our visit, there was an ice cream van. 

We visited at tea time on a sunny Saturday in May. It wasn't quiet but it was very easy to social distance as there was so much space. Many families had brought a picnic and set up a little camp somewhere by the lake. If you did this, the only other people you would see would be walkers passing by, there is definitely more space between picnickers than I have seen at the beach. 

The circular walk around the lake takes you through woodland and across open grassland. There are little jetties at various points where you can enjoy a better view of the lake. 

There are a couple of wildlife signs with info - apparently, there are water voles here. Closer to Woodhorn you may spot squirrels too. 

Right by the car park and lake is a Premier Inn, Cookhouse Pub and Private Swimming Pool. Personally, I am not a huge fan of the pub. It can get a bit chavvy. We did used to visit when the kids were little though as it has both an indoor and outdoor play area and is cheap as chips. It is the sort of pub which is fine to pop into for a quick drink or bite to eat with kids but not worth the drive alone. 

I always think the Premier Inn here is in such a good location for exploring Northumberland and it has really good reviews and a free car park too. 

Click here (ad - affiliate link) to find out more about the Premier Inn and check prices.  

As you can see, loads of room in the car park.......

There is various seating around the lake including picnic tables and benches. 

The only information I could find said that the lake is used for organised open-water swimming and that swimming by individuals is discouraged. We did spot people swimming and paddling here but there are no life guards. 

Part of the walk passes the narrow gauge railway which in normal circumstances, travels from Woodhorn and is available for a couple of £. We have taken the train trip a couple of times and it is always fun. 

I would say it is ok to bring bikes and cycle around here - just be aware that half of the route is on grass rather than a path. 

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You can fish at the lake here. Find out more and purchase a permit here: http://www.wacac.me.uk/ 

Watersports are permitted on the lake with prior booking. See below for details (although this poster is outdated, I assume the contact details are the same).  You can find out more via their website here.