A few weeks ago, I published a post sharing safety advice against the dangers of swimming in reservoirs (you can read the full post here). Please do not swim/paddle at the likes of Kielder / Derwent Waterside Park. There are lots of hidden dangers.
However, paddling in streams is a kind of rite of passage in childhood I think. Obviously, you still need to remain vigilant - young children can drown in a teeny amount of water and depths can change suddenly. Children should never be left unsupervised.
For more ideas for places to visit across North East England this summer, click here to join our FREE Days Out Facebook group which is packed with recommendations.
Please read local safety advice before entering the water. Some of the places mentioned may not technically be classed as a stream.
Always check to see if somewhere is open before heading out.
I have not visited all of these places personally so please do your own research before setting off to avoid disappointment. You can see more suggestions and photos from others over on this Facebook post.
Essential Kit for Paddling in Steams
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- I am personally not a fan of paddling in streams myself and much prefer to sit on a camping chair and watch on. Here is a list of camping chairs priced from around £15.
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- Don't forget your suncream! You can buy some of these options with same/next day delivery
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The Best Places to Paddle in Streams across North East England
Plessey Woods
Plessey Woods is a popular spot in Northumberland. There is a cafe, play park, visitor centre, toilets and lots of green space to run around / enjoy a picnic right next to the car park.
I can confirm that the toilets are open at the moment (June 2020).
If you venture into the woods there are various routes to take (with signposted routes for step free / accessible / pushchair friendly routes) with trails and sculptures hidden throughout.
Watch out for the Ogre swamp! The woods can get fairly muddy in bad weather so if you visit after rain, I would recommend an all-terrain pushchair.
As you head down through the woods, there are spots to paddle in the river by the bridge and jetty.
Humford Woods / Bedlington Country Park
I can confirm that the toilets are open at the moment (June 2020).
If you venture into the woods there are various routes to take (with signposted routes for step free / accessible / pushchair friendly routes) with trails and sculptures hidden throughout.
Watch out for the Ogre swamp! The woods can get fairly muddy in bad weather so if you visit after rain, I would recommend an all-terrain pushchair.
As you head down through the woods, there are spots to paddle in the river by the bridge and jetty.
- Postcode: NE22 6AN
- Read more about Plessey Woods & see more photos here.
Humford Woods / Bedlington Country Park
There are lots of places to paddle in and around Bedlington Country Park, especially near Humford Mill. If you park at the mill, the river is accessible (however you will need to navigate a moderate hill).
There are stepping stones across the water too. If you cross the stepping stones and follow the river, there is a lovely waterfall area where you can paddle too.
There are picnic tables and a play park on the river bank.
- Postcode: NE22 5RT
- Read more about Humford Woods / Bedlington Country Park & check out our photos here.
Ingram Valley
We absolutely love Ingram Valley. It is a natural beauty spot in Northumberland National Park with plenty of space to paddle.
We normally park in Bulbys Wood Car Park which has its own toilets. From here, the grass is flat and accessible and just a short distance away from the stream (you can see the stream from the car park). There are more parking spots, further loos and a cafe further along the road if you continue driving.
Bring some change as an ice cream van sometimes randomly pops up!
- Bulbys Wood Car Park Postcode: NE66 4LT
- Read more about Ingram Valley and check out our photos here
Rothbury
Rothbury is a beautiful town in Northumberland. The walk along the river is beautiful and very scenic and you can paddle at the riverbank area by the main bridge into town.
There are picnic tables and a play park right by the river and the walk is accessible too.
There are picnic tables and a play park right by the river and the walk is accessible too.
- Park in Rothbury Town Centre / Cowhaugh Car Park / Beggars Rig Car Park
- Find out more and see more photos here
Hamsterley Forest
Hamsterley Forest is a super popular spot. Expect bike trails, walking routes, a Gruffalo trail, lots of play areas, cafe, visitor centre & areas where you can paddle in the river.
The forest has accessible walking trails and is pushchair friendly. The car park is chargeable, see website for details.
The forest has accessible walking trails and is pushchair friendly. The car park is chargeable, see website for details.
- Postcode: DL13 3NL
- Find out more and see more photos here
Causey Arch is such a lush picnic spot surrounded by ancient woodland, grassland and a stream to paddle in. There are picnic tables dotted about or near the car park too.
It is a fairly steep walk down to the river and their website says it is accessible but just be aware - there is a steep part! Read our review of Causey Arch here.
It is a fairly steep walk down to the river and their website says it is accessible but just be aware - there is a steep part! Read our review of Causey Arch here.
- Download the PDF on this website for more info
- Postcode: NE16 5EG
Jesmond Dene
Jesmond Dene is a popular area just outside of Newcastle. Expect picnic spaces, grassy areas, a cafe, Pets Corner (may not be open) and gorgeous woodland walks where you can stop to paddle in the river. The walks are accessible and pushchair friendly.
Falling Foss
Falling Foss near Whitby is a gem. It is a bit of a steep climb down from the car park and I am not sure I would take a pushchair/wheelchair myself. I think there may be a disabled drop-off area right next to the tea garden though so it may be worth phoning ahead to ask.
There is the most beautiful outdoor tea garden in the heart of the woods, a waterfall you can paddle near or various points where you can paddle throughout the woods.
- Postcode: YO22 5JD
- Find out more and see more photos here.
Corbridge
We love Corbridge. Lovely independent shops and pubs, a Roman Town to explore and of course the river to play in too.
The following sites are reader recommendations and places I have yet to visit myself so can only provide limited info at the moment (apologies). I will update this post with more information as we visit a few of them this summer :
We love Corbridge. Lovely independent shops and pubs, a Roman Town to explore and of course the river to play in too.
- Car park: NE45 5AX
- See more photos from our last trip to Corbridge here.
The following sites are reader recommendations and places I have yet to visit myself so can only provide limited info at the moment (apologies). I will update this post with more information as we visit a few of them this summer :
Haltwhistle Burn
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| Wiki Commons |
Derwenthaugh Park near Winlaton Mill
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| Geograph Britain : David Dixon |
Mitford
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| Geograph Britain : John Walton |
Finchale Priory
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| Geograph Britain - Mat Fascoine |
Hawthorn Dene
- Postcode: SR7 8SH
- Find out more here
- Reader comment - Hawthorn Dene has some lovely shallow streams
Sheepwash
Watergate Forest Park
- Postcode: NE11 9RQ
- Find out more here
- Reader comment - Watergate park in Whickham is an easy little walk with good paddling spots.
- Read our guide to visiting Watergate Forest Park here.
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| Wiki Commons |
- Find out more here
- Reader comment - Went to Stanhope on Saturday and there were quite a few paddling in the river there. Get there early to get a parking spot.
Hareshaw Linn
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| Wiki Commons |
- Find out more here
- Reader comment - Hareshaw Linn has loads of spots where people can paddle. There is a spot further up where you can swim too.
NOW CLOSED Linn Waterfall
Please see additional advice from the MOD re: visiting Crammel Linn here:
Ponteland Park
- Park in town
- Find out more here
- Reader comment - There are a few places to paddle in Ponteland Park.
Malton Picnic Area, Lanchester
- Postcode: DH7 0TH
- Find out more here (website states this area is accessible for wheelchairs & pushchairs)
Hill End, Frosterley
Carrick Picnic Site, Blanchland
River Swale in Richmond
- Postcode: DH8 9NL
- Find out more here
- You can read our guide to visiting Blanchland here.
River Swale in Richmond
- Find out more here (park in town)
Saltburn Valley Gardens
- Postcode: TS12 1GG (park along the sea front)
- Find out more here
- Read our guide to visiting Saltburn here.
Asygarth Falls Codbeck
- Car park postcode: DL8 3TH
- Find out more here
Boilhope Burn
- Car park postcode: DL13 2SZ
- Find out more here
- Reader comment - Boilhope Burn on the B6278 past Stanhope Ford has lovely picnic areas and a stream to paddle in.
Castle Eden Dene
- Car park postcode: SR8 1NJ
- Find out more here
Low Slitt Woods, Westgate
- Park at Westgate town and walk through the woods past beautiful waterfalls and streams.
- Find out more here.
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Other posts you may enjoy:
Let me know if there is anywhere else we should add to the list. I cannot wait to visit some new places from this list myself and will update the post with more photos and info when we do.
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