Silverlink Biodiversity Park Giant Sundial & Nature Walk

 

The Silverlink Biodiversity Park & Sundial is a bit of a hidden gem but a lovely spot for a walk with kids amongst nature. This former rubbish tip was developed into a country park in 1996 and declared a nature reserve in 2005. 

The walk is completely free and nice and varied with lots of wildlife to spot. It would be a good location for a nature hunt. 

The site covers 18 acres and as its name suggests, is full of diverse wildlife including: 

• shrubs
• grassland
• wetlands
• woodland
• amphibians and invertebrates
• pond skaters 
• damsel flies
• butterflies 
• kestrels 
• foxes 
• roe deer 
• brown hare 
• rabbits 

 

There is a free car park directly opposite the village hotel (use postcode NE27 0BY - check restrictions on arrival) and a bus stop directly outside (outside of the village hotel). Lots of buses stop here (see here for more info) and it is a short walk from Northumberland Park Metro Station. 

There is a map in the car park. I'd recommend taking a snap of this on your phone if it's your first visit as there aren't really any signposts within the nature reserve. Sadly, the park has suffered with graffiti. 

If you'd like to follow a proper route, this 1.9 mile loop is ideal (see here for PDF instructions or just google ' Silverlink Biodiversity Walk' and it should come up): 

What I like about this walk is that it is so varied and there is plenty to see, it's brilliant if you enjoy wildlife. Some of the paths can be a little narrow in places but it mostly should be ok for pushchairs. There is step-free access up to the sundial but it is obviously a bit of a steep climb. 

I visited on a mild Saturday afternoon and we pretty much had the place to ourselves. It is much more quiet than nearby Rising Sun Country Park. 

There are multiple ponds to enjoy which are packed with wildlife (I think there are 6 in total and I spotted lots of frogspawn). These are brilliant to visit with toddlers but obviously, keep them under close supervision near water. 

And plenty of beautiful pops of colour and flowers. 

During blackberry picking season, you'll be spoilt for choice here so do keep this place in mind if you fancy taking the kids later in the year (we usually spot blackberries from mid-August onwards depending on the weather). 

You can climb up to the giant sundial (there is also step free access) which is pretty close to the car park. The steel of the sundial is made from the same material as the Angel of the North. On a clear day, you can see as far as St Mary's Lighthouse, the Cheviot Hills, Penshaw Monument and Newcastle City. 

There are numbers around the sundial where the seats are but on the day of my visit it was too cloudy to see the sundial in action. It would be fab to visit on a sunnier day and I bet it's a nice place to enjoy a hot chocolate and watch the sunset too.  I was still able to appreciate the views though. There are info boards up there sharing what you can see. 

If you are looking for somewhere for a bite to eat afterwards, the Village Hotel is opposite the nature reserve and there is a pub and a Costa in there (you can order to takeaway too) or a little further away you have Nandos, Bella Italia and Pizza Hut at Silverlink plus the Pavilion Backworth and Shiremoor House Farm nearby. Oh and there is a Sambucas just around the corner too. 

Looking to extend your day out? Stephenson Railway Museum is super close and FREE to visit. The little museum is indoors and ideal to escape to if it starts to rain (do check opening hours though). 

Rising Sun Country Park is within a few miles or you could even walk there. At Rising Sun you will find a small children's play park and a free community farm. 

You could catch a film at Odeon Silverlink or take the kids bowling / to the inflatable park at Royal Quays. 

However I would say the park is worth a walk in it's own right and ideal if you are looking for a little trip out / a spot of fresh air amongst nature with plenty to see.