As part of England’s “Road Map Out Of Lockdown” from Monday, 29th March 2021, it will no longer be a legal requirement to Stay At Home. Changes to Social Contact will also come in to play on this date meaning outdoor gatherings of either 6 people or 2 households will be allowed. These changes will make it easier for friends and families to meet outside.

Below are a list of our favourite picnic areas with children’s play parks and takeaway hot drinks close by for when you’d like to make the most of the new guidelines. Please check direct with the parks for opening times and always adhere to social distancing rules.

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Plessey Woods, Bedlington

Postcode: NE22 6AN

Features: The park offers 100 acres of woodland, meadow and riverside to explore. The woodland is home to many birds as well as animals including the red squirrel, roe deer and fox. The banks of the River Blyth, which runs through the park, are also an important habitat for wildlife. A visitor centre, cafe, toilets, children’s play area and parking are all available for visitors. It’s a great location for a family day out to walk, play, explore, and picnic.

Website: https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Local/Country-parks-visitor-centres-coastal-sitesPubl/Plessey-Woods-Country-Park-visitor-centre.aspx

Carpark: ✅

Public Toilets: ✅

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Rising Sun Country Park, Benton

Postcode: NE12 9SS

Features: The Rising Sun Country Park is a green oasis of 162 hectares, set in the heart of North Tyneside. Boasting a nature reserve with ponds, woodlands and grasslands; a farm and Countryside Centre, the site is a haven for wildlife and an ideal place to relax and enjoy the great outdoors. Parking and disabled parking is provided within the grounds. Facilities include extensive footpaths, bridleways, cycleways, bird hides, a cafe with terrace, picnic & barbecue areas, children’s play area with water play feature and toilet facilities.

Website: https://my.northtyneside.gov.uk/category/385/rising-sun-country-park

Carpark: ✅

Public Toilets: ✅

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Ridley Park, Blyth

Postcode: NE24 3HF

Features: Ridley Park provides many fun and recreational activities for people of all ages to enjoy, including a water play area, woodland walk, bowling green and toilets. It’s a popular and picturesque spot for the whole family to visit throughout the year. A takeaway service is currently operating from Mister Ridleys Ice & Coffee Parlour which is located in the centre of Ridley Park.

Website: https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Local/Ridley-Park-Blyth.aspx

Carpark: ✅

Public Toilets: ✅

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Riverside Park, Chester-Le-Street

Postcode: DH3 3PL

Features: Riverside Park was created in the 1930s and redeveloped in more recent years to include ornamental gardens, events area, play area with splash pad, cafe and toilets. There are many grassed areas and riverside walks for quiet relaxation, picnics, kite flying, running and cycling.

Website: https://www.durham.gov.uk/riversidepark

Carpark: ✅

Public Toilets: ✅

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Saltwell Park, Gateshead

Postcode: NE9 5AX

Features: Nestled in the heart of Gateshead, Saltwell Park is one of Britain’s finest examples of a Victorian park and a perfect place for the whole family to enjoy. Its historical and peaceful grounds have earned many awards. Relax and unwind in the beautiful green space; bring the family to enjoy the facilities including play areas, a maze and pets’ corner; get active with the walking and jogging routes as well as bowling greens, tennis and basketball courts or simply enjoy a hot drink in the stunning surroundings of Saltwell Towers. Toilet facilities are available within the park.

Website: https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/3958/Saltwell-Park

Carpark: ✅

Public Toilets: ✅

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Carlisle Park, Morpeth

Postcode: NE61 1YD

Features: Carlisle Park is a multi-award winning park in the heart of Morpeth, Northumberland. Situated on the south bank of the River Wansbeck, it contains formal gardens, an aviary, play areas, a paddling pool, ancient woodland, picnic areas, toilets, tennis courts, bowling greens, a skate park and much more.

Website: https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Local/Carlisle-Park-Morpeth.aspx

Carpark: ✅

Public Toilets: ✅

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Newburn Riverside Park, Newburn

Postcode: NE15 8ND

Features: Situated on the North bank of the Tyne, close to Newburn, Tyne Riverside Country Park is formed from reclaimed industrial land. A popular country park for outdoor recreation and sports, great for walking , cycling and horse riding with a large network for footpaths and public rights of way. Hedleys Riverside Coffee Shop is currently operating a takeaway service. Unfortunately, there are no public toilets at the park.

Website: https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Local/Country-parks-visitor-centres-coastal-sitesPubl/Tyne-Riverside-Country-Park.aspx

Carpark: ✅

Public Toilets: ❌

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Exhibition Park, Newcastle

Postcode: NE2 4PZ

Features: Exhibition Park is a beautiful park complete with Victorian bandstand and small boating lake which is now home to swans and ducks. Exhibition Park is an ideal place for runners. Dog walkers and families can also enjoy the outdoors without travelling too far from the city. Take in the fresh air with a stroll around Exhibition Park where children can burn off their energy in the children’s playground. One negative point about the park is the lack of public toilets.

Website: https://newcastlegateshead.com/business-directory/things-to-do/exhibition-park

Carpark: ❌

Public Toilets: ❌

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Jesmond Dene Park, Newcastle

Postcode: NE7 7DZ

Features: Jesmond Dene is a unique haven of peace and tranquillity for the people of Newcastle. It is a wooded valley that follows the river Ouseburn between South Gosforth and Jesmond Vale. There is a spectacular mix of native and exotic trees, and the Dene is home to a lot of wildlife. The Dene stretches for over three kilometres and has many areas of tranquillity. Near the entrance of Jesmond Dene, just off the Coast Road is Millfield House. This provides a conference centre, cafe and toilets. This part of the Dene also has a large picnic area and a Pets Corner.

Website: https://newcastlegateshead.com/business-directory/things-to-do/jesmond-dene

Carpark: ✅

Public Toilets: ✅

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Northumberland Park, North Shields

Postcode: NE30 2ES

Features: Nestled between Tynemouth and North Shields, Northumberland Park has attracted visitors since 1885. Northumberland Park offers a tranquil green space with a variety of landscapes, providing a mixture of Victorian elegance and urban wilderness. The park rests on the medieval site of St Leonard’s hospital and chapel which has been explored using archaeological digs. Facilities include a medieval herb garden, Victorian-style bandstand, woodland and lakeside walks, butterfly meadow, multi-age play area, bowling green, sculpture trail, BMX pump track, historic pet cemetery, Himalayan Dene and water cascades, visitor centre, tea room and public toilets

Website: https://my.northtyneside.gov.uk/facility/990

Carpark: ❌ (street parking is available)

Public Toilets: ✅

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Marine Park, South Shields

Postcode: NE33 2NL

Features: Located on the seafront in South Shields, Marine Park holds a special place in the heart of local residents and visitors. The park includes an art trail, boating lake, cafe, miniature steam railway, open space, play areas and toilets. For over 100 years it has been a place for walking, dancing, relaxing, playing and socialising. The park is a popular destination for tourists, day trippers, schools and community groups alike.

Website: https://www.southtyneside.gov.uk/article/34417/South-Marine-Park

Carpark: ✅

Public Toilets: ✅

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Hardwick Park, Stockton

Postcode: TS21 2DN

Features: With free admission (other than car parking charges), you can stroll through the historic parkland admiring the natural beauty of the lake, woodland and wildlife. No visit is complete without calling into the visitor centre to learn about the history and restoration of the park, taking a look in the gift shop and calling in to the Tower Cafe. Toilet facilities are also available within the centre.

Website: https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/8721/Visitor-information

Carpark: ✅

Public Toilets: ✅

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Tynemouth Park, Tynemouth

Postcode: NE30 4JL

Features: Tynemouth Park is the perfect place for a fun family day out as there are loads of things to do. Guidelines allowing, you can enjoy a game of mini-golf at Lost World Adventure Golf, have fun at the outdoor soft play areas – Jungle Wipeout and Baby Wipeout; find your way around the new Pirate Quest Maze and row around the boating lake. There is definitely something for everyone and you can also stop off for a drink or an ice-cream at the park’s Clock Tower Café. There are public toilets at the entrance to the park.

Website: https://www.tynemouthpark.com

Carpark: ✅

Public Toilets: ✅

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Richardson Dees Park, Wallsend

Postcode: NE28 8RH

Features: Wallsend Parks are a fantastic group of three public parks, close to Wallsend town centre. They form an essential resource for wildlife and people in three unique, connected green spaces over 16 hectares in size. Explore historic grounds, woodland walks, wildlife habitats, a cosy café and range of self-led activities – not to mention a fantastic children’s play area! Public toilets are available within the park.

Website: https://my.northtyneside.gov.uk/category/384/wallsend-parks

Carpark: ❌ (street parking is available)

Public Toilets: ✅

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Preston Park, Yarm

Postcode: TS18 3RH

Features: Let the kids explore the fantastic Adventure Play Park, complete with an impressive tree-top climbing frame and a dedicated area for toddlers. Take a stroll around the lovely woodland and river walkways that offer a beautiful place to unwind and discover plenty of wildlife all year round. The fantastic Skate Park is hugely popular and certainly worth a visit. There’s also the Teesside Small Gauge Railway which is a miniature railway run by volunteers. Public toilets are located next to the cafe.

Website: https://www.prestonparkmuseum.co.uk/park/

Carpark: ✅

Public Toilets: ✅

We can’t wait for the change of guidelines to come in to effect, hopefully the sun will make a long, uninterrupted appearance as well. Have I mentioned your favourite park in the post? Let me know in the comments where you’ll be visiting after the 29th March 2021.