Four Fabulous Family-Friendly Walks

This easy clifftop walk along the Durham Heritage Coast is ideal for families wanting to get out and about without taking on anything too demanding. Starting in Seaham, the route follows a wide, well-maintained path south towards Nose’s Point, making it suitable for children and sturdy pushchairs. Around two miles, this circular stroll is largely flat, and offers uninterrupted sea views that will keep the family spellbound. In spring, wildflowers begin to appear along the grass verges and plenty of seabirds can be spotted nesting on the cliffs below, and later on sky larks and the rare Durham Arcus butterfly will turn the walk into a gentle nature-spotting adventure.

With plenty of stop-off points along the way, passing by Jenny’s Dene, Nose’s Point itself is a double Site of Special Scientific Interest for its geology and ecology and well worth exploring. The magnesium limestone bedrock has resulted in a rare form of grassland with some unique plants and plenty of wildlife, whilst rugged cliffs and sea stacks have been carved out of the rock by the sea. Go down the stone steps to Blast Beach (named after the blast furnaces that once deposited waste here) to catch a glimpse of the remains of World War II lookout posts. 

Back in Seaham, fish and chips and ice cream are suitable rewards for hungry children while a visit to the beach means they can hunt for precious sea glass along the shoreline. Less dramatic than Northumberland’s castles, this stretch of coast feels refreshingly understated and so easy and accessible, yet with so much to see, it proves that family-friendly doesn’t have to mean dull.

With a rare feeling of countryside calm close to the heart of the city, this wooded valley is often overlooked but it offers a convenient space for urbanites to get their nature fix. The Dene follows the course of the Ouseburn and is criss-crossed with paths, making it ideal for families, casual walkers, runners and anyone looking for an easy, restorative stroll. The various pockets of wide open spaces are made for games, and the old stone bridges which cross the Ouseburn are perfect for Pooh sticks when the river is running fast enough. In spring, crocuses and daffodils brighten the banks, the trees start to unfurl their bright green buds and there’s plenty of birdlife to keep an eye out for, including the ducks who make the river their home. You might even be lucky enough to spot a red squirrel too.

A popular route begins at the south end of the Dene where you’ll find Pet’s Corner and a café and information centre in Millfield House. The paths which lead into the Dene are mostly level, with a few gentle slopes, and there are plenty of benches along the way for rest stops until you reach the waterfall at the northern end.

Despite its central location, Jesmond Dene feels surprisingly secluded, and whether it’s a weekend wander, a spring picnic, an energetic ball game, or a gentle introduction to walking for little legs, this green urban oasis proves that some of the best walks don’t require leaving the city behind.

This has to be one of Northumberland’s most enchanting walks – a perfect blend of riverside and woodland, striking a rare balance between feeling like an adventure but still being manageable and rewarding for the whole family.

Park at Ridley Hall, where the modest fee supports the upkeep of the 194-acre gorge, and follow the trail south, following the River Allen as it tumbles over its stony bed. The path narrows and heads upwards but is still an easy climb through woodland as you approach Staward Gorge and Plankey Mill, a converted farm and classic picnic spot. You can cross the river over the footbridge here and loop back for a circular stroll, or carry on along the riverside trail towards Staward Peel, a medieval tower overlooking the gorge. Climb up for great views over this historic valley.

Keen explorers should seek out Moralee Tarn which sits on open moorland higher up above the gorge and requires a more energetic climb up from the river bank. In a natural hollow on the moorland, the tarn is surrounded by open heather, thick grassland and, under big skies, is in striking contrast to the quiet shelter of the dense woodland below.

Spring is especially beautiful in the gorge where bluebells and wild garlic carpet the woodland floor, birdsong fills the air and there’s plenty of opportunity to spot the wildlife (including red squirrels) which call the woodland home. Families will love the trail along the River Allen which gives children plenty to engage with, from skimming stones to spotting dippers, and the paths which wind through ancient woodland and along the dramatic gorge feel wild enough to be really enjoyable, but not overwhelming for parents.

A very accessible but still rewarding walk, perfect for families with younger children, this easy stroll takes you along Bow Lee Beck to the waterfall, and at just over a mile and a half it’s very manageable for everyone.

The path follows the beck upstream, winding gently through the trees, and even before you reach Summerhill Force you’ll come across lots of shallow pools for paddling, rocks for clambering on and mini cascades where the fast-flowing beck bubbles over the stony river bed. Less dramatic than its near neighbours High and Low Force, Summerhill Force is a single cascade over rock and at its base is an overhang which creates a cave, known locally as Gibson’s Cave. Legend has it that an outlaw called William Gibson hid out here in the 16th century, living off the land and evading capture by hiding behind the fall of water. Whether fact or folklore, the story adds a sense of drama to the walk which children love.

In spring the waterfall is often boisterous, boosted by rain or even snow melt, but even at its gentlest it’s still fascinating and in the slower water you can spot frogs and frogspawn. Wood anemones, wild garlic and primroses line the paths and lucky visitors may even glimpse a deer amongst the trees.

What makes this walk special is that it offers a bit of everything: woodland, water, wildlife and folklore in one short, accessible loop, and is a reminder that sometimes, the smallest adventures can leave the biggest impressions.