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Explore the natural delights around Newcastle without using the car. Here’s a Nexus guide to wildlife and countryside destinations easy to reach by bus and Metro. Family tickets make travel cheap and convenient while frequent bus services to and from attractions take the stress out of a Great Day Out. Remember, if you’ve got a season ticket for work then days out are free. Concessionary passholders pay nothing for travel on bus and Metro (with a Gold Card) making it easy to take the grandchildren out for the day. Nexus Under 16 cards are valid for 40p single travel in Tyne and Wear on weekdays right through the summer – while on Metro a pound a day is the most kids will pay to travel, any day of the week. Traveline 0n 0871 200 22 33 or www.nexus.org.uk has all the details on timetables and routes for train bus and Metro in the North East. Train trails in the Tyne Valley
Watching salmon jump the weir at Hexham is a highlight of September, but there’s a string of fabulous country walks linking stations on the Tyne Valley rail line all year round. Follow a winding four mile footpath through mature woods between Stocksfield and Riding Mill, or take an easier riverside route linking Prudhoe and Wylam over historic Hagg Bank bridge. Trails run between all stations – www.nationaltrails/hadrianswall/ for details. GET THERE on trains from Newcastle Central every hour (every 30 minutes to Prudhoe and Hexham, Mon-Sat). Big Waters Nature Reserve
FREE. Walks, picnics, fishing, birdwatching and nature studies near Wide Open, including a lake, streams, and woodland. www.nwt.org.uk GET THERE on 45 (Stagecoach) bus every 15 mins from Haymarket and Gosforth to Brunswick Village or Dinnington (Mon-Sat). Also bus 101 every hour (Mon-Sat) from Kingston Park, Blyth and Cramlington. Red Kite Trail and Gibside National Trust
FREE. Red Kites soar over miles of country trails, wildlife hides, picnic and sports facilities in a woodland valley near Rowlands Gill. www.northernkites.org.uk
GET THERE on Red Kite 45, 46, and 46A buses or Derwent Ranger 47/ 47A every few minutes from Eldon Square, Central and MetroCentre to Winlaton Mill, Thornley Woods or Rowlands Gill (for Gibside). Also R6, R7 from Ryton, 48, 49 every 15 mins from Gateshead, Dunston or Blaydon, and 69 every 30 mins from Wardley via Low Fell – get off at Blaydon Rugby Club and start your day on the Derwent Railway trail.
Bill Quay Community Farm
The farm stages special events throughout summer, with rare breeds and cows, goats, pigs, sheep, chickens, plus café and nearby riverside walks. www.gateshead.gov.uk GET THERE from Pelaw Metro – the farm is five minutes walk. Also Crusader 27/27A buses every 15 mins from Monument, Felling, Heworth, Hebburn and Jarrow. Rising Sun Country Park
FREE. A 400-acre wildlife oasis in the heart of Tyneside with lake, grassland and woodland. Look out for summer events www.northtyneside.gov.uk GET THERE on 355 every 30 mins from Newcastle, Gosforth, Forest Hall and Whitley Bay (hourly Sunday). Also Pink Panther 81 every 20 mins from Holy Cross, Wallsend Metro and town centre and hourly from Cramlington and Killingworth. Get off at Benton Asda. Palmersville Metro is 10 mins walk. Tyne Riverside Country Park, Newburn
FREE. Nature trails and information centre, riverside walks stretch to Ryton, Wylam and Prudhoe. Children’s play area, sports centre and the Keelman pub serving beer brewed on the premises. www.newcastle.gov.uk GET THERE on bus 22 every 10 mins from Newcastle Central, Byker, Walker and Wallsend to Newburn village. Washington Wetland Centre
See the famous pink flamingos, colourful ducks from around the world, and wildlife hides to catch seasonal visitors. Admission charge. www.wwt.org.uk
GET THERE on 74, X2, X8 buses five times an hour from Park Lane Interchange or Washington Galleries to Waterview Park – the Centre is just a few minutes walk. X2 every 30 minutes from Newcastle Eldon Square and Gateshead Metro. Path Head watermill
A restored 18th century watermill in a tranquil dell just outside Blaydon. Watch the mill at work, picnic areas and wooded walks. www.gatesheadmill.co.uk GET THERE on 10, 11, 602, 604 buses every few minutes from Newcastle, MetroCentre, Ryton and Crawcrook to Black Bull pub. 49 every 15 minutes from Gateshead Interchange and Dunston, get off at Blaydon or the first stop towards Ryton. Mill clearly signposted up hill.
Chopwell Woods
FREE You could be a million miles from the city – but Chopwell Woods is less than 40 minutes from Central station on Derwent Ranger buses. Miles of ancient beach and pine forests, shady picnic tables and sculptures. Walk right through the woods and catch a bus home from Chopwell to complete your day out. www.forestry.gov.uk GET THERE on Derwent Ranger 47, 47A every 30 minutes from Eldon Square, Central Station and MetroCentre to High Spen. St Mary’s Lighthouse and Whitley Bay Beach
Reached between the tides via a short causeway, St Mary’s is a miniature, part-time island and nature reserve. Climb 137 steps up the lighthouse for spectacular views. Admission charge. Whitley Bay Beach and the Links sweep south from the island. GET THERE on 308 and Cobalt Clipper 309 – every few minutes from Haymarket, Eldon Square and Blyth to Whitley Bay Cemetery – a 10 min walk via Tidal Causeway. Metro and many buses go to Whitley Bay town centre for the beach and links, including Coaster 1 and 2 from Gateshead and Newcastle through Wallsend, North Shields and Tynemouth every 15 minutes (30 mins Sunday). South Shields seafront and Marsden Grotto
South Tyneside’s new tourist bus is great for exploring the seafront, with an all-day family ticket just £8. Take the bus from South Shields and hop on and off to enjoy the seafront, Marsden Grotto, Souter Lighthouse and coastal walks along the Leas – as well as other borough attractions. GET THERE to South Shields Metro, local buses or 50 every 30 mins from Durham, Chester-le-Street and Washington. The seafront is 10 mins from town centre or take tourist bus. E1, E2, E6 every few minutes from South Shields town centre or Park Lane, Sunderland to Marsden/Souter Lighthouse.
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