Hexham Park

The River Tyne runs through Hexham Park like a proper ribbon of calm through the town centre, and that's really the point of coming here. It's a straightforward nature reserve where you can actually spot things - kingfishers if you're lucky, woodpeckers, the usual riverside birds. The walking paths are well-maintained and there's genuine woodland rather than just mown grass pretending to be nature.

For families with young kids, it's ideal for an hour or so of gentle wandering without needing to trek halfway up a fell. Walkers appreciate it as a warm-up before heading into the proper Northumberland countryside that starts just beyond the town. If you're into birds or dabble in photography, bring binoculars - the bends in the river create decent vantage points.

It's free to access, which means you can pop in between other activities without commitment. Don't expect manicured gardens or play equipment - this is wild riverside habitat, left to do its thing. Spring's your best bet for migrating birds, though autumn riverside walks have their own appeal when the trees change.

If you're staying at Springhouse Boutique Holiday Park just outside town, Hexham Park makes a sensible morning stop before exploring the broader Tyne Valley. The park itself won't consume half your day, but combined with the town's shops and Abbey, it rounds out a decent few hours. Best visited on a clear day when the light catches the water properly.