Tyne Riverside Country Park (South Bank)

The riverside walk along Tyne Riverside Country Park's south bank is proper lovely once you're actually on it, though getting there requires a bit of local knowledge. This stretch of the Tyne valley near Stocksfield feels quieter than you'd expect for somewhere so accessible - fewer tourists than the honeypot spots further downstream.

What you get is a genuine river walk with decent views across the water and through the mature woodland that backs the path. The Tyne here is broad and slow-moving, nothing dramatic, but it's exactly the sort of place that rewards a steady two-hour meander. Birdwatchers do well - I saw a heron working the shallows - and the autumn light through the trees is genuinely striking.

It's ideal for families wanting a proper walk that isn't too taxing, though the path can get muddy after rain and shoes with grip matter. Walkers will find it a sensible half-day outing, especially if you're based nearby. History types won't find much interpretive material, so it's purely about the landscape rather than the stories.

Free to access and open year-round, which is the only way a river walk should work. Allow three hours if you're doing the full loop and stopping to actually look at things. Valley View Camping & Glamping sits just 2.8 miles away, making it a natural fit for a basing spot - good spot for a break between this and exploring the wider valley.