- Feel Good
- 19th Dec 2025
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- 0 minute
Your Boxing Day walk, sorted
After a day of bubbles, board games and one-too-many roast potatoes, there’s nothing better than a Boxing Day walk to blow away the cobwebs.
Whether you’re craving a bracing seaside stroll, a peaceful woodland wander or a picture-perfect rural ramble, we’ve rounded up the best Boxing Day routes across the North East. Fresh air, incoming.
SEASIDE STROLLS
Druridge Bay
Red Row, Northumberland, NE61 5BX
Where to park: Druridge Bay Country Park – the first hour is free, up to two hours costs £2 and over two hours costs £4. (Postcode: NE61 5BX)
There’s no better way to blow out the Christmas cobwebs than with a bracing walk along the coast. And with pristine sand and drifting dunes, Druridge Bay’s stretch of unspoiled coastline is a gem.
Souter Lighthouse and The Leas
Coast Road, Whitburn, Sunderland, SR6 7NH
Where to park: Souter Lighthouse Car Park – park right outside the Lighthouse for one hour for £1, two hours for £2, four hours for £3 or all day for £4. National Trust members are free. (Postcode: SR6 7NH)
Enjoy a coastal adventure with your furry friend with lengths of limestone footpaths, coastal bays and beautiful beaches. Here you can discover the fascinating history of the area, spot wildlife and enjoy scenic coastal views. Whether you want a gentle stroll or something more challenging, there’s a Coastal Trail to suit everyone.
Tynemouth Longsands & King Edward’s Bay
Tynemouth, North Tyneside
Where to park: Tynemouth Front Street Car Park or Tynemouth Castle Car Park, both paid; around £1.40 per hour. (Postcode: NE30 4BZ)
A Boxing Day classic. This breezy coastal walk starts along Longsands’ sweeping golden shoreline before looping up towards King Edward’s Bay for those unbeatable castle views. Perfect for blowing away the cobwebs, grabbing a takeaway coffee on Front Street and giving dogs the run of the beach.
WOODLAND WALKS
Derwent Walk
34 Queen’s Road, Blackhill, Consett DH8 0BL
Where to park: Thornley Woodland Centre – free parking with countryside rangers to point you in the right direction. (Postcode: NE39 1AU)
Derwent Walk is a scenic route that runs 12 miles between Consett and Gateshead on the old Derwent Valley Railway track. The route passes through woodland, ponds and riverside areas and is full of wildlife and history, making it perfect for a long Boxing Day walk to get the blood pumping again after all that merry making.
Cragside
Rothbury, Northumberland
Where to park: Cragside House & Gardens Car Parks. Free for National Trust members; charges apply for non-members. (Postcode: NE65 7PX)
Cragside is perfect for a Boxing Day wander with a bit of grandeur. Once home to Victorian inventor Lord Armstrong, this sprawling estate offers forest walks, lakeside paths and rocky trails with plenty of viewpoints as you climb through the landscape. Expect tumbling waterfalls, the UK’s tallest living Christmas tree, and peaceful moments tucked away from the post-Christmas bustle. Great for families, history lovers and anyone in the mood for a proper winter adventure.
Hamsterley Forest
Bedburn, Bishop Auckland, County Durham
Where to park: Hamsterley Forest Car Park. Pay and display; around £2 for one hour/£6 all day. (Postcode: DL13 3NL)
If you like your Boxing Day walk wrapped in towering pines and peaceful forest trails, Hamsterley is hard to beat. With miles of waymarked paths, from gentle riverside rambles to more adventurous routes, it’s perfect for stretching your legs, spotting wildlife and soaking up the quiet. Kids will love the play areas and Gruffalo sculptures, and there’s a café for a post-walk warm-up.
Watergate Forest Park
Watergate Forest Park Car Park, Gateshead NE11 9RQ
Where to park: Watergate Forest Park Car Park – park free for two hours right at the start of the trail. (Postcode: NE11 0BG)
Located on the former Watergate Colliery, the site has now been transformed into a haven for wildlife. With its wetlands, woodlands, wildflower meadows and recreational routes, this Gateshead park has a series of routes where you can take in the views of natural and historical features and sculptures that’ll make your Boxing Day walk a little slicker than your average.
Plessey Woods
Shields Road, Plessey, Bedlington, Northumberland NE22 6AN
Where to park: Plessey Woods Country Park – the first hour is free, up to two hours costs £2 and over two hours costs £4. (Postcode: NE22 6HZ)
A popular choice for those who want a Boxing Day walk on the wild side in Northumberland. Just over a 20-minute drive from Newcastle, this winding woodland trail is a peaceful escape from the city with art sculptures to spot throughout the route, a large meadow for any little ones or dogs to run off some steam, and tranquil riverside vibes.
RURAL ROUTES
Low Force & High Force Circular
Teesdale, County Durham
Where to park: Bowlees Visitor Centre. Pay and display; approx. £3. (Postcode: DL12 0XE)
For something a little more dramatic, head to Teesdale for this gorgeous riverside walk taking in both Low Force and the mighty High Force waterfall. The circular route gives you stunning winter scenery, moorland views and plenty of photo opportunities. It’s the perfect rural escape if you want your Boxing Day fresh air served with a little adventure and a lot of “wow”.
Raby Castle & Deer Park
Staindrop, County Durham
Where to park: Raby Castle Visitor Car Park (free). (Postcode: DL2 3AH)
For a Boxing Day walk with fairy-tale vibes, Raby Castle delivers. Stroll through the expansive Deer Park, where herds of red and fallow deer roam against a stunning castle backdrop — especially magical on crisp winter days. There are gentle paths, open rolling views and plenty of space for children (and dogs) to run off some festive energy. A peaceful, picture-perfect spot for easing yourself back into the fresh air.
Jesmond Dene
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7DZ
Where to park: Red Walk – parking is free and just a stone’s throw away from the Dene. (Postcode: NE7 7BQ)
The ancient woodland of Jesmond Dene, just a stone’s throw away from Newcastle, is a Narnia-like escape from city life that seems made for winter adventures. With scenic pathways along the river and three crashing waterfalls, this wooded valley is a sheltered spot ideal for a Boxing Day wander.
Iris Brickfield
Whitefield Terrace, Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 0AA
Where to park: Rothbury Terrace – free on street parking and just a few yards from the park (Postcode: NE6 5XJ)
This hidden gem in Heaton is one of the city’s best-kept secrets. The peaceful beauty spot can be found just off Chillingham Road and is home to a wildflower meadow and pond with a wetland area that attracts the likes of ducks and frogs. This route is ideal for anyone wanting a shorter route, but the park also has plenty of field space for any little ones or dogs to stretch their legs and play. Meanwhile, the gorgeous, tree-lined footpaths remind us of New York (especially in the snow).
The Rising Sun Country Park
Whitley Road, Benton, Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 9SS
Where to park: The Rising Sun Car Park – free parking and just around the corner from the centre (Postcode: NE12 9SS)
You don’t have to stray far out of the city to find this tranquil getaway. Home in the heart of North Tyneside, The Rising Sun is a 400-acre wildlife haven with ponds, woodlands and grasslands ideal for dogs and their owners to wander around. Plus, there’s a cute café and a park that’s open all year round – perfect for a pitstop to warm up and let your little ones have a bit of play.
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