Picnics and Scenic Strolls

Extensive formal & informal gardens. Ample free parking. Picnic tables adjacent to the tennis courts, also café, shop & toilets in the museum open free of charge.

Wheelchair access, with assistance, to most of the grounds. WC adjacent to museum café.

Extensive grounds for children to run around in. Dogs allowed. Good for sledging in winter. Admission free. Open at all times.

A Woodland Walk in the Historic Centre of Barnard Castle.

The woods are well supplied with paths and seats, providing opportunities for brisk walks or quiet strolls at every season of the year in natural surroundings adjoining the town.

5,000 acre (Forestry Commission) forest with a 4 mile forest drive.

Forest & riverside walks, Visitor Centre/forest shop, Forest tea-room, toilets, adventure play area, facilities for cycling & pony trekking. Dogs allowed.

Forest open daily dawn to dusk. No caravans. Toll charged for forest drive. Wheelchair access to Visitor Centre, tea-room, main picnic areas & riverside footpath. WC.

Discover the farming & wildlife in this area of Upper Teesdale where traditional farming methods support a healthy array of plants and animals in a range of habitats.

Harwood Beck Stroll - this two mile farm walk through beautiful, open, High Pennine countryside accompanied by a knowledgeable guide or on your own. Our guided walks, organised by prior arrangement, can cater for individual areas of interest e.g. lambing, spring flowers, birds.

Guided walks can also be arranged to visit the area’s lead mine remains such as the Lady’s Rake mine which closed in 1909. At the end of guided walks free refreshments are provided at Herdship Farm.