This post is sponsored by Land of Oak & Iron.
Well, it looks like summer is back with blue skies overhead, even if the temperatures are a little bit of a shock to the system. But this does mean we should have some lovely days over the coming weeks to enjoy some time outdoors. And the Land of Oak & Iron has some great events and activities on offer – no matter which of the school half terms you have this year.
7 Fab Family-Friendly Autumn Activities in Land of Oak & Iron
The Land of Oak & Iron has so many interesting places to discover. From historic places to find out about the industry that shaped today’s landscape to countryside and woodland to explore by bike, foot or horse - all with superb parking, cafés, facilities, access and events, too, making it the perfect destination for a day out.
Here you can follow the River Derwent from the Derwent Reservoir to the River Tyne. Come and rediscover, or find out for the first time, what it is that makes the easily accessible Derwent Valley the perfect destination for a day out … less than 30 minutes from Newcastle, Sunderland and Durham.
1. Visit the New Land of Oak & Iron Heritage Centre
The Land of Oak & Iron Heritage Centre opened in Winlaton Mill earlier this month. It is located just a few miles from the MetroCentre, close to the A1, the Derwent Walk, Red Kite Trail and the Coast to Coast Cycleway and is also the gateway to the Derwent Valley. The centre provides a unique interpretation of the fascinating local heritage, heritage skills training for volunteers and has business units to support creative businesses in the area. In addition, the site is also home to a small café and gift shop, café shrub. There is plenty to entertain the whole family and its child-friendly and dog-friendly too. Check out our recent post with 5 reasons to visit.
2. Autumnal Activities in Blackhill & Consett Park
Take a picnic and make a day of it, there are toilets and a play area in the Park, also one of Land of Oak & Iron's Heritage Centres. Or go for a bike ride to the Park for one of these activities.
Wild about the Park
Monday 22 October from 10am - 12 noon & 1pm - 3pmFamily activities exploring the autumn in the beautiful setting of Blackhill and Consett Park and indoors in the Lodge.
Pumpkin Carving
Thursday 25 October - 11.30am -12.30pm, 1.00 - 2.00pm and 2.30 - 3.30pmFree family pumpkin-carving sessions plus pumpkin-themed tips to reduce food waste and promote composting. Booking essential.
3. Discover The Area’s Industrial Past
Discover the power of water, find as many different brick names as you can and run around the coastline of the UK in less than a minute. All this and much more at Path Head Water Mill. Have a bite to eat in the cafe then explore Blaydon Burn, with its own industrial history, see if you can spot any relics from a past time. Once the heart of the industrial revolution in Gateshead, Blaydon Burn is a wonderful example of what happens when industry moves away and nature returns.
Over one mile long and covering over 100ha of woodland, grassland and wetland, Blaydon Burn is an unique nature reserve where wildlife co-exists in one of the region's most important sites for industrial technology.
4. Autumn leaves
- Priestclose Wood is an ancient woodland close to the centre of Prudhoe and contains varied deciduous woodland. A variety of birds are found in the reserve and the small pond is home to an assortment of amphibians.
- At Allensford you’ll find a small oak woodland around Allensford Country Park with footpath network.
- Thornley Woods is part of Derwenthaugh Park, good footpath network and visitor centre with cafe.
5. Early morning walks
Go for an early morning walk spotting dew covered cobwebs or find a high point and look down on a misty morning in the Valley below. Derwenthaugh Park would be a good route along the river or go to the top of Kite Hill or Nine Arches Viaduct for the views. The top of the Spetchells also gives a great view over the River Tyne.
6. Go for a bike ride or a family run
Keep warm with an invigorating cycle ride along the river at Prudhoe or take part in a Park Run at Prudhoe Riverside or Blackhill & Consett Park.
7. Try printing for free at drop-in events at the Land of Oak & Iron Heritage Centre
Discover Oak Printing
Mon 22 Oct 10am - 12pm
Land of Oak & Iron Heritage Centre, Winlaton Mill
Have a go at printing your own special piece of artwork from a 48-year-old oak tree round. Artist and printmaker Shona Branigan will have a beautiful piece of burr oak at this free drop-in session.
Discover Wood Engraving
Fri 26 Oct 10am - 12pm
Land of Oak & Iron Heritage Centre, Winlaton Mill
Learn how Thomas Bewick of Cherryburn fame made his beautiful wood engravings of birds and animals. Wood engraver Shona Branigan will have a copy of Bewick's cormorant for you to hand print and also her Bewick tree engraving, which has been engraved by Robson Green.
Just turn up and have a go, then browse Shona's products in the café shrub shop and enjoy a drink and a cake. Turn it into a great half-term day out. After a caféshrub lunch, explore Derwenthaugh Park with plenty of space to run wild, ride your bike or go on a woodland discovery walk and see if you can find some oak trees.
Enjoy autumn.
Deb x
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