Country Parks Outer 6/6/07 10:57 Page 1
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10239_Wansbeck_Country Parks_Outer 6/6/07 10:57 Page 1 Local school children involved in organised Cresswell environmental improvement work. Wansbeck’s A1068 QEII Country Park Ashington Newbiggin by-the-Sea Morpeth B6343 Wansbeck Riverside Park Country Ri ck ver Wansbe Bedlington A192 Blyth Parks Bedlington Country Park River Bl yth A1 A1068 Seaton Sluice Cramlington A696(T) The Country Parks Location map and information All three Country Parks are excellent sites for recreation, For further information and bookings please contact: conservation and wildlife study and each Park has a The Countryside Officer, Outdoor Facilities Development Team, different character. Wansbeck District Council, Council Offices, Front Street, Bedlington, Northumberland NE22 5TU. ● The Countryside Officer can assist with schools and other group Tel: (01670) 843444. www. wansbeck.gov.uk visits helping you gain the most from your time in the Park. Bookings should be made well in advance. For information about the Woodhorn Northumberland ● Swimming is not advised in any Park due to deep mud, weed Museum and Archives please contact: and other dangers on the river and lake beds. Tel: (01670) 528080. www.experiencewoodhorn.com ● Dog walkers are very welcome. Please be considerate to other Park users and keep your dog under close control. Do not allow For information about the Wansbeck Riverside Park your dog to foul paths or other publicly used areas. Caravan and Camp Site, please contact: The Warden at the Caravan Site Office. ● Camping is restricted to the Wansbeck Riverside Park Camp Tel: (01670) 812323. www. wansbeck.gov.uk Site. Please contact the Caravan Site Warden. ● We encourage recreational activities within the country parks but For information about Furnace Bridge Iron Works certain pursuits are subject to fees and charges. Please contact the Bedlington, please contact: Outdoor Facilities section for more information. Community Heritage Officer. Tel: (01670) 829041. ● There is fishing at all three Parks. For further details of day For details of bus services please contact: permits, clubs and types of fishing, contact the Countryside Officer. The Public Transport Team, Northumberland County Council. ● A number of access points to the country parks are fitted with Tel: (01670) 533128. locked gates. Please contact the Outdoor Facilities section for opening and closing times.. Newbiggin Bay is also managed by Wansbeck District ● Our Country Parks are important refuges for birds, plants and Council. Newbiggin by the Sea is the ideal location for a animals so please follow the Country Code and treat our parks day at the seaside. .infinitedesign.com with respect. For walks outside the Parks the best maps are the Ordnance Survey Design: www Pathfinders, numbers 524 and 536 or Explorer 325. 10239_Wansbeck_Country Parks_Outer 6/6/07 10:57 Page 4 QE II Country Park Local Nature Reserve ● Once the biggest colliery spoil heap in Europe this park is Wansbeck District Hospital an excellent example of restored industrial land. The A S H I N G T O N main feature of the site is a sixteen hectare lake which is Woodhorn Northumberland Museum, surrounded by open grassland Archives and Country Park and woodland. ● The diverse habitats established over the years have led to a variety of birds, plants and animals becoming resident in the park, a number of which are protected species. In addition the lake provides an ideal site for both resident and migratory birds. ● The lake is a popular venue for sail boarding, canoeing and coarse fishing. Lake fees are payable on a daily, weekly or yearly basis and we welcome bookings from educational and other interested parties – Telephone (01670) 843444. Disabled groups can use Launching the launching ramps located Ramp at the north and south ends of the lake. Further details Watersports Third House are available from the changing Farm Launching Points facilities Countryside Officer. Non HGV Fishing Jetty for ● Cut grass paths allow good people with Woodhorn disabilities Grange Hotel access around the lake and there are many areas ideal for Launching point picnicking. Suitable footwear for people with disabilities should be worn in wet weather. The cycleway which runs Life Buoys/Rings through the park connects with Cycleways the Castles and Coastline cycle route currently being developed Park Boundary in south east Northumberland. Light Railway ● The old colliery within the Footpath park is now a museum and an enjoyable family day out could Illustration: Eric Dale. Map not to scale. include a visit to this attraction. 10239_Wansbeck_Country Parks_Inner 6/6/07 10:56 Page 1 Wansbeck Riverside Park Bedlington Country Park Local Nature Reserve and Castle Island Local Nature Reserve Local Nature Reserve ● The park stretches for five and a half kilometres along ● The park covers 57 hectares of the banks of the Wansbeck from Sheepwash Bridge to the woodland and grassland along the river estuary. The local path and road network affords north bank of the river Blyth. Visitors Hartford Hall Caravan Site Access Road access to all sections of the park. and local people have walked through Footpath to East Hartford Weir the woods here for many years and ● The caravan and camping site at the west end of the the country park was created in 1984 Sheepwash Picnic and Humford park is open all year and offers touring and static facilities. Bridge Play Area to protect the unique nature of this Picnic and Please contact the Caravan Site Warden for bookings and area. Local Nature Reserve status Play Area WC further details. was gained in 2006. ● ● Water based sports are a particular attraction of the An established footpath network Golf Course park with fishing, canoeing, rowing all being popular. Such Wellhead allows the public access to enjoy the WC Dene activities are subject to river fees and certain restrictions. semi-natural woodland of the park. Please contact the Caravan Site Warden or the The valley is host to a wide variety of Countryside Officer for further details. plants and animals, many of which only live in such old woods. The Humford country park is becoming increasingly Mill Blackclose significant as a refuge for red Broadway House Bedlington Lane Farm Farm Dene squirrels, a species whose numbers Stakeford Bridge are in serious decline in other parts of the country. Red Lion Attlee Park St. Cuthbert’s WC Church Jubilee Industrial Estate ● The picnic area at Humford Mill is WC especially popular with families in the Sea Cadets HQ summer. Here can be found an information board, play area and Railway toilets. Bedlington Bridge B E D L I N G T O N Bridge Cambois Rowing ● Club Clubhouse ● Families are catered for with a well equipped play area, Life Buoys/Rings Horse riders are very welcome to picnic facilities and a shop which is situated next to the use the park although some access Rowlington caravan site. restrictions do apply, so please The Ha’penny Wildlife Dene Park Boundary Wood Observation Point contact The Outdoor Services ● There is a good network of paths offering a variety of Footpath Section before using the park. The Free walks within the park, both along the river and through Wood more secluded stretches. Horse riders are welcome to use certain paths, however restrictions do apply so please contact the Countryside Officer before using the park. Castle Island Local Nature Reserve ● The park has a number of diverse and interesting natural habitats to discover. Newly installed interpretation points provide the visitor with useful information on exploring and finding out about the natural history of Site of Bedlington the area. Ironworks Life Buoys/Rings Park Boundary Site Interpretation Panels Furnace Bridge Footpath Weir Steps Steps Cycle Track Spine Road Bridge To QEII Country Park Railway Bridge Spine Road Bridge Sandy Bay Caravan Park Illustration: Eric Dale. Map not to scale. Illustration: Eric Dale. Map not to scale..