A combination of photographs from 15/2/11 & 19/3/11
Over the past couple of months I have been to Gibside Hall and Pleasure Ground twice, once on a really drizzly day and the other when the sun was shining - this explains why the photos differ weatherwise.
Gibside chapel
Gibside estate is a national trust owned property that is home to the remains of 18th century Gibside Hall, chapel, farm and nature reserve.
The chapel and the monument are at either ends of a walk way that is flanked by ancient oak trees.
Its a nice day out if the weather is good, we took picnics both times and at them by the monument, but in the rain its a bit of dismal trek around the park. There is shelter from the rain, but you have to get to the farm first where there is a cafe, gallery of old photographs of Gibside and discovery centre.
The monument seen through the trees
Gibside also runs activity days throughout the year, when we went it was lambing weekend where you could see the tiny lambs being bottle fed and has a farmers market weekend once a month.
This pond/lake is at the bottom of the monument
If you make it around the estate to the stables, just around the corner is the woodland adventure playscape, which is basically an assault course made of wood. Children have to climb over bridges, through tunnels and all sorts of things.
Woodland adventure playscape
Stephen modelling the assault course
Gibside is a lovely place to go for the day, especially if you are looking for somewhere to walk the dogs or to tire out your kids. There is also a shuttle bus that runs from the entrance to the stables cafe for people who don't want to walk.
Gibside website
- Address:near Rowlands Gill, Burnopfield, Gateshead, NE16 6BG
- Telephone: 01207 541820
This is a video that my co-explorer Stephen made of our day out:
