Addtional information about Northumberland's country parks

The country parks of Northumberland vary greatly in their size and character. They include open coast, valley woodlands, lakes and grassland. Each site provides for the recreational needs of local communities, as well as drawing visitors from across the county and further afield.

Large areas of Northumberland's uplands, together with areas of registered common land, have been designated as access land. This means that the public have a free right of access by foot on this land and are not required to remain on public rights of way.

The right of access includes the right to take dogs onto the land but between 1 March and 31 July, and at any time in the vicinity of livestock, dogs should be kept on a lead. The right to take a dog onto grouse moors can also be restricted throughout the year. When entering access land, take note of any signs giving information about restrictions. Access land across the county is mapped on the updated Ordnance Survey Explorer Series maps.

Look out for the marking symbols that show when you are entering or leaving access land.

Drone use
Launching drones from County Council land is only allowed with the consent of the Council and where a formal license agreement has been signed. The council reserves the right to refuse consent and where consent is granted will require evidence of your Civil Aviation Training Certificate and public liability insurance.

As of July 2018 the Council introduced a small charge for parking at Druridge Bay, Plessey Woods and Bolam Lake Country Parks.

This charge will be used to help the council to fund a substantial programme of enhancements at the three parks, including improvements to the visitor centres at Druridge Bay and Bolam Lake, and new children's play facilities at Druridge Bay and Plessey Woods.

The scale of the parking charges will be:

• First hour - Free
• Up to two hours - £2
• Over two hours - £4

An annual permit is also available for regular visitors at a cost of £50 per household, please enter all car registrations required. Annual permits run from 1 July to 30 June each year. If you would like to purchase an annual parking permit please click on the link below.

You can also pay by phone by calling 0345 600 6400, or in person at our Customer Information Centres.    

Please allow up to 10 working days following payment for your permit to arrive.'

The Environment Agency collects water quality data each year from May to September, to ensure that designated bathing water sites on the coast and inland are safe and clean for swimming and other activities.

Schools and other groups may use the council’s countryside sites as a natural environment for educational activities.

There are opportunities to volunteer at our country parks, local nature reserves and other countryside sites.

If you are interested, please email countryside@northumberland.gov.uk.

The Country Trust works to bridge the gap between urban and rural communities by showing the working countryside to children, parents and teachers from inner-city areas.

To find out more, visit the Country Trust website.

 

Fishing permits are available from Northumberland County Council to enable the general public to fish at certain parks.

A Rod Licence must be obtained from the Environment Agency prior to obtaining permission to fish. 

No lures or spinners permitted at Bolam.

To purchase a Northumberland County Council fishing permit please click the link below - 

Purchase your permit

Terms and conditions that apply to use of fisheries within our parks are here