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Gibside
North EastA Georgian landscape garden forged in an industrial past.
near Rowlands Gill, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, NE16 6BG
Important notice
Gibside Chapel will be closed on various days throughout October, while we continue work on the chapel conservation project. Thank you for your support.
M T W T F S S Open
Closed
Opening times for 1 October 2026
Asset Opening time Gibside 10:00 - 17:00 No booking requirement (excluding some events). Last entry into Gibside 1 hour before closing. Visitors must vacate the car park at closing time. Last orders in the main café 30 minutes before closing. All other food outlets operate reduced hours. Please ask Visitor Welcome for more details on the day.
Admission
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Adult (18+) £19.80 £18.00 Child (5-17) under 5s free £9.90 £9.00 Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children) £49.50 £45.00 1 Adult and up to 3 children £29.70 £27.00 Group (Adult 18+) £17.10 Group (Child 5-17) £8.55 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
- Adventure playground/play area
Red Kite adventure play area and the den building area can all be found along the family-friendly Explorer Trail.
- Bookshop
There are two second-hand bookshops.
- Café
- Car park
- Coffee shop
Operating reduced hours during colder seasons; open weekends and school holidays.
- Cycle parking
Cycle parking is located at the top of the wooden walkway and close to the main café. Cycling is not allowed at Gibside, balance bikes only.
- Dogs allowed
- Electric vehicle charging point
Six 11kW electric vehicle charging points are available in overflow car park. Chargers can be accessed using mobile app, RFID card, or contactless payment device. Visit our EV charging provider RAW Charging’s website to download the app in advance of your visit. Chargers are only available to visitors during property opening hours.
Electric vehicle charging point - more information- Family friendly
- Guided tour
Weekly and seasonal tours available.
- Kiosk
Operating reduced hours during colder seasons; open weekends and school holidays.
- Picnic area
Outdoor spaces and an indoor picnic area at the Stables, including a play fort.
- Restaurant
Gibside Pizza Pit is open 11.30am-3pm on weekends and every day during school holidays.
- Toilet
Twenty accessible parking spaces. Accessible Tramper is available to book, call 07712 535938 in advance. Access bus available from Visitor Reception, subject to availability. Please ask Visitor Reception staff for more information.
- Accessible route and/or map
Ask at reception for more details.
- Accessible toilet
- Designated parking
- Drop-off point
- Induction loop
- Level access to food outlet
- Level access to shop
- Level access/terrain
- Powered mobility vehicle available
Accessible tramper hire is available. Please call 07712 535938 to book prior to your visit.
- Ramped access/slopes
- Seating available
- Stairclimber
- Steps/uneven terrain
- Transfer available
- Wheelchairs available
Front entrance gate - what3words: ///radio.composers.gasp
- Car-free
- Enjoy 25% off admission when you show a valid bus ticket.
- By bus
Frequent services from Newcastle or Gateshead. The X45 takes 30 mins from Eldon Square and Central Station, and 10 mins from Metrocentre. It also takes 30 mins from Consett in the opposite direction. Alight on Station Road, Rowlands Gill. It’s then a 15-minute stroll to Gibside. Buses also from Stanley (15mins).
Enjoy 25% off admission when you show a valid bus ticket.
- By road
- Entrance on B6314 between Burnopfield and Rowlands Gill; follow brown signs from A1 , taking exit on to A694 at north end of Metrocentre.Parking: Free parking. Six electric vehicle charging points are now available. See “Facilities” for more information. Drivers will require their own cables to charge.
- Cycling
Cycle parking is in the Market Place, at the top of the wooden walkway and close to the Café. Cycling is not allowed at Gibside, balance bikes only.
Gibside is on the scenic Tyne Derwent Way, a 9-mile-route that runs from St. Mary’s Heritage Centre in the centre of Gateshead, along the River Tyne and then through the Derwent Valley to Gibside. The route is mostly traffic-free.
It is also on Route 14 of the National Cycle Network (NCN14). Find Gibside ½ mile from Rowland’s Gill. Follow signs from Station Road to join Burnopfield Road. Cross the River Derwent over a small bridge shared with vehicular traffic to find the entrance.
Plan your route to Gibside using the CycleStreets journey planner via the ‘by bicycle’ link below. (This journey planner uses OpenStreetMap data which is generally excellent but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. If you come to a footpath or other cycle-prohibited track, please don’t ride on it).
Cycle hire is available from several places in Newcastle. Please view this webpage for details: https://newcastlegateshead.com/blog/cycling-routes-in-newcastlegateshead
- On foot
- ½ mile from Rowlands Gill. From Station Rd. join Burnopfield Rd. Cross the river Derwent and turn left into Gibside or choose the Derwent Walk Railway Path from Swalwell or Consett for a scenic route.
- By train
- Travel by train to the Metrocentre (5 miles from Gibside) or Newcastle (8 miles from Gibside) and choose bus, taxi, cycle or foot to complete your journey.
Planning your visit
Article
A magical Christmas with Gibside
Experience the timeless magic of Christmas with festive traditions that bring loved ones together. Step into a wintry landscape where twinkling lights, woodland fairies and playful encounters with Father Christmas await, from November 2026 through January 2027.
Activity
Things to see and do at Gibside
Discover nature and historic ruins set in a Georgian landscape garden while you explore miles of peaceful walking trails. Or dive into seasonal events that celebrate history, health, wildlife, and gardening.
Article
Family activities at Gibside
Gibside is the ultimate outdoor playground for families (from tots to teens). Whether you're climbing, swinging, or exploring, there's adventure at every turn. Wander the Explorer Trail, packed with nature and play areas or join events during school holidays.
Article
Explore the garden at Gibside
Experience nature and history together in a landscape garden shaped by wildlife‑rich woodland trails and a lively Walled Garden filled with vibrant blooms, seasonal produce and garden games.
Article
Visiting Gibside with your dog
Gibside is a three pawprint rated place. There are 15 miles of paths for you and your dog to explore, lots of facilities and they’re even welcome inside the coffee shop.
Article
Eating at Gibside
There’s something for everyone at Gibside’s cafés, including freshly made sandwiches, wood-fired pizzas, kids' lunchboxes and, of course, really good coffee.
Article
Educational visits to Gibside
Gibside is the perfect place to bring a group of young people from schools, universities, Brownies and Scouts. Spark their creativity, build confidence, develop problem solving skills and enjoy nature.
PDF
Gibside map
Take a look at the Gibside map to help plan your visit. Find landmarks, facilities and access information.
PDF
Highlights
Outdoor play
Spend hours at the Red Kite adventure play area, build a fort at the den area or sip a coffee while little ones play at the café obstacle course.
Seasonal family events
Gibside’s calendar is packed with fun during the school holidays, from muddy scavenger hunts to summer sports, festive crafts and nature trails.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome all year round, with lead‑friendly trails, a safe off‑lead area, tasty dog treats and a handy dog shower for muddy moments.
Walking & the landscape garden
Explore changing seasons, winding paths and sweeping valley views on 4 trails, from more-accessible strolls to longer stretches for seasoned hikers.
Nature spotting
A haven for naturalists, Gibside is home to amphibian filled ponds, bats, badgers and otters. There's red kites, kingfisher, roe deer and bugs galore.
Historic architecture
Witness the grandeur of Gibside Hall ruins, stand by the base of the Column to Liberty, and look inside the Orangery and Palladian-style chapel.
Seasonal events for adults
Experience enriching gardening and wildlife talks, hear live music at the Chapel, join a community of weekly health walkers and try a history tour.
Eating spots & second-hand bookshop
Refuel at the pizza-pit or ice-cream kiosk, relax at the dog‑friendly cafés or bring a picnic. Afterwards, curl up in a corner of the second‑hand bookshops.
Spotlight events
Father Christmas at Gibside Stables
This year at Gibside Stables, we bring you a brand new festive story for children and families to enjoy. Gather close for an interactive in‑character storytelling, as Father Christmas shares a heart‑warming tale filled with merry cheer and North Pole magic.
Celebrate autumn
Harvest the season with a curated collection of moments that celebrate the magic of autumn. Head back to your roots with a programme of events that make you feel renewed. Sink into cosy academia, explore traditional techniques and hear tales weaved by folklore, all led by expert guides.
Join the Stranger Folk Halloween trail
Something strange is stirring in the woods. Goblins are whispering in the undergrowth, boggarts are slipping between the trees, and a rift between the human and spirit worlds is widening with every falling leaf. Follow the trail through Gibside’s autumn shadows and see if your family can help restore the balance before Halloween night arrives.
Things to see and do
Article
A magical Christmas with Gibside
Experience the timeless magic of Christmas with festive traditions that bring loved ones together. Step into a wintry landscape where twinkling lights, woodland fairies and playful encounters with Father Christmas await, from November 2026 through January 2027.
Activity
Things to see and do at Gibside
Discover nature and historic ruins set in a Georgian landscape garden while you explore miles of peaceful walking trails. Or dive into seasonal events that celebrate history, health, wildlife, and gardening.
Article
Family things to do at Gibside
Gibside is the ultimate outdoor playground for families (from tots to teens). Whether you're climbing, swinging, or exploring, there's adventure at every turn. Wander the Explorer Trail, packed with nature and play areas or join events during school holidays.
Article
Explore the garden at Gibside
Experience nature and history together in a landscape garden shaped by wildlife‑rich woodland trails and a lively Walled Garden filled with vibrant blooms, seasonal produce and garden games.
Top trails
Trail
Explorer family-friendly trail at Gibside
Enjoy a circular walk in Gibside's 600-acre woodland that's fun for the whole family, getting active in natural play areas and exploring the best of the estate.
Trail
The Liberty trail at Gibside
This route meanders around the landscape garden created by George Bowes and now in our care. You'll see grand historic features that play a huge part in Gibside's story and garden design.
Trail
Valley Views trail at Gibside
A challenging 4.4-mile walk through the estate at Gibside that takes in far-reaching views of the Derwent Valley.
Trail
Wonders of Nature trail at Gibside
Explore woodlands, meadows, wetlands and along the riverside, with estate highlights. You'll see nature at work and, if you are lucky, spot some wildlife at play.
Eating
Article
Eating at Gibside
There’s something for everyone at Gibside’s cafés, including freshly made sandwiches, wood-fired pizzas, kids' lunchboxes and, of course, really good coffee.
Places to stay
Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage 2
A cliff-top cottage perching in the shadows of the iconic red and white Souter Lighthouse.
Laundry Cottage
The perfect location for long days exploring the outdoors as well as rest and relaxation amongst nature.
Bolt Cottage
A cosy stone cottage in the beautiful grounds of the Wallington estate, perfect for walkers, cyclists and wildlife lovers.
Rothley Lakehouse
A luxury lakefront cottage that’s steeped in history and surrounded by stunning views.
Upcoming events
Event
Autumn floristry workshop & wreath experiences
Join Debbie from The Northern Flower Garden for a seasonal series of floristry workshops at Gibside.
Event
Apple afternoons - taste the produce
Join us for an apple adventure that’s truly the pick of the crop.
Event
Hidden Gibside, a history walk for those seeking a challenge
Deep dive into Gibside's stormy history on a scenic 6-mile walk and discover relics of the past hidden in the landscape.
Event
The roots of me: art exhibition
Experience art brought to life in nature, delivered by north east women's community groups.
Event
October half term harvest quest
Enjoy free family activities throughout the half term! Admission applies.
About Gibside
An escape into nature on the edge of Newcastle, Gibside is a Grade I-listed Park and Garden that offers miles of walking trails through secluded woodland and views across the Derwent Valley.
A haven for wildlife, the ruin of Gibside Hall is a roost for bats, the Stables a nesting site for swallows, and the Octagon Pond a home for great-crested newts. Stand between the columns of Gibside Chapel and gaze down the oak tree lined Avenue towards the Column to Liberty to get a sense of the grandeur of the original Georgian landscape garden.
The Explorer trail is dedicated to families, from the adventure play area through the woods to a den building area.
There are seasonal events and regular guided tours for those who want to learn more about the history of the Bowes family, ancestors of the British Royal Family and creators of the landscape that we see today.
For those looking to unwind, curl up with a coffee in our café or second-hand bookshop.
We welcome all dogs to Gibside and know that it's a great place for them to enjoy. We do ask that they are kept on leads and that you clean up after them. Learn more about visiting with your dog.
History
Article
History of Gibside
The wealthiest heiress in Georgian times, horseback abductions, divorces and illegitimate children are just a part of Gibside’s incredible story.
Our work
Article
Wildlife conservation at Gibside
Learn about how we keep Gibside thriving and discover how we’re working to make a happy and healthy environment for wildlife, people and plants.
Support us
Article
Volunteering at Gibside
Interested in volunteering at Gibside? Here's all you need to know about helping us care for this special place, and how to apply if you'd like to get involved.
