Gibside
North EastA Georgian landscape garden forged in an industrial past.
near Rowlands Gill, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, NE16 6BG
M T W T F S S Open
Closed
Opening times for 19 February 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.
Admission (until 28 February 2026)
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Adult (18+) £18.70 £17.00 Child (5-17) under 5s free £9.40 £8.50 Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children) £46.80 £42.50 1 Adult and up to 3 children £28.10 £25.50 Group (Adult 18+) £16.15 Group (Child 5-17) £8.08 Admission (from 1 March 2026)
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
- Café
- Car park
- Coffee shop
- 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
- Kiosk
- Picnic area
- 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, 25 mins from Gateshead Interchange 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
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.
Winter 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.
Explore the garden at Gibside
A landscape garden with family-friendly woodland trails. From peaceful strolls through the Walled Garden, where fragrant plants and seasonal vegetables grow, to adventures around the furthest reaches of the estate. Experience nature and history together, with Georgian monuments and vista views, ancient trees and wildlife.
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.
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.
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.
Gibside map
Take a look at the Gibside map to help plan your visit. Find landmarks, facilities and access information.
Highlights
Outdoor play
Climb, slide and swing at the Red Kite adventure play area, or challenge your family to den-building. With acres of space Gibside is bursting with opportunities for kids (and big kids) to play, explore and connect with nature.
Seasonal family events
From nature bug trails and summer sports, festive magic and muddy scavenger hunts, Gibside’s calendar is packed with seasonal fun during the school holidays - you'll need to come back every week to do it all.
Landscape garden
Gibside is a Georgian landscape garden with valley views, woodland, Walled Garden and grand tree-lined Avenue. Explore changing colours through the seasons, from spring blooms to summer wildflower meadows and golden autumns.
Walking
Explore four waymarked trails, from gentle more-accessible strolls to longer stretches for seasoned hikers. With sweeping views, riverside paths and trails that wind through woodland. Orienteering and geocaching add extra.
Nature spotting
Gibside is a haven for curious naturalists. Home to amphibian filled ponds, bats, badgers and otters in the river. Red kites soaring overhead, roe deer and bugs galore.
Historic architecture
Uncover stories of Georgian grandeur as you wander by Gibside’s dramatic Hall ruins and stand by the base of the Column to Liberty. Look inside the Palladian-style chapel, cobble-stoned stables and step inside the Orangery ruins.
Seasonal events for adults
From ranger-led nature walks to tours with the head gardener, Gibside offers enriching experiences for curious minds. Join community health walks and history tours uncovering stories off the beaten track.
Eating spots & second-hand bookshop
Refuel with wood-fired pizza at the Gibside Pizza Pit, tuck into homemade scones and monthly stews at the dog-friendly cafe's or bring a picnic. Curl-up in one of the cosy reading corners at the second-hand bookshop.
Spotlight events
‘Hop into the wild’ family trail
From 14 February to 9 March, the National Trust is celebrating the release of Disney and Pixar’s “Hoppers”, in Cinemas 6 March. Discover the ‘Hop into the wild’ family trail, with storytelling and outdoor play.
Things to see and do
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.
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.
Explore the garden at Gibside
A landscape garden with family-friendly woodland trails. From peaceful strolls through the Walled Garden, where fragrant plants and seasonal vegetables grow, to adventures around the furthest reaches of the estate. Experience nature and history together, with Georgian monuments and vista views, ancient trees and wildlife.
Top trails
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.
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.
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.
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
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
Plant snowdrops at Gibside this February half term
Celebrate spring by helping the gardeners get muddy with snowdrop planting.
‘Hop into the wild’ family trail, inspired by Disney and Pixar's "Hoppers"
Hop into this self-guided outdoors adventure – with storytelling and play. Fun for all the family.
Children’s storytelling and nature crafts for half term at Gibside
Discover a magical minibeast moment at Gibside
History talk - an introduction to the history of Gibside
Get a taste for the history of Gibside with a Guided Walk volunteer.
History walk - the story of Gibside
Dive into the history of Gibside and take a walk with a Guided Walk volunteer around the 18th century landscape garden.
Floristry workshop & experience
Join Debbie from The Northern Flower Garden for a seasonal series of floristry workshops at Gibside.
Wild wonders: a ranger ramble
Step into the wild with Gibside ranger Nick, and uncover the secrets of seasonal nature and conservation on this immersive guided walk.
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
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
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
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.
