Perfect picnic spots in the North East

Make the most of the summer sun and find the perfect place to put down your picnic blanket. Whether you're looking for a spot on the beach, some woodland shade or somewhere with a view, there's plenty of special places to chose from in the North East. So gather friends and family, pack a picnic and enjoy a leisurely day outdoors eating alfresco.

Children running by the lake
Cragside   Northumberland

Cragside

Cragside offers loads of outdoor picnicking opportunities from lakeside dining to feasting among the trees and shrubs. The tea-rooms offer family picnics to take out so you don't need to worry if you haven't packed your own.

Pick up a picnic at Cragside
Two boys run in the garden at Wallington
Wallington   Northumberland

Wallington

With its beautiful Palladian mansion fronted by a vast grassed courtyard, acres of woodland, walled garden, landscape lawns, river frontage, enchanting children’s play train and fabulous wooden fort, there’s plenty of room to escape the crowds and settle back for an al fresco meal after a busy morning’s exploring.

Relax with a picnic at Wallington
Embleton bay with Dunstanbugh Castle in the distance
Embleton and Newton Links   Northumberland

Northumberland Coast

Pack a picnic and explore the golden sands of the Northumberland Coast this summer. Enjoy your sandwiches on the long beach of Embleton Bay, or follow the Craster to Low Newton trail and find your own perfect resting spot for lunch.

Picnic and paddle on the Northumberland Coast
a family enjoy a picnic in front of the chapel at Gibside
Gibside   Tyne & Wear

Gibside

Find a spot at Gibside for Derwent Valley views, refreshing open spaces, historic buildings and wildlife aplenty. Stay for longer this summer with late opening Friday and Saturday evenings. Explore the estate and enjoy a picnic tea amongst the birds and butterflies in the walled garden, or relax with a real ale and wood-fired pizza in the Friday night beer garden.

Tuck into a picnic or a pizza at Gibside
a Sycamore tree nestled in Hadrian's Wall
Hadrian's Wall and Housesteads Fort   Northumberland

Hadrian's Wall and Housesteads Fort

Work up an appetite as you search for the perfect spot for a bite to eat along the Wall. It could be the famous Sycamore Gap or one of the many vantage points offering panoramic views north and south of the wall near to Housesteads Fort.

Pack a picnic and explore Hadrian's Wall
A unique venue for your event at Souter Lighthouse and The Leas
Souter Lighthouse and The Leas   Tyne & Wear

Souter Lighthouse and The Leas, Tyne and Wear

With spectacular coastal views and wildlife to spot, plenty of fresh air and miles of open grassland, The Leas is an ideal spot to sit, eat and contemplate. There are 2.5 miles of coastline to choose from or you can find a picnic bench at Souter Lighthouse.

Enjoy a coastal picnic at Souter Lighthouse
Visitors at Penshaw Monument, Sunderland
Penshaw Monument   Tyne & Wear

Penshaw Monument

At 70ft high, this folly based on Athens’ Temple of Hephaestus isn’t just Wearside’s most beloved landmark, but can be seen for miles around. The views across Tyneside and Wearside from the monument are stunning, which makes it the perfect place to unpack your picnic hamper.

Picnic with a view at Penshaw