Outdoor activities at Wallington

A family cycling on the Dragon Cycle Trail at Wallington, Northumberland — Visitors exploring the Dragon Cycle Trail at Wallington, Northumberland | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Covering nearly 13,500 acres of countryside, the Wallington Estate includes miles of footpaths, 15 tenanted farms, and the village of Cambo. Get active on a day out by strolling along one of the scenic walking trails or cycling the Dragon cycle trail. You can also slow down and relax in our Wellbeing Woods. While you’re out, spot wildlife including birds, otters and white-clawed crayfish.

Walking at Wallington

There are miles of footpaths and trails on this Northumberland estate. Some of the walks take you through fields where there may be livestock at certain times of the year. Read our tips for walking near livestock.

Cycling at Wallington

Explore Wallington on two wheels on the Dragon cycle trail. This safe, entry-level trail has been designed with beginners and little legs in mind.

There are two family-friendly routes to choose from. The Green route is an easy, 1.5km trail which is perfect for children. The Blue route is a more challenging 4.5km cycle trail.

Both routes will send you pedalling down to the West Wood where you can stop off at the hide to see if you can spot some wildlife. You’ll finish back where you started, within easy reach of the play area.

Opening hours

Weekends and every day in the local school holidays from 10am to 4.30pm (last hire at 3.30pm).

Prices

For 2 hours hire:
Adult sized bikes £10
Child sized bikes £7
Bike & trailer * £16
Bike & dog trailer £16
Ice Trike £10
Trike ** £7
Electric bikes*** £12 per hour
Electric bike & trailer £15 per hour

* age, height and weight restrictions apply
** suitable for use on green trail only
*** age restrictions apply

Visitors lying and relaxing on specially made reclining frames, surrounded by woodland and bathed in spots of sunlight shining through the trees — Visitors Forest Bathing at Wallington | © James Beck

Wellbeing Woods

Slow down, be still, breathe and explore this peaceful place. Pause for a spot of yoga, recline and take in the tree canopy above or simply absorb the sights, sounds and textures of the woods around you.

Forest bathing – or Shinrin-yoku – is a way of relaxing and slowing down the mind by being immersed among the trees. It's believed to help to reduce blood pressure, lower stress levels and improve concentration. The idea is to focus on the details of nature using all your senses.

Wildlife at Wallington

The Wallington estate covers over 13,500 acres. Much of the land is used for grazing by sheep and cattle, but the estate encompasses open moorland and wooded streams as well as lakes and mires.

Each habitat is brimming with wildlife and you're bound to meet some as you explore.

Wallington is home to roe deer, badgers, buzzards and kingfishers. And you may even spot some of the rare species that live here such as red squirrels, white-clawed crayfish and otters.

Following extensive Storm Arwen damage in 2021, it has been rare to see red squirrels in the woods around the house. With a couple of recent sightings in the East woods however, we hope it won't be too long before visitors will see more frequent sightings. Sightings further up into the northern parts of the Wallington estate are becoming more consistent and the team of rangers and volunteers are continuing to work all year round on the Red Squirrel Conservation Programme here. In the meantime, a trip to the Wildlife Hide, with lots of bird feeders, is a perfect place to spot a variety of birds.
The white-clawed crayfish is Britain's only native freshwater crayfish and there's a thriving population in the watercourses on the Wallington Estate. This is because of the excellent quality of the water, which has few pollutants. This species is in decline across the rest of the country, however, due to the introduction of the invasive non-native American signal crayfish and the threat of disease.

Share your photos

We’re sure you’ll take lots of photos while you’re out and about on your visit to Wallington. Share them with us on social media – tag us @WallingtonNT on Facebook, @WallingtonNt on Twitter and @wallington_nt on Instagram.

A corner view of Wallington showing the south front and side of the house

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