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NORTH AND SOUTH MARINE PARKS AND BENTS PARK

28 ha

📷 Graham Robson · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

BirdsAncientBluebells
Dogs welcome28 ha

Getting here

55.00105, -1.42139

Open directionsv
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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

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  • 🐦92+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Herring Gull and Wigeon
  • 💜Bluebell walks is at its best in summer here
  • 🧺Picnic area on site — summer afternoons here are an easy, low-cost day out

Best for

10 activities

Bird watching

Very strong match

Free

Birds — Herring Gull, Wigeon, Black-headed Gull +89 more · last seen 2026; Ancient woodland — owls, woodpeckers, warblers

Ancient woodland

Very strong match

Free

Ancient woodland — continuous woodland since before 1600

Bluebell walks

Strong match

Free

Ancient woodland — native bluebell habitat

Wildlife

Strong match

Free

Birds — Herring Gull, Wigeon, Black-headed Gull +89 more · last seen 2026; Deciduous woodland priority habitat

Seasonal nature

Strong match

Free

Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Common Toadflax, Rosebay Willowherb, Barren Brome +121 more · last seen 2025

Insect spotting

Strong match

Free

Insects — 7-spot Ladybird, Syrphus ribesii, Eupeodes luniger +37 more · last seen 2026

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

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7 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Way of LearningWalking route61 km▾
Named routeLength 61 kmPoint-to-pointRegional walking route
Stride out walkWalking route▾
Named routeLocal walking route
Souter Lighthouse Ranger Run, Souter LighthouseWalking route2 km▾

A scenic run route around the former Whitburn Colliery, now home to grasslands, wildflowers & birds. This short but interesting & enjoyable run takes in a lap of Whitburn Coastal Park nature reserve. Paths are maintained but naturally uneven coast path.

Named routeLength 2 kmDuration 00:15-00:30Round tripLocal walking route
Souter Lighthouse Trail, Souter LighthouseWalking route2.6 km▾

This trail is an easy stroll for all the family on well-established footpaths following the coastal path. Start and finish your walk at Souter Lighthouse, in Sunderland, spotting wildlife along the way. Mostly easy walking across established footpaths.

Named routeLength 2.6 kmDuration 00:30-01:00Round tripLocal walking route
The Souter Saunter, Souter LighthouseWalking route3.2 km▾

On this 2 mile walk, you'll discover more than a lighthouse. Follow coast paths to discover a lost village, a nature reserve on the site of a former colliery, interesting rock formations & a beautiful bay. Maintained paths, fairly flat, no steep inclines.

Named routeLength 3.2 kmDuration 01:00-02:00Round tripLocal walking route
🚴

Cycling

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123 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route 14Cycling route▾
Named routeRef 14National Cycle Network
Coast Road cyclewayCycling route▾
Named routeLocal cycle route
EuroVelo 12 - North Sea Cycle Route - part United Kingdom 5Cycling route▾
Named routeRef EV12International cycle route
Hadrian's CyclewayCycling route▾
Named routeRef 72National Cycle Network
Reivers' RouteCycling route▾
Named routeRef 10National Cycle Network
National Cycle Network Link RouteCycling route▾
Named routeRef (14) / (72)National Cycle Network
🚵

Mountain biking

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7 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Reivers Off Road Cycle RouteMountain bike route▾
Named route
Waggonways Cycle Route C - BackworthMountain bike route▾
Named routeLocal cycle route
Waggonways Cycle Route D - Rising SunMountain bike route▾
Named routeLocal cycle route
Waggonways Cycle Route E - Silverlink Albert Edward DockMountain bike route▾
Named routeLocal cycle route
Waggonways Cycle Route F - Wallsend DeneMountain bike route▾
Named routeLocal cycle route
Harton Branch RouteMountain bike route▾
Named route

About this historic site

Grade II registered historic park and garden

Wildlife to spot

Photos

21 photos from nearby open sources

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Boating lake, South Marine Park, South Shields

📷 Graham Robson · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Boating lake, South Marine Park, South Shields

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Facilities

🅿️

Parking

Pier Parade · Paid · 68m

🧺

Picnic spot

5 · 141m away

🛝

Playground

5 · 192m away

🚻

Toilets

2 · 181m away

🐶 Dogs

Good to know

  • 🐕Dogs welcome

Weather for this location

Next 14 days

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱South Marine ParkUrban park100 m→🌱Bents ParkUrban park300 m→🌱Northumberland ParkUrban park1.9 km→🌱South Marine ParkUrban park100 m→🌱Bents ParkUrban park300 m→🌱North Marine ParkUrban park400 m→