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Birkheads Secret Gardens

5 ha

📷 Oliver Dixon · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

BirdsWildlifeForaging
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome5 ha

Getting here

54.90555, -1.65830

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦79+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Swallow and Woodpigeon
  • 🌿Foraging is at its best in summer here
  • ☕Birkheads Secret Garden Coffee Shop — makes this an easy full-day family visit without needing to pack food

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
Café

Best for

10 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Swallow, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow +76 more · last seen 2026

Free

Wildlife

Birds — Swallow, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow +76 more · last seen 2026; Traditional orchard priority habitat

Free

Foraging

Traditional orchard — seasonal fruit, fungi and wild plants

Varies

Dog walks

Dogs allowed with public access

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — 7-spot Ladybird, Common Cockchafer, Syrphus +8 more · last seen 2025; Traditional orchard — specialist orchard insects and lichens

Free

Seasonal nature

Plants — Hogweed, Ground-elder, Wild Privet +16 more · last seen 2025

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

8 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Valley Views Trail, GibsideWalking route7 km

See Gibside from a new perspective as you explore the estate & take in views across Derwent Valley. Wander through the Walled Garden & woodland to discover the ruined old Hall, to the quiet stretch of the River Derwent.

Named routeLength 7 kmDuration 02:00-04:00Round tripLocal walking route
Red Kite TrailWalking route18 km
Named routeLength 18 kmRound tripLocal walking route
Hedley Hall Wood Blue TrailWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Tyne and Wear Heritage Way Section 6Walking route

Thornley Woodland Centre to Beamish

Named routeRegional walking route
Tyne-Wear TrailWalking route
Named routeRegional walking route
🚴

Cycling

39 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route 14Cycling route
Named routeRef 14National Cycle Network
Bowes Railway PathCycling route
Named routeRegional cycle route
Angel CyclewayCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Beamish LoopCycling route11 km
Named routeRef CDN6Length 11 kmRound tripLocal cycle route
Link RouteCycling route
Named routeRegional cycle route
Beggars Wood Cycle RouteCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route

Wildlife to spot

Photos

A corner of Birkheads Secret Gardens

📷 Oliver Dixon · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

A corner of Birkheads Secret Gardens

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Weather for this location

Next 14 days

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

✦GIBSIDEHistoric site4.6 km→🌱Redman ParkUrban park1.9 km→🌱Chase ParkUrban park4.5 km→🌱BeamishburnUrban park2.2 km→🌱Oakey's ParkUrban park4.5 km→🌱Albert ParkUrban park4.8 km→