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St Stephen's Gardens

3 ha

📷 John M · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

BirdsWildlifeSeasonal
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome3 ha

Getting here

55.00392, -1.43555

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦83+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Herring Gull and Black-headed Gull
  • 🌿Foraging is at its best in summer here
  • 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
Parking· PaidToilets

Best for

11 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Carrion Crow +80 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Carrion Crow +80 more · last seen 2026

Free

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals; Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals

Free

Seasonal nature

Plants — Thale Cress, Ivy-leaved Toadflax, Common Toadflax +225 more · last seen 2025; Plants — Thale Cress, Ivy-leaved Toadflax, Common Toadflax +225 more · last seen 2025

Free

Foraging

Plants — Red Dead-nettle, Henbit Dead-nettle, Hogweed +21 more foraging species

Varies

Dog walks

Dogs allowed with public access

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — 7-spot Ladybird, Syrphus ribesii, Harmonia axyridis form succinea +40 more · last seen 2026; Insects — 7-spot Ladybird, Syrphus ribesii, Harmonia axyridis form succinea +40 more · last seen 2026

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

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

130 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route 14Cycling route
Named routeRef 14National Cycle Network
Bowes Railway PathCycling route
Named routeRegional cycle route
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
🚵

Mountain biking

8 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

Wildlife to spot

Photos

St Stephen's Church, South Shields

📷 John M · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

St Stephen's Church, South Shields

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱South Marine ParkUrban park1.1 km→🌱Bents ParkUrban park1.3 km→🌱Northumberland ParkUrban park1.3 km→🌱North Marine ParkUrban park700 m→🌱South Marine ParkUrban park1.1 km→🌱Bents ParkUrban park1.3 km→

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