With summer well underway Northumbrian Water is inviting families to discover the great outdoors on their doorstep by visiting Derwent Waterside Park.
The park, which lies within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, sits on the borders of both Durham and Northumberland county borders and is home to Derwent Reservoir, the second largest reservoir in the region,
Visitors can enjoy the stunning views of the upper Derwent Valley while exploring everything Derwent Waterside Park has to offer.
Derwent Reservoir is home to a range of wonderful wildlife including birds, insects and amphibians, so visitors are encouraged to keep their eyes and ears open as they walk along the waterside.
It is also the perfect place to explore by foot or bike and there are plenty of places to stop to take in the views and have a picnic. Visitors can also enjoy a relaxing coffee or lunch at the café.
Waterside Parks Operations Manager Don Coe said: “We are delighted to have seen so many families visit Derwent Waterside Park and we are looking forward to welcoming many more over the summer to explore the great outdoors.
“There is a wealth of free activities for families to enjoy on their doorstep including walking, cycling, fishing and spotting wildlife. Children can let their imaginations run wild as they explore the play park and get competitive on the five-a side pitch. After a great day out families can relax and enjoy drinks and snacks at the café and take home a souvenir from the shop.”
This summer Derwent Waterside Park is inviting families to spend the day in its beautiful surroundings and take advantage of the play park, nature trail, café and shop.
Here we share its top five ideas of how to enjoy a visit throughout the summer.
1. Explore by foot or bike
Get healthy this summer at Derwent Waterside Park by exploring this beautiful location on foot or bike. With breath taking views and on or off road tracks you can be certain to have a bike ride you will want to do again and again. Or you can walk along the reservoir shore path, admire the views and watch the wildlife in its natural habitat.
2. Let your imagination run wild
Children can entertain themselves for hours at the new play park by swinging high into the sky on the infant and junior swings, climbing and sliding on the Derwent Trawler and testing their balance skills in Little Derwent. There is also a five-a-side football pitch to nurture the skills of the next generation, so children can roam free and enjoy the great outdoors in a safe environment.
3. Learn how to fish
Families can try out a new skill this summer at Derwent Waterside Park by signing up for a ‘Try it′ fishing lesson. The three-hour lessons alternate between fly fishing and multi bait fishing and are held every Tuesday and Sunday from Tuesday 3 April. Each lesson costs just £15 for adults and £9 for under 18′s. For more information about these types of lessons go to www.nwwatersideparks.com/learn-to-fish.
4. Spot different wildlife
Derwent Waterside Park is home to a range of wonderful wildlife including birds, insects, invertebrates and amphibians. Explore the colourful grasslands, woodlands and walks around the reservoir where you can hunt for the resident wildlife. At the western end of the reservoir there is a nature reserve and bird hide, but for a closer look at the wildlife there you will need to collect the key from the visitor centre.
5. Enjoy a sweet treat at the café
If you are visiting Derwent, don′t worry about bringing lunch for you and your family as you can pop in the cafe for a range of take away sandwiches and fill up on some sweet treats. All you need to do is bring the picnic blanket or grab one of the picnic tables on site. Alternatively, you can enjoy a relaxing hot drink while you watch the children play in the park.
Watch out for further information about our week-long programme of free family activities for the school summer holidays.
To find out more about Derwent Waterside Park and all the exciting activities going on this summer visit www.facebook.com/nwwatersideparks/.
Northumbrian Water Limited supplies 2.7 million customers in the North East with both water and sewerage services, trading as Northumbrian Water, and 1.8 million customers in the South East with water services, trading as Essex & Suffolk Water.
In the most recent survey by the Consumer Council for Water, Northumbrian Water was named the UK’s most trusted water company by its customers. 2017 also saw Northumbrian Water named the world’s most ethical water company for the seventh successive year and Utility of the Year at the Utility Week Awards, for the second time in four years.
Abbey Road, Pity Me, Durham DH1 5FJ. Telephone 0345 6047468. Website: www.nwl.co.uk