10 of the best pram friendly walks in Durham
Nothing beats a walk to blow away the cobwebs or let little ones run off a bit of steam. If you have a pram in tow or are a wheelchair user, this can sometimes prove challenging and walks can feel limited.
I’ve put together a comprehensive list of the best pram friendly walks in Durham meaning you can enjoy time in the great outdoors without having to worry about whether you will be able to navigate the terrain.
Whether you’re looking for a quiet woodland wander or a blustery beach walk you’ll find a great variety of destinations in this article. Read on for the best pram walks in Durham inspiration.
Raby Castle and Deer Park
Raby Castle and deer park is the place to go if you are looking for a serene and peaceful walk with great facilities. Standing proudly at the entrance is Raby Castle itself, if you love a castle you can book a tour or simply enjoy the imposing views as you begin your pram friendly walk.
Relax and enjoy the many wide, well surfaced walking routes around the natural beauty of this estate, many of them perfectly suited to prams. As you stroll through the 200 acres of paths and trails, you’ll be treated to up close encounters with the resident fallow deer. This is a breathtaking sight so take the time to stop and watch as they wander around their natural habitat.
Back at the entrance you will find great toilet facilities and a gift shop. There is a choice of places to eat and the menu is tasty and varied. There is also an area for picnics should you prefer to bring your own lunch. Parking is good and is near the entrance of the estate.
Hardwick Park
The beauty of Hardwick Park is that you have everything you need on hand so relax and enjoy your day. On arrival you’ll find lots of parking and within metres you have all the facilities to make your visit an easy, enjoyable one. In the cafe you’ll find a great selection of snacks and light lunches and just outside is a well thought out play area aimed at younger children.
As the footpaths around the park are wide and well surfaced, you can focus your attention on enjoying the scenery and tranquillity of this Green Flag winning walk. Follow the circular trail around the beautiful lake which sits at the heart of the park.En route you’ll pass lots of sculptures and cosy seating areas which will give you some fabulous photo opportunities or a chance to sit and take a rest. There are lots of pathways leading from the lake leading to areas of interest such as a bird hide, a gruffalo sculpture and a tower which looks exactly like Rapunzel’s Tower.
Durham Riverside
This beauty spot is a favourite walk of mine. Using the pram and wheelchair accessible paths, you will enjoy the most stunning views of the historic and imposing Durham Cathedral. The beauty of this walk is that you have the scenery and tranquillity of the riverwalk, combined with a thriving city which you can visit afterwards. I would recommend walking over Prebends Bridge and past the cottage which is one of the most photographed properties in Durham. Make sure you pop into Durham and stop at Flat White Kitchen – the best coffee shop in Durham City due to a combination of its fantastic food and quirky decor. Although this walk is accessible, you do need to be aware that there are a few steep inclines along the way. For more information on the link below.
Derwent Reservoir
A quiet, peaceful walk is what you will find here with uninterrupted views of the reservoir and surrounding countryside. The beauty of the Derwent Reservoir is you have the choice of two walks. Both are fully accessible to both prams and wheelchairs. Take the shorter 2 mile walk from the visitor centre to Pow Hill Country Park if you want an easy stroll. If you want a longer walk, you can continue on to Millsheild and make it a longer 3.5 mile walk.
As both walks are flat, you’ll find them easy and relaxed, leaving you to take in the panoramic views of the beautiful reservoir. Red squirrels are frequent visitors to Derwent Reservoir so keep your eyes peeled and you might just spot one.
You will find toilet facilities and a shop at the visitor centre at Pow Hill and If you want to enjoy a picnic, both Pow Hill and Millshield provide picnic tables. Sit back and enjoy a tranquil picnic while taking in the stunning surrounding countryside views after completing your walk.
Hamsterley Forest
A tranquil escape is what you can expect at Hamsterley Forest. With over 2000 hectares of woodland you will enter a peaceful retreat that is set in the heart of the Durham Dales. You have a number of pram friendly routes to choose from at Hamsterely. . The guides at the visitor centre are excellent at helping you decide on the best route to suit your needs so make sure you catch them in the visitor’s centre before you set off.
If you have any Gruffalo obsessed little ones then the short, fully accessible Gruffalo trail is the one for you. You will find wide, surfaced paths on mainly flat terrain. This walk is fantastic with great entertainment guaranteed along the way with Gruffalo sculptures and activities along the route.
If you would prefer a longer walk, there are a number of options that will take you into the heart of the forest to enjoy a complete break away from it all and to emerge fully in nature. This is easily one of the best pram friendly walks in Durham.
Causey Arch
This is a walk you might overlook if you are heading out with a pram or wheelchair. However, you’ll find a fantastic pram friendly path through ancient woodland here at Causey Arch. You’ll enjoy a stroll brimming with stunning views of the world’s oldest surviving single arch railway bridge. With its wide, well surfaced paths and seats placed regularly, this walk will be a great option if you want to enjoy being in beautiful surroundings, enjoy nature and not feel you are being physically challenged. It’s easy to see why this walk made it into the top 10 best pram friendly walks in Durham.
An unexpected feature of this walk is that you can walk beneath the 80 ft tall bridge and hear the sound of the burn echoing above your head. You will feel like you are walking beneath the water. This is guaranteed to excite any little ones in your group – and probably a few of the grown ups too. There is a tea room in the car park should you want drinks or snacks and lots of picnic tables if you want to bring your own.
Beamish
Beamish is a visitor attraction that has to be ticked off everyone’s lists. From the moment you enter, you will feel like you have stepped back in time.
It’s the ideal place to enjoy one of the best pram friendly walks and a lot of care as a lot of attention has gone into making Beamish an accessible walk and attraction. There is a relatively flat circular route around the outside of the whole open air museum, meaning you will pass all the main attractions and villages. Some of the villages have cobbled streets so can be a little bit bumpy for prams in places. You can stop regularly at one of the many cafes or restaurants in the villages. I can highly recommend the resident chip shop with everything cooked just the way it was way back in time. All the villages have toilet facilities meaning you don’t need to stay near the main entrance.
Wheelchair hire is available from the main entrance and there are accessible vehicles to take pushchairs and wheelchairs around the museum should it be needed.
There is plenty of car parking at the entrance to the museum and an easy access ramp into the museum
Easington Colliery
It can often be a challenge to enjoy coastal views with a pram or wheelchair. This part of the Durham Heritage coastline is an exception with its one mile circular route at Easington Colliery. To access it you need to park at Crawlane Avenue then begin your walk along the heritage coastline. Take in the breathtaking scenery and look out over the sea without the worry of whether there will be suitable pathways .
Another pram friendly coastal walk is along the Seaham coastline. Park at Seaham Hall Beach and walk along the promenade or the high road towards the Tommy statue in the centre of Seaham. This route does have a few inclines along the way but has good pavements and surfaces making it great for prams and wheelchairs. There are plenty of cafes and facilities along the walk . I can recommend Clean Bean and The Flamingo Bar Cafe, both have excellent menus and gorgeous interiors.
Chester Le street Riverside Park
At Chester- Le Street Riverside Park you will find great, onsite parking. This park has won a Green Flag Award and has so much to offer everyone with fantastic pram friendly walks along accessible pathways. There are great facilities too. I would recommend you start your walk along the river. This route will take you through structured gardens with sculptures and even a small maze.
There are stunning meadows of wildflowers in the summertime just off the main pathway. As you drop down to the river pathways there are a number of benches to stop and take in your surroundings or catch your breath. There are lots of swans and ducks who are always happy to be fed. Chester – le – Street has a fantastic play area, it has a number of sections for different ages and abilities. It will be a huge hit with any little ones you have with you, I would suggest you visit the park at the end of your walk or you’ll never get them to leave.
Washington Wetlands Centre
Although not strictly in Durham, Washington Wetlands is just over the border and I had to include it because of its great accessibility. The car parking is good and although there is a short steep bank down to the centre, there is a drop off point nearer to the entrance should you need it.
The paths around the Wetlands centre are well surfaced and wide. They pass by all the main attractions such as the otters and flamingos. You’ll pass a number of dedicated feeding spots for birds and ducks as well as bird hides dotted around the pathways on the outskirts of the centre. There are a number of pram friendly walks around the centre and maps are available at reception to help you decide which to choose. On the shorter routes you will have all the attractions close to hand to keep little ones occupied. Or if you want a quieter walk, there are routes which will take you around the outskirts of the centre and are quiet and serene. All will immerse you in the sights and sounds of nature. Whether you love the sounds of the trees, the call of birds and ducks or simply just being in a tranquil space, you have the option of all of these here at Washington Wetlands. The centre itself provides a great cafe with a good menu ranging from light snacks to more substantial dishes. There are great toilets and changing facilities here in the main centre. There is a great outdoor play area at the end of the walk which includes water play so don’t forget to pack your wellies and spare clothes!
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