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Gibside
A Georgian landscape garden forged in an industrial past.
near Rowlands Gill, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, NE16 6BG
Important notice
Gibside Chapel is closed to visitors on Thursday 14 November. The Chapel and the Stables are closed on Friday 15 November. Thank you for your patience while we install Christmas decorations.
Opening times for 15 November 2024
Asset Opening time Gibside 10:00 - 16:00 No booking requirement (excluding some events). Last entry into Gibside 1-hour before closing. Visitors must vacate the car park at closing time. Last orders in Market Place café 30-minutes before closing. All other food outlets operate at reduced hours.
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Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £16.50 £15.00 Child £8.30 £7.50 Family £41.30 £37.50 Family one adult £24.80 £22.50 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Adventure playground/play area
Strawberry Castle Play Area, the Low Ropes Course and the den building area can all be found along the family-friendly Explorer Trail.
Electric vehicle charging point
Six 11kW electric vehicle charging points are available in overflow car park. Chargers can be accessed using mobile app, RFID card, or contactless payment device. Visit our EV charging provider RAW Charging’s website to download the app in advance of your visit. Chargers are only available to visitors during property opening hours.
Bookshop
Family friendly
Café
Guided tour
Car park
Kiosk
Coffee shop
Picnic area
Cycle parking
Cycle parking is located in the Market Place, at the top of the wooden walkway and close to the main café.
Restaurant
Gibside Pizza Pit is open 12pm-3pm on weekends and every day during school holidays.
Dogs allowed
Toilet
Twenty accessible parking spaces. Accessible Tramper is available to book, call 07712 535938 in advance. Access bus available from Visitor Reception, subject to availability. Please ask Visitor Reception staff for more information.
Accessible route and/or map
Ask at reception for more details.
Powered mobility vehicle available
Accessible tramper hire is available. Please call 07712 535938 to book prior to your visit.
Accessible toilet
Ramped access/slopes
Designated parking
Seating available
Drop-off point
Stairclimber
Induction loop
Steps/uneven terrain
Level access to food outlet
Transfer available
Level access to shop
Wheelchairs available
Level access/terrain
By road
Entrance on B6314 between Burnopfield and Rowlands Gill; follow brown signs from A1 , taking exit on to A694 at north end of Metrocentre.
Find out about exploring car-free with Good Journey
Parking: Free parking. Six electric vehicle charging points are now available. See “Facilities” for more information. Drivers will require their own cables to charge.
On foot
½ mile from Rowlands Gill. From Station Rd. join Burnopfield Rd. Cross the river Derwent and turn left into Gibside or choose the Derwent Walk Railway Path from Swalwell or Consett for a scenic route.
By train
Travel by train to the Metrocentre (5 miles from Gibside) or Newcastle (8 miles from Gibside) and choose bus, taxi, cycle or foot to complete your journey.
By bus
Frequent services from Newcastle or Gateshead. The X45 takes 30 mins from Eldon Square and Central Station, 25 mins from Gateshead Interchange and 10 mins from Metrocentre. It also takes 30 mins from Consett in the opposite direction. Alight on Station Road, Rowlands Gill. It’s then a 15-minute stroll to Gibside. Buses also from Stanley (15mins).
By bicycle
Cycle parking is in the Market Place, at the top of the wooden walkway and close to the Café.
Gibside is on the scenic Tyne Derwent Way, a 9-mile-route that runs from St. Mary’s Heritage Centre in the centre of Gateshead, along the River Tyne and then through the Derwent Valley to Gibside. The route is mostly traffic-free.
It is also on Route 14 of the National Cycle Network (NCN14). Find Gibside ½ mile from Rowland’s Gill. Follow signs from Station Road to join Burnopfield Road. Cross the River Derwent over a small bridge shared with vehicular traffic to find the entrance.
Plan your route to Gibside using the CycleStreets journey planner via the ‘by bicycle’ link below. (This journey planner uses OpenStreetMap data which is generally excellent but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. If you come to a footpath or other cycle-prohibited track, please don’t ride on it).
Cycle hire is available from several places in Newcastle. Please view this webpage for details: https://newcastlegateshead.com/blog/cycling-routes-in-newcastlegateshead
Car-free
Enjoy 10% off in our food and beverage outlets when you arrive car-free.
Planning your visit
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Choose car-free travel to Gibside for 10% discount in the café
To encourage travelling by sustainable transport, we're offering visitors who choose car-free travel to Gibside 10% discount in the café.
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Visiting Gibside with your dog
Gibside is a three pawprint rated place. There are 15 miles of paths for you and your dog to explore, lots of facilities and they’re even welcome inside the coffee shop.
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Eating at Gibside
There’s something for everyone at Gibside’s cafés, including freshly made sandwiches, wood-fired pizzas, kids' lunchboxes and, of course, really good coffee.
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Educational visits to Gibside
Gibside is the perfect place to bring a group of young people from schools, universities, Brownies and Scouts. Spark their creativity, build confidence, develop problem solving skills and enjoy nature.
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Gibside map
Featuring 4 walking trails, places to visit, comfort facilities, access notes and dog litter bins
Highlights
Landscape garden
Georgian landscape with valley views, woodland, Walled Garden, Palladian chapel, stable block, grand ruin and Column to Liberty towering above it all.
Outdoor play
Be king or queen of Strawberry Castle play area, build a den and challenge your family at the Low Ropes course. There's plenty of ways for kids (and big kids) to play at Gibside.
Eating
Hot and cold drinks, hot food and light snacks available to sit in or take away. All food outlets are dog-friendly. Outdoor picnic areas for packed lunches.
Walking
Four trails for differing abilities feature vista views across the Derwent valley and river. Walking routes stretch over acres of landscape garden, with orienteering and geocaching opportunities.
Seasonal events
For families and adults, join outdoor events to get you closer to nature throughout the week and during school holidays.
Second-hand bookshop
Small bookshop by the café, selling a wide variety of pre-loved books.
Things to see and do
Activity
Things to see and do at Gibside
Discover a much-celebrated Palladian church at Gibside, take a history tour, explore the estate and enjoy outdoor play for families.
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Activities for children and families at Gibside
From exploring the nature playscape, to being king or queen of Strawberry Castle play area, there are plenty of ways for kids (and big kids) to stay entertained all day at Gibside.
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The wildlife and garden at Gibside
From peaceful strolls through the Walled Garden, where fragrant plants and seasonal vegetables grow, to adventures around the furthest reaches of the estate to spot wildlife, ancient trees and vista views.
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A magical Christmas with Gibside
Join us for a magical Christmas at Gibside 2024, with a traditional feast of festive celebrations.
Spotlight events
A magical Christmas with Gibside
For Christmas 2024 we invite you to feel the spirit of Christmas at Gibside, with a traditional feast of festive celebrations. Visit Father Christmas, find a magical world of woodland fairies or enjoy live music in Gibside Chapel.
Top trails
Trail
Explorer family-friendly trail at Gibside
Enjoy a circular walk in Gibside's 600-acre woodland that's fun for the whole family, getting active in natural play areas and exploring the best of the estate.
Trail
Valley Views trail at Gibside
A challenging 4.4-mile walk through the estate at Gibside that takes in far-reaching views of the Derwent Valley.
Trail
The Liberty trail at Gibside
This route meanders around the landscape garden created by George Bowes and now in our care. You'll see grand historic features that play a huge part in Gibside's story and garden design.
Trail
Wonders of Nature trail at Gibside
Explore woodlands, meadows, wetlands and along the riverside, with estate highlights. You'll see nature at work and, if you are lucky, spot some wildlife at play.
Eating
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Eating at Gibside
There’s something for everyone at Gibside’s cafés, including freshly made sandwiches, wood-fired pizzas, kids' lunchboxes and, of course, really good coffee.
Places to stay
Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage 2
A cliff-top cottage perching in the shadows of the iconic red and white Souter Lighthouse.
Laundry Cottage
The perfect location for long days exploring the outdoors as well as rest and relaxation amongst nature.
Bolt Cottage
A cosy stone cottage in the beautiful grounds of the Wallington estate, perfect for walkers, cyclists and wildlife lovers.
Rothley Lakehouse
A luxury lakefront cottage that’s steeped in history and surrounded by stunning views.
Upcoming events
Event
History talk - an introduction to the history of Gibside
Get a taste for the history of Gibside with a Guided Walk volunteer.
Event
History walk - the story of Gibside
Dive into the history of Gibside and take a walk with a Guided Walk volunteer around the 18th century landscape garden.
Event
Landscape tour
Join us on a guided tour of the 18th century landscape garden and visualise the grandeur that once was the pride of George Bowes.
Event
Woodland fairy trail at Gibside this Christmas
Discover the secrets of the woodland fairies at Gibside.
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Visit Father Christmas at Gibside Stables
Follow the stars to Gibside Stables for an enchanting encounter with Father Christmas and his elves in this immersive theatre and craft workshop experience.
Event
Visit Father Christmas at Gibside Stables - relaxed sessions
Follow the stars to Gibside Stables for an enchanting encounter with Father Christmas and his elves in this smaller, more relaxed version of an immersive theatre and craft workshop experience.
About Gibside
Gibside is one of a few surviving 18th-century designed landscapes and was fashioned with two things in mind: spectacular vista views and ‘wow’ moments. The estate, commissioned by coal baron George Bowes, offers a glimpse into the past and the compelling story of heiress Mary Eleanor Bowes.
Here, you can escape the hustle and bustle of modern life within 243 hectares (600 acres) of Georgian landscape garden. Highlights include valley views, woodland, Palladian chapel, stable block, grand ruin and Column to Liberty towering above it all.
Discover fine Derwent Valley views, winding paths and refreshing open spaces. Escape along the Avenue and around the garden for miles of tranquil walks, wildlife spotting and picnic spots. Wildlife and horticulture rich, Gibside is home to Roe deer, Red Kites, amphibian filled ponds, and a fruitful Walled Garden.
Enjoy family fun on the Explorer Trail and clamber across the nature playscape, zoom across the zip line at the adventure play area, build dens and take on the low ropes challenge.
For those looking to unwind, curl up at our café and second-hand bookshop.
If you require assistance of any kind please get in touch by calling 01207 541820.
We welcome all dogs to Gibside and know that it's a great place for them to enjoy. We do ask that they are kept on leads and that you clean up after them. Visit here for more information on visiting with your dogs.
History
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History of Gibside
The wealthiest heiress in Georgian times, horseback abductions, divorces and illegitimate children are just a part of Gibside’s incredible story.
Our work
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Wildlife conservation at Gibside
Learn about how we keep Gibside thriving and discover how we’re working to make a happy and healthy environment for wildlife, people and plants.
Support us
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Volunteering at Gibside
Interested in volunteering at Gibside? Here's all you need to know about helping us care for this special place, and how to apply if you'd like to get involved.