Wet woodland footpath among trees in Plessey Woods, Northumberland

Where to go · Northumberland

Forest bathing at Plessey Woods Country Park

Council country park on the River Blyth near Hartford Bridge, with woodland, meadows and a firm path along the river.

Plessey Woods is a country park of around 100 acres on the north bank of the River Blyth, run by Northumberland County Council. It mixes woodland, meadow and riverside, and otters and kingfishers use the river. It is one of the easier places in the county for a slow walk under trees: a wide, firm route runs through the woods and along the water, and suits wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Start at the visitor centre by the car park, reached from the A192 at Hartford Bridge. A loop of about a mile and a half circles the main habitats, with smaller paths branching off it into the woods. Near the riverbank you will find an art trail made by young people, with wooden owls and hobbit doors in the trees. If you want quiet, take one of the smaller side paths away from the river.

Practical

Managed by
Northumberland County Council
Parking
Pay and display car park
Terrain
Wide, firm main path; smaller unsurfaced paths through the woods
Nearest station
Cramlington, about 2 miles
Facilities
Visitor centre with café and toilets
Opening and entry
Open access, free
Official page
woodlandtrust.org.uk

Last updated 4 November 2026. Paths, parking and access can change, so check before you visit. Spotted something out of date? Please let us know.

Guides nearby

A guide within 15 miles of Plessey Woods Country Park

More woodlands in Northumberland

All venues in Northumberland
Woodland at Allen Banks in the River Allen gorge, NorthumberlandAllen Banks and Staward GorgeNorthumberland's largest ancient woodland, in the deep gorge of the River AllenBolam Lake with surrounding trees, NorthumberlandBolam Lake Country ParkDobson's lake and woods west of Morpeth, with an accessible path all the way roundWoodland path through trees on the Cragside estate, NorthumberlandCragsideGiant conifers, rhododendron tunnels and engineered lakes on the Victorian estate above Rothbury

Photos: Allen Banks and Staward Gorge, Anthony Foster (CC BY-SA 2.0); Bolam Lake Country Park, Clive Nicholson (CC BY-SA 2.0); Cragside, Bill Boaden (CC BY-SA 2.0).