Normally New Years Day would be spent in pyjamas with a mighty hangover following a party the night before to welcome in the New Year. This year will be very different for many of us, especially those in tier 3 in the Northeast where the rule of 6 does not apply to indoor spaces. This essentially means we will be unable to celebrate seeing the back of 2020 with our loved ones.
Instead, my family will make the most of the day off, and go for a lovely long walk together. This will allow us to not only start the year on the right foot with exercise and fresh air. But it will also mean we are able to safely enjoy each others company and take advantage of the rule of 6 outdoors.
I’d imagine many other families are in similar situations and want to enjoy the great outdoors on the first day of 2021. I’ve put together this long list of places that you can all enjoy. Please be aware that some of these places might require booking in advance. Also, be mindful of the current situation and try not to travel when unnecessary.
***UPDATED 2021**
It’s been a little under a year since I created this post and honestly can’t believe we are in a very dim and similar place to last year. I can only hope that when it comes to my 2022 update for this post that we don’t have to worry about pre-booking, social distancing and wearing masks…
Sunderland
- Herrington Country Park and Penshaw Monument
- Seaburn and Roker Beaches
- Barnes Park
- Ryhope Cliffs and Beach
- Tunstall Hill
- Souter Lighthouse
See my blog post Top 5 Places for Daily Walks in Sunderland
Newcastle and Tyneside
- Jesmond Dene
- Ouseburn
- Newcastle Quayside
- Tynemouth
- Rising Sun Country Park
- Whitley Bay
Northumberland
- Walltown Country Park and Hadrian’s Wall
- Northumberlandia
- Rothbury
- Hadrian’s Wall
- Dunstanburgh Castle and Crastor
- Sycamore Gap
- Warkworth Castle
- Linhope Spout
- Walltown Country Park
- Bamburgh Castle
- Amble
- Embleton Bay
- Seahouses
- Lindisfarne
- Hexham
- Thrunton Woods
- Kielder Forest and Waterpark
- Plessey Woods
- Bolam Lake Country Park
- Corbridge
- Wansbeck Country Park
- Allen Banks and Staward Gorge
County Durham
- Raby Castle
- Hamsterley Forest
- Durham Heritage Coast
- High Force Waterfall
- Derwent Reservoir
- Seaham Seafront
- Finchale Abbey
- Great Aycliffe Way
- Durham Riverside Walk
- Hardwick Country Park
North Yorkshire
- Whitby
- North Yorkshire Moors
- Robin Hoods Bay
- Yorkshire Dales
- Roseberry Topping
- Saltburn-by-the-sea
- Osmotherly and Codbeck Reservoir
- White Horse Walk
- Scarborough
- Farnedale
Well, I really hope you manage to find something from this list! Please do let me know if there are any places I need to add to this list. Or if you end up going to any of these places id love to hear about your visit.
Stay Safe and Happy New Year!
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