When we were young kids, one of our highlights of our year, not only our year, but our summer, was a nice short walk from our home in Whickham was a visit to Washingwell Woods, this was a fantastic adventure for us young children from The Whickham Council Estate, was having a picnic up and around Washingwell Woods.

This was followed by a full day of playing and enjoying ourselves.

Now we have Watergate Country Park, this is a beautiful park, called Watergate Forest Park, built on reclaimed land on the site of the former Watergate Colliery. With its wetlands, woodlands, wildflower meadows and recreational routes, this is a fantastic day out.