Albert Park

This has been described as the “green lung” of Middlesbrough, and by does it breathe fresh air into the area. It was first opened in 1868 and it was the site for the formation of the original Middlesbrough Football Club (the pre-Rory-the-Lion days). Since then, it has been a much loved family park, with facilities including tennis courts, a lake with rowing boats and two play parks: one for the ankle-biters and one for the adults! The main attractions are the 1879 sundial and the 1869 fountain, which nestle in the heart of this “green lung”. However, a 7ft statue of Brian Clough was added to the park in May 2007 to commemorate the life of one of Middlesbrough’s most successful sons. 7.30am to dusk (varies with time of year).

Allen Banks & Staward Gorge

If you're a fan of hiking over gorge terrain then this wooded ravine may be for you. Once you've explored the miles of signposted walks past the hill and river scenery there's a picnic area next to the car park where you can refresh and regroup.

Backhouse Park

Backhouse Park has been a landmark in Sunderland for over a century. It was owned by the Backhouse family and at that time was privy to a number of horticultural experiments, specifically as the seedbed for a unique strain of daffodil. The Friends of Backhouse are now in the process of aggressively developing the park into a safe haven for naturalists and education.

Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens

A remarkable estate with 14th century castle, 17th century manor house and 19th century neoclassical hall set in 30 acres of landscaped gardens and grounds. The hall was designed by the legendary architect , John Dobson . Its present unfurnished state gives even greater emphasis to its bold architecture which is now regularly used to display fashion and contemporary artworks. 1 -18 Apr 10am-6pm daily 1 May - 26 Sep daily 10am-6pm 1-31 Oct 10am-4pm daily 1 Nov-31 Mar 10am-4pm Thu-Mon, Open February half-term for snowdrop displays - 6.80Adult/5.80Concession/3.40Child/17.00Family 

Billingham Beck Valley Country Park

The original purpose of this country park in 1992 was to serve as a local nature reserve, but the drained wetlands are posing environmental problems because the local wildlife is beginning to disappear from our countryside. Hopefully this will change because the wildlife compliments the colourful meadows and the many textures of the ponds and marshlands. Let’s hope the countryside is drained for all its worth too! open daily 8.30am-4pm

Bolam Country Park and Visitor Centre

Open: Visitor Centre: 10.30am-4.30pm. Weekends, Bank holidays and school holidays from 12.00pm-3.30pm.

Botanic Garden

A veritable rampage of colour in the summer and a great destination for sprawling around in when it's hot, the university-owned garden range includes a sculpture garden (including various former Bishops of Durham), a Japanese Bank, a butterfly house and a tropical rainforest. A recent addition is a two-hectare wildflower meadow. Written guides are available and there's also a glasshouse, a display of tropical insects and bugs, a visitors' centre and a coffee shop. Some plants are also for sale. Open: Mar-Oct. 10am-5pm / Nov-Feb. 10am-4pm. Adults £4 / Concessions £3 / Children £1.50. Free to Durham students

Burn Valley Gardens

Burn Valley was opened in 1898 and it covers seven hectares of land. There are various activities in the park, such as a children’s playground and a bowling green. There is a walkway which will take you through the family park and onto Ward Jackson Park. After the day is through, you’ll be all parked out!

Carlisle Park

There is a wealth of activities and attractions in Carlisle Park. From the formal gardens and aviary you'll find the William Turner Garden, a modern tribute to this son of Morpeth known as 'The Father of English Botany'. An 11thC Motte and 12thC castle lead you to ancient woodland with resident red squirrels. Or stroll along the riverside promenade, take a rowing boat out on the river or enjoy the paddling pool and play areas, skate parks, bowling greens and tennis. open year round, Monday-Sunday

Carlton Bank

Approximately 10 miles out of Middlesbrough the bank offers magnificent views of Teesside, and is popular with ramblers, scramblers, hang-gliders and other outdoor types.

Castle Eden Dene

The largest of Durham's wooded coastal ravines, cut deep into limestone, and the north-east’s largest area of natural woodland. A National Nature Reserve with 12 miles of footpaths within its 500 acres. Packed with over 450 different species of plant and many resident birds and mammals. Public events are held all year – call for details. Open: Footpaths open at all times. Lodge open for parties if booked in advance.

Chesters Walled Garden

This 2-acre 18th century garden is sheltered on three sides by woodland and open on the fourth to stunning views of the Tyne Valley. For 200 years the garden provided the fruit and vegetables for Chester’s House but it is now laid out as a unique herb garden. Open: March-Oct 10am-5pm daily. Nov-mid March opening hours depend on the weather and it is advisable to telephone before visiting.

Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park

The main attraction is the visitors’ centre, which opened in 2000. Since then, the 300 acres of Woodland has thrived undisturbed by the cruelty of man.

Cragside House and Gardens

A fine and slightly eccentric example of the work of Norman Shaw, built for Lord Armstrong between 1864-95 and the very first house in the world lit by hydro-electricity. A very impressive building in equally impressive surroundings with restored Victorian gardens, famous for its displays of rhododendrons (May-June). There is also visitors' centre; restaurant and kids' play area. House Open: March-Early Oct 1pm-5pm daily (except Mon). Late Oct – Early Nov 11am- 4pm daily (except Mon). Please note – Cragside Gardens, Shop and Restaurant opening times differ to the House.

Crook Hall and Gardens

A medieval hall with Jacobean drawing-room, turret and gallery, set in 4 acres of gardens including 2 walled gardens, a silver and white garden, an orchard, courtyard fountain, large moat pool and a maze. The hall is haunted by the White Lady. Ruskin and Wordsworth visited Crook Hall in the 1800s. Described as 'A tapestry of colourful blooms' by Alan Titchmarsh, Crook Hall is enchanting throughout the seasons. Light lunches and homemade cream teas are served in the Georgian dining room or in the pretty little courtyard. Wednesday-Sunday, 11-5pm adult: £4.50 child& conc: £4.00

Derwent Walk Country Park & Derwenthaugh Park

Visitors' Centre at Thornley Woodlands 01207 545 212 on the A694 nr. Rowlands Gill and Swalwell. Over 300 acres of woodlands, riverside meadow and bridleways.

Dilston Physic Garden

Open: April-Sept 11am-4pm on Weds and Thurs (weather permitting). Other times available for groups by prior arrangement only. Also open on three Saturdays – 6 June, 4 July, 1 August 11am- 4pm. Adult £4, Conc. £3, under 12s free

Druridge Bay Country Park

One of the finest stretches of coastline in the country with a nature reserve, lake, water sports, cafe, visitors' centre, kids’ play area, woods and meadows. The bay spans a huge area from the old village of Hauxley in the north to Cresswell in the south. The Country Park is a big favourite with wildlife enthusiasts and the views are simply stunning - take a flask, lie back and enjoy. Open all year from 9am-5pm (closed to vehicles at night)

Flatts Lane Woodland Country Park

Eston Hills will transform into Middlesbrough Mountains if you’re on an exploration of the hills from Flatts Lane. If you believe that the best way in which to conquer the top is to start at the very bottom, then this is the challenge for you. (However, there are countryside volunteers at hand if you accidentally get lost on the way. phew!)

The Garden Station

An attractive mid 19thC railway station in a small secluded garden in the woods at Langley. Recently restored and retaining its original features the station has been converted into a small centre for art exhibitions, and for gardening and art and craft courses. A unique and tranquil place with unusual plants, woodland walk, gardening books and tea and coffee. The Little Leaning Shed Cafe is open six days a week, Tuesday-Sunday, May-Aug.

Gibside 18th Century Landscape Garden

Cared for by the National Trust, this is one of the North's finest landscapes, a Georgian forest garden with many walks through woodland and along the riverside. There are several outstanding buildings including the Palladian Chapel and the newly conserved Stables. Gibside is the former home of the Bowes-Lyon family. £6.50 adults, £4 children.

Guisborough Forest And Walkway Centre

The Guisborough Forest is near the Highcliff Nab, the Hanging Stone and Captain Cook’s monument. There are many walking routes and trails for you to take if you are still hungry for the rural. If that doesn’t fill you up, then the sublime views of Roseberry Topping will leave you stuffed and satisfied.

Hartlepool Town Moor

Heaton Park

Hemlington Lake

If the Animals of Farthing Wood were to take a camping holiday, they’d come here to hang out with the kingfishers, the swans and Britain’s fastest declining mammal, the watervole. With 39 acres of land and a variety of wildlife amidst the lake, there’s plenty to see. The many indoor facilities include an activity room, a tanning salon, a gym and various fitness classes. For the outdoorsy people, there are three football pitches, a skateboard park and canoeing facilities. Perfect for polishing your paddling skills for the long holidays in Seaton Carew.

Herrington Country Park

Herrington Country Park is a magnificent green site where, visitors can enjoy delightful surroundings and a feast of events and activities. It has a contemporary children's play park, perfect haven for walking, picnics, model boating and cycle trails. Located near historic Penshaw Monument, just off the A19 and at the heart of the City of Sunderland.

High Force Waterfall

The highest waterfall in England is about an hours drive from Newcastle and well worth a visit. Adjacent to one of the most attractive sections of the Pennine Way long distance footpath, wellies a must...

Houghall Gardens

Set across 25 acres, the beautiful Houghall Gardens present a range of garden styles. There is a small charge to obtain a worthwhile guide that will help you explore the arboretum, which contains some rare tree varieties as well as the National Collection of Whitebeams. Also home to a country coffee shop. Look out for the nearby Houghall Discovery Trail, a two-mile wooded track through the countryside. Open: All year.

Howick Hall

Extensive grounds including a woodland garden where a huge variety of plants flower throughout the year. April-Oct -daily 12noon to 6pm Adults £4.50, Pensioners £3.50. Accompanied children free

Jesmond Dene

A narrow wooded valley that follows the river Ouseburn between South Gosforth and Jesmond Vale. A spectacular mix of native and exotic trees and wildlife (notably the Kingfisher and the Red Squirrel). Amenities include a fantastically upmarket restaurant - The Fisherman's Lodge, a visitors’ centre, Pet's Corner and a cafe. The Dene is great to saunter or cycle along or even to park your bum on the grass. Look out for summer events.

Kielder Water and Forest Park

Home to northern Europe’s largest man-made lake, England’s largest forest and officially the country’s most tranquil spot, Kielder Water & Forest Park is not to be missed. Nature lovers, water sports enthusiasts, explorers, walkers, cyclists, artists, families… anyone looking to escape, set their own agenda and create new experiences will delight in everything the park has to offer. The forest itself is one of the main attractions featuring mile upon mile of purpose-built trails including forest walks for all the family and dedicated mountain bike tracks. A haven for wildlife – explorers can expect to encounter deer, otters, badgers, bats and rare breeds of birds. With plenty of picnic spots and places to eat throughout the park, visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to spending a day trip, weekend break or holiday in the most tranquil area in England. Most facilities open from Feb to Dec

Langley Castle

Langley Castle Hotel is a 14th Century castle nestling in the Northumbrian valley of the South Tyne. Langley Castle Hotel offers you an exclusive centre from which to explore Hadrian's Wall, the Northumbrian countryside and history. With southern Scotland including Edinburgh, the English Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales no more than 2 hours drive away.

Leazes Park

This beautiful park first came into being in 1873 and became the first public or people’s park created on Tyneside for the purposes of exercise and recreation. Over the last decade or so, the park has been carefully, and lovingly, restored to its original, and former, glory. Visitors can now enjoy it in all its splendour with an array of impressive features including reproductions of the two major ornate gateways reconstructed from period photographs. The Jubilee Gates were originally installed to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee (60 years) of the reign of Queen Victoria. The 16,500km2 lake has also been totally restored with rowing boats being made available for hire at weekends and during school holidays. The bandstand has been exactly recreated from historic records and events are held in it over the summer months which can be viewed from the completely rebuilt terrace. The terrace and its statuary have been reproduced using the remains of the originals to create new moulds.

Lingfield Countryside Centre

This aims to promote the importance of the countryside and the environment in a town where cooling towers grow quicker than crops. There are various activities to partake in, such as an earth walk, a mini-beast hunt, orienteering, pond dipping and conservation work. The mini-beast hunt is mainly to discover what hides in the grass, but I’m sure we have all felt the mighty wrath of the midgy beast on our time. Weekdays 9.00am - 4.00pm plus weekends for events

Mowbray Park

Step inside the specially commissioned gates of Mowbray Park and experience a one-stop visitor attraction including the newly restored Victorian Park alongside the adjoining Museum & Art Gallery and Winter Gardens. The park holds also a children’s playground and has an arrangement of events throughout the summer months. An intriguing array of artworks celebrate the city's connection with Lewis Carroll, who wrote his famous poem Jabberwocky whilst staying in the city. Open 7am until dusk.

Nature's World

Open: April-Sept 10am-5pm, Oct-March 10.30am-3.30pm. Adult £4/ Child £2. Award winning environmental centre hosting a hydroponicum indoor tropical garden, 25 acres of organic gardens: play areas and fun trails. Superb tearooms and giftshop.

Old Durham Gardens

The old Durham hamlet in which these gardens are situated has a heritage stretching back to Roman times but the gardens themselves date from the early 17th Century. Formerly part of a mansion long since demolished, the gardens themselves had fell into a poor state by the mid 1970s. Since then, Durham City Council and a number of supporters have lovingly restored them back to their former glory, along with the impressive gazebo. Open: All year.

Ormesby Hall

The 300yr old Hall is a spot of rural splendour amidst Teesside’s urban chaos (you know it has to be good when the National Trust puts its name on it!) The decor of the home is a testament to the 18th Century and the grounds make the average garden look like a humble plant pot in comparison.

Preston Hall Museum & Park

Admission 4.00pm.Adults- £1.30, Children 60p. Family/group concessions available. The museum in this site is enveloped by 100 acres of rolling landscape, better known as Preston Park. The park is home to an exotic bird aviary, a wildfowl pond and many riverside and woodland paths.

Roker Park Road

A municipal park opened to the public in 1880, making use of a deep natural ravine. Roker Park runs to about seven hectares next to the coast, on the northern boundary of Sunderland. The ornamental lake in the heart of the park, provided opportunities for a variety of activities including a model boating lake, two bowling greens and children's play facilities.

Ropner Park

Ropner Park makes an outstanding effort to give back to the community that has loved it for all these years. There are plans to hold live music in the park every Sunday in addition to the continual activities that it provides all day every day in the themed play area and the cafe in the pavilion. The restored water fountain is a focal point of the park because of its heart-warming history. Fisherman used to wash out the guts of their latest catch in the fountain, much to the locals disgust...but it is this humane touch of historical recollection that keeps Ropner Park in the heart of the locals.

Roseberry Topping

If you think Helen Mirren looks good for her age, Roseberry Topping is 200 million years old! She has a few scars from the miners, but aside from that, she’s still as strong as 100 million years ago. The reason why Roseberry Topping is such a tourist attraction is because of its unusual shape. It was private property for many years until the National Trust said that enough was enough and opened it to us; the ramblers.

Rossmere Park

Rossmere Park is in Hartlepool’s urban centre and its four hectares of trees and flowerbeds work as a contrast to the halfpipe skateboard ramp and the aerial runway. It has a play area for the kids and a lake where you can feed the fowl. The park is a part of formal and informal sport and recreation, such as basketball, netball, tennis and even angling on the lake. The Wii is going to have stiff competition once the kids get a load of this.

Saltburn Valley Woodland Centre

This woodland centre blossoms because of its excellent bird viewing area, its permanent and changing display panels and its orienteering course in the Valley Gardens. There is a Nature Club too, which is specifically aimed at 8-12yr olds to get them away from High School Musical and into the valley.

Saltwell Park

Through historic research, this beautiful park has been restored to its former 19th century splendour. Opened in 1876 to provide a haven of peace and tranquillity, it’s a Grade II Park and Garden of Special Historic Interest and contains 12 listed buildings, the main one being the mansion Saltwell Towers, which is a mix of several styles including Gothic, Elizabethan and French. After undergoing a massive restoration programme, the towers are just one of the restored jewels of the park and now house the popular visitors' centre. Saltwell Park is laid out as a series of ‘garden rooms’ in different styles. In a short walk, users experience a wide variety of styles - going from open meadow, to formal Italianate gardens and then to a woodland glade.

Stewart Park

Stewart Park celebrates its 90th birthday this year and it is a vast 120 acre plot of lakes, wild fowl, pet corners and The Captain Cook Birthplace Museum (see museums for more details). It has two lakes and many domesticated animals, like fallow deer, highland cattle, llamas AND the all-important goat. The park is a hit with the schools, as you can imagine the pupils are consumed with lethargy after feeding ducks and dodging the saliva of the llamas. 7.30 am until dusk all year round

Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens

Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens combines a museum, art gallery, exhibition space and Winter Gardens to create a stunning visitor attraction in the heart of the city centre. The stunning Winter Gardens stimulate the senses with over 2,000 flowers and plants brought together in a spectacular showcase of the world's natural beauty. Open: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2pm-5pm. Free.

The Alnwick Garden

Alnwick Garden is set in the heart of Northumberland, 45 minutes drive from Newcastle city centre. This exciting new garden feature the Grand Cascade as its centrepiece, creating a series of spellbinding water displays. The Rose and Ornamental Gardens mix European garden design and superb planting and that's just the beginning. Recent additions include the incredible Tree House (at 6,000sq feet, one of the largest in the world), the Labyrinth, the Serpent Garden and the Poison Garden where a mix of the unique and beautiful create an enchanted landscape where the imagination runs riot and the senses are stirred. Open: Every day except Christmas Day. Summer: 10am-6pm. Winter: 10am-4pm. Adult £9, Conc. £6.50, Children 16 and under (up to 4 per adult) £0.01 Assistance dogs only, these prices do not include the voluntary gift aid donation

The Italian Gardens

In the heart of the SaltburnValley lies the Italian Gardens with their impressive bedding displays which include sub-tropical specimens in the summer months. Open: All year daily dawn to dusk. Free.

Town Moor

The Town Moor is one of the features that make Newcastle special, with acres upon acres of open space providing a green heart to the city. It has a history as pasture land dating back to the 12th century and its land tenure and use is regulated by its own Act of Parliament. In late June The Town Moor also plays host to 'The Hoppings' Europe's largest travelling fairground.

University of Durham Botanic Garden

A veritable rampage of colour in the summer and a great destination for sprawling around in when it's hot, the University-owned garden range includes a sculpture garden (including various former Bishops of Durham), a Japanese Bank, a butterfly house and a tropical rainforest. A recent addition is a 2-hectare wildflower meadow. Written guides are available for £0.50 and there's also a glasshouse, a display of tropical insects and bugs, a visitors' centre and a coffee shop. Some plants are also for sale. Open: March-Oct 10am-5pm daily, Nov-Feb 10am-4pm.

Wallington House

Open 1-5.30 Wed-Mon during the summer, 1-4.30 during the winter. The garden and grounds are open from dawn till dusk all year round. The house itself is a decadent seventeenth-century mansion containing a huge collection of fine ceramics, paintings and, bizarrely, dolls' houses. The gorgeous garden is the main attration encompassing lawns dotted with sculptures, water features and a wildlife hide.

Ward Jackson Park

Ward Jackson Park is huge at 8.1 hectares and it was opened in 1883 to celebrate one of Hartlepool’s greatest entrepreneurs, Ralph Ward Jackson (this was before the days of Dragons’ Den, clearly). It is celebrated because of its collection of Victorian and Edwardian features, such as The Lodge House (1883), the bandstand (1901), the fountain (1902), and the clocktower (1925). It has been recently renovated into its original grandeur thanks to The Heritage Lottery Fund, and it has activities for the children’s entertainment, so there’s no reason not to visit Ward Jackson.

Watergate Forest Park

Reclaimed site of the former Watergate Colliery extensively landscaped with trails and paths through heather moorland, wildflower meadows, lakeside, woodlands and coppices.

Wharton Park

Formed from part of the grounds of Dryburn Hall, the Wharton family residence, Wharton Park offers incredible views across Durham as well as including a Victorian-style conservatory, tennis courts and a kiddies’ play area with swings. Disappointingly underused but still utterly captivating. Open: All year.

Wynyard Woodland Park

Based on a section of the old Stockton to Wellfield railway line, this park started life as one of several nature trails throughout the country established on old railway track beds.