Hi,

Is there anyone familiar with this area who could suggest a good dog walk that can be easy to find for someone who doesn't know the area eg. me!     I have Googled Rising Sun country park and it's not too far but I don't know if dogs are allowed off lead within the park?

Anyone help please?  Thanks.

Cleadon Hill are great for dog walking - just check no sheep are grazing before letting dog's loose.  Watergate Forest Park in Gateshead is nice, plenty of parking and dogs are OK off lead so you will meet lots of dog walkers (it is not too far from the Metro Centre)  there is a lake so if your dog is keen on swimming take a towel or put on lead near the water . Not sure about Rising Sun park and dogs, but I know Horses are allowed. There is also a lovely big "Country PArk" jsut over the road from Penshaw monument (again with a lake) and dogs are allowed.  There are loads more, but hope this is a start.

Thanks Gwen,

I don't know the area at all so are all these walks able to be searched through Google for postcodes to then put into Sat Nav/routeplanner?  I don't want to be travelling too far as I have a cat show in South Shields hence walks not too far away.  I see there are The Leas closeby.

And walks with sheep are a big no-no.

Is the cat show at Temple Park?  If so, you could hardly be closer to Cleadon Hills - it is about half a mile away.  The Leas are nice, but depends how well behaved your dog is - they are very high cliffs and lots of dogs have gone over while chasing seagulls.  I don't know if you will find Cleadon Hills on any listings - they are not a park or anything like that, just a lovely area of grassland with a Windmill on the top, with a network of tracks running around and up and down, great for dogs, and a view over the sea when you get to the top.  A couple of miles further on there is the Cliff Top park at Whitburn, by the lighthouse, this is a more formal "Country Park" type place, with tarmac paths, car parking etc, and a sloping path down to a tiny shingle beach.  It is a NHational Trust Lighthouse, and there is a tea room.  I can give you directions to either, and will see if I can find postcodes.

Yes it's at theTemple Park centre. Well if the Cleadon Hills are close by then that's where I'll go as long as they are sheep-free! Thank, Gwen, you can PM if that's easier?

Have PM'd directions.

Hi, there is also Fulwell Quarry very near to you which is a lovely area to walk. Plenty of hills, tracks and fields to explore. If you want to get there just park next to the Fairway pub. This is their postcode. SR5 1JT Its about a 5 min drive from Temple park.

Thanks!  When the PC &  new printer want to play together then I may be able to get some directions printed!