Silverlink Biodiversity Park & Sundial Dog Walk

 

The Silverlink Biodiversity Park & Sundial is a bit of a hidden gem but a lovely spot for a walk amongst nature. This former rubbish tip was developed into a country park in 1996 and declared a nature reserve in 2005. 

The site covers 18 acres and as its name suggests, is full of diverse wildlife including: 

• shrubs
• grassland
• wetlands
• woodland
• amphibians and invertebrates
• pond skaters 
• damsel flies
• butterflies 
• kestrels 
• foxes 
• roe deer 
• brown hare 
• rabbits 

 

There is a free car park directly opposite the village hotel (use postcode NE27 0BY - check restrictions on arrival) and a bus stop directly outside (outside of the village hotel). Lots of buses stop here (see here for more info) and it is a short walk from Northumberland Park Metro Station. 

There is a dog waste bin and a map in the car park. I'd recommend taking a snap of this on your phone if it's your first visit as there aren't really any signposts within the nature reserve. Sadly, the park has suffered with graffiti. 

If you'd like to follow a proper route, this 1.9 mile loop is ideal (see here for PDF instructions or just google ' Silverlink Biodiversity Walk' and it should come up): 

What I like about this walk is that it is so varied and there is plenty to see, it's brilliant if you enjoy wildlife. Some of the paths can be a little narrow in places but it mostly should be ok for pushchairs. There is step-free access up to the sundial but it is obviously a bit of a steep climb. 

I visited on a mild Saturday afternoon and we pretty much had the place to ourselves. It is much more quiet than nearby Rising Sun Country Park. 

There are multiple ponds to enjoy which are packed with wildlife (I think there are 6 in total and I spotted lots of frogspawn). 

And plenty of beautiful pops of colour and flowers. 

You can climb up to the giant sundial (there is also step free access) which is pretty close to the car park. The steel of the sundial is made from the same material as the Angel of the North. On a clear day, you can see as far as St Mary's Lighthouse, the Cheviot Hills, Penshaw Monument and Newcastle City. 

There are numbers around the sundial where the seats are but on the day of my visit it was too cloudy to see the sundial in action. I was still able to appreciate the views though. There are info boards up there sharing what you can see. 

If you wish to extend your walk, the Cramlington Waggonway can be access from here and you can walk all the way to Royal Quays / Backworth etc...... Just beware that this part is a shared track and you may encounter cyclists / horses etc....... 

If you are looking for a dog-friendly pub nearby, you could try Shiremoor House Farm, the Holystone or the Pavilion at Backworth. 

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