1 week Ago By [email protected] (Barbara Hodgson)
There's nothing like a beautiful autumn day for a walk, with crisp, clear skies overhead and the underfoot crunch of leaves - while those still lingering on the trees glint in the sunshine like jewels of red, gold and bronze. Ok, so we might have had nothing like a beautiful autumn day as yet due to gloomy conditions refusing to lift for long but autumn is a season of mists and mellow fruitfulness too so we might as well make the best of it and we can at least indulge in a tradition that has added fun to childhoods for generations. Hunting for conkers is an outdoor activity that can lure just about every kid outdoors, no matter what the weather.
Families tend to have a place they love to revisit each year to seek out the spiky little treasures - the product of horse chestnut trees - which open to reveal beautiful shiny brown conkers. While they are used over autumn for conker fights, they apparently can even have a role in the home to help keep out spiders , which also tend to make a mass appearance in the autumn. Here we have a rounded up a number of locations across the North East to explore for conkers.
Of course, while they may have proved a rich source in the past, times can change but these are lovely locations for a walk anyway and, even if you do go home empty-handed, you no doubt will discover a conker horde before long as there are lots around at the moment. Often conkers have already fallen so can be found on the ground but if you're seeking them from the trees themselves it is important to remember to treat them gently so as not to cause damage because broken boughs will mean that conkers will be well out of reach next year. And if they aren’t 'ripe' then don't force them - it will be just a matter of waiting a week or two more.
Then you will be able to soak them in vinegar ready to do battle - the Woodland Trust has some handy tips for sussing out the hard cases - or you could simply admire their shiny beauty on display in a bowl in your home. Jesmond Dene, NE7 7DA. This much-loved Newcastle park has proved a rich source of conkers in the past and top spots to search include the area around Armstrong Bridge and the lead-up from the Corner House.
Try around Pet’s Corner too and the adjoining Paddy Freeman's Park Heaton Park, Newcastle, NE6 5NR. The park also has two outdoor play areas where young ones can let off steam if they've any energy left after their conker hunt. Gosforth Park - explore this whole area where there's a country park - plus a wildlife haven which has reserved access for pass-holders and members of the Natural History Society of Northumbria - for conker opportunities galore.
Saltwell Park , East Park Road, Gateshead NE9 5AX. The Victorian park has lots of wide open space but also dense areas of trees of every variety and that, of course, includes horse chestnuts, although you may find your battling your way past marauding squirrels to reach them. Chopwell Woods , NE39 1LT.
Described as the largest woodland in Tyne and Wear - its mix of conifer and broadleaf trees spans nearly 900 acres of the Derwent Valley, this beautiful area is a great place for cocker-hunting. It also hosts events if you want a chance to immerse yourself even more amongst the trees and these include a free 'guided forest-bathing walk' on October 24: see the Friends of Chopwell Wood's Facebook page here . Thornley Woods , Rowlands Gill, NE39 1AU.
This nearby woodland area is a peaceful environment of paths and wood sculpture trails so you might have so much to look at you forget your conker hunt. Richardson Dees Park , Wallsend , NE28 8RH. Part of Wallsend Parks and another Victorian treat, this is a popular choice for families and walkers.
Wallsend Burn . Also keep an eye out along the stream, a tributary of the Tyne, whose course flows through Richardson Dees Park and whose valley, Wallsend Dene, joins up a green corridor which is full of trees and conker opportunities. Easy family walk Newcastle city centre Reader suggestions A country walk Riverside Park , Chester-le-Street, DH3 3SJ.
Try this park with its mix of trees, gardens and meadow if you're not lucky with conkers, other attractions include the play area and riverside walks. The park is also referred to as a ' Gateway Site for the Great North Forest ' and aims to encourage locals to make the most of the countryside surrounding them. Hawthorn Dene , County Durham , SR7 8SH.
There's plenty ancient woodland here plus so much more in the nature reserve and ravine that cuts through the magnesian limestone of the coast, with signs of its local industry and attractions that make it a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Tyne Green Park , Hexham, NE46 3SG. This site is well-known for conkers and one previous TripAdvisor review referred to finding hundreds of them one time, making for 'hours of child friendly fun'.
The review added that it 'was literally raining conkers on us at one point'. Howick Hall Gardens near Alnwick, Northumberland , NE66 3LB. The ancestral home of Earl Grey boasts around 12,500 trees and shrubs in the garden and arboretum so you'd be hard pressed not to go home with a conker or two.
At the very least you'll get to see trees in spectacular autumn colours, such as maples in vibrant red. Wallington , Cambo, Northumberland, NE61 4AR. The National Trust property includes lovely grounds and woodland featuring an extensive canopy of trees.
There's also a river walk along the banks of the river Wansbeck through the woods. Plessey Woods , Shields Road, Bedlington, NE22 6HZ. A previous TripAdvisor reviewer mentioned a visit to the country park on search for conkers, adding: 'We didn’t have to look far', having found a big chestnut tree in the field near the cafe.
Barnes Park , Sunderland , SR4 7PY. The historic park is said to be the largest park in the city and, amongst its playgrounds and attractions, look out for the horse chestnut trees. Princess Anne Park , Washington , NE38 7QZ.
Described as a modest area of woodland, the park nevertheless has yielded its fair share of conkers in the past. ChronicleLive is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our communities. We have a number of communities to join, so you can choose which one you want to be part of and we'll send you the latest news direct to your phone.
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