Plessey Woods Country Park — Attraction in West Bedlington

Whilst I would love to give more stars, every time I visit here (which isn't that often) I'm left disappointed. This is mainly due to the dogs....or more correctly the dog owners! We decided to go with children for a picnic. We went over to a large grassy expanse opposite the play park where there was a few others. It took over ten minutes to find somewhere to put down the blanket. Every time we thought we found a spot we found a large pile of dog mess that no one had attempted to clear. Fortunately the kids avoided running through them but it just makes you a bit more cautious about letting them freely play! As well as this, on exploring the walks around the park there were a lots of people walking with their dogs off the leads (I don't know what the park's policy is on this). Some were very excitable jumping around the kids however my eldest is very nervous around dogs. Trying to explain this to owners who were saying 'it's ok he/she is very friendly' got a bit annoying. I would have expected they would have had respect for other park users and moved their dogs on. The park itself is beautiful. The short walks are great, the kids spent a long time down by the 'lazy river' as they called it (until a retriever came bounding over), the play park is also well equipped. But for us it comes quite far down on our list of places to visit as I don't want to end up cleaning dog muck...

This is a beautiful walk, but walking or cycling there from Cramlington or Morpeth is a risk to life and limb. There are no paths to get there you are literally taking a risk with your life. If you go there use a car. The woods have old quarries where the remnants of old buildings can be seen. Pick up areas and a great jetty where folk swim in the byth during the summer. Paths are In good condition and there are different walks for people of different abilities. Near Northumberland is and can be accessed from Northumberland is if you follow the path to Shotton and follow the path near the A1 to the Stannington vale entrance to plessey woods. There is also a visitors centre with cafe at the car park. Red squirrels can be seen here, especially in early morning. It has a great history of mines and queries but doesn't put enough information to tell visitors it's significance. Cycling or walking to from cramlington or Morpeth is like taking your life in your hands. The council provides no paths or cycle paths and these are busy roads. I know a few people who have been injured on bicycles when travelling along these dangerous roads. I only recommend getting...

Very sad to say, I've been taking my children then grandchildren here for thirty years and genuinely had the most wonderful, happy experiences. Today, however, my daughter wanted to go for her birthday, so we packed a picnic and went. Even in the car park, inconsiderate drivers parked at all angles, just all higgledy-piggledy, no thought for others as long as THEY'RE ok. Walking through....couldn't count the dogs off leads, even though the signs say keep them leashed!! Complete lack of consideration. Then! A horse, clearly not bombproof, with a young girl, who couldn't control her, so jumps off and starts KICKING her!!! All in all, even though we did get to photograph and admire the trees and general nature, it was just ruined by selfish, loud, pretentious "I'm alright Jack" people. Done peopling. Forced to leave and go eat birthday cake dangnabbit. Think we're gonna find another wood 😥 Oh, and I'm not a fuddy duddy who just doesn't like dogs etc, I've got my gorgeous Poppy and cat n snakes n horses n lots of kids n grandkids, but I like to think I've taught them all to consider their surroundings and the...