Five places to enjoy mindful moments in the North East
One thing that has become so evident over the past few years is the need to take some time out and enjoy even the briefest of moments that allow us a bit of peace, to just be, to lose ourselves in our surroundings.
The North East has some fabulous places to enjoy some mindful moments. You may have your own but these are a few of our favourites.
Cullercoats Bay
Warkworth River Walk
There must be something for ourselves about water and mindfulness as our next location is along the banks of the River Coquet at Warkworth. Again, this is somewhere you may think initially is impossible to find that mindful calmness. If, however, you follow the riverside path along the River Coquet, you’ll be hypnotised by the beautiful reflections of the trees upon the water. How still it is and enjoying the colours of the new leaves in Spring and the magnificence of colour that Autumn brings. We walk along to where the woodland clears and stand still to observe the wildlife, take in the smells of the wildflowers. Beautiful.
St Mary’s Heritage Centre, Gateshead
So close to the city but also so far away. We love this spot. From the path just outside the grounds of the Heritage Centre you have a bird’s eye view over so much activity so are so far removed from it. You can lose yourself observing the activities on the River Tyne, the traffic along the Quayside or just taking in all those magnificent buildings, old and new. Try shutting your eyes for a few moments too, just listening to the traffic on the Tyne Bridge, the Kittiwakes along the Tyne. It really shows that even in the busiest of places there are places to take some time out and stop.
Egglestone Abbey, County Durham
The ruins of this Abbey founded in the tenth century can be found a short distance just outside Barnard Castle. It’s one of English Heritage’s free sites and it really is a place for some quiet time. I’d visit here with my parents when they had a caravan in the Durham Dales. You really feel the history around you in the ruins and it’s just beautiful to gaze out at the stunning countryside and focus in on the sounds of the birds, mooing cow’s and bleeting sheep. If the grass is dry, try lying down and looking up at the clouds in the sky, mindful of those sounds around you.
Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre, Northumberland
On the Northumberland Coast, just below Amble, you will find this gem of a place. We discovered Hauxley during those strange in between lockdown times and it’s become a firm favourite ever since. One of the best places to observe birds in the region it’s also one of the best places to totally be in the moment and focused on what is around you. There are bird hides located around the site to sit and observe and peace and even in the centre itself there is the most beautiful viewing spot to look out onto the site. We always come away from Hauxley feeling so calm and relaxed.
There are many, many more places of course but those are just a selection of some of our favourites. We'd love to hear yours.
Paul & Lucy x