15 Lockdown walks in and around Sunderland away from the busy beaches
But there are plenty of other places to do your permitted walk in and around the Sunderland area that are less crowded than the seafront. Here’s some suggestions to try away from the more obvious big parks and open spaces.
5. Grafters Gables art series, Hendon
If you live near Hendon, it's worth using your daily walk to check out The Grafters Gables series which adorns a number of gable ends in Hendon. Painted by Frank Styles, each piece tells the story of colourful characters associated with the area. This one in Villette Road relates to the story of when a famous French tightrope walker came to Hendon in 1861. There's seven large murals in the series to spot in total. Photo: JPI Media
6. Silksworth Lakes
Not as busy as Herrington Country Park lake, but more peaceful, Silksworth Lakes are a great spot to walk the dog and is home to plenty of wildlife. Photo: JPI Media
7. Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve
On the site of a former coal mine, Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve is now home to a host of animals which inhabit its grassland, scrub, woodland and ponds. It's home to the headquarters of Durham Wildlife Trust and is a beautiful spot for swans, ponies, water voles and more. Photo by Molly Howell-Pound. You can follow her on Instagram @mollybhp Photo: Molly Howell-Pound
8. Cleadon Hills
Cleadon Hills offers some great variety for a walk. In the winter months, ponies roam and graze the land, to preserve the habitat by encouraging greater floral diversity and creating benefits for invertebrates and ground nesting birds. Photo: JPI Media