Gibside

Gibside is a large country estate with a Georgian landscape garden in Gateshead that stretches across the wooded valleys and hills west of the town. The grounds contain winding paths along the riverside, terraced gardens with old trees, and several stone structures from the 18th century scattered across the site.

George Bowes began shaping the estate from 1720 onward, funding the work through revenue from nearby coal mines owned by his family. James Paine later designed the chapel and other buildings that reflected the wealth of the northern English mining aristocracy during the Georgian era.

The name Gibside comes from Old English roots referring to the hillside location above the Derwent Valley where the property stretches out today. Visitors experience maintained walking routes through wooded slopes, while the chapel serves as a quiet place for reflection and is regularly used for worship services and weddings.

The estate offers several loop trails with varying difficulty levels that run through woodland and along the river. Wheelchair-accessible routes connect the main areas, and the National Trust provides mobility aids for borrowing to make the visit accessible to all.

The ruins of Gibside Hall now serve as winter quarters for several protected bat species that shelter in the old walls. In the stable buildings, swallows nest each spring, entering and leaving through specially installed openings while visitors explore the structures.

Location: Gateshead

Website: https://nationaltrust.org.uk/gibside

GPS coordinates: 54.92450,-1.72670

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:29