Sunderland Guide: Herrington Country Park
Location: Opposite Penshaw Monument, enter by car from the A183 (Chester Road) via A19. Alternatively, a walking route is possible via East Herrington
Herrington County Park, based to the west of Sunderland, is the city’s largest open space public park. Built on the site of the former Herrington Colliery, which closed in the 1980s, the park has established itself as one of Wearside’s best areas of natural beauty.
A popular venue for summer based events and festivals, the park contains three lakes, populated by ducks and swans, an amphitheatre, a skate park, a walkable forest covering the former Lambton Wagonway route which leads to Foxcover Lane and Hasting Hill, a large number of footpaths and a viewing platform. Directly across the road is Penshaw Monument.
It shouldn’t be surprising that the park is an excellent choice for a walk or a family day out and offers some of the finest views in the area. Its gigantic size means that crowds are not a problem. The area is generally safe although caution should be taken in the east end of the Foxcover wood which sometimes attracts groups of youths.
Nearby amenities: One on Park Cafe, The Stackyard Pub (West Herrington), The Stables Pub and Eatery (West Herrington), The Prospect Italian Bistro (Penshaw), The Grey Horse (Penshaw)
