A Family Day Out at Hardwick Park, Sedgefield
The play tower at Hardwick Park rises above the trees, drawing children in with its winding slide and elevated walkways.
On a bright but chilly post-Christmas day, we wrapped up warm and headed to Hardwick Park near Sedgefield with the grandchildren. It’s ideal for a family outing (we had ages 5 to 82!) open and spacious, but never overwhelming, and thoughtfully laid out so everyone can enjoy it at their own pace.
We began with a slow walk around the lake. The path is flat and well paved, making it ideal for pushchairs and wheelchairs, and well suited to anyone looking for one of those easy, family-friendly walks in County Durham
Swans drifted quietly across the water while ducks and Canada geese gathered along the edges, clearly used to being watched. It’s an unhurried kind of walking, where stopping to look becomes part of the experience rather than an interruption.
On earlier visits we’ve enjoyed leaving the main path behind to follow one of the woodland trails. These are well worth seeking out, and if you like a bit of structure you can download the Love Exploring app to see what trails are available. It’s a nice way to add a sense of discovery to the visit, especially for slightly older children
Although we’ve spent time in the toddler play area before, this visit marked our first encounter with the newer play space for older children. From ground level, the tall tower looks quite daunting (and I’ll admit the twisty slide would have terrified me) but the children were completely unfazed and absolutely loved it.. They climbed, explored and slid with complete confidence, and it quickly became the highlight of the afternoon.
The moment of triumph at the bottom of the slide — the new play area quickly became the highlight of the visit.
Getting There
Part of the quieter play space, where simple wooden structures encourage balance, confidence and imaginative play.
Hardwick Park is easy to reach whether you’re coming by car or public transport. The X12 bus runs between Durham and Middlesbrough, stopping at Sedgefield High Street. From there, it’s about a half-mile walk along a clearly signposted footpath through the arch of the Hardwick Arms Hotel. If you’re driving, the park is on the A177 between Durham and Stockton, roughly a twenty-minute drive from the city.
It’s the kind of place that works just as well for a gentle stroll as it does for a lively family adventure and one we’re always happy to return to, whatever the season. Next time, perhaps I’ll try the zip wire too!
For practical details and up-to-date opening times, you can find full visitor information on the Durham County Council website:
Time to relax
It’s a compact site, easy to explore in an hour or two, with a small café and outdoor seating that make it a pleasant stop for tea and cake.
Looking for more days out ideas? Visit our Days out from Durham section for guides to woodland trails, riverside strolls and family-friendly routes..
Moira and her husband Adam have been Durham Pointers for nine years. They enjoy exploring days out across the region, sometimes with their wider family, sometimes just the two of them - always on the lookout for new corners of County Durham, Teesside, and North Yorkshire to share.