Gibside - National Trust

15/10/2026

Exciting news: the first-ever sightings of willow emerald damselflies have been recorded at Gibside!

Last week, the volunteers noticed egg-laying marks at the Lily Pond, and on their next visit, they found a willow emerald.

Keep scrolling to catch a bonus look at the stunning grey dagger moth caterpillar.

📸 Ian and Elaine Burnell

15/10/2026

🎄✨ Calling all KS1 & Early Years Teachers ✨🎄

The reindeer need your help again this year. The magic food bags that help them fly have gone missing at Gibside… and we need your pupils to find them.

Join our magical Christmas trail, where your class will:
🎶 Sing festive songs
🎨 Make a Christmas decoration to take home
🔍 Hunt for the lost reindeer bags with our friendly volunteers
Perfect for key stage 1, this seasonal adventure is a joyful way to celebrate the holidays while learning and playing outdoors.

📅 Dates are limited. To book your class now please email [email protected]

Link in comments to find out more.

13/10/2026

Meet Father Christmas

Create a magical memory for your child with an interactive, in-character storytelling experience this Christmas. Father Christmas and his elf friend, Happy Holly Berry are putting the ho ho ho into the festive season, so gather close and hear a heart-warming tale filled with merry cheer and North Pole magic.

Tickets are £18 per child, this includes the intimate group performance, a photo opportunity with Father Christmas, a gift and accompanying adult (2 adults maximum per booking). Admission applies, National Trust members must bring along their membership cards.

Book now

Festive family events near Newcastle and Durham · Woodland fairy trail · Live music in a Georgian Chapel · Father Christmas theatre storytelling · Santa crafts

11/10/2026

Meet a bat at Gibside

Join this rare opportunity to see a real bat up-close whilst Ranger Tim tells you all about these special creatures and how you can help protect them.

Places limited, book now https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/gibside/events

10/10/2026

October half term at Gibside is filled with family fun outdoor events. We've got:

🥕 The Harvest Quest
🎃 A Stranger Folk Halloween trail
🦉 Bird ringing
🍏 Apple tasting afternoons
🖌️ Crafts

Find out more

Discover outdoor family things to do at Gibside, Tyne & Wear, with adventure play, nature trails & school holiday events.

06/10/2026

Step into the heart of Gibside's Georgian landscape and discover the season through the eyes of our Head Gardener for an exclusive tour of Gibside.

The tour promises to inspire and share knowledge of the estate's horticultural history, as well as learning the current work of the dedicated gardening team.

📆 Thursday 29 October. Book you place now https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/gibside/events/bd343dbf-4d59-4652-bf90-7465cdebef8f

Be inspired by our garden https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/gibside/the-wildlife-and-garden-at-gibside

Experience nature and history together in a landscape garden shaped by wildlife‑rich woodland trails and a lively Walled Garden hosting events for everyone.

05/10/2026

You can follow the path of poets and experience words in the wild at Gibside this autumn. Join Living Literature: a poetry walk with Gateshead Libraries this Thursday, 8 October, 10.30am.

A 45 minute guided stroll through the estate’s autumnal beauty, where poetry and prose are woven into the landscape itself. You’ll hear works that span centuries, traditional and contemporary, each chosen to reflect the season’s richness. And if you have a favourite poem, bring it along.

Nourish your mind in nature and fall in love with poetry, for the first time or all over again. 🍂

This event is free with admission, but we'd advise booking. Find a link to details and online booking in the comments.