Things to Do in Ponteland & Darras Hall

Ponteland may be best known for its schools and its restaurants, but there is plenty to do here too — whether you have an afternoon or a full weekend. Here is how to make the most of the town and the Darras Hall estate.

Get outdoors

The River Pont threads right through Ponteland, and the riverside paths and parkland make for an easy, pretty walk in the middle of town. Beyond the built-up area, open Northumberland countryside starts almost immediately, with longer routes out towards the villages of Medburn, Milbourne and Prestwick. It is a genuinely green place to live and visit.

Sport and leisure

Ponteland Golf Club offers an established 18-hole parkland course and clubhouse, welcoming visitors and societies as well as members. For something more casual, the Ponteland Leisure Centre on Callerton Lane has a swimming pool, gym, fitness studios, a sports hall and playing fields — the hub for classes and family swimming.

History and heritage

Ponteland's roots run deep. St Mary's Church has stood at the centre of the town for centuries, and the Blackbird pub is built into the site of the medieval Ponteland Castle — so you can soak up a little local history over lunch. The town's name itself comes from the River Pont and the Old English for cultivated land.

Eat, drink and relax

Half the pleasure of a day in Ponteland is simply eating and drinking well. Linger over brunch on Main Street, book a table at one of the town's best restaurants, or settle in at Elkwater in Darras Hall for cocktails and live music. The Blackbird is the classic choice for a long Sunday lunch.

Community events

Ponteland has a full calendar of community events run by its churches, Rotary and Lions clubs and the Memorial Hall — from the light-hearted New Year's Day Wheelbarrow Race to summer's Party in the Park and Music in the Park, the September Duck Race and Parish Flower Show, and the November Lions Swimarathon at the leisure centre. Keep an eye on our events calendar for what is coming up.

Make a day of it

Pair a riverside walk with lunch and a browse of the independent shops on Main Street and the Broadway parade — see our high street guide — and you have an easy, enjoyable day out, all within a few minutes of Newcastle.