Nature Grotto Hartburn Forest

What it’s like

A carved-out riverside cave once used by bathers to change and slip into the water, tucked away near Hartburn.

There's a natural cave here that's been shaped, at some point in its history, into a proper changing spot for swimmers, with a small tunnel cut through so bathers could get straight into the river without the faff of picking a way over the bank. It's a strange, quiet thing to come across in the woods and it's the whole reason to make the walk.

There's not much else laid on: no café, no visitor centre, just the grotto itself and the forest around it. That suits some days better than others. If your children are the sort who like poking about in a cave and imagining who used to swim here, it'll hold their attention for a good while. If they need a slide or a gift shop to round things off, this isn't that kind of visit.

Parking is in the village centre, and it works on an honesty box with a £1 donation suggested rather than a barrier and a machine. Worth having a pound coin ready rather than digging through the car for change once you've parked up.

Need to know

Parking

Car park in village centre with honesty box, £1 suggested donation

• Bring a £1 coin for the honesty box car park
• There's no café or facilities on site, so sort food before you arrive
• The main draw is the cave and tunnel itself rather than any laid-on activities

Plan your visit

Featured in 1 Huddlepin list

See all Woodland & Forest in Newcastle · Things to do in Newcastle