Bowlees Visitor Centre - Image 1

Bowlees Visitor Centre

Newbiggin, United Kingdom•4.6(1.1k)•Country Park, Nature Reserve

Explore Upper Teesdale's stunning natural landscape at this gateway to the North Pennines National Landscape and UNESCO Global Geopark.

Bowlees Visitor Centre serves as the perfect starting point for discovering the natural beauty and geological wonders of Upper Teesdale. Set within the North Pennines National Landscape and UNESCO Global Geopark, the centre is surrounded by woodland, open fields, and the picturesque Bow Lee Beck, offering visitors an immersive countryside experience. The visitor centre provides comprehensive facilities including a café, shop, wildlife garden, and exhibition spaces showcasing the region's natural and landscape heritage. Families can access visitor information, pick up booklets for self-guided walks and bike rides, and participate in nature and landscape-themed events throughout the year. The site features picnic tables, toilets, and accessible parking, making it welcoming for visitors of all ages and abilities. Bowlees is ideal for families seeking outdoor exploration and nature discovery. Children can engage in wildlife spotting and nature-themed activities while parents enjoy scenic walks and cycling routes. The combination of indoor facilities (café and exhibitions) and outdoor attractions (woodland walks, wildlife garden, picnic areas) means visitors can tailor their experience regardless of weather conditions. Open daily with seasonal variations, it's an excellent destination for families wanting to connect with nature and learn about the region's unique geological heritage.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Opening Hours

Monday: 10:00 – 17:00
Tuesday: 10:00 – 17:00
Wednesday: 10:00 – 17:00
Thursday: 10:00 – 17:00
Friday: 10:00 – 17:00
Saturday: 10:00 – 17:00
Sunday: 10:00 – 17:00

Venue Details

Venue Type

Indoor & Outdoor

Typical visit duration

All day

Booking

Walk-in

Recommended ages

0 months (newborn)+

What this place offers

ToiletsToilets
Public transportPublic transport nearby
Accessible toilets
Free WiFi
Baby changingBaby changing facilities
Food available
On-site parking
🐕Dog-friendly
Parking nearby
Pushchair friendlyPushchair friendly

☕ Food & Drink

Bowlees Café

On-site café offering refreshments and light food

Google Reviews

4.6(1.1k reviews)
M
Mich “huckleberry1” W

Mich “huckleberry1” W

2 months ago

Beautiful place, so relaxing, lovely waterfall and scenery definitely worth going. Just need good shoes if you want to explore the walkways, not really suitable in some places for pushchair or wheelchairs.

A
Audrey Haire

Audrey Haire

2 months ago

Brilliant place to hike. Beautiful scenery and waterfall. Husband who is in wheelchair hired the electric scooter to get partially around. However, there were a few downsides. Disabled parking overgrown with weeds so husband was unable to park on his own. Thankfully I drive too or he would have been stuck. The visitor centre had a power cut so cafe was late in opening. Could purchase cold drinks but by cash. The card machine was only being used for shop. It was a very hot day 29 degrees. Needed a bottle of water after hike but had no cash. Was unable to purchase as although visitor centre was selling drinks, they would not allow use of card machine as apparently shop and cafe different companies. Could they have not transferred the money to correct company at end of business. Must have lost quite a number of sales because of this. Staff were a bit abrupt too. Especially lady who instructed husband how to operate electric scooter.

L
Loony ToonUK

Loony ToonUK

3 months ago

The centre is very accessible, in a beautiful setting. There are seats inside and out and the staff are extremely helpful. I would however avoid buying any food or drinks there. I bought 2 cans of pop, 1 bottle of water and a small orange juice bottle and it was ten pounds! Lord knows how much the food is. The parking is based on a donation basis so is very reasonable. If you're going on the low force/high force walk, Google is completely inaccurate and the walk takes at least 3 times what it tells you. The best and easiest route is towards the Hotel, the other route is very uneven and not for anyone requiring wheelchairs or walking aids. Lovely day out if you like scenery and a good bit of exercise.

T
Tialah Harris

Tialah Harris

5 months ago

Lovely visitor centre! We tumbled in after a rainy walk to high force and the staff were lovely. The cafe had great food, great customer services and was a really nice spot to sit down. There’s also lots of table activities available for kids (such as a fun shape puzzle) and interesting information boards (definitely recommend checking them out if you’re interested in geology). Overall I would 100% recommend stopping at this visitor centre before or after a walk to high force waterfall.

S
Sue Giles

Sue Giles

10 months ago

We have been here several times as a starting place for walking. The parking is very reasonable, asking for a donation. The visitors centre has lots of nicely presented boards about the local area, its wildlife, geology and farming. There are lots of maps and walking books too. The cafe has a simple selection of good food, we enjoyed the soup today and the staff are friendly and helpful. The paths we have tried have been well signposted and there are walks of varying lengths and some spectacular waterfalls.

Reviews last updated: 29 September 2026

Events at Bowlees Visitor Centre

No upcoming events scheduled

Check back soon for new events at this venue.

This venue was last updated on 29 September 2026

Frequently asked questions about Bowlees Visitor Centre

Is Bowlees Visitor Centre free to visit?

Entry to Bowlees Visitor Centre is completely free — there are no admission charges, making it a great no-cost option for a family day out.

What ages is Bowlees Visitor Centre suitable for?

Bowlees Visitor Centre is suitable for visitors of all ages, from babies through to adults.

Is Bowlees Visitor Centre dog-friendly?

Yes, dogs are welcome at Bowlees Visitor Centre.

Is there parking at Bowlees Visitor Centre?

Yes — Bowlees Visitor Centre has on-site parking, plus additional parking nearby.

Is there food at Bowlees Visitor Centre?

Yes — Bowlees Café is on site at Bowlees Visitor Centre. On-site café offering refreshments and light food

Is Bowlees Visitor Centre pushchair-friendly?

Yes, Bowlees Visitor Centre is pushchair, pram and buggy friendly — most areas are step-free so you can navigate easily with little ones in tow.

How long should we plan to spend at Bowlees Visitor Centre?

Bowlees Visitor Centre is a full-day experience — plan accordingly.

How do I get to Bowlees Visitor Centre by public transport?

Bowlees Visitor Centre is well-served by public transport.
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