Things to Do in Cleadon and the Boldons: A Local Guide

On South Tyneside's leafy southern edge, away from the coast, sits a cluster of villages with a distinctly rural feel: Cleadon, and the three Boldons — East Boldon, West Boldon and Boldon Colliery. This is walking-and-wildlife country, crowned by a landmark windmill, with a couple of villages that have quietly built a reputation as some of the best places to eat and shop in the borough. Here is how to spend a day around Cleadon and the Boldons.

Cleadon Hills and the windmill

The obvious landmark is Cleadon Windmill, a ruined tower mill built in the 1820s and damaged by storms in the 1870s, standing at the highest point of Cleadon Hills. On a clear day the views are extraordinary — right across the borough, south into County Durham, and on to the Cleveland Hills and North Yorkshire beyond. The surrounding grassland is of national importance for its wildflowers, which thrive on the shallow magnesian limestone soil, and a small herd of Exmoor ponies grazes the hills through the winter half of the year. The waymarked Windmill and Water Tower Walk is the classic way to take it all in.

Best for: Best for a breezy hilltop walk with far-reaching views.

Wildlife at Boldon Flats

For quieter wildlife-watching, Boldon Flats nature reserve near East Boldon is flooded from October to March each year, drawing a fine selection of ducks, geese and waders, along with a large population of common frogs; the surrounding hedgerows bring in farmland and scrubland birds. Nearby, the Newton Garths and Tilesheds reserve adds wildflower meadows and willow coppices. The easiest approach is the Metro to East Boldon, then a short walk or cycle to the site.

Best for: Best for birdwatching on a crisp winter morning.

A round at Boldon Golf Club

Golfers have a treat on the doorstep: Boldon Golf Club was laid out by Harry Vardon, the six-time Open champion whose name still graces the trophy for the lowest score at each Open. It is a mature parkland course and a genuine slice of golfing history, open to visitors as well as members.

Best for: Best for a round on a course with real pedigree.

Village life and food

Cleadon and East Boldon have earned their standing as foodie villages, and a stroll along either Front Street shows why. In Cleadon, De Giorgio has been a traditional butcher since 1978 and is a fixture of the village, while Bistro Romano nearby handles the Italian end of things. Over in East Boldon, George H Pickings on Front Street rounds out the independents. Add the conservation-area streets and village greens and it makes for a pleasant, unhurried afternoon of browsing and lunch.

Best for: Best for a relaxed lunch and a wander round the independents.

Getting there

East Boldon has its own stop on the Tyne and Wear Metro, on the branch between Newcastle and South Hylton/Sunderland, which makes the villages and Boldon Flats easy to reach without a car. From South Shields, Cleadon and the Boldons are only a short drive or bus ride inland — a quick change of scene from the seafront.

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Have a Cleadon or Boldon favourite we have missed? Get in touch — we would love to hear it.