A Visit to Gibside

It was bright and early when I arrived at Gibside. Perhaps a little too early, as they didn’t open for another ten minutes. However, my dad and I were keen to get to the car park before it filled up too much. It was the last day of the Easter holidays, so a lot of families will likely be showing up. Gibside, a National Trust property, is a great family day out for a number of reasons, including the sheer amount of space. Inherited by wealthy ‘coal baron’ George Bowes in 1722, the estate would become, in many ways, a reflection of the Bowes family’s fortunes. A luxurious home and estate at the peak of their prestige before gradually declining into disrepair.

These days, under the National Trust, Gibside is many things. It’s a preservation of a major aspect of local history, a wonderful natural environment to explore, and a community hub. When they opened, we headed in and found ourselves in a clearing with a range of amenities including the ‘Stables Carriage House Coffee Shop’, the ‘Gibside Pizza Pit’, bathrooms and a small, but surprisingly well-stocked second hand bookshop. All of this makes for a great place to return to when you need a break, but it also demonstrates the ways Gibside serves as a local community hub. Because you’ll also find a stall here which sells locally grown vegetables courtesy of Gibside Community Farm. They also host exhibits (such as the ’Our Story isn’t Over’ photo exhibit, running until June 15th) as well as events and services such as the ‘Festival of Blossom’ (till May 10th) and Wellbeing treatments.

Wanting to enjoy the lovely weather, my dad and I set off walking around the grounds. Sights you can expect to see there include Gibside Chapel (a mausoleum chapel built in the style of a Greek Palladian) and the ‘Column to Liberty’ (a 43m high tower with the statue of a woman at the top, representing liberty). Both have largely escaped decline and are lovingly maintained. We also went to have a closer look at Gibside Hall or, rather, the ruins of Gibside Hall, as the passage of time, and neglect, sadly did a number on the once majestic building. But looking at the collapsed ceiling, empty windows and a line of what look like bullet holes, was a powerful reminder of the passage of time.

However, I’m pleased to report that we didn’t spend all of our time at Gibside contemplating the inevitable march of the clock hands. We carried on with our walk, exploring and enjoying the magnificent views. We also saw the various games and activities set up for children visiting. Gibside, with its expansive lands, is already a fantastic place for families with young children. But room to run around isn’t all it has to offer. There are a wide range of games and activities for young children who have energy to burn. From hobbyhorse racing, to ‘wellywanging’ (see how far you can throw a wellington boot), there’s plenty of fun to be had at Gibside no matter what your age is.

Sadly, neither of us had the whole day free to spend there, so we didn’t have time to attend one of the scheduled history talks or guided tours. Instead, we stopped in the café for a drink and a cake before heading on our way. A morning well spent.

Find out more about what Gibside has to offer, and its history, on the National Trust’s website.