Fill your half-term with the joys of spring!

Spring Bank half-term week - one of the best times of year to soak up the glorious sights and sounds along the Tyne Derwent Way.

With wildflowers in bloom, butterflies on the wing and birds singing, it's a real treat for the senses - and our events and activities offer you even more ways to experience and enjoy it!

48 things to do...

Wherever you go on the Tyne Derwent Way, you'll never be far from discovering something you can see or do in our beautiful new activity book, 48 things to do along the Tyne Derwent Way. Pick up a free copy and collect your stamps from:

• Baltic
• St Mary's Heritage Centre (Wednesdays)
• The Staiths Café
• Tyne Derwent Way at Dunston Staiths (Thursdays)
• Land of Oak & Iron Heritage Centre
• Thornley Woodlands Centre
• Gibside

Events this week

We have events and activities for people of all ages this week on the Tyne Derwent Way.

This Sunday, 25 May, join local naturalists Wild Intrigue for a free guided bird watch in Gateshead Riverside Park between 9 and 10am. Whether you're a birding expert or a beginner, everyone's welcome.

St Mary's Heritage Centre is now open every Wednesday, from 10am to 4pm, so pop in and have a look round! Enjoy a drink and snack, chat to our lovely team of heritage greeters, and find out more about this building's fascinating history. And at 11am and 2pm, our experts will be running graveyard tours, giving you an insight into life in Gateshead in the 1600s. 

We have a bumper day of blossom- and nature-themed activities on Thursday 29 May, all free and funded through the National Trust's Festival of Blossom, supported by players of the People's Postcode Lottery.

10.30am - 12.30pm: Book your place for Blossom bathing and natural crafts, starting and ending at the Stomping Grounds Forest School in Gateshead Riverside Park. Join our free family event (children aged 8+) for a unique and uplifting experience in nature, inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku (Forest Bathing)

1.30pm - 2.30pm: Kids Wildlife Photography, with Wild Intrigue. Budding young photographers can learn tips and techniques for taking beautiful photographs of local nature, from flowers and insects to birds and trees. This activity is free, but please book your place. Meet at Tyne Derwent Way at Dunston Staiths (the Staiths Space).

3pm - 4pm: Discover the micro world of bugs on a Family Minibeast Safari with Wild Intrigue. As well as exploring the hidden kingdom of minibeast, you'll discover the art of work charming! This activity is free, but please book your place. Meet at Tyne Derwent Way at Dunston Staiths (the Staiths Space).

3pm - 5pm: Our Thursday craft sessions continue, with a blossom theme. As always, this is free and you can just pop in - no need to book.

On Friday 30 May, enjoy more blossom-based bliss with Stomping Grounds at a Blossom Family Fun Day at the Forest School in Gateshead Riverside Park. Between 10am and 12 noon, play games, splash in the mud, build dens, relax in a hammock, enjoy stories and songs around the fire, and try some cooking by firelight. 

Kath's back to lead a wellbeing walk from St Mary's to the Staiths and back on Saturday 31 May. Explore Gateshead riverside's past and present on this free Ramblers Walk - a brilliant opportunity to get outside, have a chat and learn about Gateshead's history and culture.

Even more places to go and things to do!

There are lots of great places to visit along the nine miles of the Tyne Derwent Way, this half-term or any time, including Baltic, the Railway Quarter, Metrocentre, Land of Oak and Iron, Thornley Woodlands Centre and Gibside. Check them out for yourself!