A POPULAR County Durham picnic spot has been named among the Britain's best. 

Bowlees Picnic Area, at Newbiggin in Teesdale, was listed by Countryfile magazine as one of the best picnic spots.

The site includes four small waterfalls and a riverside footpath leading to Summerhill Force and Gibson’s Cave; named after a 16th century outlaw who lived behind the waterfall to stay hidden from the law. 

The magazine said: "Look on in awe at the four waterfalls which act as the backdrop to this picnic site.

"Take a walk along the riverside and venture the short distance to the High Force waterfall, a spectacle not to be missed. 

"High Force is England’s largest waterfall with a drop of 21 metres. 

"There is a riverside footpath leading from the picnic area which takes you to Gibson’s Cave, named after an infamous outlaw who hid from the law behind the waterfall."

Bowlees Visitor Centre is run by the North Pennines AONB Partnership, and is a gateway to the AONB and UNESCO Global Geopark.

Also listed were Upper Wharfedale in the Yorkshire Dales and Marsden Bay in South Tyneside. 

  • What is your go-to picnic spot in County Durham? Let us know in the comments below.​

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