5 Reasons To Visit Land of Oak & Iron Heritage Centre (AD)

This post is sponsored by Land of Oak & Iron

The Land of Oak & Iron Heritage Centre opened in Winlaton Mill earlier this month. It is located just a few miles from the MetroCentre, close to the A1, the Derwent Walk, Red Kite Trail and the Coast to Coast Cycleway and is also the gateway to the Derwent Valley.

The centre provides a unique interpretation of the fascinating local heritage, heritage skills training for volunteers and has business units to support creative businesses in the area. In addition, the site is also home to a small café and gift shop, café shrub. As part of my day job, I have been involved with the launch of the new centre so here my five reasons why I think you should visit.




5 Reasons to visit the New Heritage Centre in the Land of Oak & Iron



Set in the beautiful Derwent Valley, cafe shrub is surrounded by stunning nature, wildlife and heritage. It is the perfect place to fuel up before or relax after a day of exploring the Land of Oak & Iron. Here you can immerse yourself in the heritage of the area with its use of reclaimed wood and exposed iron beams in its design and enjoy food from a freshly cooked seasonal menu sourced from local suppliers where possible. There is also free parking and facilities available too.




1. Eat Local Produce

From hearty breakfasts and seasonal lunches to delicious home-bakes, all made with locally sourced ingredients, there really is something to suit all tastes at café shrub. It’s fresh, seasonal ingredients and produce have been locally sourced wherever possible to showcase what the Land of Oak & Iron and the wider North East region has to offer, and current suppliers include: 

Baristocracy Coffee – Estate Tea Co – High Strothers Rare Breed Pork Sausages – Daniel Farm – Mercari Foods – Northumbrian Heritage Meats – Lanchester Dairies – Earth & Fire Bakery – Tyne Chease – Northumberland Cheese Co – Mark Toney’s – The Travelling Bee – Taylors Seafoods – Firebrick Brewery – Lanchester Wines













2. Entertain the Whole Family - It's Children and Dog-Friendly

With an activity pack at just 50p, crayons, pencils and more in the shop you can keep the children easily entertained. Before you embark on a walk or family cycle ride check out the map – if you live locally they’ll love (as I did) spotting the location of your home, try out the interactive kiosks and the handmade furniture complete with interesting facts. Whether you are looking for a family brunch or a quick snack to take into the park with you (and one for the dog too!), you’re bound to find a tasty treat for everyone at café shrub.










3. Get Outdoors

The Derwent Walk is a former railway path running from Swalwell, near Gateshead, to Consett alongside the River Derwent and is suitable for walkers and cyclists. The Derwent Walk Country Park is situated on the path and contains a mixture of woodland, meadows and wetlands. As well as being on the Derwent Walk, it's also on the Red Kite Trail and the Coast to Coast Cycleway too.






4. Volunteer

Share your passion for Land of Oak & Iron and inspire visitors as a ‘Meeter & Greeter’. Help care for the courtyard and surrounding area or get involved with events at the centre. No experience is necessary, just a friendly face. In fact, there are lots of events and volunteering opportunities right across the Land of Oak & Iron. There are lots of exciting projects and activities coming up, so whether you'd like to immerse yourself in mapping, meet new people or get involved with practical tasks and get your hands dirty, there is something for you.






5. Buy local products

As well as local food café shrub also specialises in offering local produce in the gift shop. From gifts, sweets, local maps and books to cycling products (just in case you get that puncture) and treats for dogs, as well as re-usable coffee cups – which will also get you a discount in café shrub – there really is a gift for everyone, and sourced from within Tyne & Wear, Northumberland and County Durham.









You’ll find café shrub and the Land of Oak & Iron Heritage Centre in Winlaton Mill, Gateshead in North East England. 




If you visit do let me know what you enjoyed best.

Deb x

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post by land of Oak & Iron, however all creative ideas, opinions and photography (except food pics) are my own.

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1 Comments

  1. That looks definitely worth a visit when next in the area, very informative article.

    ReplyDelete