Barbour jackets are waxed cotton coats which are seen as much on the fashionable streets of London’s West End as they are on country estates, but they trace their origins, in fact they’re still manufactured in the South Shields, in the northeast county of Tyne and Wear. While they’re effective at keeping the rain off, their owners usually prefer not to use them for really rugged outdoor pursuits nowadays. And when it comes to rugged outdoor pursuits, where mud is very much on the menu, the best option are quad bike rides.

The region, which is centred on the navigable rivers Tyne and Wear is famous for maritime expeditions, but there are dramatic landscapes inland which are perfect for trying out quad bikes, the last word in all terrain vehicles. Taking one of these machines off-road is an activity which is sure to give you an adrenaline injection and take your mind off things, however you choose to tackle the terrain. You can speed across open fields, traverse uneven terrain, or try to get from point A to B in the straightest line possible - with the powerful engines, four wheeled stability and impressive traction that quad bikes boast, anything is possible. WOth no previous training or licences involved, this is an activity that all the family can get involved with, and enjoy again and again.

Where are the best places to go for a quad bike ride in Tyne and Wear?

• Chester-le-Street: One of the most popular quad biking experiences in the region is south of Gateshead, near the town of Chester-le-Street. Though not far from the urban areas, there’s an off-road venue here set in an open landscape, where you can let off some steam and send some mud flying. You’ll use one of a fleet of quad bikes, Kymco models, to get around a circuit that throws every kind of surface and obstacle your way. Slippery mud, splash puddles, vegetation and tight corners are just some of the challenges that you’ll face, but the fun is found in pushing these machines to the limit. And of course, there are some straight sections as well where you can open up the throttle.

• Hexham: The foothills of the Pennies rise up in the east of the region. These hills are known as the “backbone of England” as they run from north south from the Scottish borders to the Peak District. As you can imagine, they’re a true proving ground for quad bikes, and there’s great quad trekking to enjoy near the town of Hexham. As well as trekking over hills and through woodland, there’s a motocross style dirt track to enjoy, and even mounted camera installations to get the whole thinking on video. Thrill seekers of all ages are welcome here, as there are quad bikes of all shapes and sizes on offer, all of them of the highest build quality and maintained to high performance standards.

• Matfen: This countryside estate is the grounds of Matfen Hall, a jewel of nineteenth century renaissance architecture that has been the seat of one of the Northeast’s noble families for generations. But dining table manners and polite conversation go out of the window when quad biking is part of the programme. The venue here features one of the most notorious routes in the country that people from all over, including from as far away as London, come to experience. It’s a woodland route with enough mud, obstacles and abrupt changes in elevation that getting stuck is almost guaranteed - and getting out again is part of the fun. This venue also hosts quad footer, a version of football specially designed!

Who can take part in this experience?

All the quad bikes that you’ll find in Tyne and Wear have automatic gearboxes and handle mounted throttles, which means that all the controls are at your fingertips, and you can use the rest of the body to help with balancing and steering. On top of that, no licences are necessary because these events take place on private land. Child’s play, right? Well yes, quite literally. There are ATV's here which are purpose built for young petrolheads and allow the kids to get a taste for off-roading. Children aged between 6 and 9 years old can get their hands on plucky 50cc bikes, while 10 to 16 year olds can enjoy larger quads with 90cc engines. In order to experience the power of a full size, with either a 150cc or a 250cc engine you need to be over 16 years old.

All of this makes them a fantastic option for a group activity. Though there are open sessions here that you can enjoy as an individual, couple or small group, the most fun you can have on these four, big wheels is with your squad. Birthday parties for adults and juniors, stag and hen dos, even corporate events are catered for here, whether you're 5 people or 15 plus.

Options for organising this activity

Fast thrills or endurance riding? These are the options open to you when you’re arranging your quad experience in Tyne and Wear. Getting into the saddle and bombing around a track for an hour is an unrivalled way to raise your heart rate and release some endorphins, while trekking that lasts 1.5 or two hours is a better option if you want to enjoy the all terrain capabilities of the quad and see some more of the local scenery. The longest activities take up over 2 hours of your day, and involve different events including track riding, trekking, and even football in one of these vehicles.

What do you need to bring to the venue?

The first thing to say is that it's not your responsibility to bring your own safety equipment, because your venue of choice in this region will have you covered. They’ll give you a full face helmet, and overalls to keep the worst of the mud off your clothes. Having said that, we recommend that you don’t turn up in your best outfit. And please, no open toed shoes, sandals, or high heels - you need to wear tough trainers or hiking boots. Check the weather forecast for strong sun or showers or rain to see if you’ll need sunscreen or a change of clothes, and you’ll be ready to go.

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