Family Days out in the North East

The North-East of England is fantastic for family days out—loads of variety, from castles and beaches to hands-on museums. With so many fantastic places to explore across the North-East, this is just a snapshot of what you can discover. For even more family-friendly ideas, head over to the Raring2go! website.

Castles, history, beaches and outdoor fun
Northumberland has a whopping 70 castles!

Alnwick Castle

• Famous as a filming location for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
• Kids can try broomstick training, archery, and knight-themed activities
• Combine with The Alnwick Garden for an epic day out
• Big grounds to run around

 Bamburgh Castle

• Imposing castle overlooking beautiful village and beach
• Recently voted  “THIRD BEST BEACH IN THE WORLD”
• Pack a picnic and enjoy the sand dunes

Hadrian’s Wall

• A UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with history. Great for family walks, climbing, and exploring Roman forts. Feels like stepping back in time on a real-life adventure

Beaches & outdoor fun

Tynemouth Beach

• Easy access, great for rock pooling
• Nearby fish & chips + cafés
• Often has a weekend market

 Seaton Sluice Beach

• Quieter than bigger beaches
• Perfect for families with younger kids

Hamsterley Forest

• Bike trails, play areas, Gruffalo sculptures
• Great for picnics and den-building

Seaton Sluice

• The beach is huge so isn’t quieter than bigger beaches. We are lucky up here as all our beaches are enormous and quiet!
• Combine with a trip to Seaton Delaval Hall (National Trust)

Kielder Water & Forest Park

• England’s largest forest and location of the largest man-made lake in Northern Europe. Perfect for big outdoor adventures
• Family-friendly cycling trails, play areas, sailing and lakeside walks. Home to the famous Kielder Observatory for unforgettable stargazing

Interactive museums (kid-friendly)

Locomotion- Shildon

• Huge trains, interactive exhibits
• Plenty of space for kids to explore
• Free entry

Life Science Centre- Newcastle

• Hands-on science experiments
• Planetarium & live demos
• Great rainy-day option

National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool

• Climb aboard a historic ship
• Actors & interactive exhibits make it fun

Animals & Wildlife

 Blue Reef Aquarium Tynemouth

• Sharks, penguins, and underwater tunnel
• Easy to combine with the beach

Whitehouse Farm Centre- Morpeth

• Petting animals + big play zones
• Great for younger children

Northumberland Zoo

• Home to a fantastic mix of animals including lemurs, meerkats, snow leopards, and more
• Regular keeper talks and feeding times plus opportunities for animal experiences.
• Easy to navigate without lots of walking – great for little legs

 Adventure & play parks

Adventure Valley- Durham

• Indoor & outdoor play areas
• Animal feeding, tractor rides
• Great for full-day visits

Druridge Bay Country Park Playground 

• Large play area with zip wires and climbing equipment
• Right next to a lake and close to the beach
• Ideal for a full day of play, walking, and picnics

Easy scenic days

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

• Steam trains through countryside
• Feels like stepping into a storybook

Durham Cathedral

• Impressive but still accessible with kids
• Combine with riverside walks and ice cream

Newcastle Castle & Castle Keep Views

• Climb to the top of Newcastle Castle
• Amazing panoramic views over the city and river
• A mix of history and scenery in one stop

Whatever type of day you choose, we hope you have a great Raring2go! Day!