If you’re looking for days out to keep the kids entertained over the weekend or next half term break, there’s no shortage of attractions for all the family across the North East.
In fact, there are thousands of results on Tripadvisor when it comes to recommendations for days out, from historic houses and ancient castles to picturesque parks, zoos and football stadiums. Whether you’re after inspiration for your next local day out or you’re reading this because you’re planning to visit the region, here are the top 10 places as voted for by thousands of visitors.
Of course, there are plenty more attractions worth visiting around the North East, with those just missing out on the top 10 including Jesmond Dene, The Bowes Museum, Raby Castle, Wallington Hall, Newcastle Castle and Lindisfarne Priory. Check out the full list on Tripadvisor.
Beamish Museum
It will come as little surprise that this world-famous living open air museum takes the top spot as the number one thing to do in the North East. Beamish Museum offers a truly unique day out, allowing you to step back in time to experience what the North East was like in the 19th and 20th centuries, home to a farm, pit village, colliery, railway station and lots more.
Tickets to Beamish are valid for a whole year, and are priced at £27.95 for adults and £17.25 for children aged five to 16, with concessions and special offers for older visitors, students and families. More information and tickets can be found on the Beamish Museum website.
Victoria Tunnel
This lesser-known attraction hidden under the streets of Newcastle city centre is a surprising second place entry on the Tripadvisor list, making it a must for anyone living in or visiting the region. Take a tour through the 19th century coal waggonway and World War Two air-raid shelter to discover a slice of the city’s Victorian history.
Two-hour tours of the Victoria Tunnel are priced at £15 for adults and £6 for children aged seven to 16. More information and booking are available on the Ouseburn Trust website.
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)
Bamburgh Castle
Another of the region’s most beloved attractions, Bamburgh Castle has stood guard over the Northumberland coastline for over 1,400 years and makes for an unforgettable day out, particularly if the weather is nice enough for a walk on the beautiful Bamburgh Beach too. Inside the castle itself there are 14 rooms open to the public, including the Kings Hall which is home to thousands of artwork and furniture pieces which opens a window into centuries past.
More information can be found on the Bamburgh Castle website. Tickets to the castle are priced at £18.75 for adults and £9.40 for children aged five to 16, and include entrance to the castle staterooms, grounds, and the Armstrong & Aviation Museum.
Cragside
The jewel in the crown of historical houses owned by the National Trust across the region, Cragside was once the home of William Armstrong and has been dubbed ‘Britain’s original smart home’, filled with the industrial magnate’s inventions. And the landscape is just as unique, boasting man-made lakes and tumbling waterfalls among the pioneering features for visitors to discover.
Visitors can wander amongst the towering trees in the Pinetum, explore the weaving paths in the Rock Garden and witness the changing seasons in the Formal Garden. And get a glimpse of history by taking a stroll around the banks of the Nelly’s Moss Lakes, the twin lakes on the top of the grounds that were once the water stores for hydroelectricity creation at Cragside.
Tickets to Cragside are priced at £25 for adults and £12.50 for children aged five to 17, with special offers for families. Bookings and more information can be found onthe National Trust website.
Alnwick Castle
Yet another of Northumberland’s spectacular castles, Alnwick Castle is one of the largest inhabited fortresses in England as the home of the Percy family for over 700 years, earning fifth place on the Tripadvisor list of the greatest North East attractions. There are over 950 years of history to discover within the walls of this castle, which has served as a military outpost, a teaching college, a refuge for evacuees and a film set.
Unfortunately the castle itself is closed until March 28, but you can book tickets for when it reopens on the Alnwick Castle website now, which are priced at £21.55 for adults and £11.35 for children aged five to 16 with discounted offers for families.
(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
Alnwick Garden
For two days out in one, a short walk away from Alnwick Castle is the picturesque Alnwick Garden, which comes next on Tripadvisor’s list. Home to a treehouse restaurant, cascading fountains and the famous Poison Garden filled with a selection of the world’s deadliest plants, there’s plenty to see in the grounds at any time of year, and is particularly beautiful when all the spring colours are emerging.
Admission to the Alnwick Garden also includes access to the magical play village of Lilidorei with a combined ticket priced from £13.20 for adults and £11 for children aged three to 16. For more details of what’s on and to book tickets visit the Alnwick Garden website.
St James’ Park
A must-visit for any football fans, the iconic stadium in the heart of Newcastle offers tours as well as playing host to Newcastle United matches and three upcoming music gigs from Sam Fender this summer. These tours are led by expert guides who will tell you all about the history of the club as you visit the player dressing room, the media suite and more, and you can even opt for a hair-raising rooftop tour for panoramic views across Tyneside.
There’s plenty more to explore around the stadium too, from the picturesque Leazes’ Park right next door to the new Stack venue offering a range of tasty street food-style bites. Tour bookings can be made via the St James’ Park website, priced at £20 for adults and £11 for kids.
Vindolanda
This Hadrian’s Wall site is not only one of the North East’s most famous historical attractions, but it also ranks among the most important Roman archaeological sites in all of Europe. Vindolanda was once a key military post, and you can still see its ruins today alongside an on-site museum displaying some of the fascinating finds that have been unearthed.
More information and tickets can be found the Vindolanda Trust website. Tickets that include entry to both Vindolanda and the trust’s other site, the Roman Army Museum based at the site of Magna Roman Fort next to one of the most complete sections of Hadrian’s Wall, are priced at £20 for adults and £10 for children.
Durham Cathedral
One of the most breathtaking buildings in the region, Durham Cathedral welcomes visitors of all ages to explore its centuries of history all the way up to modern day and its use as a filming location for the likes of the Harry Potter and Marvel Avengers movies. You can get up close to ancient relics in the cathedral’s museum, or climb the steps of the tower for stunning views over the city.
Entrance to the cathedral is free with donations encouraged, while guided tours and access to the central tower are priced at £7.50 for adults and are free for children. More information and bookings are available on the Durham Cathedral website.
Discovery Museum
This city centre museum is the ideal place to learn more about the history of Newcastle through a series of unique exhibitions. The Discovery Museum tells the story of the city’s maritime, scientific and technological importance to the rest of country and the world, and is home to trains, ships and a Victorian fire engine.
Newcastle city centre is home to several more museums that make for a fun and fascinating day out for all the family, from the Great North Museum Hancock for a glimpse into natural history and world cultures to the pioneering Life Science Centre, a unique award-winning attraction full of scientific exhibits and activities.
More information can be found on the Discovery Museum website. There is free entry for all to the museum with no booking required, and donations are welcome.
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