Things to do in Northumbria

[cardy]

We are going to Northumbia (Bamburgh) for a long weekend and weather permitting hoping to get lots of fresh air and get out and about. Does anybody have any suggestions of places to visit with dds 7 and 4?

Any suggestions for rainy days would also be helpful....just in case.

[fifitot]

I am from that neck of the woods and is it beautiful. It will be quite cold but contrary to popular belief it has below average rainfall so you get lots of cold but dry days.

Try the Farne Islands, via Seahouses, you can catch a small boat and look at seals and rare seabirds. The kids will like that.

The beaches are fab to just walk about on even in winter. The beach at Bamburgh is wild and lovely. Seahouses has amusement arcades but fun for kids. Good fish and chips!

Lindisfarne - lovely ancient monastry on an island, tide cuts it off from mainland. Lots of castles. Drive to Craster then walk along coast to Dunstanbrough castle. Its a ruin but the kids might like running around the ramparts.

You are not that far from Scotland so Edinburgh isn't out of the question or Berwick is a bit nearer. Nice border town. Inland there is Alnwick where Harry Potter filmed at the castle (another one!) and there are nice gardens which are child friendly and have great water features etc.

I think overall there aren't specific child activities but I bet they love the space and running around on empty beaches.

I hope you enjoy it. Has made me very homesick!!!!!! I'll post more if I think of anything.

[duckyfuzz]

alnwick garden is great fun for kids, my DTs are 4 and love going there

bamburgh is my fav place ever, even in bad weather

newcastle has plenty for wet weather, e.g. centre for life, discovery museum (free)

[cardy]

fifitot - you describe just how I imagine it! beach walks, castles etc.. don't mind cold if we are all wrapped up just don't fancy rainy walks!

duckyfuzz, thanks for the reminder about Newcatle if the weather is terrible.

[Lilymaid]

Is the little train near Etal running at half term? We had a fabulous but child free holiday at Bamburgh a few months ago - beautiful place with a fabulous butcher's shop!

[PeaMcLean]

Bamburgh's gorgeous.

Seahouses smells of chips.

But do get a boat to the islands. Islands are covered in bird poo and stink to high heaven! Or at least they did when we were there. But worth seeing.

Kippers in Craster.

How far's Alnwick Castle? We didn't go in but supposed to be good.

Gorgeous stunnning beaches. Almost as good as Wales And yes, very good butchers in Bamburgh.

So jealous.

[GrimmaTheNome]

Walking along the beach to dunstanburgh castle is (IMO) BEST on a cold windy day...you certainly wont be short of fresh air! Pub does good crab sandwiches (well it did a decade or so ago so I'm sure it still does).

depending on where you are coming from, you might be able to do a Hadrians wall fort or too en route (we did , vv good even in rain!)

[liger]

Another vote for Alnwick, the gardens have fountains and a treehouse that are fun for little ones.

One option is Kielder water - lots of walks in the forests looking for art installations and you can hire bikes to ride along trails. There is another (smaller) castle nearby where you can get some food and run around a little maze and there is a playground there too.

We love just driving in Northumberland, the kids get to have a snooze and we all just enjoy the big views and dream about beautiful houses

have a great weekend

[Lilymaid]

Pub at Craster was still doing excellent crab sandwiches in August! Children might like Alnwick Castle Garden - water sprays and a good supply of digger trucks (if your DDs like these). DDs might like this place near Berwick for craft and other actvities.

[Lilliput]

We have just come back from Northumbria and we had a fantastic week. We stayed about 6 miles from Alnwick on a farm with the most amazing views. I second everything that fifitot has said we did all of that. I would also recommend a national trust property Cragside, that was a really good day out. We had a coldish but sunny week and we would def go there again.

[pointygravedogger]

we loved bamburgh castle.

Also loved druridge bay - lovely beach (was may, though, no october)

Hadrian's wall we loved too

[Flibbertyjibbet]

We rent a cottage in Bamburgh each spring (well till ds1 starts school next time that is)
Just the beach most of the day is great for our ds's, whatever the weather they just love it. And looking for rabbits in the sand dunes.
There is a little railway at Hatherslaw near Berwick, and the villages of Ford and Etal worth a visit.
But if you're only going for the weekend I'd just mooch round the rock pools under the castle, and the beach further along.
There is Dunstan castle just down the coast, you have to park in a (lovely) little port village and walk a coastal path to the ruins of the castle. My two loved that too.
They have not been old enough to trust them to not have a tantrum on the birdwatching boat trips yet but your children sound old enough to enjoy that.
Have a great time!!

[cardy]

all sounds great. Hopefully will be dry (probably cold) but we'll get lots of fresh air.

[Lilymaid]

The Barn at Beal on the land side of the Holy Island causeway is worth visiting - Birds of Prey Centre, information and fabulous food (day time)
Good restaurants/pubs in Bamburgh so no problems about eating out there.

[Blu]

You might bump into Carrie from MNHQ - according to today's Observer travel supplement, she is spending half term in Northumbria - she lists some attractions, too!

[cardy]

Ah, will take a look.

[StripeyKnickersSpottySocks]

The Barn at Beal is great - the flying demo withthe birds is worth seeing. And another vote for Cragside.