What to do in or near Newcastle with a small dog and an 8 year old....

[JoeGoldbergsMug]

Have the afternoon to fill, any ideas how to do it?

Great stuff on at both The Hancock and Discovery Museums at the minute, both free entry (not much for the dog though!). Hop on the metro and go to Tynemouth, play on the beach and get chips at Crusoes. Gibside is great for a wander.

They have recently reopened the renovated Spanish City in Whitley Bay which would be fun for an eight year old, but I don't know if dogs are allowed.
Maybe a wander around Tynemouth to visit the Abbey ruins and Collingwood's statue would be fun, the dog should be OK there.

Or the Roman fort ruins at South Shields?
Whatever you do, have a fab day, I wish I were there!

Gibside. Saltwell Park, jesmond dene.... coast?

Paddy Freemans is a nice park and has lovely walks into the dene. You could walk to pets corner, see the animals and have coffee and cake in the little cafe.

There's Northumberlandia at Cramlington if you want a change from the beach. Fun to walk round for an hour or two. Blyth beach isn't too far away from there too for beach, fish and chips and ice creams if you want more to do (or there's a McDonalds and shopping centre in Cramlington).

www.northumberlandia.com/