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Original poster

Help - son requested a day in countryside near Newcastle!

64 replies

Theninjawhinger · 28/03/2019 19:02

Ds is off school tomorrow and wants a day out (ideal as we can’t afford to go away this Easter)

His criteria are: a day in countryside with nice things to see, somewhere he’s never been before, an adventure!

We had an amazing day out near Berwick once and I think he wants to recreate this - we looked round a castle, went on a steam train and had cake in a coffee shop.

We used to live tynemouth and have explored a lot over there, am thinking poss the Lake District but where over there would fulfil this criteria? Apart from centerparcs i’ve Never been 😬🙈

Any suggestions gratefully received!

OP posts:
NoGoodAtHousework · 28/03/2019 20:14

Forbidden corner? I've never been but have been recommended it a number of times? BeAmish is very good too!

Original poster
Theninjawhinger · 28/03/2019 20:14

Ooh I’ve just got out the bath to loads of replies - thank you all so much!

We have been to lots of these already (Ds requests ‘adventures’ a lot!) which is why it’s so tricky!

I’m off to google Bamburgh, hadrians wall, lindasfarne and brims rock now - ooh I’m excited!

Ps thank you all for your replies - I’m not discounting other suggestions, I feel rude now for not going everywhere mentioned! Haha!

OP posts:
tea4two4three · 28/03/2019 20:18

If you do head the the lakes take the Alston route and you can stop off at the railway museum. If you haven't done Aria falls then it's not too far from Penrith (about 20mins) there is a carpark with a lovely tearoom and the walk up the falls on a sunny day, out of school hols, is the best. Keep going past the first falls right to the top (you can get down next to the falls and clamber up the side rather than take the path the whole way which adds to the fun) and if you are still feeling fresh you can continue up the fell. If not head back down for tea and cake/ice cream then walk down to the lake. The ferry is running if you want a trip.

If sticking in the NE Blanchland has a couple of lovely walks, one up over he moors which is only a few miles, and ends in a lovely tearoom, or there is a lovely walk near Devils Water round there or plainly mill. If the weather is really good head to the coast and got to Howick and go rockpooling.

Rothbury and the Simonside Hills are glorious but may be a bit cold on top still, or, got to Cragside and there are some lovely walks around the reservoir. A bit further Ingram Valley is gorg but again may be a bit cold for full enjoyment.

I love the NE for this sort of stuff and luckily I have a child that comes alive when out exploring. Have a fab day! I'm very envious.

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Hollowvictory · 28/03/2019 20:20

Some strange geography here. Lived in newc for 20 years, the lakes is a lot further than a day out!

Disfordarkchocolate · 28/03/2019 20:21

If you end up doing Hadrians Wall The Sill is a really good visitor centre. Lots of interesting stops on the wall. We love Corbridge, Chesters and Housesteads. And a walk to Sycamore Gap will tire out the legs and build up the appetite.

Disfordarkchocolate · 28/03/2019 20:23

I'm envious too tea4two4three, some lovely suggestions here.

AwkwardSquad · 28/03/2019 20:23

Brimham Rocks and Forbidden Corner are both in North Yorkshire. It’d be a lot of driving for a day out.

Original poster
Theninjawhinger · 28/03/2019 20:28

Hollow we are out towards corbridge now, but 90mins-2 hours doesn’t seem to bad to me to have a full day out somewhere!

We have been to forbidden corner and LOVED it, but it sadly doesn’t fit his criteria of somewhere he hasn’t been before.

I’m leaning towards Holy island at the moment as I’ve never been either. Would there be enough there to hold a 7 year olds interest?

OP posts:
Original poster
Theninjawhinger · 28/03/2019 20:29

I’m going to work through all these suggestions over Easter break - thank you all so much! I’m super excited!

OP posts:
FamilyOhNo · 28/03/2019 20:29

Brimham rocks is just fabulous for a day out with kids. It is worth the drive from Newcastle. Kids is all ages love it.

Make sure you take coins for the parking meter (£8 all day) but you won’t need any other money unless you want a bite to eat and drink.

TattiePants · 28/03/2019 20:32

I'd also second (or third) Hadrians Wall, especially the area around Vindolanda, Housesteads and Sycamore Gap.

Google Northumberlandia lady, my kids were very amused climbing on her boobs! You could combine that with Kirkley Hall.

Climb Roseberry Topping or walk around the lake / through the forest at Kielder (and visit the observatory if it's open). Have a great day.

Sammy867 · 28/03/2019 20:32

Broom house farm in Durham is amazing. It’s a forest adventure thing with tasks they’ve built into a forest: net climbing, dragging skateboards through tunnels, obstacle courses, finding all the hidden treasures and you get a prize at the end. There’s den building tasks and loads of good things to do running around that forest.

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 28/03/2019 20:33

Is vindelanda too far?

Onceuponacheesecake · 28/03/2019 20:39

Cragside is great for adventure. Alnwick is beautiful but far more structured

Onceuponacheesecake · 28/03/2019 20:41

@Hollowvictory it's only a 90 minute drive to Penrith, I wouldn't consider that too far for a day out

Hollowvictory · 28/03/2019 20:44

Penrith is not really the lakes though is it!

Excitedforxmas · 28/03/2019 20:46

Beamish is amazing

INeedNewShoes · 28/03/2019 20:57

Boat trip from Seahouses to the Farne Islands

and I second the other ideas already mentioned.

RavenLG · 28/03/2019 21:14

Ooh yes Cragside as a PP said. You'd easily spend the whole day there, and the gardens and surrounds are BEAUTIFUL. It's knackering walking around but lots of outdoors to keep a 7 year old entertained, and inside the house should be educational and fun too for him.

Keeoe · 28/03/2019 21:34

I live in Chester le Street near Newcastle. Beamish Museum is amazing and Tanfield Railway is really close by.

Cherrysoup · 28/03/2019 23:15

Some strange geography here. Lived in newc for 20 years, the lakes is a lot further than a day out!

Nonsense, I used to do day trips all the time when I first got my car. Hour and a half, depending on where you go. I used to go to Pooley Bridge. Google says 1hr29 minutes right now, the traffic is not usually an issue.

How about Wallington Hall? National Trust property, Play area, cafe, long walk down to gardens, long drop loo (7 year olds love this stuff). It’s a full day visit.

Disfordarkchocolate · 29/03/2019 07:35

@Theninjawhinger the best beaches you will ever see at Holy Island. It's fun just going over the causeway too, the EH attraction has a good visitor centre.

TapasForTwo · 29/03/2019 07:41

Check the tides before going to Holy Island.

Disfordarkchocolate · 29/03/2019 07:42

How about Jedburgh? The Abbey is great and the Castle and Jail Museum is fantastic. Nice walks nearby and Harestanes County Park is very close. We've never done Mary Queen of Scot House but have plans to. I think the Abbey is free for EH members.

TopWing · 29/03/2019 08:01

I'm from Newcastle... Hardwick Park at Teesside is one of my favourite places in the region for walking. It's beautiful and there's a cafe, park etc to play too