Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Northumberland- things to do in the rain

63 replies

AnnaMariaDreams · 08/08/2019 20:25

We’re staying in Hexham, arriving tomorrow in time for some seriously rubbish weather.
What can we do? Is Alnwick Castle OK in the rain? DS is 7.
Thank you

OP posts:
ChrisPrattsFace · 08/08/2019 21:11

IF the weather holds up - fruit picking at brockbushes on the roundabout it a lovely morning/afternoon!

MIdgebabe · 08/08/2019 21:12

Cragside is awesome! WHITely bay has an ice rink.

lovelyupnorth · 08/08/2019 21:12

Would stay closer to Hexham.

The sill or Vindolanda

Or for a great one go to the life science centre in Newcastle.

Owlbert · 08/08/2019 21:13

Nothing new to add at the moment other than we went to the Brocksbushes circus yesterday and it was fantastic for the whole family! Some of the cast are CBBC presenters. My 6 (almost 7) year old loved it she said it was the best circus ever! It was comedy/dancing/magic/acrobatics. You can buy tickets online or at the box office (no booking fee if go in person). You can also get photos at the end with the presenters and the snacks/drinks are reasonably priced.

Disfordarkchocolate · 08/08/2019 21:14

Hello @ChrisPrattsFace.

We just go out and get wet, there is always cake if it's really bad.

OP - Small Word Cafe is well worth a visit for breakfast or lunch. As is the Wentworth Cafe. Really lovely cheese scones at the Abbey cafe and Mr Wolf is a great toy shop.

rubyredring · 08/08/2019 21:14

South Tynedale Railway at Alston is good if your DS likes trains

Original poster
AnnaMariaDreams · 08/08/2019 21:16

Just booked a free ticket to see Dippy on Saturday- we were going to do the life Science Museum but the Hancock looks great- DS loves history.
We’ll probably brave Alnwick- DS desparate to see Hogwarts!
Will look at Cragside -we have NT membership.
We want to do some Hadrian’s Wall stuff so Roman Army Museum plus a look at Vindolanda if it brightens up.
Thank you for all the helpful suggestions- please keep them coming!
Grin

OP posts:
Owlbert · 08/08/2019 21:19

If you have NT Gibside and Wallington are a also worth visits!

Owlbert · 08/08/2019 21:21

Tons to do at Cragside. Kielder is worth a visit but better on a dry day rather than the downpour we went in earlier this week, they also have a good birds of prey centre.

TattiePants · 08/08/2019 21:24

There are loads of suggestions on this thread:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/3625692-Summer-holiday-ideas-in-North-East-to-entertain-7yo-very-little-budget?msgid=88198692

PurplePuffinPicker · 08/08/2019 21:54

Does Cragside have lots of indoor bits then? I can't tell from the NT website how much is indoors and how much outdoors.

I'm in Northumberland, last day tomorrow. Visiting my mum and I'd brave the elements with dd(4) if it were just us but my mum won't do rain! She's suggested taking DD to asda for her trip out for the day.... I'm trying to think of ANYTHING more fun indoors than going to asda. Grin

Stompythedinosaur · 08/08/2019 21:55

Alnwick Castle is fine in the rain if you have coats.

I would say most places (bar the beach) are fine in the rain. It rains quite a lot up here!

Stompythedinosaur · 08/08/2019 21:57

Housesteads is a bit better than Vindolanda tbh, and there is a section of the wall next to it that you can walk along (this isn't part of the site so you don't have to pay for this, but it isn't obvious). It's a 10 min walk uphill from the car park, though.

Chilver · 08/08/2019 22:01

Lol, guess we'll be joining you at some of these places OP as we are on our way up on Saturday for the week! Thanks for all the suggestions everyone!

Owlbert · 08/08/2019 22:34

The house at Cragside is indoors and there are a few other little bits indoors, plus a lovely (I think 3 mile) drive around the esate with numerous carparks. You would have to brave the elements for the rest but it is worth a visit.

Owlbert · 08/08/2019 22:36

@purplepuffinpicker Asda is not fun rain or shine!

Dementedswan · 08/08/2019 22:43

I cant believe no one has mentioned a walk to sycamore gap to see Robin hood famous tree! Pack waterproofs and head on out. The Northumberland countryside night sky on a clear night is amazing. Try and fit in a late night picnic under the stars on a clear night.

Hopeful16 · 09/08/2019 01:23

If it's really bad there's a small soft play called the Bunker in Seahouses. We used it in June - also has a crazy golf if the rain takes a break. It was ok for a couple of hours out of the rain and a spot of lunch.

Sunflowers11 · 09/08/2019 03:10

Farne Islands, Berwick Upon Tweed, Alnmouth, Bambrugh Castle, Hadrians Wall!

Disfordarkchocolate · 09/08/2019 06:59

It's very very wet this morning!!!

ChrisPrattsFace · 09/08/2019 10:02

It’s been stormy since 3am - cleared out a little here.
Also a lovely playground at derwent reservoir and a cafe called the boat shack. It’s delicious. Cleared out a little so may get a few hours respite from the rain to enjoy the outdoors!

Original poster
AnnaMariaDreams · 10/08/2019 07:07

Very very wet this morning. Lovely holiday cottage next to Haughton Castle.
DH wants to go to Beamish.

OP posts:
Turquoisetamborine · 10/08/2019 10:01

Beamish is great in all weathers. If you want the famous fish and chips make sure you start queuing up early as you can be waiting for hours as it’s coal fired.

Beamish Hall just next to there has a great free Alice in Wonderland forest trail and outdoor adventure play area. The food is nice too and they have nice drinks and their own brewery.

PotteringAlong · 10/08/2019 13:21

Did you do beamish? I’m just down the road and it’s not raining at the minute! Hope you’ve had a lovely time whatever you decided

Biancadelrioisback · 10/08/2019 13:27

Come visit me for a cup of tea. Best cup of tea in Northumberland so I'm told