Northumberland with a 4 year old

[Summerdays2014]

Morning,

Booked 4 nights in Northumberland with my husband and 4 year old. Staying in Rothbury. We plan on doing beaches, a castle and craggside (I just hope the national trust finally decide to open playgrounds)
Does anyone have any other recommendations? Best parks/play grounds? Things to do with a 4 year old? Thank you!

No, Whitley Bay and Tynemouth aren't Northumberland but they're on the doorstep

Beadnell bay is gorgeous, definitely do the boat trip from Seahouses and bamburgh beach/castle but be aware Bamburgh links car park has a height limiter on it so a 4x4 with a roof box won’t get in (that’s how we discovered Beadnell!)

I'm in Northumberland at the moment - not far from Rothbury. It is much busier than usual. The A1 has been at a standstill many times this week, and Druridge Bay and Amble have been unbearably busy.

I went to Tynemouth yesterday, and it was brilliant. I could park, it wasn't too crowded and it had such a nice atmosphere and loads of beaches with people social distancing sensibly.

Druridge Bay, on the other hand, has had teenagers wild camping, and leaving their rubbish all over the place, and the normally, lovely and clean beach is full of litter

There is a lovely little playground in Rothbury next to the river, but it was closed when we walked past it last month. It might be open now.

DH's family live here and say that they have never seen it so busy. However, we have been able to dodge the crowds quite easily. Just avoid the A1 and A697 if you can.

@Gancanny

No, Whitley Bay and Tynemouth aren't Northumberland but they're on the doorstep

I am aware.

OP seconding the fact it's a lot busier than usual. Possible twice as busy. The further North you go the quieter it will get.

If you did want to venture out of the county then Tynemouth is indeed nice. Whitley Bay is a bit run down, but all those beaches are nice.

Blyth and Ambe have pluses but are a bit rough compared to Bambrough, Warkworth.

Seahouses is like the Blackpool of Northumberland. Little play parks, crazy golf etc. There are good boar trips from there.

Depends how far you want to go but if you got to Berwick there are boat trips up the river. Coklaburn there for a quiet beach (always am I cream van) or Spittal if you want a playpark / cafe. Enjoy!!

Boar trips - boat trips obvs. 😳

Thank you for all your tips. I’m really looking forward to it!

Alnmouth is my favourite beach so I would recommend there. I also like the walk from craster to Dunstanbrough Castle.

Morwick dairy near warkworth does an amazing ice cream. Combine with warkworth castle and a trip to amble (if you can get a boat trip around coquet island that will be a fab day.) I wouldn’t head down to Tynemouth/Whitley bay. The roads were pretty busy when we went to Morpeth from north Tyneside on Friday. We also nipped to Tynemouth on Sunday and it was fairly busy. If you’re in Northumberland I’d stick there and save Tynemouth for a future trip.
You’re staying in a beautiful place, and you’ll definitely be able to get some space and avoid the crowds!

Duridge Bay playpark, beach and lake (playpark may not be open yet?)

It is, we were there last week 😃

I’ve loved researching all these places! We are going tomorrow. Any final tips for what to do if (when) it rains?!? We have all our waterproofs after the ready!