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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

Christmassy things to do in the North-East?

20 replies

SillyTilly123 · 06/09/2013 20:52

Last year was the 1st year we did the panto and will be doing it again this year. I've been looking at the Tanfield North Pole Express but wondering if anyones done it and what its like. Or is theres any other options? I have 3 dds aged 3, 5 and 9 Smile
Thanks

OP posts:
gaggiagirl · 06/09/2013 20:58

Polar express is supposed to be wonderful.

Keilder forest Santa hunt I think its called is another much amazed upon thing.

Raby castle.

Metro centre Xmas decos

Fenwicks window.

juneybean · 06/09/2013 20:59

Beamish Museum has lovely things on at Christmastime

HindsightisaMarvellousThing · 06/09/2013 21:05

I did the Tanfield North Pole Express last year with DD. She enjoyed it, got a nice present of a recorder and teach yourself to play the recorder book.

I won't bother again - I'm not a great fan of trains and it was cold and I'd rather be at home with the fire on. Might have been better if there was snow, but it was just cold and muddy.

There is something at Wetherby I think (Winter Wonderland or something?) - ice skating, skiing, woods lit up at night, grotto etc. Raby castle is good too, we always get our tree from there. There is ice skating on a rink outside the Dolphin Centre at Darlington, and that feels very Christmassy.

LegoAcupuncture · 06/09/2013 21:07

At field looks amazing, a few friends have done it and have raved about it.

Kielder is also good.

Highly Gate garden centre near Morpeth does breakfast/lunch with Father Christmas, that's also quite nice to do.

CappuccinoCarrie · 06/09/2013 21:10

The Wetherby one is stockeld park I've only ever done the enchanted woodland walk, but there's masses on the site and its lovely and festive!

HindsightisaMarvellousThing · 06/09/2013 21:12

Thats the one Carrie I just couldn't remember it! Must get down there this year, weather permitting.

KenDoddsDadsDog · 06/09/2013 21:14

Fenwicks Windows with a visit to Santa - has to be done!
Down at the farm near Durham has a brilliant Christmas grotto
Ice skating at Centre For Life
Carols at Durham Cathedral, advent service if that's your kind of thing

cheryl19843 · 06/09/2013 21:14

Very simple but we always go to dobbies garden centre in ponteland, Peter barrats in gosforth and clays in Washington. Always very xmassy! And peter barrats has a small soft play in there as well so after you've marvelled at all the decs you can have a coffee whilst listening to Xmas tunes n kids can play. Peter barrats is our fav! X

Oreocrumbs · 06/09/2013 21:14

I haven't done Tanfield yet but several friends have. Some rave about it, others said it was ok.

I was advised to splash out on the first class tickets if I was to go because the view is so much better - but that makes it very expensive.

We did one of the Beamish Christmas evenings last year and that was just amazing.

They had the best Santa, a barn dance party in the manor house, carol service in the church, carol singing around the town, steam train ride, open air ice rink, and loads of other things that I can't quite remember, but it was just magical. DD was 2.4 and enjoyed it, the rest of us were just lost in the beauty of Christmas past. It felt like Christmas should IYKWIM.

Will be going again this year too.

cheryl19843 · 06/09/2013 21:15

Land beamish museum is amazing at Xmas! X

cheryl19843 · 06/09/2013 21:16

And not land!

KenDoddsDadsDog · 06/09/2013 21:16

YY to Beamish !

Original poster
SillyTilly123 · 06/09/2013 21:23

Is it just normal admission for bearish? I've never actually taken the des as I was told it was boring. There seems to be a lot of stuff I don't know about and I've lived here 31 years lol. Keep any more ideas coming and thanks for the ones already, they've given me a few ideas. Smile

OP posts:
KenDoddsDadsDog · 06/09/2013 21:30

You book for Christmas but you then get admission for the year. It's very very cold but lots to do.

KenDoddsDadsDog · 06/09/2013 21:30

Oh yes , Sunderland Winter Gardens - lights , ice rink etc

Oreocrumbs · 06/09/2013 21:33

The Christmas evenings are extra, can't remember how much but I think it cost around £80 for 5 adults and a toddler (she might have been free) last year.

Beamish is great. But I suppose it depends on what you like!

We go a lot, you buy your ticket once and it is valid all year, £17.50 for adults, under 5 free, £8 odd for older DC.

They also do Halloween evenings which look great, bonfire night which is where we go, and is good, but if you're not local it's a trek for a few fireworks really and the Christmas nights. All of these are extra though.

I'm waiting for DD to be a bit older before we tackle Halloween but I can't wait for that.

gaggiagirl · 07/09/2013 08:00

YY to heighley gate garden centre, it isn't Christmas til ive been there.

JedwardScissorhands · 07/09/2013 08:20

Beamish

Kielder Forest

Fenwick's window

Alnwick Garden

Buy cheap train tickets and go for a day trip to Edinburgh. Princes Street has fab Xmas stuff. Only an hour and a half from Newcastle, my DSs love the train journey.

KenDoddsDadsDog · 07/09/2013 10:30

What's on in Kielder Forest ? Might take a trip

nextphase · 07/09/2013 13:16

Kielder Winter Wonderland

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