Things to do in and around Alnwick with teenage kids (single mum)

[thingamynbob]

Hi all, I’m taking the kids (11 and 14 boys) up to Alnwick for a couple of nights over the bank hol, and need suggestion about what’s good to book for teenage / tween kids? Doing the castle on day 1 and the zoo on day 3 on the way back down the coast, so just need something for day 2…
14 yo is adventurous but 11 yo isn’t.. so I’ve ruled out go ape at matfen.. was thinking lindisfarne.. but is there enough to do and see there for teens? Also thought about a boat tour but they aren’t cheap and maybe not massively exciting at this time of year with changeable weather..
Single mum so on a budget. Don’t mind paying for stuff that both will get something out of, but don’t want to pay hundreds for filler things that aren’t that great for that age teens…
any suggestions welcome! Got a hotel near centre of Alnwick for two nights. Thanks in advance!!

Surf lessons with surf Northumberland they’ll tell yet which beaches should be good and supply ate the gear.

Sorry all the gear!

Ah fab shout! Just looked and they’re all booked up :(

I presume you've done the gardens? And there's lilidorie, but I've heard it's quite expensive.

In Berwick there's a great bike hire company, and they recommend some brilliant, mini adventure routes. There may be something like that in Alnwick?

My 14 year old enjoyed Lilidorei but was forced in as big brother to younger siblings, I wouldn’t have paid just for him.

if you can get to the coast, the walk to Dunstanburgh Castle is pretty epically beautiful. Also enjoyed Warkworth Castle, but we are EH members so didn’t pay extra.

lindisfarne is beautiful.

day trip to Edinburgh from Alnmouth might blow the budget, but was popular for my teenager. We live a very long way away though so it felt worth it.

I would do a boat trip if you can. And if you can stretch to fish and chips, even better.

We had an amazing time near Alnwick recently

Druridge Bay park is free, and amazing

www.visitnorthumberland.com/explore/destinations/wildlife-nature/druridge-bay-country-park

Alnwick Gardens - the Poison Garden's guided tour is fascinating - you have to go in groups, as the plants really are poisonous, and the Serpent Garden's various water installations are interesting.

The bookshop is amazing

We’ve just come back from a week there, with teens - one adventurous and one not very! I have family there too so have been before.
The castle tickets last a year I think, so you could pop in and out for different activities on different days. It’s lit up at night too which is good to see. The gardens are also lovely and fun with the maze, water features and swings in the cherry orchard. Also enjoyed the adventure golf there too.
The walk to Dunstanburgh Castle is great as people have said. It’s only about a mile from Craster. Lindisfarne is a good visit but check tide times so you don’t get trapped. The beach at Bamburgh is lovely. We wanted to swim at Beadnell bay but never managed it. The boat trip from Seahouses to the Farne islands looks great too.

I feel like the castle and the zoo are both spendy so something free on the middle day. Walk on walls round Berwick? Coast at Bamburgh and walk round village. Maybe pay to go round castle there?! Or just get chips in Seahouses. Love Northumberland. Have a great trip.

Definitely Druridge. Maybe a pootle around Amble?