Things to do in Northumberland, particularly in wet weather.

[MrsJohnDeere]

We're off there tomorrow for a week and the forecast looks awful.

On my 'things to visit' list so far is:

1. Alnwick Castle
2. Bamburgh Castle
3. Warkworth Castle
4. Barter Books
5. Whitehouse Farm Centre, Morpeth
6. Barn at Beal
7. Beaches at Seahouses and Beadnell

Any other ideas (particularly wet weather ones) would be much appreciated. Going with a 4yo and a 2yo.

There used to be a organisation called 'Pot a Doodle do' -arts , crafts, pottery and tearoom. Somewhere between Lindefarne and Berwick, just off the main road.

I've not seen the forcast but can vouch for the fact that the north east is scortching today! Is a new IMAX cinema in the metro centre if it's raining? Have fun - tis beautiful up here!

I think you've got it pretty much covered!
There is also Cragside House in Rothbury, haven't been but was recommended to me.
There is a swimming pool in Berwick.

If the sun does come out how about a trip to the Farne Islands?

Great ideas, thank you.

Any more?

We liked hexham gaol, not sure about a 4 and 2 yr old though. Nice cafe just nearby called phat katz or something. Slightly hippy and organic but not enough to put anyone off.

Seven Stories in Newcastle. Life in Newcastle.

If you are going to Warkworth, you must go here - yumm
Mowick Farm Ice Cream Parlour
Can recommend the beach at Warkworth, though it is quite a trek from the car park.

If you get nice weather, the beach at Embleton is beautiful.

Not keen on Seahouses at all but they do have a good Crazy Golf.

cragside national trust property is fab
life and seven stories great but ££, discovery museum and great north museum are free Newcastle) alnwick garden is good for kids
its v nice up here at the moment!

We're back now. Just wanted to say thank you for all the ideas and report on my findings, which may or may not be useful for anyone else heading that way.

We did:

1. beaches - Beadnell, Newton-on-Sea. Lovely (but cold).
2. Alnwick Gardens - highlight of the week by some distance. Can't praise it enough. Fab with children. Sadly ds2 too troublesome for us to visit the Treehouse Restaurant.
3. Alnwick Castle - bit disappointing tbh. Expensive for what it is imho. Not my cup of tea.
4. Warkworth Castle - much, much better. Far prefer old ruins and towers you can explore than 'stately home' type of castle where you can't touch anything (Alnwick).
5. Bamburgh Castle - good fun. Great views.
6. Sfot play/farm at Morpeth. Very popular with the dcs.
7. Barter Books. Just me. Bit disappointed tbh, but it was nice to have an hour without the dcs.
8. Mowick ice cream. Yummy.
9. Swimming pool at Seahouses (Ocean Club?).

10. Chillingham Castle. Very odd (not sure if good odd or bad odd). Like stepping into some strange parallel universe. 11. Boat trip to look at birds and seals from Seahouses. Worst 2 hours of my life! Far, far worse that labour. Was very sick. Far too unwell to give a toss about any of the wildlife we saw. 12. Lindisfarne. No shuttle bus working that day and the dcs went into meltdown after the long walk from the car park. Left again without seeing much.

Aw, pleased you had a mostly good time. It's always tricky with young children in a new place.

Sorry you got seasick on the boat - the sea can be choppy there sometimes.

Chillingham Castle is very haunted and some sensitive people can't tolerate being there for very long because of the strange 'vibes' and feelings they get. I think it must have some kind of strange past or something bad has gone on there. We liked the torture chamber though!

Alnwick Castle is a bit of a con. My kids like the gardens/water features in the hot weather. The Castle is totally overpriced and very dull.