Family days out near Newcastle

[HouseofGods]

I was wondering if anyone had anywhere they could recommend for a family day out (kids are 7 and 4) near Newcastle? We're possibly going to Newcastle next Friday and I thought it might be nice to go somewhere on the Saturday and stay overnight again before heading back to Scotland on the Sunday.

I looked at flamingo land but didn't appreciate how much further it was and that then leaves quite a journey home on the Sunday. So extra points if the attraction is near Newcastle or along the route back to Glasgow!

Whitehouse farm near morpeth?

Housesteads Roman fort - see the Roman toilets! Well, that's what stuck in my mind at my first visit as a child 😄

Seven Stories is in Newcastle and something my kids loved at that age. Haven't been for a while but they loved the exhibitions and the storytelling attic.

Cragside is kind of on the way back, with a bit of a detour - has a fun adventure playground, a maze as well as beautiful grounds and amazing house.

Or there are lots of lovely beaches if it's nice weather.

Beamish?

Beamish

Newcastle itself has the Life science centre and discovery museum and you can wander along the Quayside. Take the Metro out to Whitley Bay or Tynemouth for the beach.
Alnwick castle
Hadrian's Wall
Kielder Reservoir

Beadnell beach, Bamburgh and Seahouses are all nice, as is Alnwick.

Thank you. The farm is their kind of thing, although we have annual passes to one near home so might need to weigh that up if it's too similar to what we always do!

I'll take a look at the beaches. If the weather was good they'd be perfectly happy spending a day at the beach. Still weighing up how far I'm prepared to drive and if we should go further afield.

Holy Island depending on the tides.

Another vote for Beamish- amazing fun and the bakery is superb!

Definitely Beamish.

Whitley Bay, St Mary’s Island or South Shields for the beach. If in South Shields, get fish and chips from Colmans on Ocean Rd- recently voted one of the best in the country!
Beamish.
Holy Island, if the tides are right.
Going across to Glasgow, the Roman Fort (forgotten the name) is huge, Hexham is lovely.

Or Tynemouth! Also great fish and chips, perhaps a little posher.

Another vote for Beamish. Go on a tram, go to the farm, the funfair, the school, the sweet shop and the bakery. Let them eat their body weight in sugar basically.

The Centre for Life is also good if you want somewhere in Newcastle City Centre

Or South Shields has good beaches, a fair, a park with little train and pedaloes

The hoppings starts tomorrow and ends next weekend!! 🎢🎡🎠

South Shields. Lovely Sandy beaches. Ocean Beach fun fair and arcades. Marine Park - boating lake, little cafe, train ride. Arbeia Roman Fort.
easily reached on the metro from Newcastle.

Another vote for Beamish!

The Life Centre is good, in Newcastle city centre. I think they have a space theme at the minute to tie in with the new Lightyear film.

Tynemouth sea front is good. There's the aquarium then just next to that is Tynemouth Park with inflatables, crazy golf, a maze, a lake and a play park. Then the beach itself.

Alnwick Garden is lovely, with fountains, swing seats, bamboo maze etc.

I think Kielder Water and Forest Park is on your way back. I haven't been for several years but I think it's a lovely place for a walk around in nature.

Definitely definitely definitely Alnwick castle at that age. It's brilliant.

Whitley Bay: St Mary's lighthouse for seal spotting and a climb up the lighthouse (check the tide times) pitch and putt on the grass, skateboard Park on the prom, Waves leisure pool or Jam Jar Cinema if it's raining, Di Meos for ice cream and Pantrini's for fish and chips then pop next door to the amusements, Whitley Play Park 2 mins from the prom, build sandcastles on the beach. All really close together.

Cullercoats: beach, fish and chips, play park and boating pond with huge inflatable slide.

Tynemouth: beautiful Longsands beach with Crusoe's cafe on the beach, fish and chip shops, Tynemouth Priory (old ruin good for a run around) Market in Tynemouth Metro Saturday and Sunday and lots of independent quirky shops.

All these things are off the same road that runs parallel to the sea.

Northumberland Country Zoo is just off the a1 going North. They have lots of lovely animals including snow leopards and lemurs. There's also an indoor soft play area and outdoor play area included in the cost. You do need to prebook an entry time slot but can stay as long as you want

What is that and where is it? Thank you!

Ok, lots of votes for Beamish. I wasn't sure when I googled it but you're winning me over! South Shields also sounds fun. Now just to find out if we're definitely going 🙈 can get a reasonably priced Premier Inn on the Friday in Newcastle so just waiting on DH confirming 🤞🏻

hoppingsfunfairs.com/attractions/

A massive funfair! Town moor in Gosforth. Absolutely loved this as a kid, I go for the food now haha!