AD - This is an advert for February 2025. Any edits / shares after this date have not been asked or paid for. Please check information with venues direct using the links provided (especially opening hours) before heading out as info can change. You can do that here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/family-friendly If you're a National Trust member and looking at making the most of your membership this half term or maybe you have a National Trust Day Pass from a previous Reach PLC promotion (check the dates & t&cs), this is the post for you. I'm going to share lots o ..read more

This post is based on a visit in February 2025. Always check with venues direct for the most up to date info (especially opening hours) as details can change over time. Middlesbrough is a large town with plenty of FREE activities and things to do - definitely enough to fill a full day. We really enjoyed our recent visit and exploring all the town has to offer.  How to have a FREE / cheap day out in Middlesbrough  1- Visit Dorman Museum (TS5 6LA). FREE entry. Open Tues-Sun 10am-4pm. This is a lovely free museum with something for all ages. Around the exhibits you’ll find litt ..read more

AD - Thanks to our writer Gaia for this post who stayed with Merchant's House in January as part of a press trip. This post was published in Feb 2025. Always check details with venue direct when booking for the most up-to-date info. Merchant’s House, Eyemouth   We discovered a lovely new place by the coast, just over the border in Scotland recently. It’s steeped in history and full of character, perfect for a weekend away as it’s less than 1.5 hours from Newcastle. Merchant’s House (aka Gunsgreen House) in Eyemouth is a historic building in a pretty little fishing port just north of B ..read more

 This post is based on a visit in November 2024. Information and events do change over time so it's important to check with venues direct for the most up to date and accurate info when booking. We paid for this experience ourselves but there are AD affiliate links in the post.  I've visited lots of light trails in my life and I have to say, Alnwick Garden's is fantastic and definitely one of the best value light trails in the North East. Your ticket allows you access to 2 light trails for the price of 1 and you can visit both Alnwick Garden and Lilidorei's winter lights on the sa ..read more

This post was published in Feb 2025. As always, check with venues direct for the most up to date information as this can change. Post excludes travel costs. How to spend a FREE day out in Durham City 1 - Wharton Park is just by the train station and a lovely place to start your day. Expect beautiful views across the city, a playground and there are FREE self guided AR trails around the park including fairy, dinosaur and Roman trails if you download the Love Exploring app. Read our full guide to visiting here: https://www.northeastfamilyfun.co.uk/2023/10/wharton-park-playground-review.html ..read more

This post was published in Feb 2025 and includes advertising. Please check info with venues direct before heading out. ?A BRAND new Stick Man Trail is heading to Hamsterley Forest, Guisborough Forest and Kielder Forest this month. These trails are usually FREE to take part with the option to purchase a trail activity pack for a small fee (which is worth doing). Check their websites for more info/ opening dates. Dogs on leads welcome. Find out more here: https://www.forestryengland.uk/stick-man If you're looking for more ideas for things to do in the North East this February, please check ..read more

 This post was published in January 2025 and based on a visit in January 2025. As always, check details with venue direct before heading out as info can change over time.  Seaburn Playground opened late 2024 and it's one I will definitely be adding to my list of best playgrounds in the North East.  It's located in Seaburn, just behind the Seaburn Inn, Prego and STACK so there are plenty of places to stop for food and drink afterwards.  It's a perfect playground to enjoy along one of the following walks:  Roker to Seaburn Pushchair Friendly Walk  Whitburn ..read more

This post was published in January 2025. Please check info with venues direct before heading out. How to spend a FREE day in Ouseburn 1 - Visit Seven Stories, it's open daily until 5pm (closed Wednesday's in term time) and free entry. Lots of hands on fun including dress up, drawing, a puppet theatre & Gruffalo shadow puppets. You can meet Mog & the Tiger Who Came to Tea and an Elmer exhibition opens in Feb 2025. 2 - Cross over to Ouseburn Farm which is open Tues-Sun from 10am-3pm. Free entry and lots of animals to see including goats, snakes, pigs, chickens, geese, a parrot ..read more

This post is based on a visit by myself and husband in December 2024. We booked and paid for this trip ourselves but the post does include (ad) affiliate links. Always check with venues direct for the most up to date information and remember that prices can fluctuate.  I will start by saying we loved this hotel so much. I have actutally booked it again in the Jet 2 sale for December 2025 and I never, ever return to the same hotel two years in a row. That's how much we loved it.  My husband Steve left his employed job of 20 years to join my North East Family Fun business a fe ..read more

 This post was published in January 2025. As always, please check with venues direct before heading out for the most up to date info (especially opening hours) as info can change over time.  Bamburgh is a lovely day out with a fabulous castle, one of the best beaches in the UK, a lovely playground and some fantastic restaurants too. It is possible to spend a fair bit of £ in Bamburgh however there are some lovely free things to do in the village too.  This post is going to share some of the free things to do in Bamburgh - you could do them all and fill a full day or choose ..read more