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Heart of Hadrian's Wall
...a day is never long enough
Hadrian’s Wall and its surrounds has a great variety of attractions to suit families with young children, families with older children in fact, children of all ages!
Many of the historic sites and museums offer exciting activities for children, learning about Roman history the interactive way, while further afield lovely beaches provide hours of seaside fun.
As well as family friendly walks and cycle routes, the local cinemas and swimming pools will also keep children entertained.
Have a look at a selection of family attractions below... and remember a day is never long enough...
46 results - showing 1 - 46
Natural History
Location
The Sill is the UK’s National Landscape Discovery Centre at Once Brewed in the Northumberland National Park. The building is the result of an innovative partnership between Northumberland National Park and YHA England and Wales. The Sill is a showcase of local pride and passion. It...
Museums
Location
Free to enter, this is a firm favourite for both North East residents and visitors alike.
Museums
Location
The Great North Museum: Hancock was purpose built in Newcastle as a natural history museum in 1884 to house the growing collections of the Natural History Society of Northumbria.
Forts and Castles
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Wall section and a surviving piece of turret two and a half metres high, built by men of the Twentieth Legion.
Leisure Activities
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Founded in 1909, and designed by James Braid, Brampton Golf Course is blessed with beautiful panoramic views of the Lake District mountains, the North Pennines, Talkin Tarn and the Southern Uplands of South West Scotland. A hidden gem of a golf course, it's a good challenge...
Leisure Activities
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Tynedale Golf Club is a 9 hole set along the banks of the River Tyne, with stunning views, and whilst a good test for all golfers, it's a gentle undulating course, and suitable for golfers no matter what handicap. Visitor Rates are very reasonable, and the...
Heritage
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The birthplace of Thomas Bewick, the cottage and farmhouse of Bewick is perhaps Northumberland’s greatest artist: a wood engraver and naturalist who revolutionised print art in Georgian England. Set in a tranquil garden with views across the Tyne Valley, Cherryburn is surrounded by the natural world that inspired his...
Forts and Castles
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Thriving communities built up around Hadrian's Wall, with settlements and forts being established to both feed and provide for both soldiers and the extended community around them. Corbridge was one such flourishing town, and was a vibrant community right up until the end of Roman Britain in the early...
Leisure Activities
Location
With plenty of space for little ones to run, jump, climb, and crawl to their heart's content - Crackers is a popular destination for parents and their children, especially on a cold and wet day. With three separate play areas designed specifically for different ages, as...
Leisure Activities
Location
With two swimming pools with moveable floors, a large and well-equipped gym, regular fitness classes held in dedicated studios, a tenpin bowling centre and Jungle Jack's, a children’s softplay area.
Leisure Activities
Location
With 3 outdoor pools featuring a water slide and giant inflatables; a large sports hall which can be booked for activities such as badminton, basketball, and bowls; a fully equipped fitness suite; and a hall which can be booked out for parties, Haltwhistle Swimming & Leisure Centre is a...
Leisure Activities
Location
Glendale Pool is a self contained, indoor, heated swimming pool, available for private hire. L10m x W5m x D1.9m Water temp 31oC floats and toys available Family friendly all weather activity
Heritage
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This quaint small stone cottage was built circa 1760 to accommodate mining families. The furnishings reflect the year the great rail pioneer, George Stephenson, was born here (1781), when his whole family lived in the one room. The property is managed by the National Trust. Don't miss...
Museums
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Beamish is a wonderful place that brings history to life but you must allow a full day to fully experience the extent of the exhibits, and even then you may not see everything in one visit! Beamish Museum contains an operational tramway with historic trams which...
Railways
The Cumbrian Coast Line, as its name suggests, hugs the scenic coastline between Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness. For much of the route, the line runs very close to the coast and links the waters of the Solway with those of Morecambe Bay; both sites of special scientific interest (SSSI). Not...
Railways
This historic and scenic route was one of the last main line railways built in Britain. It was built by the Midland Railway to allow it to have its own route into Scotland, rather than having to depend on its rival, the LNWR. The line was opened...
Vindolanda
Featured
Forts and Castles
Location
Vindolanda is a fascinating Roman fort and civilian settlement lying just to the south of Hadrian's Wall. You can watch the archaeologists, who are on site seven days a week (weather permitting) from April to mid-September and see artefacts as they are discovered as well has having the opportunity...
Railways
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The North of England’s double gold award winning narrow gauge railway winding from Alston into the South Tyne Valley in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Railways
Location
With an unparalleled history dating back to 1725, spectacular scenery and a truly unique atmosphere, it is no wonder that the Tanfield Railway is the North East's biggest and most popular steam railway.. Less than half an hour from Newcastle and within easy reach of Tyneside,...
Railways
Location
The Weardale Railway, situated in County Durham, was a mothballed branch line from Bishop Auckland following the River Wear westwards to Eastgate-in- Weardale, a distance of approximately 18.7 miles. The line was originally built by the Stockton & Darlington Railway in 1847 to transport limestone to the...
Railways
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This is the most recent of the heritage railways in the area and only opened in 2012. The Aln Valley Railway project is an ambitious plan to reopen the branch line from Alnmouth to Alnwick, the old county town of Northumberland and the ancestral home of the...
Railways
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A 15” gauge steam railway running from Heatherslaw, 6.4km to Etal Village - a return journey of 50 minutes. When operating trains leave Heatherslaw every hour on the hour from 11am-3pm inclusive and return from Etal on the half hour from 11.30am-3.30pm inclusive. All tickets are for...
Railways
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The Eden Valley Railway is based at Warcop in Cumbria (or Westmorland, in old money), just off the A66 between Appleby and Brough. It has a selection of rolling stock, Diesel Multiple Units and Locomotives and a short running line . It is open every Sunday during...
Railways
Location
On the Cumbrian Coast line you could consider alighting at Ravensglass and enjoy a return trip on the “Au’d Ratty” as the narrow gauge Ravensglass and Eskdale Railway is known. The trip will take you from Ravenglass, the only coastal village in the Lake District National Park,...
Natural History
Location
England’s most northerly and least populated National Park is 400 square miles of Northumberland's glorious countryside, protected for its wildlife, tranquillity, biodiversity, dark skies and clean water. Stretching from Hadrian's Wall to the Scottish Border it encompasses the high moors and picturesque valleys of Tynedale, Redesdale and Coquetdale and...
Railways
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The Stainmore Railway is based at the Kirkby Stephen East Heritage Centre and is open every Saturday and Sunday with passenger trains running on selected dates. The aim is the full restoration of Kirkby Stephen East railway station and the development of a full working railway as...
Railways
Location
This historic railway is sited south of Gateshead in Springwell village just east of the main A1 road near the Angel of the North Designed by George Stephenson and opened in 1826 the Bowes Railway is the only operational preserved standard gauge rope-hauled railway in the world....
Railways
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The Museum is located on the 1825 route of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, the world's first steam-worked public railway. The site encompasses three significant Stockton & Darlington Railway buildings of the 1830s/50s: North Road Passenger Station, the Goods Shed and Hopetown Carriage Works. The museum...
Railways
Location
The Shildon branch of the National Railway Museum is well worth a visit. It is based on the site of the former Shildon Wagon Works and contains over 100 locomotives and about 200 items of rolling stock, as well as a vast collection of other railway related items and...
Railways
Location
Re-live the glorious days of the steam railway at Stephenson Railway Museum in North Shields. The Museum is home to George Stephenson's 'Billy', a forerunner of the world- famous Rocket. 'Billy' is joined by many other engines from the great age of steam including 'Jackie Milburn', named...
Shopping
Location
With over 50 outlet shops to choose from offering up to 60% OFF rrp on a host of famous brands, plus regular entertainment and live events all set within a unique environment, you have all the ingredients for a great day out.
Birdoswald Fort
Featured
Forts and Castles
Location
Open daily from March to October. Times may vary. (Visitors with English Heritage membership qualify for an entrance fee discount). The fort at Birdoswald, with surely the most breathtaking position above the river gorge, is well excavated and, most importantly, shows how life continued on the site after the...
Music of Northumberland
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Promote accordion and fiddle playing in the Tynedale area with the emphasis on traditional music Tynedale Accordion and Fiddle Club meets on the third Thursday of the month March-November at Farmer Function Suite, Hexham Mart, NE46 3SG 7:30pm until 11.pm Admission £5.00 pay at the door....
Museums
Location
Our permanent displays are based on our five main collections: The Border Counties Railway 1862-1958 comprised 42 miles of track from Hexham on the River Tyne to Riccarton, across the Scottish border, and had a marked impact on life in a previously remote area. A...
Hadrian's Wall
Hadrian’s Wall is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the north of England. With construction starting in AD 122, during the rule of Emperor Hadrian, Hadrian’s Wall extends west, for 80 Roman miles (73 statute miles or 120 km), from Segedunum at Wallsend on the banks...
Walking
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This extensive area of gorge and river scenery, signposted off the A69 east of Bardon Mill. and managed by The National Trust, includes the 41-hectare (101-acre) Staward Peel Site of Special Scientific Interest. Allen Banks has miles of waymarked walks through ornamental and ancient woods where you may even...
Chesters Roman Fort
Featured
Forts and Castles
Location
Chesters Roman Fort is one of the most impressive visitor attractions on Hadrian's Wall and the best preserved Roman cavalary fort in Britain. Built almost 2000 years ago it housed a Roman army garrison who were guarding the nearby bridge across the River Tyne. You can imagine what life...
Museums
Location
The building of Hexham Gaol was ordered June 1330 making it the oldest purpose-built prison in England. It held prisoners captured in Hexhamshire - the area ruled over by the Archbishop of York - and his Bailiff and officials ran the Shire on his behalf from the nearby Moothall....
Museums
Location
Chesters Roman Fort is one of the most impressive visitor attractions on Hadrian's Wall and the best preserved Roman cavalary fort in Britain. Built almost 2000 years ago it housed a Roman army garrison who were guarding the nearby bridge across the River Tyne. You can imagine what life...
Museums
Location
Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery houses considerable collections of fine and decorative art, human history and natural sciences. A fusion of old and new awaits you, from the beautiful Old Tullie House, a classical Grade One Listed Jacobean building to the Border Galleries, full of exciting...
Shopping
Location
Metrocentre is Britain's best and Europe's largest shopping and leisure centre and it has everything you could possibly need for the perfect day out. With almost 330 shops including major department stores such as Debenhams, House of Fraser and Marks & Spencer, Metrocentre has something for everyone all under...
Shopping
Location
Creativity, Culture and Countryside. Set beside the Lake inspired by Capability Brown’s original plan, Kirkharle promises Creativity and Culture in the beautiful Northumbrian Countryside. Enjoy a great day out to explore the inspirational landscape and courtyard at the birthplace of the most...
Shopping
Location
Enviably situated in the heart of the Northumberland countryside, Otterburn Mill is a picturesque tourist attraction that combines a fabulous location, fantastic heritage, and famous brands, for a truly unforgettable day out. Easily accessible via the A69 and A68, Otterburn is situated just 25 miles north of Newcastle International...
Housesteads Roman Fort
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Forts and Castles
Location
Housesteads, known to the Romans as Vercovicium (the place of effective fighters) is the most complete Roman fort in Britain. Set at one of the highest points of Hadrian’s Wall where it climbs to the top of an escarpment, the remains not only convey the spirit of the past...
Walking
Location
Talkin Tarn Country Park, close to the historic market town of Brampton, nestles in a 165 acre site, containing a glacial tarn surrounded by mature woodland and gentle meadows with the stunning Pennine Hills as a backdrop. The Tarn has a 1.3 mile circular path that...
Aydon Castle
Featured
Forts and Castles
Location
Aydon Castle Tucked away just one mile from the village of Corbridge is Aydon Castle, the perfect location for a family day out. Almost completely intact, it is one of the finest and most unaltered examples of a 13th century English manor house. Set in a...
46 results - showing 1 - 46