The Best Outdoor Days Out for Families in the North East
Go outdoors with your family this spring
HAMSTERLEY FOREST
County Durham’s largest forest, Hamsterley spans 2,000 hectares along the side of a sheltered valley. There’s plenty to do in the green oasis, including walking trails for varying abilities, wooden adventure play structures, stargazing amongst the trees and even mountain biking. Bring your own lunch and enjoy a picnic, and make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the Gruffalo!
Bedburn, Hamsterley DL13 3NL
01388 488312
forestryengland.uk
LILIDOREI
The largest play structure in the world, Lilidorei is a magical kingdom home to nine invisible clans, who are ruled over by Lord Elfwin in the tower at the top of Elfwin Drin. Children’s imaginations can run wild as they interact with soundscapes and actors called Secret Keepers to create their own story. Visitors can fuel up at the Groggery, with a savoury hut offering barbecue sausages, mac and cheese or fried spiral potatoes, and a sweet hut with fresh churros and ice cream. Or for something lighter, head to the Magic Muffin to choose from a range of homemade magical muffins.
The Alnwick Garden, Gardeners Cottage, Greenwell Road, Alnwick NE66 1HB
01665 511350
lilidoreialnwick.co.uk
DIGGERLAND
Fun for all the family, Diggerland is a theme park which focuses entirely around the big yellow vehicles. Thrill-seek on the Spindizzy and Groundshuttle rides, dig for buried treasure or put hand-eye coordination to the test with a game of skittles or dippy ducks in a digger. Little ones can ride the mini Landrovers and older kids can drive their own Joyrider police car, and everyone will love a trip on the Safari SUV.
Langley Park, Durham DH7 9TT
01634 711711
diggerland.com
GO APE MATFEN
Go Ape Matfen is an adrenaline-fuelled adventure through the beautiful scenery. The treetop challenge is an exhilarating course, featuring five loops, a Tarzan swing and zip wires, as well as obstacles and crossings to navigate. If you’d rather stay on solid ground, there’s also axe throwing to try out with a trained instructor.
Newcastle NE20 0RH
01603 895500
goape.co.uk
THE PLOTTERS’ FOREST
Let the kids run free in Raby Castle’s immersive adventure playground within their Christmas tree plantation, where they can climb, slide, jump and generally run amok. Various themed trails take place throughout year to keep children busy, and parents can relax among the treetops on the deck of the Plotters’ Pantry.
Staindrop DL2 3NF
01833 660888
raby.co.uk
ADVENTURE VALLEY
Adventure Valley is the North East’s biggest adventure park, with plenty to do for everyone. The multi-tiered indoor soft play covers 18,000 square feet and outside, there’s adventure golf, tractor rides, go karts, playgrounds and a roller disco. There are also plenty of animals to meet, from farmyard friends to birds in the Sweet Tweets aviary.
Union Hall, Durham DH1 5SG
0191 386 8291
adventurevalley.co.uk
TEES BARRAGE INTERNATIONAL WHITE WATER CENTRE
It’s all about wet, wild fun at Tees Barrage, with so many activities on offer. Feel the adrenaline with white water rafting or get hands-on with raft building. Paddleboarding and surfing are also on offer, or if you don’t fancy getting drenched, try bell boating or the Air Trail adventure course.
Tees Barrage Way, Stockton TS18 2QW
01642 678000
tbiwwc.com
FARNE ISLANDS
You can find the most famous seabird sanctuary in the British Isles off the Northumberland coast at the rocky Farne Islands. Take a boat tour from Seahouses harbour for a chance to see the adorable colony of grey seals that live on the island, plus puffins and perhaps even dolphins. On-board wildlife guides are happy to help with any questions you might have.
01665 721667
farneislandstours.co.uk
RSPB SALTHOLME
A family-friendly wetland reserve that’s perfect for birdwatching beginners, RSPB Saltholme features a fantastic visitor centre, bird hides and accessible trails. The visitor centre’s viewing gallery puts watchers in the heart of the action and helps them get closer to wildlife, and there are countless pools, wetlands, grasslands and a meadow to explore.
Saltholme, Seaton Carew Road, Middlesbrough TS2 1TU
01642 546625
rspb.org
KIELDER OBSERVATORY
Sitting beneath some of the darkest skies in England, Kielder Observatory is the perfect location to look skywards. Events are run most evenings by a passionate team of astronomers, and from early events for children, to late-night ones for night owls, there’s something for all knowledge levels – and the team will make sure you leave far more educated about the wonders of the night sky.
Black Fell, Off Shilling Pot, Kielder NE48 1EJ
0191 265 5510
kielderobservatory.org
