Yorkshire Sculpture Park - Top Tips for Visiting

This post is based on a visit in August 2020. 

A budget-friendly day out in Yorkshire. Perfect for those who enjoy long walks in beautiful countryside with various modern sculptures to enjoy. Lots of space, open loos, dogs welcome on leads and a fabulous spot for a picnic. 

Yorkshire Sculpture Park has always been on my list of places to visit but we have just never made it. My friend posted a few photos from her visit last week on Facebook though and I was sold. It looked fab so I booked us tickets. It is just under a 2 hour easy drive from Newcastle straight down the A1. 

Is it Worth Visiting Seaton Delaval Hall this Summer?

This post was first published in August 2020.

Beautiful gardens near Whitley Bay with a surprise around every corner. Perfect for a stroll (many areas are suitable for a pushchair) or as a place for little ones to run about. You can grab a coffee / ice cream from the kiosk and toilets are open. Dogs are welcome on leads. 

Tyne Green Park Hexham | Playground, Accessible Walk & Picnic Spot

This post was first published in July 2020. 

A beautiful walk, suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs, cycling and scooters with open public toilets, an ice cream van, large play area and lots of space for ball games and picnics. Free parking & accessible by public transport. 

15+ Places To Stop Off When Driving South From Newcastle

I am not the biggest fan of service stations - they are generally soulless places with overpriced fast food, queues for loos and busy outlets. I always try and find a service station alternative where I can and this is where National Trust and English Heritage membership can come into its own.

Below are a few suggestions for places to stop off if you are driving South from Newcastle. Prices & info correct as of July 2020. Always check up-to-date information direct before setting off. During the pandemic, a lot of these places will require pre-booking. 

30+ North East Farms & Animal Attractions

Prices and info correct July 2020. With the ongoing pandemic, some of these attractions may be closed at the moment or running a reduced offering. Many will require pre-booking. Always check for up-to-date information with an attraction direct before setting off. 

 

We have over 30 animal attractions here in North East England. I have popped the most popular ones together in one post and organised them into price brackets. There is something for everyone from free attractions to personal VIP animal experiences. 

Let me know your favourite animal attractions in the North East. 

Auckland Castle Deer Park Review

Disclosure - I visited Auckland Castle Deer Park as part of my research for another paid project. This post has not been paid/asked for. 

Our local woods (Plessey Woods) are lovely but also super popular. If there is the slightest bit of sunshine, you can guarantee the car park will fill up fast. It is a big place and ok to socially distance once in there but some of the first few paths can still get busy. 

I have made it my mission to try and discover woodland areas which are a little quieter this summer. So far I have featured Ford & Etal,  Belsay Hall,  Causey Arch,  Bedlington Country Park, East Cramlington Nature Reserve  and Queen Elizabeth II Country Park. All significantly quieter than Plessey Woods. 

Northumberland College Zoo Review

We visited in July 2020 when some Coronavirus restrictions were still in place.  

Kirkley Hall Zoological Gardens has recently re-branded to Northumberland College Zoo. I do not know the reason behind this change and reckon lots of people will get mixed up with the other Northumberland Zoo further up the A1. Whatever the reason, it was a good excuse for us to revisit - the last time we blogged about Kirkley Hall was back in 2014!

If you are visiting during summer 2020, tickets should be pre-booked online. Their family deal is such good value if you are a family of 5 like us as it works out at just £4.30 per person which is a proper bargain.