The Cheapest North East Light Trails 2025

This post contains adverts. 

Just to let you know, the light trail at Gibside has now ended and they will be sharing a more traditional Christmas experience this year. 

The Best Santa Experiences in North East England

This post is an advert. 

Over the past 13 years, we have visited many, many Santas. In our house, we believe that you only meet the real Father Christmas once and you never know when that will be. All of the others are just helpers.

While I do believe that we shouldn't put too much pressure on ourselves to book the best Santa or feel like we have to, it is still a question that comes up time and time again so I thought I would share some ideas for where to book this year. 

54 FREE Activities for October Half Term 2025 (North East England)

1 - FREE Halloween Treasure Hunt with FREE Trick or Treat Lucky Dip at PlantsPlus Garden Centre (nr Ponteland)

2 - FREE Monster Trail with FREE Sweet Treat at Druridge Bay Country Park

3 - FREE Ghost Trail with FREE Sweet Treat at Tyne Riverside Country Park

(ad) Where to See Santa in Newcastle Upon Tyne 2025

This post shares some of the best places to see Santa in Newcastle Upon Tyne in 2025. Of course, there is only one Santa but did you know he pops up across the city in lots of different forms? 

This year you can meet Geordie Santa, Scientist Santa, Storytelling Santa and more......

If you're looking for more festive ideas, make sure you check out this post too: 20+ North East Christmas Events to Book Now 

1 - 🧑‍🎄🖤🤍 The Geordie Santa

📍A Canny Christmas Grotto at Discovery Museum, Newcastle
🫰 £16.99 per person when you use the limited earlybird code JOLLYROBIN (£18.99 thereafter)

Includes: A hot chocolate, sweet treat and festive crafts for all in attendance plus a personal visit for your group to Santa’s Geordie Grotto with Black & White elves and a gift for every child. A 40 minute experience and you’re welcome to enjoy the rest of the museum before and after your experience (within opening hours).

🎟️Book here: https://www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/discoverymuseum/whats-on/a-canny-christmas-grotto

What's On for Kids - October (+ Half Term) | North East England

This post contains adverts and affiliate links. Always check t&cs direct with venue when booking events and deals and check details with attractions direct before heading out as info can change. You can do this by clicking the blue links in the post. 

If you're looking for more ideas for days out, why not join our FREE days out Facebook group here. 

Please note, Half Term dates do vary depending on your county/school so make sure you double check before booking or planning everything. 

20 Halloween & October Half Term Events in North East England

This post is an advertisement. Please always double check info with venues direct when booking and heading out as details can change. 

Please also check out the following posts: 

• A Guide to pumpkin picking in North East England  (will be updated for 2025 soon)
  
  

 

What's On in the North East for Kids & Teens : September 2025

Always check details with venues direct before heading out as info, dates and timings can change. Please also check age guidance and whether you need to book ahead. You can do this by clicking the blue links in the post. 

Let's take a look at what's on this month.......

(ad) 20+ Christmas Events for Kids across North East England

Advert - This post contains adverts and affiliate links. This post is currently in the process of being updated. Please check back soon. 

Pick Your Own Pumpkins within a 90 Minute Drive of Newcastle Upon Tyne

This post has been updated to include pumpkin patches in 2025. 
 

What's On in the North East for Kids & Teens : August 2025

Welcome to our bumper guide to what's on in August. I hope you all have a lush month and that we're hopefully treated to some lovely weather too. 

We Love Woodhorn Museum

 This is an advert for July 2025. Any shares / edits beyond this date have not been asked or paid for. 

We absolutely love Woodhorn Museum. It's a place we always buy an annual pass for and visit regularly. Here are just a few reasons we love this place: 

• FREE for under 18s 
• An adult annual pass is super reasonable at £11 per year 
• Perfect all-weather attraction with indoor and outdoor areas 
• Fantastic multi-sensory playground and sensory garden 
• It's super accessible with lots of facilities including wheelchair hire and changing places toilet
• The museum hosts school holiday activities and special events across the year - most are included at no additional cost 
• The museum is an important part of our history and share's our mining heritage in a fun and hands-on way 
• Pet dogs on leads welcome in the grounds, outbuildings and outdoor terrace of the cafe 
• FREE on site parking 
• The staff and volunteers are some of the friendliest you will meet 

Summer Holidays in North East England : Our Top Picks

 This is an advert for July 2025. Any amendments / reshares after this date have not been asked or paid for. As always, please double check information with venues direct before heading out as details can change and events can be cancelled. You can do this by clicking the links in the post. 

Kynren 2025 : 5 Reasons to Book (+ Discount Code)

AD - This is an advert for July 2025. Any edits / reshares after this date have not been asked or paid for. 

Kynren is a multi-award winning live action show that showcases 2000 years of English history over 29 stunning scenes. With a passionate cast & crew of over 1000 volunteers & 150 animals set across a 7.5 acre stage, it's a grand scale production like nothing else in the UK. 

What's On in the North East for Kids & Teens : July 2025

 This post was published in July 2025. As always, please check details with venues direct before heading out as info can change and cancellations are possible. You can do that by clicking the links in this post. 

Hello July! 

I have decided to split my Summer Holiday What's On Guide across July and August this year as quite frankly, they are just becoming too big to cover the full six weeks. Look out for August's guide towards the end of July. 

5 Reasons to Visit Parc Astérix French Amusement Park

This is an advert for June 2025. Any edits / shares beyond this date have not been asked or paid for.

5 Reasons to Visit Parc Astérix French Amusement Park 

Parc Astérix is an award-winning French amusement park within easy reach of Paris. It’s packed with over 50 attractions and shows split across 6 zones:

-Gaul
-The Roman Empire
-Ancient Greece
-Egypt
-The Vikings
-Through Time

Blyth Celebrates: Free Festivals & Family Fun

This is an advert for June 2025 - March 2026. Any edits / shares beyond this date have not been asked or paid for. As always, events can change so it's important you check up-to-date details with venues direct before setting off. You can do that here: https://www.greatnorthumberland.co.uk/

From August 2025 - March 2026, Blyth Town Centre will come alive with a huge programme of FREE events, festivals, creative experiences, performances, activities and more as part of Blyth Celebrates.

I am SO excited to share an initial outline of the programme with you and some dates for your diary. There is loads to look forward to. 

The Museum of Classic Sci-Fi in Northumberland

This post & photos is based on a visit in Spring 2024. Information can change so do check with the museum direct for updated info before heading out, especially regarding pricing and opening hours. You can do that here: https://www.museumofclassicsci-fi.com/

My husband Steve is a Sci-Fi fan but I would say my son Harry is even more obsessed. We're talking the kind who subscribes to Sci-Fi comics and listens to rare episodes of Doctor Who via podcasts. So I knew we had to pay a visit to The Museum of Classic Sci-Fi which is based in the small village of Allendale, Northumberland. 

What's On in the North East for Kids & Teens | June 2025

This post was published in June 2025. Please check with venues direct for the most up to date info when making plans as info can change over time. 

Welcome to your bumper guide to what's on in June! 

(ad) Half Price Flamingo Land Tickets 

🌟 This is a super limited restock of this deal - buy now and use your voucher on any day from now until November during normal park opening dates INCLUDING the summer hols

👉 Get this cracking deal here: https://ashms.co/r/W1OQC

✅Suitable for 4 people aged 4+, this deal is perfect to enjoy this weekend or save as an end of term / school holiday treat. Booking is nice and simple, just follow the instructions in the link

If it’s been a while since your last trip, here’s just some of the fun that’s included:

☀️Dino Stone Park with 5 Dinosaur themed rides and a Dinosaur themed Playground with Moving Dinosaurs and a Dino Dig Area

☀️A Zoo with over 140 species including White Rhinos, African Lions and a Baby Hippo

☀️ Daily Keeper Talks

☀️ Peter Rabbit Adventure Playground & Character Appearances & Show

☀️ Daily Live Pirate Shows

☀️ Children’s Planet Adventure Area with Animal Talks & Handling Sessions

☀️ Lots of Thrill Rides including Sik and Velocity

☀️ Family Rides including Mischief Mansion and Voodoo

☀️ Kids Rides including Frog Hopper and an indoor boat themed Soft Play Area

☀️ Zoo Monorail and Mini Trail

& lots more!

Make sure you check the t&cs and height restrictions. Attractions may close in bad weather / for maintenance.

👉 Get this cracking deal here: https://ashms.co/r/W1OQC

(ad) FREE Discover Fest at Newcastle University (7 June) 

Newcastle University's FREE Discover Fest returns on 7 June. There are over 60 fun and free drop in activities to try across campus including: 

• Take part in a Chemistry session 
• Build a floating eco-system on the Tyne with LEGO
• Try mind-controlling machines 
• Control a bionic arm 
• Drop in art workshops 
• 'How to Survive an Apocolypse' mini family lecture
• Graduation dress up, face painting and bubble fun for little ones 
• Try Pickleball with Newcastle University Sports Department 
• Campus treasure hunt 
• Try state-of-the-art sports testing 
• Compete against a self-driving car on the Robo Rally Track 

NEW Lightbox at Science at Life

This is an advert for May 2025. Any shares / edits beyond this date have not been asked or paid for. This post was published in May 2025. Always check with venue before heading out as facilities / info can change over time. 

Lightbox is a brand new collection of hands on and interactive activities which have been designed with fun in mind by artists and game studios. Expect everything from tornados and lasers to sound experiments and family challenges. You won't find anything like this anywhere else in the North East. 

Lightbox is included with centre admission and although officially recommended for ages 7+, I think it's suitable and fun for all ages. It's always best to pre-book admission to Science at Life (for the best prices and to guarantee entry) but once inside, you can drop into Lightbox as often as you like across the day. 

Find out more, check opening hours and book: https://www.life.org.uk/

A Weekend in Rome (flying from Newcastle)

This post is based on a trip in October 2024 that was planned and paid for by ourselves. Please check with venues direct for the most up to date info. AD - the links in this post are affiliate links. 

Why Rome? Well our eldest son Harry has always loved history, especially ancient history and Rome has been somewhere he's wanted to visit in a very long time. It's so expensive though and trying to plan a trip for all 5 of us was just out of budget for us and didn't seem like a good use of our money when our other two children weren't particularly bothered about going. 

10 Reasons I Love Whitehouse Farm

This is an advert for May 2025. All words are our own. Any edits / shares beyond this date have not been asked or paid for. Photos in this post are from our various visits over the past 20 years, please check with Whitehouse Farm direct for the most up-to-date info.

We absolutely love a day out at Whitehouse Farm and it has been a much-loved family day out for us for over 20 years. It's somewhere that's always striving to provide the very best day out for visitors and is just a lush local family business. 

5 Reasons to Visit Discovery Museum with Pre-Schoolers

 This is an advert for May 2025. Any edits / shares beyond this date have not been asked or paid for. 

Discovery Museum in Newcastle is conveniently located just a short walk from Newcastle Central Station and is an ideal day out by train or Metro. It's a brilliant museum for all ages and one of my favourites but this article is specifically going to focus on why I think it's fantastic for pre-schoolers. 

7 Reasons to Visit Great North Museum : Hancock

This is an advert for May 2025. Any edits / shares beyond this date have not been asked or paid for. 

Great North Museum is a free-to-visit museum in the heart of the city of Newcastle Upon Tyne. There's lots to explore and it's a fab place to spend a few hours with children of all ages (and it has to be said, I enjoy visiting as an adult too). 

May 2025 : What's On for Kids & Teens across North East England (+ Half Term)

ADVERT. This post contains adverts & affiliate links. Please always check with venues direct for the most up-to-date information before setting off, especially regarding dates/times, age guidance and whether booking is required. This info is subject to change. 

Sign up to receive my FREE what's on emails

What's On for Kids & Teens in North East England | Easter & April 2025

AD. - This post contains adverts & affiliate links. Please always double check informtion with venues direct before setting off as things can change. 

Brainstorm Review

Ad - this is an advert for March 2025. Any shares / edits beyond this date have not been asked or paid for. We were provided with press tickets to watch this show - all thoughts and opinions are our own. 

DFDS Newcastle - Amsterdam Mini Cruise : Your Questions Answered

Disclosure - This post is based on 10+ trips I have taken along this route myself (a mix of trips I have paid for myself and press trips). AD - The links in the posts are affiliate links. Information in this post is correct as of March 2025 and subject to change - always check with venues direct for the most up-to-date info and message DFDS if you're not sure. 

What's On in the North East for Kids & Teens | March 2025

 This post was published in March 2025. Events can and do change so it's really important to check with venues direct for the most up-to-date info before heading out. You can do this using the links in the post. AD - this post includes affiliate links. 

(ad) Book a Half Price Mini Cruise to Amsterdam 

HALF PRICE MINI CRUISES TO AMSTERDAM ARE BACK - EASTER HOLIDAY DATES AVAILABLE TO BOOK NOW

(ad) Check prices and book here: https://prf.hn/l/9OXVn4W/

Book before 14 April and travel between 6 March and 5 June to take advantage of this deal. Available from just £61pp (see screenshot below - make sure you check your own school's holiday dates).

I just checked a random date in the Easter Hols and it worked out at £61 per person based on a family of 4 including 2 nights onboard and transfers to and from Amsterdam from the boat.

North East National Trust : February Half Term What's On Guide

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 of things to do across North East National Trust sites this half term. 

Of course, if you're not a member, you can pay day admission and enjoy these days out too. Remember, under 5s go free. 

And if you're a regular National Trust visitor, I hope this post will provide some inspiration for somewhere new to try. 

North of the Tyne 

Wallington 

There are four play areas to enjoy at Wallington including a popular play train and fort and some lovely walks to enjoy with the family around the walled garden and along the river. 

Something pretty special is happening at Wallington. Since 2016, 100,000 snowdrops have been planted at Wallington every February half term and this February, their 1 millionth snowdrop will be planted. You can get involved and help plant the final 100,000 snowdrops every day between 11am and 3pm - just drop in. 

You can also join in with snowdrop crafts and create your very own snowdrop crown and join Wallington for their special snowdrop parade on 2 March. 

We have participated in this event in the past and I love that every February, we can return, admire the snowdrops and know we were part of the project. 

There's a cafe, free parking and several playgrounds on site. 

Find out more & check event timings: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/family-friendly


Seaton Delaval Hall 

Seaton Delaval Hall is our local National Trust site and the one we visit most. I have a real soft spot for it and if you've not visited before, I'd definitely recommend. It's a good option to keep in mind if the weather is changeable as there's quite a bit to do both indoors and outside. 

You can enjoy the Delaval Playdium (pictured), experiment with the mirrors and explore the hall's basement which is home to a surprise or two. Don't miss the epic upside down room, enjoy 'The Game of Seaton Delaval Hall' and peek through the hall's keyholes where another surprise awaits. 

Half term activities are based around the theme of 'For the Love of a Good Book'. Visitors can cosy up in reading corner, order your own bespoke poem from the pop up poetry takeaway, enjoy interactive storytime with local storytellers and follow a literary trail across the site where you can roll the dice and 'choose your own adventure'.

Activities along the trail include shadow puppet making, dressing up and nature poem writing. Sounds brill!  

You can easily visit Seaton Delaval Hall by public transport - there's a bus stop outside. Click here for more details.  There's a cafe, playground and free parking on site. 

Find out more & check event timings: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/family-friendly


Cragside 

If you've not visited Cragside House with children, I'd urge you to pop by. It's an ideal rainy day activity and really child-friendly. You can take part in a critter trail where you can hunt for giant bugs as you explore the house and learn more about the destruction they cause. 

Older children may enjoy the Smart trail where you're challenged to find 8 different objects that point to why Cragside was the original Smart Home. 

Under 5s can borrow a free explorer pack with a wooden camera to take pictures and a magnifying glass to take a closer look and don't miss the Electric Room (pictured) which is filled with weird and wonderful experiments. 

And of course, if the sun is shining, there's plenty to enjoy outdoors at Cragside with walks to try, a lovely traditional enclosed playground and den building zone. 

You can easily visit Cragside by public transport, Arriva's X14 pulls right into the entrance where you'll be greeted by a member of staff as you alight. There's a playground, cafe and free parking on site. 

Find out more: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/family-friendly

South of the Tyne 

Ormesby Hall 

Ormesby Hall is packed with lots of fun. Little ones will love the model railways in the hall and there's a natural playground with a balance see-saw and steppy stones to jump over as well as a bird hide and insect hotel. 

This February Half Term is storybook themed with a character trail around the house and garden (can you match the missing items to the correct character?). There's also a chance to plant your own beanstalk to take home and enjoy some storybook themed crafts. 

There's a series of drop-in creative workshops planned across the week too with interactive storytelling (22,23,24 Feb), creative writing workshops (25 & 26 Feb) and learn to draw workshops (27 & 28 Feb). 

Ormesby Hall is a nice day out by train - it's a 15 minute walk from Marton Station. You can visit by bus too. Click here for further details.  There's a cafe, natural playground and free parking on site. 

Find out more & check event timings: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/family-friendly


Crook Hall Gardens

Crook Hall is easy to reach on foot from Durham Centre or Train Station (a 10 minute walk along the river). If you're visiting Durham Fire & Ice, why not add a visit onto your day out? 

Crook Hall Gardens are the perfect place to take a little wander and spot the first signs of spring. There's a maze to explore and the gardens offer magnificent views across to Durham Cathedral. The Garden Gate Cafe is an ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a relaxing drink and slice of cake. 

Crook Hall Gardens is hosting various nature activities across half term including seed planting, make a bird feeder and make a bird box. And as an extra special treat, on 1 March, author Stacey Stoneman will be visiting the gardens and reading her debut children's book, The Wonderful Woodlouse. Stacey is happy to sign copies too. 

Find out more & check event timings: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/family-friendly

Souter Lighthouse 

Did you know, Souter Lighthouse was the first in the world to be powered by electricity? A visit is really interesting and you can discover more about life inside a lighthouse and how they work. You can also climb the 76 steps to the top and view Souter's lamp - the views are spectacular from up there. 

Over half term you can try a self-led bird spotter trail along the Leas. It's pushchair friendly too. 

Stagecoach bus E1 stops at the top of the lighthouse's drive and it's a nice walk (or stop off) here along the coast from Seaburn or South Shields. 

Find out more & check event timings: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/family-friendly


Gibside 

Gibside is somewhere you can easily spend a full day with family walks to try, the fabulous Strawberry Castle Play Area and Low Ropes Course. It's super dog friendly too and although dogs must be kept on a lead around the site, there's an enclosed dog exercise next to the Stables where they can be let off lead. 

Activities over February Half Term include a treasure hunt around the garden where you can collect letters and unscramble a word while taking part in nature-themed missions, you can join in with snowdrop planting and even create your own clay snail to take home on selected dates. 

The X45 bus stops at Rowlands Gill - a 15 minute walk from Gibside's entrance. 

Find out more & check event timings: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/family-friendly


Washington Old Hall 

The hall is best known for being the ancestral home of George Washington. If you haven't visited, it's definitely worth popping by. It's really interesting and you can learn a lot about the families who have lived here over the years. 

The walled garden is beautiful and you'll find a Cherry Blossom Tree here planted in memory of 9/11.

Children will enjoy the small play area and mini apple orchard. 

Over half term you can pick up a bird spotter trail and see how many birds you can spot in the garden. There's also a chance to build your own bird box to take home. 

Bus services from Gateshead stop just 2 minutes from Washington Old Hall's entrance. 

Find out more & check event timings: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/family-friendly


Lindisfarne Castle 

Lindisfarne Castle is a truly magical place and re-opens after it's winter break on 1 March - perfect to save as a last adventure before heading back to school. There's an I-Spy Trail running through the castle, you can spot seals over at Sugar Sands from the rooftop and there's a family-friendly art installation. Do check tide times for Holy Island and leave plenty of time to cross. 

Hadrian's Wall 

Did you know you can visit Housesteads Roman Fort with your National Trust membership? It's one of the best places to see a long stretch of the wall and really learn more about Roman life here. There's a small museum, lovely cafe and a small play area for kids too. Don't miss the Roman toilets! 


Wow! There's loads going on isn't there. You could easily fill a week with all of the activities available. Please do remember to check event timings using the links provided as not all activities take place on every day. 

How to Spend a FREE Day Out in Middlesbrough

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. 

Merchant's House, Eyemouth Review (sleeps 11)

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 Berwick-upon-Tweed, and is more than big enough for family get-togethers - it sleeps 11!

Alnwick Garden & Lilidorei Light Trail Review & Tips

 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 same evening with just one ticket. 

How to spend a FREE day out in Durham City

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.

North East Walks & Trails to Enjoy this February

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