About & Work with Us


Hello and thanks for stopping by. On this page, you'll find a snapshot of my key stats and a little bit about our family and this website.

If you'd like to discuss working together, please email Sam@NorthEastFamilyFun.co.uk.





North East Family Fun is an award-winning website and go-to resource sharing ideas for things to do, places to visit and dine plus holiday and staycation reviews alongside family life with tweens, teens and a dog across North East England and beyond.

Established in 2012, owners Sam and Steve manage North East Family Fun as a full time business and have worked with many top brands over the years including English Heritage, Visit Orlando, Visit Durham, Visit Falkirk, Merlin, Tyne & Wear Museums, Northumberland Museums, Beamish, DFDS Seaways, Northumbrian Water, National Trust, Disney On Ice, Center Parcs and LNER.

North East Family Fun is currently listed as UK’s #10 Parent Blog by Vuelio.

Key Stats (November 2022)

Monthly Website Views = 150,000
Total Social Media Followers = 151,500
Monthly Social Media Reach = 1,000,000+

Previous Clients Include: 




Meet the Team

Samantha Rickelton


Hello - I’m Sam (business owner). I launched North East Family Fun in 2012 and it has been my full time business for 6 years now. 


I live in Cramlington, Northumberland with my husband Steve, our Cockapoo Fozzy and three children Harry (15), Dee (13) and Jack (11). We love the great outdoors, good food, sharing hidden gems/new experiences and dog-friendly adventures. Steven Rickelton
Hello, I'm Steve (Sam's husband). I am the team's resident food writer and share local restaurant reviews alongside delicious family recipes to try.


Jennifer Storey

Hi, I'm Jen, or more commonly known as 'mum' to my two wild ones; Lily Rose (6) and Thomas (3). 


We live in Newcastle, where I work part-time as a breastfeeding practitioner; a role which I am really passionate about. In our free time we love getting out and about and exploring the North East and beyond together.


Thomas was very aptly named as he LOVES his namesake (of the tank engine variety), plus anything else vehicle related for that matter. Lily Rose loves animals (in fact, she regularly informs me that she is actually half cat). 


If I'm honest, I'm a big kid myself, and love getting stuck in at the soft play, or swishy swashying through the long grass on a bear hunt. That said, I do also enjoy activities that allow me to quietly 'observe' whilst enjoying a cuppa. Examples of Jennifer's work include this review of Jungle Jack's and this review of Trainmaster North East.


Bethanie Wardell


Hi, I’m Bethanie. After working in Early Years for over a decade, I turned my attention to the things I really love in life: family, writing and travel. I’m an experienced blogger, author, freelance writer and mum to three (aged 1, 5 and 8 years). In no particular order my hobbies include: reading, writing, long walks up a mountain, exploring new places and family film nights with hot chocolate. 


Examples of Bethanie's work include this feature of Sycamore Gap and this review of Bailiffgate Museum.


Gaia Hudson


Hi, I’m Gaia. I live in Durham with my husband Andy, our two kids Leon and Ada and chocolate Labrador Charlie who sometimes joins us on adventures.


  • Gaia's favourite things: Beach walks, coffee and cake in cosy cafes, training for the Great North Run

  • Leon's favourite things: Playing football, swimming, ice cream, fish and chips, crazy golf, training for the Mini GNR 

  • Ada's favourite things: Unicorns, Paw Patrol, soft play, building sand castles, dancing

Examples of Gaia's work include this review of Allensford Park and this review of Krazy Kingdom Soft Play.




A few of the lovely messages we have received from readers who have booked somewhere on our recommendation.......
































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