Sunday fun for families in the North East

We’ve put together a list of fabulous family days out, ideal for keeping the kids entertained and enjoying our beautiful region too.

By Helen Bowman

A Sunday well-spent brings a week of content.

In such a busy world, family time is often limited. When it’s crucial to cram quality family time into a weekend, Sunday is often a day spent together after searching the area for fun, family days out.

We’ve put together a list of fabulous family days out, ideal for keeping the kids entertained and enjoying our beautiful region too.

Plessey Woods – Northumberland

Nestled between Newcastle and Morpeth, Plessey Woods is a firm favourite with families and dog walkers.

Featuring a maze of wooded pathways, studded with sculptures, streams, bridges and wildlife, Plessey Woods is fantastic for a quick leg stretch or a longer, more lingering day out in the fresh air.

There’s a gorgeous new wooden playground for younger children and loads of space to run around for the older ones. The café next to the play area is always a welcome stop off to warm up in the colder months.

Plessey Woods Country Park

Address: Shields Road, Plessey, Nr Bedlington, Northumberland, NE22 6HZ

Whitehouse Farm – Morpeth

Whitehouse Farm is a firm favourite in the North East. Home to hundreds of fascinating animals, Whitehouse Farm welcomes visitors all year round (see website for various opening times) to learn about farm animals, exotic creatures, birds of prey and reptiles.

There’s a soft play area, an adventure playground, trampolines and ride-on diggers to keep the kids entertained once they’ve seen all the animals.

Take a picnic and eat in the picnic barn or enjoy a hot meal in the cafeteria – you can stay all day.

Whitehouse Farm Centre

Address: North Whitehouse Farm, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 6AW

Beamish – County Durham

Visit once and have access for a whole year – and you’ll need to go back again and again to see everything that Beamish has to offer.

Since it opened back in 1970, Beamish Museum has been celebrating the history of the North East for 49 years. The museum holds various seasonal events throughout the year, so there’s always something new to discover.

Visit the shops, the colliery or Pockerley Old Hall to find out about life in the early 19th century.

Beamish Museum

Address: Beamish, County Durham, DH9 0RG

The Alnwick Garden

Like the Beamish Museum, one ticket purchase for Alnwick Gardens will give you access for a full 12 months.

A fabulous venue for special occasions, the Gardens changes its exhibits and features regularly, so no two visits are the same.

There are mazes and twisting paths, walled gardens and sculptures, water features and trails – loads to do for all ages.

The Alnwick Garden

Address: Greenwell Road, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1HB

Hamsterley Forest – County Durham

If the outdoors is your idea of a great family Sunday, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better location than Hamsterley Forest.

Nestled in the countryside of County Durham, visitors to the Forest can enjoy a sedate stroll around one of four walking trails, a leisurely cycle ride down one of the two cycling trails, a canter along one of the horse riding trails, a play in one of the play areas or a visit to the café for a warming drink and bolstering snack.

Depending on the time of year, there’s generally a themed trail for the kids to follow – as we go live, it’s a Shaun the Sheep Farmaggedon Glow Trail which encourages the kids to help Lu-La, the loveable alien.

Hamsterley Forest

Address: Bedburn, Hamsterley, DL13 3NL