Northumberland, with its rolling plains, lush forests brimming with wildlife and amazing beaches, is a fantastic place to holiday with kids. There are plenty of activities in the area to keep hyperactive little ones entertained while the adults can enjoy some peace and quiet. Here are some great places to visit on incredible family outings in stunning Northumberland:
Alnwick Castle
Why would your kids not want to see the castle that stood in for Hogwarts in the Harry Potter movies? This spectacular building, the second largest inhabited castle in the UK, is also where they shot Downton Abbey, assuring that there’s plenty to see and do for both adults and kids alike. Kids can sign up for “broomstick training,” see a medieval alchemist at work, be entertained by court jesters and dress up as knights or princesses to go on an epic quest. Adults can marvel at one of the finest private art collections inside the castle, including works by Van Dyck and Meissen.
Brocksbushes Farm Shop & Tea Room
Instead of being holed up in your Northumberland hotel room, take your kids out to enjoy some fresh air and countryside beauty at this wonderful farm. In the summer months, the whole family can help pick fruits. Visit the farm during the spring half-term holidays to ride an enchanted tractor to a pumpkin patch to help a witch pick a magic pumpkin.
Prudhoe Waterworld
You will love Prudhoe for its numerous castles, and your kids, for the water park. Your little ones can enjoy adrenaline-pumping action with aqua slides, splash pools, water cannons, geysers, lane swimming and a family-friendly Jacuzzi. Kids under 8 can head to the Space Jack’s Adventure Soft Play area to battle space bashers and aliens through various obstructions into a huge ball pool. Adults can have fun at the massive modern gym, too.
Northumberland National Park
The ultimate wilderness getaway for families, introduce your kids to the jaw-dropping beauty and staggering biodiversity of northern England with an excursion to Northumberland National Park. Go on hikes to spot rare, native birds and feel being on top of the world at Cheviot or Simonside Hills. Go mountain biking, rock climbing, and best of all, horse riding with kids. Visitors can tour the historic, Roman-built Hadrian’s Wall that demarks the entrance to the park. Entrance is free.
Chillingham Park
Venture here to show your kids the world’s only surviving population of white wild cattle. These magnificent creatures survived in Northumberland for more than 700 years, until a harsh winter in 1947 almost made them extinct. Now, dedicated conservation efforts have raised the “fairy cow” numbers to 100. They roam free in the forests of Chillingham, and can be seem accompanied by a warden. The kids will love looking at adorable, fluffy white calves grazing with their mothers.
There are plenty of excellent accommodation options in the area if you want to turn your day trip into a longer one. With these tips you are sure to have a great time.
