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When it comes to family breaks few destinations have what it takes to keep all the family happy. Whether you’re looking for traditional seaside fun, interactive family attractions set in cosmopolitan city centres or wide open space to enjoy bracing sea air and fresh country landscapes, NewcastleGateshead and Tyne and Wear has it all by the bucket and spade full.
Discount Deals at top family attractions
The Discover Pass offers fantastic discounts and deals at more than 60 of the area’s top attractions. Costing just £2, Discover offers include buy 1 get 1 free on admissions, discounts in cafe’s and gift shops, free child entry and much more.
Discover is available from Tourist Information Centres across Tyne and Wear and can also be purchased online. Details of all participating attractions and offers can be viewed at www.discoverpass.co.uk
Seven Stories : Centre for Children’s Books, Ouseburn, Newcastle
Located under Byker Bridge in Newcastle’s Ouseburn Valley, this unique museum for children’s books is dedicated to the pleasure and fascination of reading. The heart of Seven Stories is an impressive collection of original artwork and manuscripts from famous children’s authors and illustrators. Varied exhibitions and a huge range of drop-in family activities form just a small part of the changing programme of events, inspiring creative writing fun for all ages. Past highlights include talks from Jaqueline Wilson, the creator of the well loved children’s character, Tracey Beaker Charlie and Lola. and an exhibition focussing on the work of Lauren Childs, creator of
£5.50 adult, £4.50 child, £16.00 family
Discover Pass: Children go free with a full paying adult
www.sevenstories.org.uk
This attraction has been reviewed on familiesrecommend.co.uk - click here to read
Life Science Centre, Times Square, Newcastle
Find out more about the origins of human life and explore the ancestors of the human race. The Dome, a huge immersive planetarium, shows various films on enthralling science topics which are both entertaining for younger children and interesting for adults and older kids too. Join the Life theatre where amazing experiments take place pushing the boundaries of science and generally causing a whole mess of fun.
From 22 May – 31 October Dr Who will be parking his Tardis in a special exhibition showcasing the popular BBC series. Come face to face with monsters, spectacular props and costumes from the hit show. This fantastic opportunity gives visitors the chance to see genuine items and monsters from the show including the Ood, Cybermen and Daleks. Tickets must be booked in advance.
£7.65 adult, £5.55 child over 4, FREE child under 4, £23.10 family ticket
Discover Pass: Children go free with a full paying adult
www.life.org.uk
This attraction has been reviewed on familiesrecommend.co.uk - click here to read
Great North Museum, Barras Bridge, Newcastle and Discovery Museum, Blandford Square, Newcastle
Two of the most popular museums in NewcastleGateshead - Great North Museum and Discovery Museum - form part of the network of museums and galleries managed by Tyne and Wear Museums. Great North Museum is the newest attraction to open in the city and has attracted more than 650,000 visitors since opening its doors in May 2009. At its heart, a large scale interactive model of Hadrian’s Wall takes visitors through the area’s fascinating Roman History, showcasing the life of Roman soldiers and their families living along the wall 2,000 years ago. Interactive exhibits let children discover the wonder of the natural world from huge animal freezes to fossils. Also discover the wonder of Ancient Egypt, complete with mummies and the ancient world of the Dinosaurs.
Find out more about life on Tyneside at the Discovery Museum; packed full with interactive displays to learn and have fun. See the world’s first boat to be powered by steam - Turbinia – and travel back in time to see how life on Tyneside has changed.
Both FREE entry
www.twmuseums.org.uk/greatnorthmuseum
www.twmuseums.org.uk/discovery
BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Baltic Square, Gateshead Quays
Located on Gateshead Quays, BALTIC is one of Europe’s most exciting contemporary art galleries. Unlike other galleries BALTIC has no permanent collection, presenting instead a dynamic and ambitious programme of exhibition and events including a range of interactive and creative workshops for children from toddlers to teens.
Busy B’s takes place each Saturday and Sunday, totally hassle free, there’s no need to book – just drop-in and get stuck in to activities for young artists inspired by current exhibitions. Suitable for children 13 years and under with their families, toddlers are especially welcome to BALTIC on Tuesdays when a BALTIC artist leads a practical session using a variety of materials, colours, shapes and textures. Activities are aimed at children aged 2-4 years old, but the session is open to all under 4 year olds.
FREE entry to gallery, some workshops require booking and payment
www.balticmill.com
Further afield
Blue Reef Aquarium, Grand Parade, Tynemouth
A great undersea adventure for the whole family located on the sea front at Tynemouth on Newcastle’s coast. Over 40 living displays show the variety of aquatic life, including giant crabs, lobsters and seahorses – and even tropical sharks! Learn more about life in the deep and revel as the magnificent seal cove comes to life at feeding time.
New for 2010, Amazing Amazon displays tropical plants and lets visitors get up close to some very cheeky monkeys!
£7.95 adult, £5.95 child (aged 3-14), £25.80 family
Discover: Buy one get one free entry
www.bluereefaquarium.co.uk
This attraction has been reviewed on familiesrecommend.co.uk - click here to read
Segedunum Roman Fort, Baths & Museum, Buddle Street, Wallsend
Gain insight into everyday life of a Roman soldier 2,000 years ago at Segedunum Roman Fort situated at the gateway to Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site. Segedunum was once home to over 600 soldiers and was built in AD122. A viewing tour offers a great view over the excavated site and the reconstructed Roman Bath and an interactive museum showcases exciting objects from the excavation. Various events take place throughout school holiday periods and at weekends, where Maximus the Roman Soldier is on hand to show kids what life was like.
£4.25 adult, FREE child under 16
Discover: Buy one get one free entry
www.twmuseums.org.uk/segedunum
St Mary’s Island and Lighthouse, Whitley Bay
Reached between the tides via a short causeway, the lighthouse has all the fascination of a miniature, part-time island. Visitors can climb the 137 steps to the top of the lighthouse. Perfect for young children with enquiring minds, organised rock pool rambles help youngsters explore the natural wonders of the surrounding North Sea and nature reserve.
£2.30 adult, £1.20 child to climb the lighthouse
£1.60 children and adults guided walk and rock pool ramble
Discover Pass: Children go free with a full paying adult
www.friendsofstmarysisland.co.uk
Washington Wetland Centre, Pattinson, Washington
Open 364 days a year this stunning conservation site with more than 45 hectares of wetland, woodland and wildlife is home to exotic waterbirds, wild water flora and offers beautiful sceneries. Stop at the Splash Zone or at the amazing breeding colony of the colourful Chilean flamingos.
£7.95 adult, £4.00 child (aged 4-16), FREE Child under 4
Discover: Buy one get one free entry
www.wwt.org.uk/visit-us/washington
Down at the Farm, Stoneygate, Houghton le Spring, Sunderland
A real working farm experience the whole family can enjoy, home to native animals like ducks, hedgehogs and lambs, the farm is also the place to visit for up close encounters with personalities like Zena the 17ft Python, Twinkle the Reindeer and Bonnie and Clyde the Raccoons.
£5.00 adult, £4.75 child over 2, £2.50 child under 2, £16.00 family
Discover: Free adult entry
www.downatthefarm.co.ukwww.downatthefarm.co.uk
Ocean Beach Pleasure Park and Dunes Adventure Island, Sea Road, South Shields
Complete with ten pin bowling for the whole family, while younger children can explore Captain Dunes Galleon soft play area at Dunes Adventure Island. Next door Ocean Beach Pleasure Park has all you’d expect from a quintessential English seaside fairground. Step back in time and indulge in pure nostalgia, with rides for kids of all ages, have a go at hook the duck and win a prize from the coconut shy, all just a stone’s through from the blue flag Sand Haven beach
Discover: Buy one get one free bowling and soft plat at Dunes Adventure Island, £25 of riding tokens for £15 at Ocean Beach Pleasure Park
www.dunesadventureisland.co.uk
www.oceanbeach.co.uk
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