10:00–12:00 (2h)
Farne Islands
Two-hour puffin and seabird cruise round the Farnes; dress warmly.
An outdoor family attraction in Seahouses, aimed at ages 4 and up.
Check pricesOutdoors
- Accessibility
- Parking
Photo: Pontificalibus
In puffin season, sail from Seahouses harbour round the Farne Islands to see puffins, other seabirds and grey seals. Refuel on fish and chips by the harbour, then spend the afternoon wandering the gardens and arboretum at Howick.
One dayAges 8–12Sunny dayCost £££10:00–16:303 stops
The plan
- 10:001
- 12:102
Food stop · 12:10–13:10 (1h)
Neptune Fish Restaurant
Fish and chips and an ice cream near the harbour.
A long-standing family-run fish and chip restaurant and takeaway near Seahouses harbour, with its own ice cream and coffee parlour. Handy for refuelling before or after a Farne Islands boat trip.
Photo: DS Pugh
- 13:453
Nature & gardens · 13:45–16:30 (2h45m)
Howick Hall Gardens & Arboretum
Gardens, arboretum and burn-side paths at a gentle pace.
The gardens and large arboretum of the Grey family estate near the coast, where Earl Grey tea is said to have been first blended. Families can roam woodland and riverside paths, and a burn-side path heads down towards the sea at Howick; the Earl Grey Tea House serves garden visitors.
PaidOutdoors- Café on site
- Accessibility
- Parking
Photo: John Nicholson
More days out in North East
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Berwick-upon-Tweed / Holy Island
Cross the tidal causeway to the red-sandstone ruins of Lindisfarne Priory, then walk the top of Berwick's Elizabethan town walls above the Tweed. Inland, watch a water-powered corn mill grinding flour and explore a small free border castle in Etal village.
Lindisfarne Priory → Berwick-upon-Tweed Castle and Ramparts → Heatherslaw Corn Mill → Etal Castle
One dayAges 8–12Cost £
North EastHartlepool warship, Headland battery and Seaton Carew sands
Hartlepool
Go below decks on Britain's oldest warship still afloat at a recreated Georgian quayside, then visit the Headland gun battery that faced the 1914 German bombardment. On summer-holiday afternoons, cool off in the water play zone at Seaton Carew.
HMS Trincomalee 1817 → Heugh Battery Museum → Seaton Carew Beach
One dayAges 8–12Sunny dayCost ££
North EastSteam train, Causey Arch and the Derwent Walk
Marley Hill / Stanley
On a running day, ride Victorian carriages behind a steam engine on the world's oldest railway, which passes the Causey Arch gorge. Then picnic beside the arch itself and finish with a flat stroll or scoot on the old railway path along the Derwent.
Tanfield Railway → Causey Arch Picnic Area → Derwent Walk Country Park
One dayAges 3–7Cost £