Hartlepool
HMS Trincomalee 1817 · Photo: Mat Fascione
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.
Museum · 10:30–13:15 (2h45m)
HMS Trincomalee, the pirates exhibition and the outdoor play ship; lunch at the quayside coffee shop.
An outdoor museum in Hartlepool, aimed at ages 9 and up.
Photo: Mat Fascione
Museum · 13:30–15:15 (1h45m)
Pay-what-you-decide gun battery with magazines and an observation tower; last entry 15:30.
A restored Victorian coastal gun battery on Hartlepool's Headland, site of the 1914 German naval bombardment, with guns, underground magazines and an observation tower. Entry is pay-what-you-decide and the Poppy Tea Rooms are on site; the Headland promenade is right outside.
Photo: Andrew Curtis
Nature & gardens · 15:35–17:00 (1h25m)
SEASONAL: summer-holiday water play, play equipment and the promenade.
A long sandy beach and promenade south of Hartlepool, with a council-run family leisure area of play equipment, picnic tables and a summer-only water play zone of jets and fountains. Lifeguards patrol in the summer holidays and there are traditional seaside cafes and arcades along the front.
North EastSeahouses
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.
Farne Islands → Neptune Fish Restaurant → Howick Hall Gardens & Arboretum
North EastBerwick-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
North EastMarley 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
