Summer holidays call for action-packed family adventures. Here at Gibside we’ve got 600 acres of woodlands, fields and gardens to explore, and free games and inspiring activities to get you closer to nature.
From 23 July, summer 2022
During the 6 week summer break, they'll be free activities every day. Each week will be themed, 'Rest & Relaxation', 'Faster, Further, Longer' or 'Gibside Classics', with games like Tumbling Tower, quiots, orienteering, Flying Disc Golf and hobby horse racing to try. In July, pick up an activity planner at Visitor Reception to pin to your fridge and be inspired.
Play Tumbling Tower with the whole family
Chris Lacey
Play Tumbling Tower with the whole family
Come out and play
It's the perfect time of year for outdoor play and thanks to support from Sport England, we have lots of sports or you to get active as a family. Whether grandma wants to hit the target with a foam javelin or the toddlers want to grab a sensory feel tub, whether the teens try sitting volleyball or mum and dad are trying blindfolded football with jingle bands, each activity is designed for everyone to have fun and get active this summer.
Play sports and get active at Gibside this summer
John Millar
Play sports and get active at Gibside this summer
Discover nature
With miles of walks and woodland trails, there’s no excuse not to stretch your legs on an adventure. If it's nature you’re keen to spot, stand very still - you may see Roe deer skip by, Leafcutting bees buzzing hard at work or even Great Crested newts in the Octogan pond. Stop off at the bird hide hidden within the woodlands. Who knows what you'll see up close? Perhaps woodpeckers or even the resident Red Kites.
Play for the day
Extend your stay and play for the day! No visit to Gibside is complete without a trip to the Strawberry Castle play area. This wooden fortress is fit for any King or Queen ready to take on the world! If you're a dare devil, zoom along the zip wire, pump the Archimedes screw and fly high on the basket swings.
Not only is there Strawberry Castle Play Area to play at! Now with a sand and water area, plus, new swings. You can also head to the low ropes course or maybe the nature playscape?
Give little feet a rest, after a long day of exploring
After a full day of getting ‘happy-tired’ playing, head to Strawberry Castle kiosk for some delicious Northern Bloc ice cream or Market Place café for child’s lunch box. To end the day, find our second-hand bookshop and rest under a tree whilst your imagination takes a fictional journey.
Staying at home? Try some of our ideas to stay active outdoors.
Even bold adventurers don't need to go too far from home to tick off challenges from the '50 things' activity list. Here are our top ideas for activities that you can do in your own back garden or outdoor green space
Have you ever wanted to learn how to make your own bird feeder? We've got plenty of how to guides for you to discover, from how to make your own compost, to how to green clean your home.
There's lots of summer family activities at places near you. We've got nature trails to keep the kids entertained and sporty challenges to get your heart racing, peaceful gardens to discover and outdoor games for fun afternoons. Pick up a 'Come out and play' activity card when you visit and see what adventure you'll be having this summer.