'50 things' to do in autumn in the North East

There are still plenty of '50 things to do before you're 11 ¾' activities you can tick off come autumn. Grab your wellies, wrap up warm and start exploring in the North East.

Family stargazing evening at Fountains Abbey — See what's twinkling in the night sky

#27 Go stargazing at Hadrian's Wall

Northumberland International Dark Sky Park is Europe’s largest area of protected night sky. Come autumn, it's the perfect place to gather the family together to admire the stars.

Discover Hadrian's Wall and Housesteads Fort

Childern discovering a crab in a rockpool — Family rockpooling at St Helens Duver

#37 Check out the crazy creatures in a rockpool on the Northumberland Coast

Look out for the weird and wonderful creatures who live in the rock pools on the Northumberland Coast. Keep your eyes peeled for crabs, starfish, sea anemones and other salty sea creatures living among the rocks.

Become a salty seadog on the Northumberland Coast

Children enjoying an autumn geocache hunt — Take your first steps on geocache hunt

#49 Find a geocache at Seaton Delaval Hall

Pick up a geocaching kit and set off on a Delaval treasure hunt this autumn. You’ll have to use the GPS tracker to search far and wide, high and low to find what’s hidden in the gardens and grounds.

Explore Seaton Delaval

A deer looking at the camera — If you're not lucky enough to see a deer, try and spot their tracks

#34 Track wild animals at Cragside

Did you know that animals such as red squirrels and deer live at Cragside? If you're not lucky enough to see a deer, try and spot their tracks on a walk through the woodland.

Get close to nature at Cragside

Den building — Can you make your den waterproof?

#4 Build a den at Allen Banks

With rangers and volunteers having chopped back the rhododendrons, there are plenty of branches and sticks to be found at Allen Banks, perfect for making your very own hideaway in the woods.

Plan your adventure at Allen Banks

A snow bunting perched on a rock — One of The Leas' migrating visitors, a Snow Bunting, perched on the rocks

#44 Go bird watching at Souter Lighthouse and The Leas

Grab your binoculars and head out to Whitburn Coastal Park on The Leas. After crossing the North Sea, wintering thrushes can arrive in their hundreds, feeding on elder and rowan berries. Africa-bound wheatears can often be seen along the cliff-tops, as can newly arrived snow buntings from Scandinavia.

See the wildlife at Souter Lighthouse and The Leas