Family activities in the North East

Go on an adventure through Cragside's rhododendron labyrinth this summer to discover the wizard, stretch your legs on a walk around Nelly's Moss lakes or let off steam in the adventure play area. For a moment or two of quiet, look up into the tree canopies in the towering Pinetum to see if you can spot a red squirrel or stop for a picnic overlooking Tumbleton Lake.

Follow the Dragon Cycle trail to explore the estate at Wallington on two-wheels - you can hire bikes or bring your own. For an adventure on foot, look for wildlife on the River Walk or head off through the fields on the Farm Walk. Don't miss the many play areas dotted through the woodland - there's a train, wooden fort, adventure play area and natural play space for little ones in the West Wood.

Enjoy wild adventures at Gibside this summer. Take a journey across the Nature Playscape, have a go at den building or try out the new flying disc golf course, then head to Strawberry Castle, where you can swoosh down the slide, go wild on the swings, zoom down the zip wire and scramble in the water and sand.

Stage your own performance with a visit to the theatre-inspired play area, the Delaval Playdium. Follow the lost paths in the south east gardens to discover some hidden surprises in the trees and explore the woodland, which is perfect for building dens, creating wild art or hunting for bugs.

Explore the lighthouse - climb the tower for panoramic views and see Souter Lighthouse’s mighty lamp up close, witness the engineering behind the fog horn’s blast and discover how a lighthouse keeper lived. For another seaside adventure, head down to the beach at The Wherry, a beautiful secluded bay not far from the lighthouse, where you can search the rock pools.

Enjoy a family walk along the sandy beaches at Embleton, Newton Links, Druridge Bay and St Aidan’s this summer - there's plenty of space to run off some energy, and you can tick off some '50 things' activities, exploring the rock pools, flying a kite or going on a barefoot walk. Inland, climb the big hill to Ros Castle or explore a cave at St Cuthbert’s Cave.