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A woman and small child wearing warm clothing, woolly hats and boots walk hand in hand away from the camera, down a winding flagstone path between trees. The leaves on the trees have mostly turned hues of orange and yellow; there are also fallen leaves on the ground.
Exploring Crook Hall Gardens in autumn | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Family-friendly places in the North East

Enjoy great family days out in the North East this autumn. From colourful woodland walks to the best play areas and explorer trails through houses and castles. There's plenty to keep the whole family entertained come rain or shine.

Top places to visit with the family in the North East

Visitors in the play area at Gibside
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Gibside 

From exploring the nature playscape, to being king or queen of Strawberry Castle play area, there are plenty of ways for kids (and big kids) to stay entertained all day at Gibside.

Two adults and a child cycle on a path through the trees on the Dragon Cycle Trail at Wallington, Northumberland
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Wallington 

From a cycling trail and adventure playground to wildlife watching and ‘50 things’ adventures, discover the family activities to keep children entertained at Wallington.

A family of two adults and four children crosses the central courtyard at Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland
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Seaton Delaval Hall 

There's lots to enjoy as a family at Seaton Delaval Hall. Whether you're uncovering the stories of the flamboyant Delavals through the collection and creative installations or you're enjoying the take on on their love of trickery and theatricality in the gardens or enjoying the Delaval Playdium, there's something for all families to enjoy and discover here.

Taking a picture with 'William the Wizard' at Cragside, Northumberland
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Cragside 

Enjoy a jam-packed day with the kids on your visit to Cragside. There is lots to see, do and explore, for a fun-filled day out.

Far view of the Ormesby Hall, the mid-c18th Palladian house in Yorkshire. Autumn trees frame the house.
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Ormesby Hall 

Enjoy a visit with the family to Ormesby Hall, with lots to see and do inside the house and in the garden.

Autumn activities

Family visitors enjoying an autumnal walk on the estate at Wallington, Northumberland

October half term family days out 

As well as all of the amazing things you can do every day at our places, we also have some special family events and activities planned across the North East. Take a look now for your fix of nature inspired fun and keep an eye October Half Term and Halloween events as they are added throughout the month.

The North East's little gems for family days out

A family are using nets to catch water-living creatures from a rockpool on the beach at Lindisfarne Castle, Northumberland
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Lindisfarne Castle 

Discover what family-friendly activities are on offer during October half term at Lindisfarne Castle in Northumberland, from bird and seal spotting to flying a kite and skimming stones in the sea.

A family walks towards the red and white striped tower and white buildings of Souter Lighthouse on a winter's day
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Souter Lighthouse & The Leas 

Find out what family activities you could get involved with on a visit to Souter Lighthouse and The Leas

Plants, flowers and shrubs show early autumn colours in Crook Hall Gardens. A vine climbing above a window in the hall behind has bright red leaves.
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Crook Hall Gardens 

Characterful gardens on the edge of Durham city, set against the backdrop of a medieval hall.

Durham

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Three boys running at Hadrian's Wall
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Hadrian's Wall & Housesteads Fort 

Walk in the footsteps of Roman soldiers, visit a Roman Fort complete with some very old toilets, tick off a few ‘50 things’ adventures and go free-range in the great outdoors. Discover family fun at Hadrian's Wall and Housesteads Roman Fort.

Things to do when it rains

When it’s raining you have two options: find somewhere indoors to explore or grab your waterproofs and get ‘clarty’. Luckily we have loads of suggestions for both…

Children playing in the den building area
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Take cover at Gibside 

Grab your waterproofs and head to the densely packed trees in the West Wood which act as a canopy in light rain for den building. The stables are nearby too for a hot chocolate and a loo break. Don’t forget to visit the second-hand bookshop, café and chapel before heading home.

Visitors sitting on the sofas and laughing in the Drawing Room at Wallington, Northumberland; the walls are richly decorated with intricate plaster mouldings
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Indoors and out at Wallington 

Rain doesn’t stop play at Wallington. Outdoors all you need are your waterproofs and a sense of adventure. In the house discover the kitchen, meet the teeny tiny residents of the Dolls Houses and see hundreds of toy soldiers lined up for action. Take a seat in the children’s book nook and get lost in an adventure of the fictional kind.

Visitors playing with an interactive board game in the Drawing Room at Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland
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So much to do at Seaton Delaval Hall 

Discover the giant mirror ball at Seaton Delaval Hall and explore the basement. Delve into the stories of the Hall’s history with a (funny) giant game of Seaton Delaval Hall. Discover the upside-down room and put on a show on stage in the Old Kitchen.

A woman and two young children gaze up to look at artworks on the umber-painted walls of the Gallery at Cragside, Northumberland
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Cragside -the original smart home 

Pick up a Smart Trail in Cragside House and discover why it’s Britain’s original smart home, filled with the latest technology and gadgets for efficient, modern living. Step inside the interactive Electric Room, William Armstrong’s laboratory. Outside put on your waterproofs and head up to the Labyrinth, a giant maze cut into a forest of rhododendron.

A woman and child looking out through the window of the Lantern Room at the top of Souter Lighthouse, Tyne & Wear
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Souter - the first Lighthouse to be lit by electricity 

Visit Souter Lighthouse, the first in the world to be powered by electricity. Discover how lighthouse keepers lived and how they helped to keep ships safe at sea. Get hands on with interactive activities and climb 76 steps to the top of the tower, where you’ll find Souter’s huge, powerful lamp and views stretching for miles.

An adult and group of children examine an artefact inside the house at Ormesby Hall, North Yorkshire
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Put on a show at Ormesby Hall 

Get dressed up in one of the many outfits and take to the stage at Ormesby Hall to put on your own play. Discover the model railways and get hands on with the children’s interactive railway, or simply relax in the second-hand book shop and read a story together as a family.

View of the Ship Room with a curved roof, large fireplace and red carpet at Lindisfarne Castle, Northumberland
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Explore Lindisfarne Castle 

Explore the nooks and crannies of Lindisfarne Castle. Find the hidden fish in each room, listen to the wind roaring in the chimneys and see the wind indicator in action. Each cosy and intimate room tells the story of the people who lived and holidayed at the Castle, and in the Upper Gallery, you can listen to a special sound installation inspired by nature.

Play areas in the North East

There’s nothing quite like playing outdoors. Swooshing down slides, clambering over logs and letting your imagination run wild. It’s no wonder that play areas are an essential part of many family days out. Here are some top places to play in the North East.

Swinging at the play area
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Be king or queen of the castle at Gibside 

There are plenty of ways to play at Gibside. Conquer the fortress climbing frame and zoom along the zip wire at Strawberry Castle play area, crawl along log bridges and clamber over tree trunks at the Nature Playscape or test your nerve on the Low Ropes challenge, an obstacle course made of rope.

Family enjoying the adventure play area at Wallington in autumn
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Let off steam in the four play areas at Wallington 

Climb, swing and fly through the air on the zip wire in the adventure play area, defend your territory in the wooden play fort, take a journey on the huge play train and get closer to nature exploring the log stepping stones and willow tunnels in the Little Acorns nature play space, perfect for little adventurers.

Children on the climbing frame in the play area in Northumberland's Seaton Delaval Hall
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Get creative in the Delaval Playdium play area 

Inspired by the Delavals’ love of theatricality, this special play area incorporates a centrepiece stage, hidden sound effects, and blackboard scenery allowing you to put on your own show, as well as swings, a scramble net, slide, wobbly bridge and a rope walk to enjoy.

A girl in a grey top swooping down a tunnel slide head-first at Cragside. She has reach the bottom and is laughing.
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Discover the adventure playground at Cragside 

Head to Crozier car park to swoop, slide, climb and glide at the adventure play area. The kids can test their balancing skills on the log mountain, climb to dizzying heights on the witch's hat and slide down the tunnels. There are picnic benches, toilets and a refreshment kiosk nearby.

Children in the natural play area at Ormesby Hall, North Yorkshire
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Go wild in the natural play area at Ormesby Hall 

Head to the bottom of the garden at Ormesby Hall and let the kids go wild in the natural play area. They can perform on the Willow Stage and challenge themselves on the rope walk, log stepping stones and balance see-saw.

Family adventures further afield

Discover more family days out in the North of England with plenty of places to play, explore, and create memories.

Girls playing in the garden of East Riddlesden Hall, West Yorkshire

Family-friendly places in Yorkshire 

Plan an autumn adventure in Yorkshire this autumn, with play areas, activities for kids, autumn wildlife to spot and plenty of things to do when it rain. There's something for the whole family.

A family enjoying a winter walk along the lakeshore at Fell Foot in the Lake District

Family-friendly places in the Lake District 

Plan your next family day out in the Lake District – seek out natural play areas, scramble over rocks and spot wildlife on your way.

A female toddler in a blue woolly hat and white raincoat handling leaves

Family-friendly places in Liverpool and Lancashire 

Plan your next family day out in Liverpool and Lancashire. From the beauty of the great outdoors and amazing histories to play areas, balance bikes and even a maze, there's something for the whole family to enjoy this winter, rain or shine.

A woman and toddler lay playing in the snow next to a frozen pond.

Family-friendly places in Cheshire and Greater Manchester 

Plan a Christmas adventure in Cheshire and Greater Manchester, with play areas, activities for kids, wildlife to spot and plenty of things to do when it rains, there's something for the whole family this winter.

Lindisfarne Castle seen from the sea, with the remains of wooden posts rising from the sea visible

Discover more in the North East

Characterful houses and gardens, atmospheric woodland and rugged coastlines plus a UNESCO World Heritage site.