Baltic

Step back in time at Beamish, the Living Museum of the North, where historic streets, working trams, farms and costumed staff bring regional history to life. Children can explore hands-on exhibits, meet animals and move between different periods of North East life.

A free Middlesbrough museum with varied galleries that work well for a shorter rainy-day visit. Families can move from space and natural-history displays to stories of Middlesbrough through time, alongside the museum's standout collections of Linthorpe Art Pottery and Christopher Dresser design. There is also a Victorian-style tearoom and museum shop, making it easy to combine the galleries with a relaxed break.

A city-centre art gallery with paintings, watercolours, sculpture and decorative art, including work connected with Newcastle and the wider North East. General admission is free, while some temporary exhibitions charge an entrance fee. Family trails, creative activities and dedicated play installations are available at selected times, so check the current programme before visiting.