Choose a park, a coastal outing or a history visit in North Tyneside. These published LNE listings are marked verified and include free-entry places alongside heritage attractions with paid admission or optional experiences.
Wallsend, North Shields and Tynemouth offer different kinds of day. Pick a main destination, check its map and current visitor information, then decide whether a second stop fits your family.
Compare 6 places by town, cost, weather and age
Cost bands are a guide. Free entry can still mean paid parking, exhibitions or activities. Age tags are broad suggestions; check the venue’s exact limits and facilities.
| Place | Town | Entry and extras | Weather | Age guidance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rising Sun Country Park | Benton | Free | Outdoors | Babies, Toddlers, Children, Teenagers |
| Northumberland Park | North Shields | Free | Outdoors | Babies, Toddlers, Children, Teenagers |
| Tynemouth Longsands | Tynemouth | Free | Outdoors | Babies, Toddlers, Children, Teenagers |
| Segedunum Roman Fort | Wallsend | Low (£) — guide only; check official prices | Indoors and outdoors | Toddlers, Children, Teenagers |
| Stephenson Steam Railway | North Shields | Museum entry is free. Heritage train rides and special events are charged separately; check train-running dates. Stephenson museum entry and train rides | Indoors and outdoors | Babies, Toddlers, Children, Teenagers |
| Tynemouth Priory and Castle | Tynemouth | Low (£) — guide only; check official prices | Indoors and outdoors | Toddlers, Children, Teenagers |
Places to start your North Tyneside day
Parks and the coast
Parks & gardens |Walks & trails |Nature & wildlifeRising Sun Country Park
Benton, NE12 9SS
Open accessA 400-acre country park with walking and cycling routes, wildlife habitats, a children's play area, water play feature and an orienteering course. The wider park is always open and free to visit. The countryside centre, car park, toilets and café have shorter opening hours. Water-play availability may be seasonal, so check current park updates before travelling specifically for it.
- Free entry
- Outdoor
- Babies
- Toddlers
- Children
- Teens
A free-entry outdoor choice in Benton. Choose a walk that fits your family and check the visitor centre’s arrangements separately from park access.
Parks & gardens |Walks & trails |Nature & wildlifeNorthumberland Park
North Shields, NE30 2ES
Opens today at 10:00A restored Victorian park between North Shields and Tynemouth with woodland and lakeside walks, a multi-age play area, BMX pump track, sculpture and orienteering trails, gardens and a visitor centre. The Glasshouse Tea Room and public toilets are available during staffed hours. Park hours change between summer and winter, so check the council page before an early or late visit.
- Free entry
- Outdoor
- Babies
- Toddlers
- Children
- Teens
A free park in North Shields, between the town and Tynemouth. Despite its name, it is in North Tyneside, not Northumberland.
Beaches & coast |Walks & trails |Nature & wildlifeTynemouth Longsands
Tynemouth
Open accessA wide sandy beach with space for paddling, sandcastles and coastal walks. Check tide, weather and bathing conditions before visiting. Opening times and prices can change seasonally, so check the official website before travelling.
- Free entry
- Outdoor
- Babies
- Toddlers
- Children
- Teens
A free-entry beach outing in Tynemouth when the conditions suit. Parking, refreshments and any hired equipment are separate costs.
Roman history and railway discoveries
Museums & galleries |Heritage & castlesSegedunum Roman Fort
Wallsend, NE28 6HR
Opens today at 10:00A museum and excavated Roman fort at the eastern end of Hadrian's Wall. Visitors can see the fort from the 35-metre viewing tower, explore the Roman gallery, watch a film and visit a reconstructed section of the wall. Entry is free for visitors aged 21 and under and NE28 residents; adult admission applies. The outdoor site closes at 4.30pm.
- Low cost
- Indoor & outdoor
- Toddlers
- Children
- Teens
Roman history in Wallsend, with a museum and outdoor site. Adult admission normally costs; check the operator’s current age and resident concessions rather than assuming the whole visit is free.
Museums & galleries |Heritage & castlesStephenson Steam Railway
North Shields, NE29 8DX
Opens today at 11:00Stephenson Steam Railway in North Shields combines a railway museum with heritage train rides. Museum entry and parking are free, while train rides are charged separately and do not run on Saturdays. The published museum programme includes weekends, bank holidays and Thursdays during school holidays. Check the current running-day calendar and book the train experience you want separately.
- Low cost
- Indoor & outdoor
- Babies
- Toddlers
- Children
- Teens
A North Shields museum with free entry and separately charged heritage train rides. Check the operating calendar: an open museum does not mean trains are running.
Museums & galleries |Walks & trails |Heritage & castlesTynemouth Priory and Castle
Tynemouth, NE30 4BZ
Opens today at 10:00Explore the remains of a medieval priory and coastal castle on a dramatic headland overlooking the North Sea and River Tyne. The outdoor ruins, gatehouse, coastal views and military history make it particularly suitable for children interested in castles. Admission applies, with free entry for English Heritage members. Much of the visit is outdoors and exposed to coastal weather.
- Low cost
- Indoor & outdoor
- Toddlers
- Children
- Teens
A paid heritage visit on the Tynemouth headland. The operator currently lists maintenance closures in parts of the priory; check open areas, membership and ticket terms before travelling.
These are hand-picked suggestions rather than every matching result. Follow each activity for opening times, location and practical details.
Explore all activitiesMore ways to plan your day
A beach day and a park day are different plans
Longsands is a coastal outing; Rising Sun is an inland country park in Benton. Northumberland Park is in North Shields, rather than the county of Northumberland. Use the map on each profile to choose a destination that suits your journey.
For the beach, check tides and weather before you leave. A dry day inland can still be windy on the coast. With younger children, a short beach visit can be enough; you do not need to add another attraction.
Separate museum entry from rides and concessions
Stephenson Steam Railway offers free museum entry, while heritage train rides and special events have separate charges and operating dates. If a train ride is the reason for the trip, confirm that it is running and check tickets first.
Segedunum has paid adult admission with age and resident concessions. Tynemouth Priory and Castle is a paid English Heritage visit for non-members. Check the current terms for every person travelling, including optional donations and activities.
Plan for outdoor sections
Segedunum combines museum displays with an outdoor archaeological site. Tynemouth Priory and Castle is on the headland, and the parks and beach are outdoor choices. Do not treat a heritage visit as a fully sheltered rainy-day plan.
Check surfaces, gradients, buggy arrangements and facilities with the venue if they affect your visit. Keep the regional rainy-day guide handy when you need a longer indoor alternative.
Before you head off
- Check current opening dates and which parts of a heritage site are accessible to visitors.
- Confirm train-running dates separately from museum opening.
- Allow for parking, refreshments, paid rides and special events.
- Check tides and coastal weather for Longsands; broad family suitability does not establish swimming conditions.
Keep exploring
Free days out across the North East
Find more free-entry parks, museums and outdoor places.
Family days out in Newcastle and Gateshead
Compare nearby city museums, parks and paid attractions.
Family days out in Northumberland
Explore a different county, from Cramlington to the coast.
Rainy-day activities across the North East
Choose an indoor back-up at a budget that suits you.