Free Days Out in the North East

A free family museum in Newcastle with local history, science and hands-on displays to explore at your own pace. It is a useful indoor option for a rainy day and works well for families who want plenty to discover without needing to plan a full-day visit.

A large city park beside Newcastle's Town Moor with a lake, open lawns, paths, a children's playground, skatepark, outdoor gym and free tennis courts. It is suitable for a short playground visit, picnic or longer walk around the park and Town Moor. The park itself is free to visit. Café availability has recently been subject to change, so do not rely on it being open without checking first.

Explore natural history, ancient cultures and the stories of the North East at this family-friendly museum. Children can discover fossils, animals, mummies and hands-on displays while adults enjoy the wider collections and changing exhibitions.

Escape into the wooded valley of Jesmond Dene with riverside paths, bridges, waterfalls and wildlife to discover. Families can visit the free Pets Corner, use the play area and enjoy a picnic or café stop among the trees.

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.

A large Victorian park beside the city centre, with open lawns, a lake, playground areas and room for a relaxed family walk or picnic. Opening times and prices can change seasonally, so check the official website before travelling.

A welcoming city-centre library with children’s books, quiet spaces, family activities and regular events. It is a useful indoor stop for reading, relaxing and finding something creative to do in Newcastle.

Meet friendly farm animals in the heart of Ouseburn, with hands-on experiences, gardens and a relaxed setting for families. Entry is free with donations welcome, while events and some activities may have separate arrangements.

A brilliant home for children’s books and storytelling in Ouseburn. Families can explore interactive floors, discover new stories and join performances, workshops and events designed to make reading and imagination come alive.

Enjoy wide-open green space close to Newcastle, ideal for walks, fresh air, informal play and family adventures. The Moor is open outdoor space rather than a staffed attraction, so events, weather and ground conditions can affect the best time to visit.

Explore contemporary art across the galleries of BALTIC, with changing exhibitions and striking views over the River Tyne. The open spaces, family activities and creative displays make it an accessible cultural visit for adults and children alike.

A free community farm where families can meet animals including goats, pigs, alpacas, chickens, ducks and lambs. Donations are welcome and animal feed costs £1.50 per bag. The visit is mainly outdoors, so dry weather is likely to be most comfortable. The official site currently lists opening every day from 10:00 to 16:00, but opening details can change; check before travelling. Parking guidance asks visitors to use Joel Terrace, NE10 0TX, then walk a short distance to the farm.

An outdoor park in Rowlands Gill with children’s play areas, green space and facilities including crazy golf and tennis. It can suit a relaxed local outing, although individual facilities and access arrangements should be checked before travelling.

Gateshead Central Library has a children's library for all ages, regular family activities and a library garden to explore. Families can browse books, discover local history and find free, low-cost ways to spend time together in the heart of Gateshead.

Cross the River Tyne on the pedestrian and cycle deck of this striking tilting bridge, with an easy family walk between Gateshead Quays and Newcastle Quayside. Time your visit for a seasonal noon tilt to see the bridge rise like a winking eye.

Discover a heritage landscape shaped by woodland, rivers and the industrial history of the Derwent Valley. Family-friendly trails, outdoor play and visitor facilities give little explorers plenty of space to walk, investigate and enjoy the countryside.

A much-loved Gateshead park with formal gardens, woodland, open grassland, play areas, a lake and plenty of space for a family walk. Bring a picnic, explore the paths and allow time for children to play and spot wildlife.

See paintings, sculpture and design from the gallery’s collection, with displays that make art approachable for families. Look out for changing exhibitions and activities that encourage children to notice, imagine and create.

A useful starting point for exploring the Derwent Walk and nearby woodlands. Families can follow the short sculpture trail, look for woodland wildlife and stop for refreshments at the visitor centre. The nearby bird observation hide requires a key, available from the centre, and the same key provides access to several other Gateshead hides. Woodland paths can be muddy or uneven after wet weather.

A 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.

A 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.

A dramatic island lighthouse and coastal nature spot reached across a causeway at low tide, with wildlife, sea views and a visitor centre. Opening times and prices can change seasonally, so check the official website before travelling.

A 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.

A free Roman museum and archaeological site with reconstructed buildings, including the West Gate, barracks and commanding officer's house. Families can explore the fort remains, museum displays and picnic lawn. Snacks and cold drinks are sold in the shop, but there is no café. Donations are welcome and some guided activities cost extra.

A free museum exploring the history and art of South Tyneside through permanent displays, changing exhibitions and family-friendly activities. The Let's Play gallery includes toys and interactive displays, and the Victorian Pantry serves food and drinks. Donations are welcome. The museum is closed on Sundays, although special and bank-holiday arrangements may differ.

A free cultural venue and library overlooking the River Tyne, with books, interactive exhibitions, family activities, creative facilities and regularly changing events. There is also an on-site café, although its hours are slightly shorter than the main building's. Some workshops and ticketed events need to be booked separately. Check the events programme before visiting to see what is currently available.

A large free country park opposite Penshaw Monument, created on the site of a former colliery. It has several lakes, walking and cycling trails, an adventure play area, wheeled-sports area, open fields and sculptures inspired by the area's mining history. The park hosts major events at times, which can affect access and parking, so check local updates before travelling.

A free museum, art gallery and indoor winter garden beside Mowbray Park. Displays cover local history, natural history, art and archaeology, while the tropical winter garden includes plants and an elevated viewing walkway. Family activities include a mixture of free and paid sessions. Upstairs galleries close at 4pm even when the main building remains open later.

A family-friendly country park with a lake, woodland, play areas, visitor centre and access to the long sandy beach at Druridge Bay. Opening times and prices can change seasonally, so check the official website before travelling.

Step inside one of the North East’s most historic churches and discover centuries of local history, beautiful architecture and fascinating stories. The surrounding town and riverside make Hexham Abbey an enjoyable place to combine with a family day out.

Norham Castle’s dramatic ruins overlook the River Tweed and invite families to explore a piece of Northumberland’s border history. The outer ward and castle setting make this a flexible stop for curious children and older explorers.

A free 46-hectare country park built around a large human-shaped landform sculpture, with ponds, woodland, wildlife and approximately 6.4km of paths. The ground-level route is accessible, although the landform itself includes slopes of varying gradients. The site is open from dawn until dusk. The listed hours are for the café and toilets. A parking donation is suggested.

A large country park with woodland, meadow and riverside walks, wildlife spotting, a children's play area, picnic spaces, toilets, a visitor centre and café. The main circular walk is approximately 1.5 miles. Entry is free, although parking charges apply after the first hour. The park is open during daylight hours. Visitor centre and café hours vary seasonally, so check the official page before travelling.

A peaceful riverside park perfect for family walks and outdoor adventures. Explore scenic trails, spot wildlife, enjoy picnic areas, and stop by the friendly on-site café for a snack or drink. Ideal for little explorers to discover and play.

A remarkable Norman cathedral and World Heritage Site with family trails, architecture and views across the historic city. Opening times and prices can change seasonally, so check the official website before travelling.

A spacious country park with woodland, open grassland, lakeside walks and family-friendly places to explore. It is a good choice for a relaxed outdoor day with space for picnics, play and wildlife spotting.

Verified against Hopetown. Term-time opening is Tuesday–Sunday 10:00–16:00; school holidays are Monday–Sunday 10:00–16:00. Admission is free, but tickets are required and some experiences cost extra.

A free railway museum in Shildon with large collections of historic locomotives and railway vehicles across two major halls. Families can explore railway history, follow outdoor rail trails and attend additional school-holiday activities. A café, baby-changing facilities and indoor and outdoor picnic areas are available. The museum closes from 24 to 26 December and operates longer hours during summer.

Travel from Ancient Egypt to modern China across four floors of art and archaeology collections. Free entry, family activities and plenty of seating make this a thoughtful indoor visit that can comfortably fill a couple of hours.

Enjoy a bracing seaside walk along Seaham’s coast, with beaches, dramatic cliffs and wide views across the North Sea. It is a good place for rock pooling, beachcombing and fresh air, but check tides, weather and coastal safety before setting out.

A free visitor attraction sharing more than 900 years of County Durham's history through displays, objects and interactive digital activities. It also houses archive and research facilities, landscaped grounds and a café. Family activities and under-five sessions run on selected dates. Bank holiday opening may vary.

A free hillside park close to Durham railway station with panoramic city views. Facilities include a children's play area, miniature-car track, outdoor gym, amphitheatre, community garden, café and walking routes. Some paths are steep because of the park's hillside setting. Café and community-building hours are shorter than general park access and can vary.

Hartlepool’s maritime history comes to life through interactive displays, a fishing cobble, the P.S. Wingfield Castle and stories spanning the town’s past. Free entry and family learning activities make it an easy indoor waterfront visit.