Food
Days Out
Beach
Bike & Hike
Sports
Nature
Gardens
Activities
Historical
Eating & Drinking
Enjoy excellent food complemented by an extensive wine list and first-class service in the exceptionally comfortable and relaxing ambiance of the Red Well Inn.
This traditional village pub serves good home cooked food and is especially renowned for its Sunday lunches.
These tearooms are popular for their seasonal farm-fresh menu of light lunches, homemade cakes and refreshments. Its farm shop also stocks locally produced fruit and vegetables, cheeses and award-winning home reared and prepared meats.
Here you'll enjoy a friendly atmosphere, good food and excellent service where attention to detail are the watchwords. Check out the early bird menu featuring a 3 Course Meal for only £8.95!
This friendly family run pub offers three distinct experiences in each of its cocktail bar, lounge and restaurant. The restaurant's proud claim is to serve a 'world of food' in an eclectic menu ranging from oriental dishes to meat platters.
Fun Days Out
Hall Hill Farm is home to a number of farmyard animals, some of which you can stroke and feed. Visitors here can enjoy a complimentary farm trailer ride and there are also donkey rides.
Richmond - 16.4 Miles (26.2 KM)
Richmond is a historic market town set on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Places to visit and things to see include monuments, abbeys, a Norman castle and the cobbled market place surrounded by Georgian buildings. The town is threaded by the fast-flowing River Swale and surrounded by breathtaking scenery - its restored railway station is a must to visit, with its cafe/restaurant, cinema, art gallery, micro-brewery and bakery.
Durham - 20.1 Miles (32.2 KM)
Durham is a compact city offering a wide range of attractions, shops and restaurants. The panoramic view of the cathedral and castle has been described as ?one of the finest architectural experiences of Europe? and together they are now designated a World Heritage Site.
The Forbidden Corner is one of England's most recent follies. Comprising a unique labyrinth of tunnels, chambers, follies, paths and passages that lead nowhere, it's great fun to explore.
Beamish is a world famous open air museum whose reconstructed streets and houses tell the story of the people of North East England at two important points of their history - 1825 and 1913.
The Wensleydale Railway runs steam trains between Leeming Bar and Redmire via Bedale and Leyburn. The 17 mile trip takes approximately 50 minutes.
The Giants Den is a massive 15,000 square feet of non-stop fun for children up to 12 years of age. The adventure starts here!
This fascinating combination of woodland garden, bird of prey and mammal centre is home to some of the largest and rarest trees and shrubs in England. There are tree trails, a nature trail and a children's trail, a large lake, picnic area and a children's play area. Visitors can take part in the raptor flying demonstrations and enjoy the new mammal enclosures, including 'Meerkat Island' and 'Walk Through Wallaby Wood'.
Karting North East is best known as a premier karting circuit but, it offers much more with others activities like paintballing, rage rally, archery, off road 4x4 and tomahawk throwing also available. They are located in Warden Law Motorsport Centre in Sunderland offering the perfect environment to pursue the choice of activities on offer. They have a long established reputation that has earned them the position of being one of the best activity centres in the country. Their karting circuit is unparalleled it is both fast and technical with lots of hairpin turns, tight corners, straights and much more. Riders have to be eight to use the karts but there is a two seater kart that children aged five can ride in with an adult, as long as they have a full driving licence. The paintball facility is a newer addition and is the biggest paintball arena in the UK, it is different in that spectators can see you play, it is a realistic combat environment with plenty of features. The off road experience uses a fleet of ex Army Landrovers on a specially designed track. Rage Rally is fast and responsive and offers a thrilling driving experience. All equipment is maintained and of the highest standard and safety is paramount, but, they still ensure a fun time is had by all. Before engaging in an activity a safety briefing is given as well as a run down on equipment, rules etc. The staff are friendly, fun, enthusiastic, patient and highly trained. There are a range of offers and packages available so check these out before booking. There are plenty of areas to sit that are comfortable and offer great views of the track as well as refreshments available, if you are not partaking. Karting North East offers a range of fun and adrenaline filled activities that everyone can get involved in and have fun with, a great group or family outing, children will love you if you book a sesion here.
The centre operates with families in mind and children can meet hundreds of parkland animals in a parkland setting. Lots of children's activities are run in the school holidays.
Beach
No recommended Beach found within 30 miles of this property.
Biking & Hiking
A former railway line that is now a lovely traffic free path open to pedestrians, cycles, horses, and dogs, its 10.5 mile route winds all the way up from Swalwell to Consett.
Swainby - 26.2 Miles (41.9 KM)
A moderately hard walk, with steep climbing and descent. Journey from Swainby onto the Cleveland Hills. Once you've admired the view, the track descends into woodland, through Faceby and concludes at Whorlton Castle. The castle is definitely worth investigating as it is home to the remains of a Motte and Bailey.
Golf & Sports
Just one mile north of Barnard Castle town centre, this is an excellent 18 hole golf course. Play a round on this beautiful course and soak up the lovely, local scenery.
This community leisure centre offers a range of facilities including a 25m swimming pool, toddler pool, skate park, squash courts, adventure play area and fitness suite.
This fabulous 18 hole golf course is ideally situated on the outskirts of the picturesque town of Richmond. Its clubhouse offers a bar and restaurant.
This community swimming pool offers a range of facilities including a jacuzzi, steam room and sauna - as well as general fun sessions for all the family.
This community swimming pool offers a range of facilities including a 25m swimming pool, 3 diving boards and two water slides. You can also play squash or hit the gym.
Premier paragliding school in the UK offering BHPA courses in the Lakes and Yorkshire Dales. See the stunning scenery from the air as qualified instructors guide you in a taster course of this exhilarating sport.
A great place for course fishing and a well know local carp haven. Some fish caught here have weighed in at 30lbs! There is also Perch, Pike, Bream and Roach to be found in plentiful supply in the lake.
Prudhoe Waterworld has a 25m pool incorporated into a free form shape with shallow beach area, a wave machine and 40m aqua-slide plus plenty of other activities.
For all your parachuting needs! Based on Shotton Airfield, it offers parachuting and light aviation. Basic parachute courses involve a day's training before 3,200ft solo jump.
A splendid 18-hole golf course set in undulating parkland with fine views over the Tyne Valley.
F1K Indoor Go karting Newcastle is a fast adrenaline fuelled motorsport
experience that is suitable for all from 8 years and over. Safety,
professionalism and value for money can be found at this all weather indoor
venue.
Nature Reserves
With plenty of waymarked cycle and walking trails, this is the perfect start point from which to explore the beautiful nearby North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It also features a visitor's centre, tearooms and an adventure play area.
A stunning lake, in a beautiful part of North Yorkshire. Keep an eye out for shovelers, merlins, oystercatchers, curlew sandpipers and yellow wagtails, to name a few. A whole host of various species of wildlife have made their home in and around the peaceful area that is Swale Lake.
Summerhill Country Park and Outdoor Nature Reserve combines two very different but appealing attractions in one site. Extending to 100 acres there is ample space to run and roam around, children will love playing hide and seek amongst the trees and playing in the two adventure playground. There are nature trails to explore, they vary in length as well as bike trails, where you will see lots of the local wildlife. The activities available here include indoor climbing, archery, balance bikes, high rope courses, mountain biking and environmental activities. They run a range of events and clubs, aimed at all ages, with an explorers club, pond dipping, mini beast safari, seasonal discovery walks, Nordic walking, seasonal art and craft activities, den building and lots more. There are lots of activities aimed at families for the school holidays. There is a nice cafe that serves a good election of hot and cold meals, it is warm and inviting and the prices are very reasonable, perfect on a cold winters day. The park is well maintained and kept clean. There is a visitor centre where you can get information on the park and the history of the region from Saxon times to present. The park is open daily and there is no charge for entry however, the certain activities have to be paid for and it is advisable to book these in advance. Summerhill Country Park offers loads of wide open space, fresh air, peace and tranquillity and an abundance of activities if required, the ideal place for a day out as something to suit everyone and it doesn't have to be expensive.
Gardens & Woodlands
A moorland country park on the banks of the Derwent Reservoir, ideal for that country walk with the dog or cycling by the river.
17th century Acorn Bank Garden's claim to fame is its collection of medicinal and culinary plants, the largest in Northern England with over 250 varieties.
Local Attractions
The Civic Darlington Theatre offers a wide array of performances from professional shows to seasonal pantos.
Preserved steam and diesel locomotives from Britain and overseas run between Alston station and Kirkhaugh. There are refreshment facilities and a railway shop at the station.
All the up to date films are shown in the massive Odeon complex. Check the website for up to date film listings and times.
All your favourite high street shops and designer labels under one roof here at Dalton Park.
Bowes Railway was originally a colliery railway built to carry coal mainly from pits in North West Durham to the Tyne at Jarrow. See website for public open days and events.
Herrington Country Park is one of the biggest parks in Sunderland and offers its visitors lots to do, with a number of walks, cycle trails, environmental sculptures, large pond and a modern childrens play area as well as a skate/bmx park. It also hosts a number of impressive events such as the "Sunderland Festival", "The Race for Life" and "Pretty Muddy" that everyone can get involved in. The park also hosts one of the biggest open-air concerts in the North East in the amphitheatre. The park is clean, well maintained and laid out with plenty of different walking paths to take in the many features of the park whilst enjoying its peacefulness. The Penshaw Monument overlooks the park, it is a nice walk to the top and you get really good views. Don't forget to take bread to fed the ducks and swans, always plenty of them on the pond. Cafe in the park is small but cosy and serves a selection of beverages and snacks. Herrington Country Park is a lovely country park and perfect on a cold or dry day to enjoy the many features of the park, no real shelter if it rains, everyone will enjoy a trip here.
This shopping centre has over 140 shops, including world famous names so you are sure to find what you are looking for here.
The award winning Laing Art Gallery has truly dynamic exhibitions and excellent interactive, learning events for children and families. These fun sessions work alongside discussions and talks from contemporary artists to create a great atmosphere and passion for art from an early age.
Historical & Heritage Sites
A fascinating museum for all the family to enjoy, the Bowes Museum houses the greatest collection of European fine and decorative arts in the North of England.
Once the largest of the British Roman forts, Binchester has been partly excavated,but much remains undiscovered. Stare in wonder at the ancient Roman bath house and its incredible 1700 year old underfloor heating system!
A courtyard castle with rectangular towers, this spectacular medieval fortress is still in grand condition and situated in the heart of Wensleydale, inside the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Delve into the history of mining on the North Pennines in this fascinating museum. Hear about the people that worked there, the lifestyle they lead and the legacy this important mine had on the social and cultural history of the area.
Kiplin Hall - 22.2 Miles (35.5 KM)
Kiplin Hall was built in the early 1620s as a hunting lodge for King James I. Now furnished as a welcoming Victorian family home, it contains paintings and furniture collected by the Calverts, Crowes, Carpenters and Talbots - the four families who once lived here. (Ground floor accessible to wheelchair users)
Middleham castle was once home to some of the most powerful lords of the 15th century, including Salisbury, Warwick and Richard, Duke of Gloucester, later King Richard III. After the castle fell into disrepair much of the stone was taken from its walls and used by locals to build many of the houses in this small Dales town, above which its ruins still tower.
Souter Lighthouse and The Leas is a familiar and immediately recognisable landmark on the coastline of Tyne and Wear. The lighthouse was opened in 1871 and is dramatic with its red and white hoops, it is a unique lighthouse in that the was the first lighthouse constructed in the country to be powered by electricity. You can climb the 76 steps to get to the top of the tower where you are awarded the most fantastic views of the surrounding area, they are quite steep so it might not be accessible for those with mobility issues. During a visit you get full access to the lighthouse and engine room and will also find out all about life and what was involved for a lighthouse keeper and his family. You will also find out about the mining village that existed here until 1968 when the area and colliery were demolished. In addition there is a small outdoor play area for children. The Leas can be found to the north and is a two and a half mile expanse of magnesian limestone cliffs, coastal grassland and shore. These cliffs along with the rock stacks of Marsden Bay is where you will find nesting Kittiwakes, Fulmar, Cormorants, Shags and Guillemots. To the south of the lighthouse is Whitburn Coastal Park and Nature Reserve it was former colliery land but is now a sanctuary for wildlife. The area is beautiful and so peaceful, with picturesque views and endless walks along this lovely area of coastline. The Lighthouse Cafe serves a good selection of homemade snacks and cakes made using fresh local produce, that are delicious and very reasonably priced. The shop has a good range of products including home made preserves, biscuits and their own Souter Lighthouse Best Bitter as well as nautical themed gifts, books and souvenirs. They organise a number of events that are aimed at children throughout the year, it is worth checking the website to see when these take place, they are great fun and really engage the children. The staff are great, very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. Souter Lighthouse and The Leas is a beautiful and interesting place to visit and will appeal to all ages, a fantastic day out that everyone will enjoy, highly recommended.
The Centre for Life features a permanent exhibition that tells the story of Human Life through three major themes: Our Origins, Our World and Our Future.
Discovery is the North East of England's most popular free tourist attraction. Walk though its doors to discover all about life in Newcastle and Tyneside. Attracting an astonishing 467,000 visitors last year, it's well worth a look.
A brand new museum is now open which will form part of the Stadium tour! The museum is a wonderful trip down memory lane featuring photographs and memorabilia from across the years.
