Holiday things to do - Hexham/Newcastle/Northumbria

[supertabby]

We've just booked a holiday cottage for a week, close to Hexham, in the summer.

Does anyone from the area (or who's holidayed there) have any recommendations for things to do/see?

We're going with our parents, siblings and nieces - there will be 3 toddlers and 2 babies. We'll have cars so looking for local things and can drive out around the surrounding areas.

We'll probably also get a night's babysitting so will be looking for a nice restaurant in Hexham or within a taxi ride away of Hexham.

Thanks in advance

 

[lindseymw]

Alnwick Castle & Gardens - if it's warm, take swim gear for the kids. There is some water features they can play in.
Holy Island
Bamburgh Castle
In Newcastle, I think there is a Life/Science Museum

 

[Perfect_pink]

Theres a few museums in newcastle, the life centre the handcock the science museum, not far from hexham theres derwent water etc which is lovely

 

[tublet]

Loads of things to do! I would recommend getting a national trust and or English heritage pass to visit properties in northumberland.

 

[MissyMojo]

Ok soo..
newcastle - life museum. Hancock museum. Discovery museum (this ones free)
Beamish open air museum is a fab day out

Alnwick castle
bambrugh castle
dunstanbrugh castle
warkworth castle

seahouses is a lovely place and theres also boat trips out to the farnes

keilder forest - its a protected night sky place so has the best night skys for stars. Theres an observatory too

hadrians wall

ponteland in nearby and has a lovely chinese restaurant

whitley bay /tynemouth has lovely beaches and there is a sea life centre

 

[Logan's Mum]

Pretty much all what has been said above:

Newcastle:
Life Science Centre (you have to pay and its expensive and not worth it imo...)
Great North Museum (Hancock) FREE (Good, lots of stuffed animals and info on Hadrian's Wall)
Discovery Museum FREE (Love this one!)

Surrounding Area:
Beamish (Expensive but ticket lasts you a year)
Holy Island/Lindisfarne (quite far away and check the tides!)
On Hadrians Wall theres a few forts: Chesters, Housesteads, just off the Wall theres Vindolanda.
Saltwell Park in Gateshead is lovely with lots of play areas and FREE!
National Trust places: Cragside (house built by Lord Armstrong, AMAZING grounds). Gibside (grounds only,good for exploring), Wallington (smaller but lots of play areas in their woods). Cragside might be a bit tricky with a pram though.

If you need any further info let me know