What to do and see in North East England, England: The Best Things to do Good for Big Groups

October 4, 2021 Kaleigh Reichenbach

Discover the best top things to do in North East England, United Kingdom including Farne Islands, Victoria Tunnel, Andy Howeys Birds of Prey Centre, The Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Jesmond Dene, St. Mary's Lighthouse and Visitor Centre, The Angel of the North, Wallington Hall, Vindolanda, The Discovery Museum.
Restaurants in North East England

1. Farne Islands

NE68 7YT England +44 1665 720651 http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/farne-islands/
Excellent
87%
Good
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5.0 based on 729 reviews

Farne Islands

A group of islands on the very north-east of England which represent one of the greatest dangers to shipping around the entire British Isles.

Reviewed By LashyDavid - Looe, United Kingdom

There are plenty of companies offering boat trips to the Farne Islands and we were very pleased with ours offered by Billy Shiels. It combined an enjoyable cruise around the islands (including views of grey seals, cliff faces full of birds and Grace Darling’s Longstone Lighthouse) with an hour on Inner Farne which has boardwalks, toilets and information, so very visitor friendly. For our short visit, we shared the island with thousands of birds, including cormorants, terns and puffins feeding their young with beaks full of sand eels. I’ve never before seen so many puffins, nor been so close to them. Inner Farne is managed by the National Trust who have a kiosk on Seahouses quay where you should pay to land (or show your membership card) in exchange for a wrist band before embarking on the boat.

2. Victoria Tunnel

55 Lime Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 2PQ England +44 191 230 4210 [email protected] http://www.ouseburntrust.org.uk
Excellent
85%
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2%
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5.0 based on 1,894 reviews

Victoria Tunnel

Guided tours of the fully preserved 19th century coal waggonway and WW2 air-raid shelter. Pre-booking is essential and tickets can be booked online through our website or by telephone during office hours. Tours every day, check the website for details. Our extensive Covid-19 precautions have been assessed by Visit Britain and we have been awarded "Good to Go" certification.

Reviewed By 597derekp

15/12/18. Victory Pub Christmas Jolly Boys outing at the Victoria Tunnel. A thoroughly enjoyable and educational history tour of this amazing engineering feat of the 1840s. 2 fantastic volunteer guides. Fascinating facts about the tunnel's original use and later use during World War 2 as an air raid shelter for up to 9,000 people. Highly recommended.

3. Andy Howeys Birds of Prey Centre

Haggerston Castle Riding Stables, Berwick upon Tweed TD15 2NZ England +44 7882 084178 [email protected] http://www.andyhoweysbirdsofprey.co.uk
Excellent
96%
Good
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5.0 based on 527 reviews

Andy Howeys Birds of Prey Centre

Reviewed By PTStu - Motherwell, United Kingdom

We went as a family of 4 with our 2 boys (age 2 & 4). It was reptile day so we got to see and hold snakes, lizards, millipede, rat, baby owls and then the tarantula. The kids totally loved it and were buzzing. Me and Mum loved it too and managed to come out of our comfort zones by holding the tarantula and snake. The staff were so good with us they made it easy. I think we all enjoyed it as much as each other. I thoroughly recommend this for all ages. The staff really make the difference and make the experience good for kids & adults.

4. The Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Seahouses NE66 3ED England +44 1670 622660 [email protected] http://www.northumberlandcoastaonb.org
Excellent
91%
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5.0 based on 933 reviews

The Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

The Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is among the finest landscape of the country. It was designated in 1958 and covers 39 miles of coast from Berwick to the Coquet Estuary. Within this stretch of coastline is some of the most dramatic coastal scenery - sweeping sandy beaches, rolling dunes, high rocky cliffs and isolated islands.

Reviewed By rosiewesti - Wiltshire, United Kingdom

Dog friendly sandy beaches stretching for miles and miles with sand dunes, which the dogs loved to explore, easy to park and Dog poo bins in car parks. Stunning views out across the sea to Holy Island, many seabirds, deserted beaches or very few people.We walked Seahouses, Bamburgh, Ross, Dunstan Steads, and Low Newton beaches over 4 days. Stopping at various pubs for a hearty lunch with our dogs. The coastline is stunning, castles, sand dunes etc

5. Jesmond Dene

Jesmond Dene Road Jesmond Dene, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7BQ England +44 191 814 4574 [email protected] http://urbangreennewcastle.org/find-your-park/jesmond-dene
Excellent
68%
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4.5 based on 1,273 reviews

Jesmond Dene

Jesmond Dene is the jewel in the crown of Newcastle's parks and green spaces. The Dene is packed full of historic and natural features and masses of wildlife, flowers and ancient woodland for everyone to enjoy.

Reviewed By Jp_King93

This is a beautiful park, really calming and wonderful for pictures, I really enjoyed my visit and will come back for sure

6. St. Mary's Lighthouse and Visitor Centre

St. Marys Island, Whitley Bay NE26 4RS England +44 191 643 4777 [email protected] https://my.northtyneside.gov.uk/category/635/st-marys-lighthouse
Excellent
58%
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4.5 based on 839 reviews

St. Mary's Lighthouse and Visitor Centre

Reached between the tides via a short causeway, St. Mary's has all the fascination of a miniature, part-time island. The Lighthouse, completed in 1898 on a hazardous coast for shipping, remained operational until 1984 when it was superseded by modern navigational techniques. Since then the Lighthouse and former keepers' cottages have been operated as a visitor centre by North Tyneside Council. The surrounding Nature Reserve contains an area of rockpools, clifftop grassland, a beach and newly created wetland habitats.Wherever possible we are open seven days a week between May and September, and during weekends and school holidays in the winter. However, it is not possible for us to open on some days because of tidal conditions. The stated opening times can also be subject to variations on occasion due to weather affecting the times of the tide.

Reviewed By juliepat23

lovely place - coffee shop and little gift shop friendly staff/areas to have a picnic amazing views Kids can go crab fishing and see fish sea creatures- very educational

7. The Angel of the North

Durham Road Low Eighton, Gateshead NE9 6AA England +44 191 478 4222 http://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/3957/Angel-of-the-North
Excellent
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4.5 based on 2,139 reviews

The Angel of the North

Reviewed By grandad88 - Clitheroe, United Kingdom

We stopped here with our grandsons. Our elder grandson age 10 had read up information about it before we went and so gave us lots of facts about the statue. The younger one was at first a bit overwhelmed but soon warmed to the statue and enjoyed running around it. It is worth stopping here for a closer look as it is easily accessible just off the A1 with a small car park so if you are travellng up the A1 and want a short break you may as well stop here and stretch your legs

8. Wallington Hall

Wallington Hall Cambo, Morpeth NE61 4AR England +44 1670 773606 http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wallington/
Excellent
69%
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4.5 based on 1,252 reviews

Wallington Hall

Reviewed By paulineg88 - Morpeth, United Kingdom

A great place to go at any time of year. As well as an interesting house there is extensive woodland, excellent river walks, beautiful formal gardens plus you can watch wildlife (often including red squirrels) from a comfortable hide.

9. Vindolanda

Vindolanda Vindolanda Bardon Mill, Hexham NE47 7JG England +44 1434 344277 [email protected] http://www.vindolanda.com
Excellent
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4.5 based on 2,181 reviews

Vindolanda

Visit Roman Vindolanda today and you will find one of the North East’s most famous and not to be missed tourist attractions lying in the beautiful landscape of Hadrian's Wall Country. Formerly a key military post on the northern frontier of Britain, Vindolanda is the home of Britain's 'Top Treasure' - the Vindolanda Writing Tablets - and is one Europe's most important Roman archeological sites, with live excavations taking place every year. The recently fully refurbished on site museum provides a breathtaking exploration of the Trust's ongoing discoveries and accounts of Roman life. There are no other places on earth where it is possible to experience Roman Britain, Hadrian's Wall and history coming to life before your very eyes all in one space! Come and explore it for yourself and find out why Vindolanda is treasured worldwide.

Reviewed By BenB4965 - Oudenaarde, Belgium

Very interesting spot with great history and part of the enormous Hadrian wall . Presently they are excavating and you can find in the museum a collection of roman shoes (it is extremely rare to have things like these) and also writings and letters from roman soldiers on wooden tablets (perishable , as are the shoes)

10. The Discovery Museum

Discovery Museum Blandford Square, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4JA England +44 191 232 6789 [email protected] http://www.discoverymuseum.org.uk
Excellent
60%
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Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 1,686 reviews

The Discovery Museum

It’s free to get in to Discovery Museum, which is a massive space showcasing the best of Newcastle’s heritage over three floors and extensive galleries crammed with inventions, world-firsts, model ships and interactive activities for curious kids – and adults! Telling the story of Newcastle and its people from Roman times through to the present day Discovery Museum champions the spirit of the north east area. With events on all year.

Reviewed By nikkisuk

The museum is free to visit (although donations are gratefully received). We visited on a sunny Saturday and there was a steady flow of people but not by any means overcrowded. There are three floors of rooms that you can visit covering topics such as life locally, the local regiment, a science maze and on our visit there was an inventors section and the Stephenson Rocket exhibition. My two boys, aged nine and seven, thoroughly enjoyed their day there. Lots of the displays have reading but there is also a great deal of interactive exhibits. There is a cafe there but we took our own lunch and used the tables on the lower ground floor to picnic. There is no real outdoor space, other than the front on the pavement but the building is light and airy so that if it is a sunny day, you don't feel like you're missing out too much. Several car parks locally which are reasonable in price. Easily can spend a good four hours there.

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