30+ North East Farms & Animal Attractions


Prices and info correct July 2020. With the ongoing pandemic, some of these attractions may be closed at the moment or running a reduced offering. Many will require pre-booking. Always check for up-to-date information with an attraction direct before setting off. 

30+ North East Farms & Animal Attractions


 
We have over 30 animal attractions here in North East England. I have popped the most popular ones together in one post and organised them into price brackets. There is something for everyone from free attractions to personal VIP animal experiences. 

Let me know your favourite animal attractions in the North East. 

North East Farms & Animal Attractions -  £30+ per family 



Barnacres Alpacas

30+ North East Farms & Animal Attractions


What they say:  Our alpaca walk ‘n’ talks are enjoyable, informative and you always leave with a smile, lots of pictures and a story to tell! Hundreds of people have been on them and the record holder is someone who has now been 14 times!

The walks happen all year round and you need to book in advance. Weekends tend to be busier and the nicer the weather, the busier we get!

  • Cost of a family ticket: £100 (£25 pp walk & talk an alpaca - over 7s only)
  • Accessibility: No information provided. 
  • Find out more: https://barnacre-alpacas.co.uk/


North East Falconry

  • What they say: We have over 14 years experience in falconry, we offer a number of unique falconry experiences. There's something for everyone, Whether you just want a gentle walk alone or with family flying a hawk on a Hawkwalk , or one of our Introduction To Falconry course where you learn all the aspects of owning a bird of prey.



Farne Islands Sail Around 



  • What they say: 

    This Farne Islands tour is perfect for all of the family to view the seabird and seal habitats (depending on the time of year), view the magnificent scenery of the islands and Northumberland’s iconic coastline and learn of Grace Darling’s life-saving heroics.

    Read about our trip to the Farne Islands and see more photos here. 
  • Cost of a family ticket: £52
  • Accessibility:  This tour is wheelchair accessible but only when the tide is in so we can pick you up and drop you off at the slipway. Please note that we can’t get extra wide chairs and electric wheelchairs onboard as we still need to help you get on the boat.
  • Find out more: http://farneislandstours.co.uk/


Adventure Valley

  • What they say:

    With 6 huge play zones to discover, farmyard fun and masses of indoor and outdoor fun, Adventure Valley is easily the North East’s biggest family adventure park.
  • Cost of a family ticket: £47.80
  • Accessibility:  Accessibility for wheelchairs and pushchairs – The site is split into three sections. The top part is completely accessible, giving you access to all the indoor play areas. The other two sections are outdoors and on a hill, however, paths have been covered in tarmac.
  • Find out more: https://www.adventurevalley.co.uk/



Whitehouse Farm


  • What they say:

    Whitehouse Farm Centre is Northumberland’s largest family run Farm attraction spread over 40 acres, located south of Morpeth and just a mile off the A1.

    Whitehouse is a great place for families, school and group visits of all ages enabling visitors to see, handle and feed a wide variety of animals from traditional breeds to more unusual and exotic species.

    There really is something for everyone, as well as animals & activities, there’s indoor & outdoor play areas to discover and explore, so it’s always farmtastic fun whatever the weather!!


    Read about our trip to Whitehouse Farm and see more photos here

 
Blue Reef Aquarium

  • What they say:

    Enjoy close encounters with hundreds of incredible aquatic creatures! Come face to face with everything from adorable seals and otters to clownfish, seahorses and graceful stingrays. Meet the monkeys and reptiles in our stunning Amazonian feature and get up close and personal to our playful Seals!

    A full programme of entertaining talks and feeding displays take place throughout the day.
  • Cost of a family ticket: £39.15
  • Accessibility: No information provided. 
  • Find out more: https://www.tynemouthaquarium.co.uk/
 
 Bat Safaris with Wild Intrigue



  • What they say: Join us on a Bat Safari to discover the sights and sound’s of urban Ouseburn’s Chiroptera. Using our expertise as bat surveyors, as well as our endless intrigue for bat ecology, we will introduce you to the diverse and awe-inspiring sounds of different bat species as they go about their nightly routines. 

  • Cost of a family ticket: from £36
  •  Find out more:  https://www.wildintrigue.co.uk/


Northumberland Country Zoo



Hall Hill Farm



  • What they say: The farm has been in the Gibson family since 1925 and is over 700 acres in size.

    Hall Hill Farm first opened to visitors in 1981, since then many thousands of people have visited the farm.

    Over the years the farm has won many awards including Outstanding Educational Experience in the Pride of Northumbria tourist board and has been a finalist in the North East England Tourism awards.

 
Down at the Farm
  • What they say:  Our main ethos has always been to keep things as simple and as natural as possible so that new generations can experience the same wild spaces that we did when we were smaller!  We have lots of outdoor spaces for visitors to enjoy and in the summer months there are lots of picnic areas and quieter places to sit away from the crowds.

Stepney Bank Stables

  • What they say:As well as being a riding school providing high quality riding instruction on well-mannered, well-schooled horses, Stepney Bank Stables is a children and young people’s Project (Charity no. 1084687) which has been a vital element of the Byker community for over 20 years



North East Farms & Animal Attractions -  £10-£30 per family 



WWT Washington Wetlands




Tweddle Farm 

What they say: Tweddle Childrens Animal Farm, Co.Durham's finest fun-filled attraction 
 
If you want to experience a thrilling day out for the whole family, a visit to our animal farm will fill you with smiles. We've indoor and outdoor play areas, indoor and outdoor pedal go-kart tracks, crazy golf and loads more activities kids will love and an excellent variety of animals that will make any young face light up.
 



Kielder Birds of Prey



  • What they say:  The Birds Of Prey Centre is located within the magnificent lakeside surroundings of Kielder Water at Leaplish Waterside Park, Northumberland. The Centre contains one of the largest & most fascinating collections of Birds Of Prey in the North of England.
 


Northumberland College Zoo


  • What they say: The zoo is part of Northumberland College's Kirkley Hall Campus and was set up as an educational training facility for the college’s Animal Care students as well as becoming a tourist attraction during school holidays.

    Since opening the zoo has grown massively and now boasts over 200 species of animals, reptiles and birds including alpacas, ring tailed lemurs, marmosets, capybara, emus, wallabies, kookaburras, snakes, lizards and smaller domestic animals in our petting barn. Click here to read about our trip to Northumberland College Zoo and see more photos.
 

Wethriggs Animal Rescue

  • What they say: Wetheriggs is a small family run animal rescue charity first established in 2006. We take in injured and unwanted animals including domestic pets (excluding dogs and cats), farm animals and native wildlife.

    If we have the facilities suitable, we will take in any animal and give them a new home and a new chance at life.

    Some of the animals we try to rehome, but others will live out their lives at the centre. Many have previously experienced poor living conditions and may suffer with trust issues or have health problems.

 


Jarrow Hall



  • What they say: Set across 11 acres, Jarrow Hall features a museum dedicated to exploring the life and legacy of Bede, alongside reconstructed Anglo-Saxon dwellings and an extensive farm home to rare-breed and rescued animals. We're suitable for visitors of all ages and companion animal-friendly too, so join us for a great day out.

    Click here to read our review of Jarrow Hall and to see more photos 
 
Butterfly World



 


Ouseburn Farm





 
Newham Grange Country Farm

  • What they say:
    We have our fantastic Farm Walk, where our outside animals will be waiting to say hello! This is going to be a one-way system and we have signage to help direct you. We have also opened our toddler and junior play parks. The discovery barn will operate a one way system to view our cute little animals. The café is open for drinks and snacks to enjoy in the picnic area.

  • Cost of a family ticket: £12.80
  • Accessibility: https://newhamgrangefarm.co.uk/visit-us/accessibility/
  • Find out more: https://newhamgrangefarm.co.uk/
 


North East Farms & Animal Attractions -  under £10 per family 


Hay Farm Heavy Horse



  • What they say: Hay Farm is situated between Ford and Etal on the B6354 and is home to the largest herd of rare breed Clydesdale Heavy Horses within the North of England.
    The farm is steeped in history and in years gone by was an integral part of the Estate, the surrounding land being worked with 17 Clydesdales until the last ones left in the 1950s.

    Click here to read our review of Hay Farm Heavy Horse and to see more photos

  • Cost of a family ticket: £10
  • Find out more: https://www.hayfarmheavies.co.uk/hay-farm
  • Accessibility:  NEVER let a disability stop you from coming to the centre.  We will do our upmost to help you enjoy your visit.  Majority of the areas are wheelchair accessible, but if you do have any difficulties we will sort them out.

     

    These horses are extremely gentle and we have found in the past that children with a fear of horses or a disability do benefit from meeting them.


RSPB Saltholme


 
Lobster Hatchery



  • What they say: We have set up the hatchery to be as interactive, informative, and engaging as possible for all ages. Visitors can observe the whole process from the eggs hatching to the young lobsters being ready for release. We have specially shaped tanks with a water flow to help keep our babies apart (otherwise they eat each other).

    Kids (and brave adults) can get a hands on experience with our touch tank where our hatchery guides can introduce you to some local creatures – we only keep these for a few weeks at a time before they are returned to the sea, so you never know what you might find!

  • Cost of a family ticket: £8.50 (annual pass)
  • Accessibility: No information provided.  
  • Find out more: https://northumberlandseafood.co.uk/
 
Northumberland Wildlife Trust 


  • What they say: Northumberland Wildlife Trust is a charity dedicated to saving wildlife and wild places and helping people to get closer to nature.

    We manage over 60 nature reserves and help to create wildlife-rich landscapes and seas by working in partnership with other organisations, landowners and communities.

    Read about our trip to East Cramlington Nature Reserve here

  • Cost of a family ticket: £4 per month 
  • Accessibility: See individual site websites 
  • Find out more: https://www.nwt.org.uk/
 


Durham Wildlife Trust

  • What they say: Durham Wildlife Trust manages 36 nature reserves from the Tees to the Tyne, encompassing ancient woodland, large heaths, grassland meadows, wetlands and more.

    Testament to the diverse landscape of the north east, each Nature Reserve requires unique management, including our 12 designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

  • Cost of a family ticket: £3.50 per month 
  • Accessibility: See individual websites for details. 
  • Find out more: https://membership.wildlifetrusts.org/join/Durham/
 
Deer Feeding at Whitworth Hall 

  • What they say: Our deer park is a quintessential back drop for any wedding or special occasion, and feeding our fallow deer is a favourite among visitors old and young,
  • Cost of a family ticket: £2 per bag of food
  • Accessibility: No information provided
  • Find out more: https://whitworthhall.co.uk/

Mini Pony Hire



  • What they say:
    Our mini ponies are available for appearances throughout the North East and can fit in with any theme or activity.
    We are insured for 5 million pounds public liability and Lisa is 1st aid trained, CRB checked and always completes a risk assessment of the venue and event.

  • Cost of a family ticket: Various
  • Accessibility: Trained therapy ponies. 
  • Find out more: https://www.facebook.com/MiniPonyHire/


North East Farms & Animal Attractions -  FREE


South Shields Museum


  • What they say: The museum is spread over two floors telling the story of the borough's social, industrial and maritime history from 4,000 years ago to the present day through a range of displays, exhibitions and nationally significant works of art.

    On the ground floor you can get closer to the collection and treasures of South Tyneside. There's also Creature Corner, home to our resident reptiles and insects, the shop and a small cafe, the Victorian Pantry, serving a range of hot and cold refreshments.

  • Cost of a family ticket: Free 
  • Accessibility: https://southshieldsmuseum.org.uk/visit-us/access-information
  • Find out more: https://southshieldsmuseum.org.uk/
 
Rising Sun Farm


 
 
Pets Corner


  • What they say: Jesmond Dene is home to Pets Corner. The popular attraction opened in the 1960s and continues to delight families with young children. Next door you will find the Visitor Centre which includes a gift shop, café, classroom, toilets and meetings space. There is a play area next to Pets Corner, designed and built as part of the Ouseburn Parks Lottery Project in 2011.

  • Cost of a family ticket: Free 
  • Accessibility: There is an excellent network of footpaths that run through the park that are suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Due to the geography of Jesmond Dene, many of the paths are steep and unsuitable for wheelchairs. However, there are some flatter routes, such as alongside the River.
  • Find out more: https://urbangreennewcastle.org/find-your-park/jesmond-dene
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Please follow social distancing rules & Government guidelines , respect the local area, leave no trace, take litter home, park responsibly and if somewhere is busy on arrival, please consider leaving and returning at a later date. 

Always check updated opening hours / protocols with venues direct before setting off as things may have changed after this post was published. 
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