South Shields Museum & Art Gallery | A Visitor's Guide

This is an advertisement for August 2021. Any edits / reshares beyond this date have not been asked or paid for. 

I was chatting to my friend recently about our last visit to South Shields Museum & Art Gallery and they mentioned that they didn't realise that South Shields had its own museum. I do feel like despite being in a prominent position in the town centre, those who visit the popular seafront attractions and parks may not realise it is just a short walk away. 

10 of the Best Days Out for Wheelchair Users (with changing places toilets)

 I am often asked for ideas for days out for wheelchair users or where there is access to a changing places toilet so have spent some time researching this post which I hope some of you will find useful. Please note, I am not a wheelchair user myself and do not have first hand experience.

I would love to hear from those who do so if you are a wheelchair user (or carer) and have anything to add to this post, please email sam@northeastfamilyfun.co.uk Thank you. 

The Common Room , Newcastle

This is an advertisement for August 2021. Any edits / shares beyond this date have not been asked or paid for. Information correct as of August 2021. Always check details with venue direct before making plans for the most up to date information as the information in this post may change over time. 

 

About The Common Room

The Common Room is a unique heritage venue in the heart of Newcastle Upon Tyne with a big focus on STEM learning, innovation and engineering (past and present). 

The Common Room is a charity which will lead the redevelopment of the Mining Institute with the support of a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant. Redevelopment work is already well underway and the building is now open for the public to visit. 

Orchard Hideaways Review

 This is an advertisement for August 2021. Any edits / shares beyond this date have not been asked or paid for. Prices and details last checked August 2021. 

Orchard Hideaways is a small glamping site in the North Lakes area of the Lake District. There are just 17 glamping pods on site and the accommodation and facilities are immaculate. No additional camping/tourers are allowed and you do feel as if you are part of a lovely little community of glampers when you stay here. 

Brand New L.O.L. Surprise! Dolls LIVE Show in Newcastle

 This is an advertisement for August 2021. Any reshares / edits beyond this date have not been asked or paid for. 

L.O.L. Surprise! Live VIP Party in collaboration with Visit Malta will be touring the UK with their brand new live show this winter. 

Utilita Arena Newcastle will host the fierce, fun and fearless L.O.L. Surprise! Dolls alongside their BFFs and B.B.s in their exciting new show on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 January 2022.

Tickets are available from just £15. The Newcastle dates make this an ideal Christmas gift and the show is definitely something to look forward to at the end of January. 

About the Show 

Expect the best ever beats & latest songs from the upcoming L.O.L. Surprise! movie, never-before-seen dance moves and the ultimate instagrammable sets. Plus, for the first time in the UK, holograms will be used as part of a live tour. 

Produced by Carter Entertainment, the innovative production will feature spectacular choreography, elaborate sets, flawless costumes and brand new music. 

The 90 minute show will be a mix of concert & dance party where the whole family can let their hair down and enjoy themselves. There will be projections, bubbles, confetti blasts, and lots of opportunities to sing and dance along in your seat. 

The main story follows Mallory as she gets ready for the L.O.L. Surprise! LIVE VIP Party but doesn't know what to wear. Luckily, the L.O.L. Surprise! Dolls are on hand to help her realise that B.B.s don't just fit into one box and all that matters is being yourself and having fun. 

Along the way, Mallory and the dolls are joined by many of their well-known friends. Expect lots of dancing and singing life size holograms of L.O.L. Surprise! Remix O.M.G Fashion Dolls 

Where to Buy Tickets 

• Utilita Arena Newcastle pre-sale tickets will be available from 24th August (for eligible customers)
• Ticketmaster pre-sale tickets will be available from 25th August (for eligible customers) 
  

General sale tickets will be available from www.lolsurpriseliveontour.com from 27th August at 9am. 

Get Up and Dance - the brand new song from L.O.L. Surprise! is available to stream / download / listen to NOW and the new dance video will be available on Youtube from 27th August. Perfect for practicing those dance moves! 

Arbeia Roman Fort & Museum | A Visitor's Guide

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We visited Arbeia Roman Fort in August 2021 and I was kicking myself for not visiting earlier. It is FREE to visit and there is loads to see and do both inside and out. It is not part of Hadrian's Wall and offers an alternative insight into Roman life in North East England which I found to be fascinating. Arbeia Roman Fort is a World Heritage Site. 

A Visitor's Guide to Raby Castle, Deer Park & Gardens

 This post is an advertisement for August 2021. Any shares / amendments beyond this date have not been asked or paid for. The photos from this post have been taken at various points from 2018-present day. Please always check with Raby Castle for up-to-date information when making plans as this information may have changed. 



You can read an updated version of this post from July 2024 here: https://www.northeastfamilyfun.co.uk/2024/07/raby-castle-park-gardens-review.html

This post will share some information on what you can expect from a visit to Raby Castle. A lovely day out in North East England which is so much more than just a Castle.

It is somewhere I recommend to families with children of all ages - from babies right up to teens and families with grown up / no children too. It is one of those places which is interesting for all generations to visit and somewhere where there is something for everyone to enjoy. 

The Big Northumberland Gear Change | How To Get Involved

This is an advertisement for August 2021. Any edits / reshares beyond this date have not been asked or paid for. 

The Big Northumberland Gear Change is a campaign hoping to inspire more walking and cycling across my home county of beautiful Northumberland and I am delighted to be involved. 

Over the past year or so, our car usage has been at an all time low (for obvious reasons) and the money we have saved along with the environmental and health benefits is something I am keen to continue and we hope to leave the car at home and use public transport, walk and cycle more often than we previously would have.

15+ Walking & Cycling Routes Across North East England

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Go Smarter, Go Active is a brand new campaign which aims to encourage more people to explore the whole of North East England via active travel (walking, cycling, scooting etc.....). You may remember I have previously shared some of their free summer roadshows and I can personally vouch for how brilliant they were at encouraging Jack to get on his bike with their FREE kids cycling classes. 

Bill Quay Farm | A Free Day Out in Gateshead

A lovely reader (Laura Jordison) has been in touch to share some information about Bill Quay Farm (and thanks to Laura for these photos too). 

After a period of closure, Bill Quay Farm in Gateshead is now open once again. It is free to visit with no booking required but they do rely on donations from the community to run. You can buy animal food from the entrance for £2 per bag. 

How to Visit Thor's House in New Asgard

*This article was originally published in August 2021 when Scotland was updated in April 2023. 

St Abbs is somewhere I have wanted to visit for ages and it seemed like the ideal spot to stop off and stretch our legs en-route to the Central Lowlands this summer. 

80 miles North of Newcastle (it should take around 1 hour 45 minutes in the car), St Abbs is a short detour from the A1 and ideal as a stop off when driving North or as a place to spend a few hours if you are staying in Berwick. 

FREE Mickey Mouse Trail at Metrocentre this Summer

Advertisement. Image credits | Metrocentre & Disney On Ice
 

300 Mickey Mouse Stickers have been hidden around the Metrocentre as part of Unlock the Magic this summer. Find them for your chance to win tickets to this year's Disney On Ice, a holiday to Disneyland Paris and lots of other rewards and prizes from participating retailers. It is FREE to enter with no booking required - simply turn up during normal centre opening hours. The trail will run until 5pm Sunday 5th September 2021. See here for t&cs. 

Saltburn Holiday Lets (Dog friendly) : A Review

 This is an advertisement for August 2021. Any shares / amendments after this date have not been asked or paid for. 

We stayed at Saltburn Holiday Lets in July 2021. This set of luxury self catering accommodation is split across four 'lets' which each sleep between 2-7 guests. You can hire the whole place too (will sleep up to 14 guests) and the location is perfect for a private family gathering.