Thanks to our writer Bethanie for their help in putting this post together.
While we are all enjoying the feeling of getting outdoors more as the season changes, it is fair to say we also need to be prepared for those rainy days. What to do on a wet weekend in Northumberland? How to fill a half term holiday if the weather isn’t on our side?
Save these for the weekend or school holidays. All information is correct of March 2022. Some places require booking in advance so check before you visit.
If rain is forecast for the weekend, I do recommend booking something at the earliest opportunity if you are looking to head out as indoor attractions do tend to get booked up and reach capacity when the weather isn't great.
Swimming in Northumberland
Active Northumberland
With leisure centres across Northumberland, Active Northumberland also offer sports facilities such as booking badminton courts, climbing walls and soft plays at some of their centres.
A few of their locations include:
- Ashington Leisure Centre
- Berwick Leisure Centre
- Concordia Leisure Centre, Cramlington
- Morpeth Riverside Leisure Centre
- Willowburn, Alnwick
- Ponteland Leisure Centre
- Rothbury Pool and Gym
The pool in Berwick has recently been refurbished and looks great for all the family. There is still a booking system in place online however if the pool is quiet, they won’t turn you away.
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| Credit : Berwick Leisure Centre |
Soft Plays, Role Play Centres, Trampoline Parks & Climbing Walls in Northumberland
Castle Mania Northumberland
- Active Northumberland have a few different soft plays open within their leisure centres including Concordia, Berwick and Willowburn.
- Little Morpeth Role Play Centre
- Castle Mania, Amble
- Treasure Island, Morpeth
- CJs Funhouse, Cramlington
- Gigglewicks Role Play Centre, Cramlington (now closed)
- Space to Play, Bedlington (now closed)
- Kids Town, Blyth
- Bounce, Blyth
- The Bunker, Seahouses
- Airbox Bounce, Cramlington
- Clip ‘n Climb, Ponteland and Cramlington
Museums in Northumberland
The Giant Snake Tunnel at Berwick Musem
- Woodhorn Colliery Museum, Ashington. Some of the exhibits are outdoors but there is a fun interactive museum and café indoors.
- Grace Darling Museum, Bamburgh
- Berwick Museum
- Newbiggin Maritime Centre
- The Roman Army Museum
- Museum of Classic Sci-Fi
- The Sill
Barter Books & Children's Shops in Northumberland
Located in the heart of Alnwick, Barter Books is a cosy place to spend a rainy day. Set in an old railway station, there is a children’s section, café and room to sit and read the books before you buy.
It is also worth checking out this list of independent toy shops in Northumberland.
Toddler and Singing Groups in Northumberland
A great way to spend a rainy day is visiting your local toddler group or singing group. I find spending a morning here wears my toddler out and she then has a good nap in the afternoon. The perfect rainy day remedy.
Garden Centres in Northumberland
I never truly appreciated how often my parents took us to the garden centre to see the animals, visit the café and spend time running around the play area. But now I have children of my own, we can often be found filling in a rainy day at our local garden centre.
Most garden centres have cafes, a play area of some kind either a soft play or outdoor playpark, a pet’s section and a wander through looking at the seasonal displays is always nice to do as well.
North East garden centres that are worth a visit include:
- Dobbies. With Northumberland stores in Morpeth and Ponteland, you can read more about visiting Dobbies with young children in this previous post.
- Azure Garden Centre in Cramlington. Use postcode NE23 8BJ
- Wansbeck Garden Centre, Ashington. Use postcode NE63 0YB
Cinema & Theatre in Northumberland
Arts & Crafts / Pottery Painting in Northumberland
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| Pot-a-doodle do |
- Inspired Pots, Hexham
- Alnwick Arts & Crafts Centre
- The Creative Chicken Arts & Crafts, Kirharle
- Pot-a-doodle do, Berwick
Farm Parks in Northumberland
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| Whitehouse Farm |
Bowling Alleys in Northumberland
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| Strike Cramlington |
Dessert Bars & Ice Cream Parlours in Northumberland
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| Doddington Dairy Milk Bar |
- Catling Bakery Dessert Bar, Manor Walks Cramlington
- Ciccarelli, Blyth
- Wheelbirks Parlour, Stocksfield
- Doddington Milk Bar, Wooler
- Emporium Ice Cream Parlour, Corbridge
- Spurelli, Amble
- Molly Moos, Hexham
Other Rainy Day Ideas in Northumberland
- Play on the amusement arcades and enjoy fish and chips in a restaurant in Seahouses
- Take your favourite card games along to your favourite child-friendly pub and enjoy a few drinks
- Embrace the rain and make the most of your favourite outdoor attractions being a little more quiet
Looking for more ideas? This bumper rainy day ideas post covers the whole of the North East, beyond Northumberland or check out our Rainy Day Ideas in Consett post if you're looking for ideas in County Durham.
Hopefully this post has provided some inspiration for rainy day ideas, or for filling in those colder days when you’re not sure what to do or where to visit. Northumberland has plenty on offer for families both indoors and out.
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