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If you're looking to buy an experience gift this year, hopefully this list will provide some inspiration. The price categories in this post are based on an a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids aged 5+) and may vary depending on your family make up.
When buying vouchers / annual passes, check the ages of the children you are buying for as they may receive free admission depending on their age so won't need to be included in the pass.
Prices are correct as of November 2022. Always read voucher t&cs and the small print. I am not responsible or cannot help with any booking / voucher purchases. I don't work for these companies and you need to contact them direct if you require any assistance.
Under £25
Woodhorn / Northumberland Museums Annual Pass
If your budget allows, I would definitely recommend the 'All Sites' pass as it's a fab opportunity for somebody to maybe try a new day out. Northumberland Museums host various exhibitions, trails and activities across the year.
This pass is also an excellent option for families with dogs - dogs are welcome inside Berwick Museum & Hexham Old Gaol and in the grounds and out buildings at Woodhorn. Find out more and buy here.
Cinema Vouchers
Cinema Vouchers are a brilliant option for families. I often give these as a gift myself. My favourite cinemans and their voucher sites are linked below:
Newcastle Castle
Newcastle Castle is currently offering vouchers with a 40% discount for entry before 30 April 2023. This works out at £18 for a family of 4 which is a bargain if you're looking for an experience gift for under £20.
Newcastle Castle is a brilliant day out and ideal for visiting with kids - the views from the rooftop of the Tyne and bridges are simply stunning too. It's also a good option for non-drivers as the castle is super easy to get to by public transport. Find out more and buy here.
Under £50
Gullivers Theme Parks
Gullivers Theme Parks are offering a fantastic deal at the moment - £49 for a family of 4 to visit one of their 4 theme parks in 2023. There are lots of dates available, including school holidays (with a couple of exclusions).
This is a real bargain! Gullivers is a fantastic theme park for families with children under 10. We really enjoyed our visit last year and would recommend (we visited Gullivers Valley). Find out more and buy here.
Seashore Safari with Ranger Jane
This is a fantastic and unique gift for families who love visiting the beach / nature / the great outdoors. For the bargain price of just £45, your voucher is for up to 8 people (any mix of adults and children of all ages) to book a 90 minute guided seashore safari on North Beach in Seahouses.
Dogs on leads are welcome to come along too (they don't need a ticket) and children will need adult supervision at all times. Find out more and book here.
You can read our review of a Seashore Safari with Ranger Jane here.
Do you know any dinosaur fans? Jurassic Live will be visiting Sunderland Empire on Saturday 14 January 2023. You will be one of the first people to see this BRAND NEW SHOW for 2023 and will get to see a range of dinosaurs live on stage including the UK's only flying Pterodactyl and Stegosaurus plus a T Rex, Triceratops and Velociraptor live on stage.
I like that this show is just after Christmas so there won't be too much of a wait for families to enjoy their gift.
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The Lion King is visiting Sunderland Empire from 16 March - 6 May 2023. Recommended for families with children aged 6+, tickets to a performance will make a really thoughtful and memorable gift. Tickets are available from £20 per person. Find out more and buy here.
WWT Washington
Annual gift membership is £96 for a family of 4 and an excellent choice for nature lovers. WWT Washington is an extensive site with lots of wildlife, pushchair friendly walks, bird hides and accessible areas. There is a lovely park too and they run a decent programme of events across the year. Find out more and buy here.
A Beamish Unlimited Gift Pass is £54 for a family of 4. This is really good value as Beamish is an all year round attraction with a full programme of events taking place. Dogs are welcome on leads in the grounds (and the pub) too so it's a good option for families with a dog. Find out more and buy here.
Raby Castle
Raby Castle offer a range of experiences to buy as gift vouchers. I bought a voucher for my parents a few years ago and they loved it. If you know somebody who lives within 30 minutes of Raby Castle, an annual pass is a brilliant idea and includes entry to High Force Waterfall too. A family annual pass including Plotters' Forest is £99. Find out more and buy here.
A family annual pass to Bamburgh Castle is £55 and covers unlimited entry during normal opening hours for up to 2 adults and 3 under 16s.
I think this is really good value as Bamburgh Castle often run events during school holidays and there is a castle trail too. The pass also includes entry in Winter and their Christmas decorations are not to be missed. Find out more and buy here.
Estabulo Durham
If you know a family who loves dining out and isn't veggie, a voucher for Estabulo Rodizio Bar & Grill is a great gift. Far more than a meal out, this is much more of an experience and guests can enjoy unlimited steak and meats carved at their table as well as unlimited salad.
There are venues in Durham and Darlington in the North East and they are beautiful restaurants with fantastic staff. It's basically, a real treat. You can pick the voucher amount, I would recommend a voucher for £100 to cover 2 adults and 2 children. Find out more and buy here.
Read our review of Estabulo Rodizio Bar & Grill here.
Jewellery Making Classes
The Glasshouse in North Shields run various parent/child jewellery making workshops across the year. These generally cost £65 for 2 people (so £130 for 4) and include high quality tuition and all of the materials you need. You can buy gift certificates here.
Kynren is another attraction I have personally bought vouchers for as a gift in the past and I would definitely recommend. The show which takes place in Bishop Auckland has to be seen to be believed!
Expect Knights, Vikings, Shakespeare and more as the history of Britain is played out before your eyes. A voucher to cover 2 adults and 2 children with parking and shuttle in superior seating is £139. Find out more and buy here.
Annual English Heritage Membership is £110 for up to 2 adults and 12 children. We love our English Heritage membership and would recommend to families with dogs who are interested in history (there are some fab events over school holidays) and have a dog as dogs are welcome at most sites.
North East English Heritage venues include Belsay Hall, Warkworth Castle, Tynemouth Priory and a lot of Hadrian's Wall. It's also worth noting that English Heritage have reciprical arrangements / associated attractions where you can gain free or discounted entry too (we used this at Stirling Castle last summer).
If you're purchasing this membership as a gift, make sure you join TopCashBack here first (it's free) and activate when you're on the site to receive some cashback (currently 5.5%). Find out more and buy here.
National Trust Membership
This is another membership which will provide countless days out with lots of access to walks, playgrounds and nature for families. There are lots of fantastic venues across the North East - you can read my full guide to North East National Trust sites here to give you an idea of what to expect.
Annual family membership for up to 2 adults and their children is £133.80. Again, make sure you join TopCashBack here first (it's free) and activate when you're on their site to receive some cashback. Find out more and buy here.
La Chocolatrice Chocolate Making Workshop
I've heard excellent things about these chocolate making workshops which provide lots of free samples as well as an opportunity for you to get creative and make your own chocolate gifts. You can buy workshop gift vouchers from their website (£160 for 4 people). Find out more & buy here.
This is a fantastic and unique gift for families who love visiting the beach / nature / the great outdoors. For the bargain price of just £45, your voucher is for up to 8 people (any mix of adults and children of all ages) to book a 90 minute guided seashore safari on North Beach in Seahouses.
Dogs on leads are welcome to come along too (they don't need a ticket) and children will need adult supervision at all times. Find out more and book here.
You can read our review of a Seashore Safari with Ranger Jane here.
Under £100
Jurassic Live Tickets
I like that this show is just after Christmas so there won't be too much of a wait for families to enjoy their gift.
Aimed at the whole family, this comedic and thrilling stage show features stunning puppetry alongside a team of dino rangers on the hunt to find a missing baby dinosaur. Tickets are from £21.65 per person. Find out more and book here.
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The Lion King is visiting Sunderland Empire from 16 March - 6 May 2023. Recommended for families with children aged 6+, tickets to a performance will make a really thoughtful and memorable gift. Tickets are available from £20 per person. Find out more and buy here.
WWT Washington
Annual gift membership is £96 for a family of 4 and an excellent choice for nature lovers. WWT Washington is an extensive site with lots of wildlife, pushchair friendly walks, bird hides and accessible areas. There is a lovely park too and they run a decent programme of events across the year. Find out more and buy here.
Family Stargazing Voucher
A Family Stargazing Voucher at Twice Brewed Inn allows the recipient to book one family stargazing events across a 12 month period making it super flexible. The voucher covers up to 2 adults and 3 children and is £65. Find out more and buy here.
Beamish
A Beamish Unlimited Gift Pass is £54 for a family of 4. This is really good value as Beamish is an all year round attraction with a full programme of events taking place. Dogs are welcome on leads in the grounds (and the pub) too so it's a good option for families with a dog. Find out more and buy here.
Raby Castle
Bamburgh Castle
A family annual pass to Bamburgh Castle is £55 and covers unlimited entry during normal opening hours for up to 2 adults and 3 under 16s.
I think this is really good value as Bamburgh Castle often run events during school holidays and there is a castle trail too. The pass also includes entry in Winter and their Christmas decorations are not to be missed. Find out more and buy here.
Estabulo Durham
If you know a family who loves dining out and isn't veggie, a voucher for Estabulo Rodizio Bar & Grill is a great gift. Far more than a meal out, this is much more of an experience and guests can enjoy unlimited steak and meats carved at their table as well as unlimited salad.
There are venues in Durham and Darlington in the North East and they are beautiful restaurants with fantastic staff. It's basically, a real treat. You can pick the voucher amount, I would recommend a voucher for £100 to cover 2 adults and 2 children. Find out more and buy here.
Read our review of Estabulo Rodizio Bar & Grill here.
Under £150
Jewellery Making Classes
The Glasshouse in North Shields run various parent/child jewellery making workshops across the year. These generally cost £65 for 2 people (so £130 for 4) and include high quality tuition and all of the materials you need. You can buy gift certificates here.
Diggerland Durham
Diggerland Durham receives excellent reviews in our Facebook group but one sticking point is that it's just so expensive. A gift voucher for a family of 4 is £103.80 (for one day admission) which is a lot but if you're looking for a gift that will be really appreciated, this could just be the one. Find out more and buy here.
National Art Pass
Have you heard of the National Art Pass? It's a good alternative to English Heritage and National Trust.
A family pass is currently £130 for the year and will give you unlimited free entry to 60 attractions in the North (plus more beyond) including Seaton Delaval Hall, Preston Park Museum & Grounds, The Bowes Museum, Cherryburn, Paxton House, Wallington, Berwick Museum & Art Gallery & more. Find out more and buy here.
Kynren Voucher
Kynren is another attraction I have personally bought vouchers for as a gift in the past and I would definitely recommend. The show which takes place in Bishop Auckland has to be seen to be believed!
Expect Knights, Vikings, Shakespeare and more as the history of Britain is played out before your eyes. A voucher to cover 2 adults and 2 children with parking and shuttle in superior seating is £139. Find out more and buy here.
English Heritage Membership
Annual English Heritage Membership is £110 for up to 2 adults and 12 children. We love our English Heritage membership and would recommend to families with dogs who are interested in history (there are some fab events over school holidays) and have a dog as dogs are welcome at most sites.
North East English Heritage venues include Belsay Hall, Warkworth Castle, Tynemouth Priory and a lot of Hadrian's Wall. It's also worth noting that English Heritage have reciprical arrangements / associated attractions where you can gain free or discounted entry too (we used this at Stirling Castle last summer).
If you're purchasing this membership as a gift, make sure you join TopCashBack here first (it's free) and activate when you're on the site to receive some cashback (currently 5.5%). Find out more and buy here.
National Trust Membership
This is another membership which will provide countless days out with lots of access to walks, playgrounds and nature for families. There are lots of fantastic venues across the North East - you can read my full guide to North East National Trust sites here to give you an idea of what to expect.
Annual family membership for up to 2 adults and their children is £133.80. Again, make sure you join TopCashBack here first (it's free) and activate when you're on their site to receive some cashback. Find out more and buy here.
Historic Houses
Historic Houses is another good alternative to National Trust or English Heritage and ideal for families who love visiting historical sites.
An annual family pass is £148 and covers entry to 100s of sites across the year. North East venues include Alnwick Castle, Bamburgh Castle, Chillingham Castle, Raby Castle and Ushaw Historic House & Chapel. Find out more and buy here.
Under £200
La Chocolatrice Chocolate Making Workshop
I've heard excellent things about these chocolate making workshops which provide lots of free samples as well as an opportunity for you to get creative and make your own chocolate gifts. You can buy workshop gift vouchers from their website (£160 for 4 people). Find out more & buy here.
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