Below are some of the best FREE Adventure Playgrounds to visit in 2023. I have tried to keep them within the North East (or accessible as a day trip). They have all been tried and tested by our team and come highly recommended.
This post was published in April 2023. Please check with venues direct for the most up to date info.
Love a good playground? Make sure you read 25+ of the Best Playgrounds in North East England next or if you're looking for more FREE days out, check out 50+ FREE Days Out across North East England.
Or if the weather looks particularly nice, check out our guide to North East Splash Pads, Water Play Areas & Outdoor Pools
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2 - Preston Park Adventure Playground (TS18 3RH) - free onsite parking and accessible by bus.
3 - Harestanes Adventure Playground (TD8 6UQ) - free onsite parking and accessible by bus.
4 - Hamsterley Forest Adventure Playground (DL13 3NL) - paid onside parking.
5 - Kielder Waterside Park Adventure Playground (NE48 1BT) - onsite parking.
6 - The Helix at Falkirk Adventure Playground (FK2 7ZT) - free and paid onsite parking and accessible by bus.
1 - Shiremoor Adventure Playground
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| Credit : Jennifer Storey |
Shiremoor Adventure Playground is a fantastic FREE place to visit with kids. It is not open 24/7 and is staffed - they are only open during selected times so it's always best to check with their Facebook page for this week's timings before setting off.
They also run weekly dedicated sessions for families with children who have additional needs.
As well as the play structures, there is a wide range of activities to get stuck into which could include camp fire building, roller skating, cooking, tending to farm animals, gardening and more. It's fab for building confidence and learning life skills and really is a special place.
Shiremoor Adventure Playground is just a 10 minute walk from Shiremoor Metro Station. Read our full review, see more photos and find out more: Shiremoor Adventure Playground Review
2 - Preston Park Adventure Playground
There is an entry fee to visit Preston Park Museum / Butterfly World but if you'd just like to visit the Adventure Playground here, there is no charge - it's FREE.
It's a lovely adventure playground with different areas for different ages groups including a toddler area with sand pit and larger climbing frames and tube slides for bigger kids.
The views over Tees Valley are fab and there is a cafe, picnic tables, toilets and skate park on site too as well as a nice woodland walk and large grassed area which is popular for ball games and kite flying.
There is a cute mini railway that runs on selected dates (check their FB page) next to the band stand for a small fee (cash only).
Preston Park offers free onsite parking and is accssible by bus. Find out more here: Preston Park Website
It's a lovely adventure playground with different areas for different ages groups including a toddler area with sand pit and larger climbing frames and tube slides for bigger kids.
The views over Tees Valley are fab and there is a cafe, picnic tables, toilets and skate park on site too as well as a nice woodland walk and large grassed area which is popular for ball games and kite flying.
There is a cute mini railway that runs on selected dates (check their FB page) next to the band stand for a small fee (cash only).
Preston Park offers free onsite parking and is accssible by bus. Find out more here: Preston Park Website
3 - Harestanes Adventure Playground
Harestanes is a fantastic adventure playground near Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders. It's full of brilliant, engaging play equipment including things to bounce on, climb up and slide down. I love that there is a dedicated sensory area and there are wheelchair swings too.
The cafe here has recently opened up under new management after a period of closure but I would probably recommend just bringing a picnic blanket and snacks and enjoying them in the park as it will be difficult to tear your kids away.
Harestanes is accessible by bus (+10 minute walk) or there is a free on site car park.
Find out more, see more photos and read our full blog review here: Harestanes Adventure Playground Review
4 - Hamsterley Forest Adventure Playground
I love the adventure playground at Hamsterley Forest as it kind of starts as soon as you enter the forest. There are beams to balance on, nets to climb across and logs to jump over as you walk along the pushchair friendly route through the forest to the main adventure playground by the beck. The play here is based around Vikings and is lots of fun.
As well as the playground, there are Gruffalo Sculptures to find, a new ZOG trail, cafe, bike trails and family walks. You can easily spend a full afternoon / day here.
Hamsterley Forest is not accessible by public transport and parking charges apply.
Find out more: Hamsterley Forest Website
5 - Kielder Waterside Park Adventure Playground
There is a brand new castle themed adventure playground in the grounds of Kielder Waterside Park (non-residents can visit and enjoy a drink/meal at the pub here or visit Kielder Birds of Prey).
Expect a big castle, nets, slides, obstacle courses and swings in a beautiful location overlooking the reservoir. There is a giant bouncy pillow and small indoor soft play inside the pub too.
Easy to combine with a the Zog Trail at Kielder Castle.
Parking available on site. Kielder is accessible by bus on Tuesdays and Fridays - contact Adapt for more info and to book your seat.
See more photos and read more about visiting Kielder here: Kielder Zog Trail & Adventure Playground
Expect a big castle, nets, slides, obstacle courses and swings in a beautiful location overlooking the reservoir. There is a giant bouncy pillow and small indoor soft play inside the pub too.
Easy to combine with a the Zog Trail at Kielder Castle.
Parking available on site. Kielder is accessible by bus on Tuesdays and Fridays - contact Adapt for more info and to book your seat.
See more photos and read more about visiting Kielder here: Kielder Zog Trail & Adventure Playground
6 - The Helix at Falkirk Adventure Playground
A little further afield but the Helix at Falkirk is one of my favourite free adventure playgrounds. There are giant structures and slides to play on, nets to climb, a splash pad plus a dedicated toddler area. The park overlooks a lake (you can hire boats) and there is a nice cafe there too.
It's easy to walk to the Kelpies from here and you could definitely spend a full afternoon here.
There is FREE and paid parking on site and Helix Park is accessible by bus and bike too.
See more photos and read our guide to visiting here: 50+ Things to do in Falkirk
It's easy to walk to the Kelpies from here and you could definitely spend a full afternoon here.
There is FREE and paid parking on site and Helix Park is accessible by bus and bike too.
See more photos and read our guide to visiting here: 50+ Things to do in Falkirk
- Lowther Castle Adventure Playground (top tip - make sure you buy May's edition of Gardener's World Magazine for 2for1 entry)
Lowther Castle - Plotters' Forest at Raby Castle
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Plotters' Forest - Credit Toon Fun Club - Lilidorei at Alnwick Garden
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Lilidorei - Lightwater Valley Adventure Playground (the Angry Bird theming has been removed but it's the same structure)
Lightwater Valley - Culzeon Castle
Culzeon Castle
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