North East Family Fun

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Please check information with venues direct using the links provided (especially opening hours) before heading out as info can change. You can do that here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/family-friendly

If you're a National Trust member and looking at making the most of your membership this half term or maybe you have a National Trust Day Pass from a previous Reach PLC promotion (check the dates & t&cs), this is the post for you. I'm going to share lots of things to do across North East National Trust sites this half term.

Of course, if you're not a member, you can pay day admission and enjoy these days out too. Remember, under 5s go free.

And if you're a regular National Trust visitor, I hope this post will provide some inspiration for somewhere new to try.

North of the Tyne

Wallington

There are four play areas to enjoy at Wallington including a popular play train and fort and some lovely walks to enjoy with the family around the walled garden and along the river.

Something pretty special is happening at Wallington. Since 2016, 100,000 snowdrops have been planted at Wallington every February half term and this February, their 1 millionth snowdrop will be planted. You can get involved and help plant the final 100,000 snowdrops every day between 11am and 3pm - just drop in.

You can also join in with snowdrop crafts and create your very own snowdrop crown and join Wallington for their special snowdrop parade on 2 March.

We have participated in this event in the past and I love that every February, we can return, admire the snowdrops and know we were part of the project.

There's a cafe, free parking and several playgrounds on site.

Find out more & check event timings: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/family-friendly

Seaton Delaval Hall

Seaton Delaval Hall is our local National Trust site and the one we visit most. I have a real soft spot for it and if you've not visited before, I'd definitely recommend. It's a good option to keep in mind if the weather is changeable as there's quite a bit to do both indoors and outside.

You can enjoy the Delaval Playdium (pictured), experiment with the mirrors and explore the hall's basement which is home to a surprise or two. Don't miss the epic upside down room, enjoy 'The Game of Seaton Delaval Hall' and peek through the hall's keyholes where another surprise awaits.

Half term activities are based around the theme of 'For the Love of a Good Book'. Visitors can cosy up in reading corner, order your own bespoke poem from the pop up poetry takeaway, enjoy interactive storytime with local storytellers and follow a literary trail across the site where you can roll the dice and 'choose your own adventure'.

Activities along the trail include shadow puppet making, dressing up and nature poem writing. Sounds brill!

You can easily visit Seaton Delaval Hall by public transport - there's a bus stop outside. Click here for more details. There's a cafe, playground and free parking on site.

Find out more & check event timings: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/family-friendly

Cragside

If you've not visited Cragside House with children, I'd urge you to pop by. It's an ideal rainy day activity and really child-friendly. You can take part in a critter trail where you can hunt for giant bugs as you explore the house and learn more about the destruction they cause.

Older children may enjoy the Smart trail where you're challenged to find 8 different objects that point to why Cragside was the original Smart Home.

Under 5s can borrow a free explorer pack with a wooden camera to take pictures and a magnifying glass to take a closer look and don't miss the Electric Room (pictured) which is filled with weird and wonderful experiments.

And of course, if the sun is shining, there's plenty to enjoy outdoors at Cragside with walks to try, a lovely traditional enclosed playground and den building zone.

You can easily visit Cragside by public transport, Arriva's X14 pulls right into the entrance where you'll be greeted by a member of staff as you alight. There's a playground, cafe and free parking on site.

Find out more: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/family-friendly

South of the Tyne

Ormesby Hall

Ormesby Hall is packed with lots of fun. Little ones will love the model railways in the hall and there's a natural playground with a balance see-saw and steppy stones to jump over as well as a bird hide and insect hotel.

This February Half Term is storybook themed with a character trail around the house and garden (can you match the missing items to the correct character?). There's also a chance to plant your own beanstalk to take home and enjoy some storybook themed crafts.

There's a series of drop-in creative workshops planned across the week too with interactive storytelling (22,23,24 Feb), creative writing workshops (25 & 26 Feb) and learn to draw workshops (27 & 28 Feb).

Ormesby Hall is a nice day out by train - it's a 15 minute walk from Marton Station. You can visit by bus too. Click here for further details. There's a cafe, natural playground and free parking on site.

Find out more & check event timings: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/family-friendly

Crook Hall Gardens

Crook Hall is easy to reach on foot from Durham Centre or Train Station (a 10 minute walk along the river). If you're visiting Durham Fire & Ice, why not add a visit onto your day out?

Crook Hall Gardens are the perfect place to take a little wander and spot the first signs of spring. There's a maze to explore and the gardens offer magnificent views across to Durham Cathedral. The Garden Gate Cafe is an ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a relaxing drink and slice of cake.

Crook Hall Gardens is hosting various nature activities across half term including seed planting, make a bird feeder and make a bird box. And as an extra special treat, on 1 March, author Stacey Stoneman will be visiting the gardens and reading her debut children's book, The Wonderful Woodlouse. Stacey is happy to sign copies too.

Find out more & check event timings: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/family-friendly

Souter Lighthouse

Did you know, Souter Lighthouse was the first in the world to be powered by electricity? A visit is really interesting and you can discover more about life inside a lighthouse and how they work. You can also climb the 76 steps to the top and view Souter's lamp - the views are spectacular from up there.

Over half term you can try a self-led bird spotter trail along the Leas. It's pushchair friendly too.

Stagecoach bus E1 stops at the top of the lighthouse's drive and it's a nice walk (or stop off) here along the coast from Seaburn or South Shields.

Find out more & check event timings: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/family-friendly

Gibside

Gibside is somewhere you can easily spend a full day with family walks to try, the fabulous Strawberry Castle Play Area and Low Ropes Course. It's super dog friendly too and although dogs must be kept on a lead around the site, there's an enclosed dog exercise next to the Stables where they can be let off lead.

Activities over February Half Term include a treasure hunt around the garden where you can collect letters and unscramble a word while taking part in nature-themed missions, you can join in with snowdrop planting and even create your own clay snail to take home on selected dates.

The X45 bus stops at Rowlands Gill - a 15 minute walk from Gibside's entrance.

Find out more & check event timings: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/family-friendly

Washington Old Hall

The hall is best known for being the ancestral home of George Washington. If you haven't visited, it's definitely worth popping by. It's really interesting and you can learn a lot about the families who have lived here over the years.

The walled garden is beautiful and you'll find a Cherry Blossom Tree here planted in memory of 9/11.

Children will enjoy the small play area and mini apple orchard.

Over half term you can pick up a bird spotter trail and see how many birds you can spot in the garden. There's also a chance to build your own bird box to take home.

Bus services from Gateshead stop just 2 minutes from Washington Old Hall's entrance.

Find out more & check event timings: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/family-friendly

Lindisfarne Castle

Lindisfarne Castle is a truly magical place and re-opens after it's winter break on 1 March - perfect to save as a last adventure before heading back to school. There's an I-Spy Trail running through the castle, you can spot seals over at Sugar Sands from the rooftop and there's a family-friendly art installation. Do check tide times for Holy Island and leave plenty of time to cross.

Hadrian's Wall

Did you know you can visit Housesteads Roman Fort with your National Trust membership? It's one of the best places to see a long stretch of the wall and really learn more about Roman life here. There's a small museum, lovely cafe and a small play area for kids too. Don't miss the Roman toilets!

Wow! There's loads going on isn't there. You could easily fill a week with all of the activities available. Please do remember to check event timings using the links provided as not all activities take place on every day.