North East Family Fun

Alnwick Garden & Lilidorei Light Trail Review & Tips

This post is based on a visit in November 2024. Information and events do change over time so it's important to check with venues direct for the most up to date and accurate info when booking. We paid for this experience ourselves but there are AD affiliate links in the post.

Alnwick Garden & Lilidroei Light Trail Review & Tips

I've visited lots of light trails in my life and I have to say, Alnwick Garden's is fantastic and definitely one of the best value light trails in the North East. Your ticket allows you access to 2 light trails for the price of 1 and you can visit both Alnwick Garden and Lilidorei's winter lights on the same evening with just one ticket.

How to spend a FREE day out in Durham City

This post was published in Feb 2025. As always, check with venues direct for the most up to date information as this can change. Post excludes travel costs.

North East Walks & Trails to Enjoy this February

This post was published in Feb 2025 and includes advertising. Please check info with venues direct before heading out.

🌳A BRAND new Stick Man Trail is heading to Hamsterley Forest, Guisborough Forest and Kielder Forest this month. These trails are usually FREE to take part with the option to purchase a trail activity pack for a small fee (which is worth doing). Check their websites for more info/ opening dates. Dogs on leads welcome. Find out more here: https://www.forestryengland.uk/stick-man

Seaburn Playground Guide

This post was published in January 2025 and based on a visit in January 2025. As always, check details with venue direct before heading out as info can change over time.

Seaburn Playground opened late 2024 and it's one I will definitely be adding to my list of best playgrounds in the North East.

It's located in Seaburn, just behind the Seaburn Inn, Prego and STACK so there are plenty of places to stop for food and drink afterwards.

A FREE Day Out in Ouseburn

This post was published in January 2025. Please check info with venues direct before heading out.

What's On for Kids & Teens February 2025 | North East England

AD - This post contains adverts and affiliate links. As always, please check information with venues direct for the most up to date info before heading out as events can change and cancellations are possible. You can do this by clicking the blue links.

I'm so happy it's February! I hope you find my guide to what's on this month handy.

This month I would love you to share any reviews of days out you enjoy in our Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NorthEastDaysOut

Personal recommendations are always very much appreciated by our other group members.

Barceló Fuerteventura Royal Level Review

This post is based on a visit by myself and husband in December 2024. We booked and paid for this trip ourselves but the post does include (ad) affiliate links. Always check with venues direct for the most up to date information and remember that prices can fluctuate.

I will start by saying we loved this hotel so much. I have actutally booked it again in the Jet 2 sale for December 2025 and I never, ever return to the same hotel two years in a row. That's how much we loved it.

My husband Steve left his employed job of 20 years to join my North East Family Fun business a few years ago and we haven't looked back. His previous job was SO restrictive - ie no holidays allowed in December, holidays need to be authorised a year in advance.....that kind of thing and one of our goals when he joined NEFF was for us to really make the most of a flexible work life balance.

8 FREE Things to Do in Bamburgh

This post was published in January 2025. As always, please check with venues direct before heading out for the most up to date info (especially opening hours) as info can change over time.

Bamburgh is a lovely day out with a fabulous castle, one of the best beaches in the UK, a lovely playground and some fantastic restaurants too. It is possible to spend a fair bit of £ in Bamburgh however there are some lovely free things to do in the village too.

The Best Value Annual Passes for North East England 2025

Buying an annual pass can save you lots of money on days out across the year. I always think they\re a fantastic idea for birthdays or Christmas gifts as they really are the gift that keeps on giving!

They are also a great investment to make at the start of the year as you can use them throughout every school holiday if needed (in most cases).

It also means that once you've paid the one-off cost, your day out is free (or super cheap) and it's nice to know you have the option to enjoy a day out when you're skint and need to get the kids out of the house.

Hopetown Darlington Review

This post is based on a visit in Summer 2024 which I paid for myself. Always check with venue direct for the most up to date information, especially regarding opening times.

Hopetown Darlington explores the history of the railway and celebrates wider STEM opportunities in our region through a fabulous playground, permanent museum and special events and exhibitions.

What's On in the North East for Kids & Teens : January 2025

The information in this post is correct at time of publishing but do check details with venues direct before heading out as events can change. You can do this by clicking the blue links.

Willow Farm Cramlington

Before we jump in, I have a favour! It's one of my goal's to grow my TikTok this year. I'm hoping to share more vlog style content sharing days out and date nights on there so if you fancy watching along, please pop us a follow here: https://www.tiktok.com/@nefamilyfun

Other posts you may find useful this January:

Raby Castle Deer Park

11 & 12 January (North of Tyne)

San Antonio with Teens (flying from Newcastle)

This post was published in January 2025 and based on a visit in August 2024. Information may have changed so do always check with venues direct for the most up to date info when making plans. We paid for everything in this post ourselves but the links are (ad) affiliates.

In 2024, instead of one big family holiday we decided to book 3 x 3 night breaks - one with each of our children to a destination of their choice (within reason). You can read about our trip to Athens with Jack over Easter here and I'll share a blog about Rome with Harry soon.

This blog is going to focus on our trip to San Antonio over August bank holiday weekend with Dee who was 15 at the time. We booked a package deal with Jet2.

Jet2 fly from Newcastle to Ibiza pretty much every day in the summer. If booking your flight and accommodation separately, you can expect to pay around £180-£250 for a return flight including luggage in August. The flight time is just over 3 hours.