With the summer holidays under way, families will be looking forward to enjoying days out and about across the region.
Those not planning a trip abroad or who are watching their finances as the cost of living bites can be sure of finding plenty of ways to fill that six-week break in the North East. We have a family guide to free things to do in the area and our museums, galleries and other visitor venues have been putting a lot of thought into planning school holiday programmes.
Among them is the National Trust which has drawn up a six-week schedule of entertainment that invites families to 'come out and play'. Visitors to its local properties will find a range of outdoor activities with value for money in mind.
Read more: National Trust properties mapped around the North East
They include new attractions such as Gibside’s Pavilion of Play where a woodland glade in its Rowlands Gill grounds now includes a wigwam village which is ready for action and is described as a peculiar structure which is part-periscope, part-ear trumpet and designed to encourage families to observe nature differently. All the National Trust properties have plenty of lovely spots where families can take along a picnic to enjoy, also helping to cut expense.
Mick Wilkes from the National Trust, a charity which helps protect and care for 500 places nationwide, said becoming a member is also cost-effective as a few repeat visits will pay for its price. There's no charge for under-fives.
He said Compare The Market last year estimated that the average UK family would spend £1,400 keeping children busy in the summer and now, with costs rising, "we want to help families make the most of the summer holiday". He added of Gibside's Pavilion of Play, which he saw installed: “It's set in a bunting-festooned woodland glade - there’s a small wigwam village, a tree lab and a nature-themed brass rubbing circle plus a peculiar structure, a giant periscope-cum-ear trumpet, that invites families to observe nature quite differently.
“Gibside also offers the whole family a chance to try something new." He said there are free family events every day of the school holidays, including some inspired by the Commonwealth Games.
"Thanks to funding from Sport England, families can try foam javelin, sitting volleyball and blindfolded football," he said, adding that - besides Gibside's own crested newts, woodpeckers and red kites - the other local National Trust venues are rich in wildlife and nature too, such as Souter Lighthouse with its rock pools and ranger-led seashore safaris. Here is a round-up of some events and activities to look out for.
Northumberland
Cragside
At Rothbury, near Morpeth, this Victorian mansion filled with the latest gadgets and inventions of the day has an adventure play area, where children can test their balancing skills on a log mountain, climb up to a witch's hat and slide down tunnels. There's a labyrinth trail with paths weaving through the rhododendrons; a chance to spot William the wizard and the storyteller's chair and discover Nelly's den at its centre.
There's also trim trail for the energetic, with four sets of frames to discover, between the play area and the labyrinth, which are made even more fun if young ones imagine the floor as lava.
Seaton Delaval Hall
See the result of restoration work at the former home of the unruly Delavals in Seaton Sluice where children can run wild and play in the open spaces where the 18th century family - renowned as pranksters - would have done as they liked to confuse their guests with mischief and trickery. There's a Mirror Cube and Dark Matter Cube to find and a Delaval Playdium play area in the north west woods, incorporating a stage with theatre scenery and sound equipment plus swings, a rope walk, slide and scramble net.
There's a mini Seaton Delaval Hall games chest to open up and find football, tennis, cricket, badminton or frisbee equipment to play with on the South Lawn, which is also perfect for big games. Indoors, and in the revamped West Wing, there are also creative installations to enjoy.
Wallington
At Cambo, near Morpeth, historical house meets rolling hills, woodlands and a walled garden. Visitors can enjoy the family-friendly Dragon cycle trail or a circular walk taking in the river or farm where families might spot red squirrels or deer. There are also lawn games; a play train, wooden fort and adventure play area.
At 2pm every Tuesday in July and August, there will be a chance to meet the rangers for interactive talks discussing everything from woodland and pond management to Wallington post-Storm Arwen; its white-clawed crayfish, meadow flowers and insects. And families might like to know that a Saturday bus service will be running from Newcastle to Wallington on Saturdays, until September 3.
Hadrian’s Wall and Housesteads Fort
The National Trust looks after six of the most iconic miles of Hadrian’s Wall, which is a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site and full of beauty. Families can walk in the steps of Romans exploring the wall and learn more about them.
Gateshead
Gibside
Described as one of just a few surviving 18th century designed landscapes, Gibside reveals its Pavilion of Play this summer alongside daily free activities and games including foam javelin, a sensory feel tub, sitting volleyball and blindfolded football. Walks around the grounds are a chance to spot roe deer, 'leaf-cutter' bees, great crested newts, woodpeckers and red kites.
There's also a Strawberry Castle play area with a zip wire, Archimedes screw and basket swings.
South Tyneside
Souter Lighthouse
This is the first lighthouse in the world designed and built to be lit by electricity and it can be found at Whitburn, just 15 minutes by car from Sunderland and less than half an hour from Newcastle. Those who climb to the top can enjoy sweeping views of the coast and close-up ones of the lighthouse's huge lamp which floats on 1.5 tonnes of mercury.
Once the site of a busy mining community, the cliffs and The Leas, the area is now home to many birds and wildflowers. There will be free Summer of Sport activities on offer, including archery, football, badminton in the Foghorn Field, and on Mondays and Wednesdays Souter’s team will be on hand to give encouragement and coaching tips.
Of course the rocky shore itself has plenty to explore in its rock pools at low tide and there will be ranger-led seashore safaris. There are opportunities everywhere to picnic, including at tables at the lighthouse if you're fast.
Other National Trust properties, gardens and countryside in the North East include Ormesby Hall, Crook Hall Garden, Washington Old Hall, Cherryburn, Dunstanburgh Castle, Lindisfarne Castle, Penshaw Monument, Allen Banks and Staward Gorge plus the Northumberland Coast and Farne Islands. For more about what's on offer during the school holidays see here.
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