Lovely place to exercise the dogs. Nice little windswept cove that's perfect for the novice surfers. The dogs love it. Little rock pools to keep the children entertained.

Great beach, easily accessible and the water is crystal clear. Parking is on the expensive side if you use the carpark but other than that great place to visit.

Sandsend Beach is a stunning stretch of coastline that offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and historical charm. The soft golden sands are ideal for relaxing, beachcombing, or enjoying a leisurely stroll along the shoreline. What makes this beach particularly special is the breathtaking view of Whitby and its iconic abbey perched on the cliffs in the distance. The sight of the abbey against the backdrop of the sky and sea is truly picturesque, especially during sunset when the colors come alive.

Beautiful beach. Food, toilet, parking. Everything in the same place. Also, you can spot the seal, starfish and probably dolphins.

Thus is a great beach. Very clean, water clear. Cafe as well, which sells a good range of food. Beach is divided off for dogs. Brilliant. You can walk to Whitby when the tides are right. Many a happy hour spent their last week. Parking good.

Fossils and rocks to be found on this beautiful beach and dog friendly with cafes and gift shops nearby. The added bonus is that access to the beaches are not down steep cliff paths.

Nice beach, Good for fosil hunting!

Eden Camp Modern History Museum moving is housed in the authentic, original huts of a former World War II Prisoner of War camp, we found the atmosphere electric. We thoroughly enjoyed the museum's incredible immersive displays. Each hut is meticulously transformed into a different aspect of wartime life, from the fear-inducing sounds and smells of the Blitz to the stark realities of the POW quarters and the resilience of the Home Front. The life-size tableaux, sound effects, and attention to detail bring the past roaring back to life. We loved the entire complex with so much to see. History enthusiasts will appreciate the depth and breadth of the exhibits, which cover WWI up to modern conflicts, while younger visitors will be captivated by the hands-on elements and the sheer impact of the sensory huts. It’s an incredibly valuable educational experience that is worth far more than any textbook. With excellent accessibility, a friendly atmosphere. The staff are knowledgeable and clearly passionate about preserving this important piece of history.

An outstanding day is there for you at Eden Camp. There's so much to see and so much information. The Camp is set out in an easy to follow route. The staff are fabulous and informative as well as friendly. The cafe is very nice with good food. My 11 year old Granddaughter absolutely loved her visit and we will be returning very soon. A unique insight into how WW11 was fought and won, not too mention our fallen heroes.

We visited the Living history weekend on the 24th of August. What an amazing and well organised day, we loved every minute. The re-enactors, the displays, the talks, the knowledge of the people with the displays, and also anyone dressed up today, made the day superb, it literally felt like we had gone back in time. I thought the control room with the actors was fabulous, the room was brought to life, this was my favourite part of the day, it was unexpected and brilliantly done 👏 The cafe was great and spacious with a good selection of food and drinks for everyone. The gift shop is well stocked with lots of things for visitors of all ages to buy a souvenir. There's an ice cream kiosk too which had vegan magnums for those who can't have dairy. There are plenty of picnic benches if you take your own food. All the staff were organised, friendly and pleasant, they need a big shout out as it was quite warm and they will have been kept busy all day. I highly recommend attending one of these days. The camp by itself is brilliant to visit, but with all the extra things happening today, it was an added bonus. #EdenCamp

For anyone interested in WW2 this is an excellent place to visit. Lots to see and read. Even the 4 and 6 year olds with us enjoyed the experience. Lots of huts to explore. Interesting to people of all ages. Free parking. Gift shop which was expensive. There is a cafe and plenty of spaces to eat your own picnic. Also a kids play area.

Absolutely fantastic day, there is so much to see and do. Some of the huts offer an immersive experience like the one about the blitz. We were lucky enough to see the heritage team fire up their M50 Sherman Tank, its an impressive beast and give a talk about its history. Gift shop has a small selection of products with most things aimed at children. The whole site was clean and tidy. Fantastic day you need at least 4 hours for a good visit.

Wow. What a fabulous place. So much to see and do. This is a real gem of a place. Absolutely fascinating. Spent about 6 hours there and want to go back. Beautifully done and emotional at times. Staff were so friendly and knowledgeable. Grounds were immaculate.. Definitely worth a visit.

An old POW camp that has been turned into the museum I had a fantastic visit. So much told about the WW2 that I got lost in time. Spent here 4 hours. It's a dog friendly place but bare in mind that all the school from all the milky way galaxy stop here so it's not a good idea to visit museum during the school day.

We visited Flamingo Land with online tickets. While the children enjoyed themselves, particularly the Peter Rabbit trail and the area around it, the overall experience was disappointing. The atmosphere felt flat, with no fun or engaging music to create excitement. Service near the rides was slow, and since we had online tickets, we didn’t receive a map at the entrance, which made it difficult to know where to go. Considering the high ticket prices, I expected a much better experience. Aside from the Peter Rabbit area, the day felt underwhelming.

We had the best 13th Birthday week in the cottages at Flamingo Land. Immaculate, comfortable accommodation with clean hot tub, right at the entrance to the park. We did a Meerkat experience which was incredible and a tour of the zoo after hours where we fed Giraffes, hung out with hippos and black rhino and stroked white rhino whilst learning so much from Danny, the animal encyclopedia! The rides were all working and really fun and the arcades were great too, not a single complaint! We took a trip over to Alpamare in Scarborough too for a swim and a ride on the slides (also owned by Flamingo Land) My 18 year old didn't want to come but since he's seen what we got up to, he's asking js to book again... and we definitely will!

Flamingo Land is a nice theme park in Malton. Getting here with public transport seems difficult, but it's really comfortable by car. We visited on a rather quiet day, but operations were slow and many of the big coasters were running on one train so we still had to wait a good while on some attractions. Sik was closed for the first half of the day but luckily it was fixed in time so that we could have a ride. Hero was closed all day. I think my biggest problem with this park is that they are really missing that standout coaster that really makes you want to travel to this park. Right now I only really visited because of the quantity of roller coasters. For the ride lineup we really enjoyed Mumbo Jumbo and Kumali, which were conveniently placed close to each other at the back of the park. Sik was a miss for me unfortunately, since I found the lap bars to be more uncomfortable than an over-the-shoulder restraint on e.g. Colossus in Thorpe Park, especially in the 5 heartline rolls. The park is overall quite clean, but the theming is lacking. It kinda feels like a big plaza where all the attractions are just placed down next to each other. Kumali does have a nice atmosphere though running next to the lake and with the big entrance sign. I can't say that I was disappointed, but I probably won't be visiting the park again unless they open a new headlining coaster in the future.

lovely caravans park really comfortable statics and well kitted out. The theme park is a good day out for all the family but a bit disappointing end of season some rides not open and those that were either opening late or closing early because of lack of light this I don't feel is 3.30 which is when most of queues closed. Zoo is good with a good selection of animals and informative keeper talks and various feeding times to be watched

Saved money on tickets by booking through kids pass, no wait to get in but arrived at 9.45 so before it opened at 10. Lots of walking, was a long wait for rides some 85 plus minutes. Really enjoyed the zoo would go again but very long day for under 18month olds not much there for them older children loved it apart from the waiting.

I do not recommend this park, one big scam, 30% of the carousels were closed, the game areas where you could win plush toys were also closed, only two were open, the train was not running, a lot of animals were not available. I took my child for his birthday to have a great time. I paid for everything that was supposed to be available, and almost half of the parks were closed for children. I do not recommend it, I will not return, scammers, avoid this park.

We went to celebrate a birthday. We were able to book concessions for two carers and two disabled people. This was a great start. We were able to book a wheel chair in advance to avoid disappointment, and we joined their virtual queue system so that we weren't waiting long between rides. The lady that served us deserves a shout out as she was fast, yet patient in dealing with us. Her name was Freya. She set the pace and all the staff kept up with her, customer service from all was great. Smiles around. The rides surprised me as a thrill seeker. There was something for everyone, but the thrill rides were very high quality. The only measured issue, is that they can be a bit short, 2 laps would solve this especially on quiet days. Excellent day, will go again

It is a place that offers a beautiful and scenic experience from the beach. With stunning views of the coastline, various entertainment and restaurants, it is the perfect place for a relaxing walk or a fun day with family and friends. The range of activities at the pier and Cliff Tamway also make it a great place to visit. Overall, a beautiful mix of seaside charm and entertainment.

The allure of a truly beautiful beach is undeniable, a sanctuary where the world's chaos fades into the gentle rhythm of the waves. Imagine soft, powdery sands, warm beneath your feet, stretching out to meet the shimmering, turquoise embrace of the sea. I love it 🧡🧡🧡🧡

Ideal for young families. Good stretch of beach, dog friendly. Wee cafe and restaurants. Usual fish and chips and arcade. Pier loverly and fenicular railway wonderful if working. Only downside getting up and down steps to beach.

A beautiful scenery of the coastline. Here is a solo trip itinerary: Put saltburn pier in your sat nav to get to the car park (pay and display) download ring go as the machines are fussy Walk round the beach. Get wet if you want to. Take it all in 🧘‍♀️ There is the arcade thing which was very exciting for a first timer like me :) barely won anything but still lots of fun playing. There is a cash machine inside so don’t worry if you don’t have cash on you. The food—-I had fish and chips duuuh 🤪 at the seaview restaurant. The views are absolutely worth it but there are other chippy places nearby so you can buy and sit on one of the many benches and enjoy it that way. Please have an ice cream as a dessert it’s just amazing plus you deserve it. Oh there is also Tomahawk steak house nearby with great views so if you fancied something else other than fish and chips Dog friendly Child friendly There is the famous old cliff tramway whi ch was pretty cool if you ask me. £2 for one way. Do it! You know you want to. Other things: -rent a wetsuit -surf school 🏄‍♂️ -Fishing -watch the sunset -people watching -take selfies -chat to random strangers Etc

A gorgeous old pier, and magnificent views from the end. A nice walk down and ample seats to rest and take in the sea air.

The pier looks pretty cool and goes quite a way out into the sea. Although once you get to the end, it's just full of fishermen taking up all the room with their gear and rods. Surely give them a start time of 6pm to allow tourists and people fancying a quiet walk or some photo taking, clear room to do that. That always spoils it for me. Also the arcade that you walk through or around to get to the pier is another ticket induced nightmare. There's a machine that charges you £1 for Pokémon cards, then gives you one card, imagine a childs disappointment when that happens. There's also never any money tubs, here's some money bags to hold your change in, just isn't the same.

It's a fairly ordinary pier, but we all love a pier, right?

We finally visited the Abbey in August after months of anticipation, and it did not disappoint. The Abbey itself is absolutely stunning. We parked in the village car park, which is just next to the site, although there is also a car park on the property. The location is well-maintained, with a shop and cafe at the entrance, as well as a small museum on-site. We spent a couple of hours exploring, even bringing a picnic to enjoy there. Helpful information boards are scattered throughout to guide you during the visit. It's a beautiful spot, and we’ll definitely be back

An ethereal, spiritual experience. The wonderful quiet, with sound lead by the wind passing through the ruins. One could swear that they were hearing the thousands of voices of those who have lived there for the past 1000 years. A most wonderful place.

This is definitely one of those sort of places that is so much more than the sum of it's parts. Blue sky, a splash of sunshine, vibrant green grass and towering walls of stone providing whispered suggestions of what might have been if the buildings had been left untouched. All combine together to provide that kind of magical experience that can never be quite adequately defined in mere words. I loved this place, and I feel it stands on a par with other similar attractions (Fountains Abbey etc) that will also be competing for your time. Come here and lose yourself in the wonder of it all.

Superb Cistercian abbey. Great tea rooms. Good gift shop. All of it is dog friendly. Good museum. Probably takes at least an hour to two hours, but could take a lot longer if you like reading everything. Lots of parking - on busy days they open up a field a little short of the abbey itself to use as an overflow car park.

The Abbey ruins are substantial & are accompanied by a small museum but imho if you aren’t an EH member the admission prices are prohibitive. Thankfully we had a free entry barcode. The other major negative with Rievaulx is the car park is too small to cope with demand, people were boxing other drivers in & generally parking inappropriately both in the car park and outside it on the small country lanes.

After searching for abbey ruins in Yorkshire, I happened to come across Rievaulx Abbey. Seeing as I'd never been here before, I thought it would be an experience, to come and pay a visit. I'm glad I did, these ruins are beautiful and a fascinating insight, into the past. Of course, if you're an English Heritage member, parking and entry will be free. But I didn't mind paying the £15 for entry and the £6.00 for parking (mind you, that was all day!) There was the option, of getting 2-3 hours. However, I wanted to take my time and not have to clock-watch so the parking didn't run out. There was a brief wait to pay, but the pleasant gentleman at the counter made purchasing an entry ticket a breeze. Through the automatic double doors, you walk along the path and then, as you clear the trees, begin to bear witness to this magnificent structure once teeming with life and monks, dedicated to their faith and monastic lives. These are ruins which, in my opinion, are still in fantastic condition and so allow you to really picture, what it would have looked like all those years ago. To stand in the main part of the church, is quite an experience indeed. You get a real sense, of just how huge this place really was! I loved that there were boards along the route, which were great with the complimentary audio guide, which helped to tell the story of this once busy and thriving abbey. You don't have to have the audio guide, but if you are interested to learn more than what the information boards tell you, I'd highly recommend! There are benches and tables as you exit the gift shop, on the grassy area to your left, along with benches dotted around the ruins too, particularly around the cloister garden, which makes for a very peaceful place, to stop and admire what once was. When you return to the main building, as I mentioned earlier, there is a gift shop to pick up a fridge magnet or a postcard (along with some other, cool things too!) There's also a cafe too, if you're wanting to sit and enjoy a hot/cold drink with a slice of cake (I believe there are other things on the menu too). However I cannot comment on this, as I decided to head into the nearby market town of Helmsley. If you're someone who loves history and enjoys taking in ancient ruins, then this is definitely somewhere you won't want to miss. Just a word of caution, that the road to and from the car park can be quite narrow in parts, along with walkers that use it too! So please do be careful, when going down there.

Frienrly service, well maintained area and very informative audio guide. The Abbey ruins are absolutely fascinating. It's been a bit bothersome that some hobby singers used the ruins as a backdrop for a video of their horrible caterwauling when we visited, but that didn't diminish the overall experience.

Had the best day with our 8 year old. Booked for the Hawk walk and time handling the owls. Wow! What an experience. Billy was out falconer for the Hawk walk and owls. We couldn't of asked for a nicer person . Very knowledgeable , Interesting and passionate about the birds. The 3 of us and Billy took Maverick the Harris Hawk for a walk around grounds holding and flying him ourselves. Amazing. Then we took part in the flying show for everyone , you get to be very close to lots of the birds. Then we had a behind the scenes with the owls , so interesting. Can't praise the staff here enough. Great people , clearly very passionate and doing great things. Small cafe and toilets on site.

Honestly one of the best experience days out i have had in memory. The birds were very well cared from, free flown as much as needed, each enclosure was clean and well kept. Each member of staff was amazing, our favorite for George, you could see the love he and each bird that he handled, the bonds were very obvious. The talks were very interesting, not just your normal long winded talk. It was entertaining along with any member of the visiting customers that wanted to handle the birds out on display they could. The owner, you could feel his passion and it was infectious. My only piece of advice that I wish we knew before coming...... neither of us drive and Google maps was not helpful, as it dropped us off on the bus in the middle of nowhere with a 45 min walk along main roads with not a single foot path, we mentioned this when we arrived and was given a motherly telling off for not calling them and would have been picked up from the bus stop. So if you dont drive, please call ahead. They are however moving soon and there are easier public access links.

Truly the most phenomenal experience! My fiancé and I have visited on two occasions now and absolutely cant wait to return. It’s my favorite part about visiting York. The level of care, attention, and love all the staff provide for each and every bird is tangible. The hawk walk experience is an absolute must! Elisha was the most attentive, knowledgeable, and kind falconer. We can’t wait to come back the next time I visit from the states. I tell everyone back home about it - its truly awe inspiring & leaves a lasting impact, long after you leave.

Lovely people, extremely knowledgeable. Very educational and great fun flying the birds. A privilege to handle a Golden Eagle. Will definitely be back.

My partner and I had a great day out at the Bird of Prey Centre, we would love to come back one day soon. Billy was the falconer showing us the birds and letting us handle them, he was super friendly and really made the experience for us. It’s so admirable the amount of knowledge he shared with us and just how passionate he is about them. The family working inside were really lovely and welcoming too. Thank you for a great day!

I had a Photogaphy day at York bird of prey centre bought for me as a birthday present last year and last Friday 27th June i managed to use my ticket. What fantastic day i had over 6 hours in total and also fed and drink included at dinner time. I spent the day with Billy who was very knowledgeable and also keen to share his knowlrdge. I got handle many of the birds watched the displays even went into some of the enclosures during feeding time ect. I took many photo's of the birds flying and portrait's also a great experiance of watching and photography of a lure session with one of the Hawkes. All of the staff were very friendly and i would love to visit again maybe when they move to their new premises.

An incredible place enabling you to see amazing owls, hawks, eagles etc close up and personal. Great to be able to see the birds flying during the displays plus ability to 'hold' them with a gloved hand. Staff (mainly volunteers) are clearly passionate about the subject which comes across during the flying/handling events. The little cafe on site provides nice food/cakes/drinks ar reasonable prices plus there's a little picnic area to eat both the cafe food or if you take your own ... there's also a little play area for the kids! The Centre is moving down the road to bigger premises towards the year end I was told, which will provide a larger area and dedicated flying 'arena' for the birds. A brilliant day out for young and old alike and highly recommended for a visit 🦅🦉🦜

One thing that stood out from our visit was the friendliness and helpfulness of all the staff. It's evident that they enjoy their jobs and take great pride in the property. All of them are happy to answer questions. The gardens are not only colourful, historic and beautiful but an evolving work of art. The new and delightful Mediterranean garden with its meandering paths, colourful planting and water features was particularly popular the day we went and will look even better as it becomes more established. The older areas are lovingly maintained and the many fruits and vegetables from the kitchen gardens are harvested and made use of. Further changes and enhancements are on the way. There are information boards scattered around the grounds. Be prepared to spend several hours wandering around the different areas; there is a lot to see. The gardens are definitely the major attraction but the house, with its towering, startlingly proportioned, entrance hall is definitely worth a visit. You will gain a great deal by talking to the knowledgeable and helpful staff about it. Without doing so you will miss details like the discreetly tucked away servants stairs and the graffiti. There is a spacious and pleasant cafe area with plenty of seating inside and out which has a good range of food and snacks. There is a separate hatch, which provides ice creams.

Well this was a really pleasant unexpected surprise. I’m not sure what I expected but it wasn’t this. A beautiful home with 16 foot beds and intricately carved pine wood walls. A home of opulence on the “cheaper” side. I challenged why all the wood was painted in one of the rooms and the lovely guide whose name I think was Julie ( maybe, there was also a Jayne and a Charlotte) Explained the reason why, but I think that the original owners were just being wise with their spending! What I do love about these historic homes is the guides. They might just be hanging out in rooms but I always make a point of asking them a question. Charlotte even agreed to a painting!! Loved the art space upstairs and the kids activity room all based on nature. The gardens were beautiful and it was nice that they have different coloured path routes. They also have a change room and rentable scooters for physically impaired. Also loved that the downstairs staff say #scone as in Gone, and it still has freshly made Scones made on sight. Also note that I loved the drive… and crossing the toll bridge!!

One of the best National Trust properties I’ve visited. Welcoming and knowledgeable volunteers, interesting house with interesting history, extensive and varied gardens with fabulous fruit! The cafe served quality food and with the sun shining it was a pleasure to sit out and enjoy it. Well stocked shop and well maintained toilets. Loved it!

Lovely day out with the grandchildren. They really enjoyed going around the grounds and house finding the different characters on the sheet they had and were pleased to get their stickers and sheet stamped when they'd finished. The restaurant was busy and there was a queue for the ice cream but it was a hot day. The gardens were lovely. I particularly liked the new Mediterranean Garden.

One of the National Trust places on our doorstep but we visited last weekend with our daughter. The weather was lovely so we did the trail for kids which was ok but is very similar to the others which are on. The cafe is nice but is a little expensive for what you get but we got a latte, a brew and some cake which was nice. The play area is great for kids and so are the grounds especially the new Mediterranean garden. All in all It’s a lovely place for a few hours to relax and have some family fun

Directions to Beningbrough need to be improved despite using satnav. The new Mediterranean garden was impressive, worthy of a visit alone. A new Wilderness garden is ongoing which I look forward to exploring. The cafe spacious, plenty of tables outside to eat. Staff very friendly and attentive.

Lovely place and its nice to see all the gardens are being revamped! Only thing that got us was for such a big building theres only a handful of rooms open to the public and not much information about each room or about the house if you dont go for a talk (we didn't as there was already a talk in progress when we got there). Its not a massive place and we walked around the whole house and gardens and had lunch in less than 2 hours, but what was there was well worth a look!

Oh my word, where do I start! We went a weekday before the easter holidays the first time. First impression was that everythinh looked a bit tired…BUT: i was wrong. The kids (5&2) had an absolute blast. Meeting and feeding the animals, barrel rides, reasonable priced food and drink, sunshine and great outdoor fun. The kids kept on talking about it for weeks now, so we went back today. And it was even better. The weather was grey and rainy today, but we had so much fun! Meeting Rabbits and Ginue Pigs, Feeding Lambs, barrel and tractor rides, beautiful peacocks, service with a smile… to end it with an absolutely entertaininh foam party. The staff joined in and the young lady, long dark straight hair and a few tattoos on the arm was just so amazing with the kids! It was fabulous and a great day out. Each time we spend over 5h here. Thank you!

Brought our 1year 9 month ols Grandson here today. We all loved it. Friendly staff, lovely animals, soft play & outdoor park. Tractor rides & Barrel rides. Plenty to do for all ages. Next time we come we will do the full day.

We visited the farm while on holiday at the caravan park and WOW. Probably the highlight of the holiday for the kids. We had the best day. The staff were amazing and so good with the kids at the handling and feeding sessions. It was the most ‘hands on’ farm we’ve ever been to. Lots of cuddles and feeding. The parks & indoor play barn are also amazing. The barrel/tractor ride was a firm favourite! Excellent value for money. This farm has possibly swayed us to book crimdon dene again for a uk holiday.

Lovely place to visit with your kid to see and feed the farm animals and enjoy the playground areas and their daily activities like tractor 🚜 ride, feeding the baby cows, petting little animals, etc. Will definitely recommend …

Just a great day out for a 5 year old We had such a great time will be back again

Special first trip for my baby granddaughter! .. Not disappointed! Lots of clean picnic areas to chose from. The place is always clean and tidy when we visit!. No litter. Animals all seemed well cared for and plenty of food and bedding for all! Likely will be back next year as Tweddle Farm always figures in the school holiday trips out!. Well done yet again staff!

Absolutely brilliant so much to see lots of different play areas plus can get hands on with some of the animals definitely recommend

What a lovely day out! Great price, pay once and can return for a full year! There are some great exhibitions on lots to see! The mock street was so fascinating. Lovely grounds to walk around and have a picnic too! Highly recommend.

New playground area is lovely, good for all ages. The cafe is now renovated with modern toilets as always a bonus. Butterfly world is always a hot, they live the meercats and other creatures inside. The museum is very affordable to get into, an annual family pass is worth it. Kids love the old street and especially the sweet shop. There is a river walking distance that they can go and feed the ducks. The skate park also excellent for all ages, scooters and bikes.

Went to the butterfly 🦋 world whole family really enjoyed it. Went in twice within the same day. Also went on the teesside princess boat cruise thing and that was really good aswell the staff were friendly and pleasant and the food and drink aboard the boat was amazing aswell well worth the cost for the boat and food and butterly world amazing day out

My children had a great time playing for hours at the park here. There is so many different things to play on and its been done up since my last visit which i didn’t think could be improved and it was so over the moon. Lovely cafe here reasonably priced food and drink and nice clean toilets to use. They also have a big skate park here where it can be used for skates, skate boards, bikes and scooters. Absolutely brilliant fun for most ages, probably 5+. Lots of places to eat a picnic on the grass or tables and lots of walks to do here. Right by the water gives you lively views to enjoy also. The Museum is great place and the children will enjoy that too walking down a victorian street. Parking is free, which can only be a bonus as there are not many places that do that anymore. So come to Preston Park!!!

Museum closed today, butterfly world Amazing, new playground getting built, skate park, public toilets and plenty walks, and it's free to park.

A great day out or just for a walk. Preston park has it all. A beautiful museum that is great for all age groups, and lovely cafes that serve fresh food. You can walk for miles around the grounds and by the river tees. It’s even got Butterfly world for the younger ones. The kids play areas is currently under construction and getting a fresh new look, but looks like it’ll be completed soon. Plenty of parking available. Parking is free and has charging points for the electric vehicles. The park is a regular visit for me and my dog Rosie.

So much to do! Something for everyone. Park, museum, cafe. So much space, clean toilets, friendly staff in the cafe, prices are reasonable too.

I didn't know Ripon had a cathedral, so a thank you to Jenny from the police museum 😊. A fabulous building, steeped in history. Lovely staff, so friendly. You could easily spend an afternoon here. We were lucky enough to see the crypt. The upstairs was closed today due to an event. Lovely gift shop. Well worth dropping in if you are in the area.

Jaw dropping! Outstanding cathedral set in lovely gardens. The architecture is simply stunning, worth a visit. We unfortunately had our dogs with us so were unable to go in side , otherwise I would give 5 stars!

Amazing cathedral with “Alice in Wonderland” connections. Fantastic woodwork. Tombs with statutes. Cathedral is built on top of stone a church dating to 672 AD. They have stairs down so you can see it.

Gorgeous cathedral and as expected stunning intricate carvings by incredibly skilled craftsmen. Always nice to learn some local history. Worth a visit if you are in Ripon, it's a beautiful quaint Yorkshire village

We visited Ripon Cathedral with our child and had a wonderful experience. Everyone there was incredibly kind and helpful. The volunteers were especially knowledgeable and welcoming, making our visit even more enjoyable. It’s a beautiful and peaceful place with so much history, and we were pleasantly surprised that entry was free. Highly recommended for families and anyone interested in heritage and architecture!

Ripon and the Cathedral are such lovely places to visit. Friendly staff. Spent an hour here taking in the magnificence of this building.

Impressive medieval cathedral with a Saxon crypt, situated in well kept grounds in the heart of the small town of Ripon. The cathedral is free to visit, donations are welcomed, and it's open 08:00 to 18:00 Monday to Saturday (closing 17:00 on Sundays). There's a lot to see inside, from the Saxon crypt, the oldest built part of any cathedral in England, to the ornately carved 15th century choir stalls and misericords. The east window features striking 19th century stained glass, and the Arts and Crafts pulpit is a standout feature. There are information panels around the cathedral at features of note, and visitors can pick up a map and basic information sheet on entry. After visiting, it's worth taking a look around Ripon, a historic town with an attractive market square, some interesting museums and a number of notable buildings. There's paid parking near the cathedral, and some free roadside parking a bit further out if you don't mind a little walk.

Lovely ship, good crossing, terrible inside bunk bed cabin!! Thin walls with party people going to Amsterdam! Drinking until 2am!! No sleep whatsoever! Expensive breakfast buffet like a sale opening day! Such a big rush for the overcooked inedible breakfast! ! Friendly, hard working crew.

This was the first time we went from Newcastle to IJmuiden with DFDS and we won't do this again. Sorry, but for the money it costs and the experience DFDS has, it is really bad. First of all, the information in advance: there is none. You have no idea what your cabin number is, not even when you get it (you get it at check-in). Your account only contains the details of the trip, nothing else. And the journey itself: we were in a family cabin on deck 6 and it was like sleeping in the engine room. A huge noise, everything was shaking, no sleep. It was hot, the air conditioning barely worked. Really worthless. Upon arrival it was chaos: arrival time was 9:45, we were home at 12:45 and we live in Haarlem (20 minutes drive). From now on we will use the tunnel, which is a detour, but much more pleasant and much cheaper.

We travel regularly on the Newcastle - Amsterdam route with our dog as we do the Europe trip 8 times a year. Check in process is smooth. With the dog, papers are checked at the same time as our passports and scanner is provided to check the micro chip. Once on board, staff will assist if you need help getting to your cabin. We always have a dog friendly cabin, so know where we're going - thanks for the gravy bone today from our dog! Dog exercise area means we can sit outside with the dog if desired. Then dinner - we always do the buffet, plenty choice and the food is good, would recommend booking - a decent sleep (smooth crossing helps 😊) and after a decent breakfast it's time to disembark. For us, this is a great option coming from Scotland and having 2000km drive in Europe to our destination. We arrive refreshed, well fed and ready for the onward journey. Note we do sometimes travel via the Eurotunnel or Santander /Bilbao crossings to south of England but this one is our favourite overall.

Myself and my wife had an excellent time on the DFDS mini cruise to Amsterdam, cannot sing it's praises enough. Room was small but clean and comfortable, boat atmosphere was excellent especially on the return voyage, we had a really relaxed two days at sea and it was awesome. If I was to find faults it would be that there was a lack of food for my wife who is Coeliac, and the boats WiFi wasn't the best but to be fair we were in the middle of the north sea, drinks were a bit pricey but you can buy from duty free and save some cash if you want, all in all more than happy for what we got for our money. Will definitely be doing this again.

The ferry is a little tired in places, but not so much that it's a problem. The staff are excellent and try to do whatever they can to help. Both the public areas and cabins are kept clean, with lots of visible cleaning of the former throughout the journey. Food at the buffet is much better than expected for a captive audience, especially the very well cooked meats. If you can justify the cost, the commodore de luxe rooms are great.

Absolutely excellent to Amsterdam trip with excellent food and a real and a really nice with a good coach trip in to Amsterdam square and the canals before returning to board the boat again and once again excellent food the service from the staff were brilliant and of course it has a real duty-free shop yes a real duty-free shop not like the airports a pleasant experience and well worth the money all in all absolutely brilliant show get away with no worries or problems AJ

Needed to move personal effects from the Netherlands to the UK. Decided to rent a van and pickup the items myself via ferry, as that was the cheapest option available. Check-in and boarding were straightforward, and the ferry rides both ways were long (around 16 hours) but pleasant. Cabins were clean and comfortable too. I paid for the dinner and breakfast buffets while booking, which was cheaper than paying at the door. Both meals were of excellent value, with lots of options. Overall, I had a great time on the ferry and highly recommend this service!

Highly recommend doing the Black Sheep Brewery tour, Alan is very knowledgeable and a great advocate for proper beer and marmite. And the beer in the attached bar is as fresh as it comes. 5 / 5

We visited the brewery for a tour and a meal for a celebration. The tour was really informative and well worth doing, Alan was an excellent host and we learnt a lot. Our meal was very enjoyable. All the staff were really friendly and we enjoyed some beers in the bar after our food

This was so much fun, they were brilliant! We came here as an add on from our stag doo at farm adventure. It was amazing, unfortunately can’t remember the name of elderly gentlemen with glasses who showed us around and spoke through everything but he was fun, enthusiastic and passionate. Happy to answers questions, went extra and had some laughs with us. Even checked in after the tour to see how the food was. Speaking of the food our meals were delicious, we had a range of food from fish and chips to pies to burgers to soup and don’t get me started on how amazing the dessert was! Definitely book here if in town!

Good brewery tour, very in depth tour guide knew a lot about the brewery, history and future of the brewery. If you’re into brewery trips it’s a must! As well the shop and tap room at the end it’s good place to look around and sample so delights

Stopped here for a tour and tasting on the outward journey of a recent holiday. The brewery and its modern visitor centre are located in a pretty village surrounded by beautiful Dales scenery. I found the bar and shop staff very welcoming and friendly, and our guide Emma was both enthusiastic and informative. After a short introductory video, she told us more about the brewery's history and how it got its name, then went on to explain about the processes of brewing beer, and passed round different types of malt and hops for us to look at. She then took us around part of the brewery and the fermentation room with its large vats (worth noting that the tour involves going up and down metal stairs). We finished up in the bar, where we were given a voucher for a free pint of our choice ( or three different 1/3 pints). Plenty of ales and ciders to choose from. I tried the special ale, and it was really good! Did not get to sample the food, but the meals I saw other visitors eating looked delicious! Relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Even the washroom in the toilets had a gorgeous view of the countryside. There's a great gift shop where you can purchase all the ales, cider and other drinks brewed here, plus clothing and souvenirs. An educational and fun way to spend a couple of hours!

Been before but 10 years ago, went with the knowledge that there was no availability for the tour, however on arrival there was! Apparently the booking system won’t let you book less than 24 hours, but we secured three places for the 1 1/2 hours tour which was very interesting and you get a taster session at the end of the tour. The lady on the booking desk was extremely helpful and knowledgeable and nothing was too much trouble. The beer, obviously was delicious and from the sight of the food coming out of the kitchen, we wished we could have stayed longer. They really have got their heads screwed on properly with the shop, tours, bar and restaurant, which was very busy for a Thursday afternoon. If you are thinking about going, do it! You won’t be disappointed.

We stopped at the brewery whilst passing this Saturday. We decided to do the 2pm tour and grabbed a bite to eat first. The food was too die for, service great, friendly and experienced and the tour was interesting and educational. I can well recommend for the food alone but when you throw in the tour it makes for a terrific day out.

This' a UNESCO world heritage site and it's a must visit. The experience was beyond words. I would recommend to walk from the Durham Market Place square, Sadler St & Owengate to experience the buildings of the old town. The Durham Castle is also accessible from the same route.

As someone deeply interested in Christian churches and cathedrals, I can confidently say this is one of the most impressive cathedrals I’ve ever visited. The design is breathtaking, and its location adds to its grandeur it's truly one of the largest in the UK. The historic architecture evokes a sense of awe and reverence, almost melting you into the past. This cathedral has witnessed many wars and even houses a copy of the Magna Carta, which adds to its historical significance. Entry is free, although some areas require a ticket to access. The staff are numerous and always present, maintaining cleanliness and offering assistance when needed. You can pray inside, and the inscriptions on the walls are genuinely enchanting. Just beside the cathedral stands Durham Castle, making the visit even more worthwhile. This place absolutely deserves a visit you won’t regret it. A heartfelt thank you to the staff for their dedication and care.

Visited in the day and in the evening of the Lumiere. Such an impressive building..awesome. Helpful guides. Lots of points of interest. Good signage and info. Large shop and cafe for welcome cuppa and browse. Lumiere lights were atmospheric although I missed a central installation insude the cathedral. Cloister lanterns were wonderful especially when swaying with the wind. Huge flowers outside face a terrific welcome.

Absolutely beautiful. I loved the stain glass window. The history. The chapels. The size. Really everything about it was magnificent. Magnifying God and revealing how much faith was important

Absolutely amazing spot for anyone interested in history, so much history inside it aswell as in the castle adjacent. Definitely worth making a donation too! I also would say this is a great spot for photographers because there so many beautiful things inside and out to photograph (provided the weather is nice of course)

WOW…. just wow…! Durham Cathedral is a “UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE”, and deservedly so.. Outstanding.. my only problem was that i did not spend enough time there… You need at least a few days in my opinion to take it all in.! The resting place of St Cuthbert and St Bede..! Cathedral cafeteria “ The Cloisters” was outstanding, very high quality food, fantastic surroundings and excellent staff. I had one of the best Scones in my life there.. what a taste..❤️ The Cathedral shop is also of a high quality and top end products.. Durham Cathedral leaves you with a feeling of “I will be back” Thank you for making this day so special Durham..

Would definitely recommend booking characterful city walk with Tom. The best storyteller, great with getting group participation, lots of information and details of by gone times about Durham. The walk was approximately 90 mins and at a meandering pace, all over little pockets of the city.

Durham Castle is well worth a visit! The route you can take is fairly short at around an hour but the price reflects this and you get some excellent information throughout. We were self guided but there are tours available. The guides are knowledgeable and bring the history of the castle to life, making it a fascinating experience in a beautiful setting. A great way to spend an hour in Durham!

Absolutely well worth the £5 entry fee, but book in advance as they sell out and don't run every day. The blonde lady who checked us in and gave us our lanyards at Palace Green Library was perhaps the nicest lady I've ever met. She talked us through where to go, what to expect and other parts of the historic UNESCO World Heritage site to visit to make a day of it. Our tour guide (I wish I could remember her name; I want to say Dia..? She was a Literature student), was very professional and knowledgeable, and guided us through a fascinating 45-minute tour of the Norman chapel, Tunstall Chapel and Gallery, Black Stairs and the Great Hall. No, you can't go in the Keep as that's a student residence, but I feel like if the people complaining on reviews did even a minute's research before they went, they wouldn't be disappointed. You could take pictures all the way around and tour groups are kept relatively small, so you get time to ask questions of your guide. We learnt so much about the history of the historic building. Well worth a visit, but do some research first!

The castle of prince bishops of Durham. Currently used as a university college. It offers guided tours during various intervals. Its good

Such a beautiful castle really recommend checking it out and getting a tour you learn so much about it and William the conqueror and much more

A castle with lots of amazing and eye-opening stories and a beautiful history that is reflected in the view. Tickets are available at the library next to the right side of the castle, with time slot booking and guided tours only. We had fun 🤩 and enjoyed every bit of it!

It was very good and reasonably priced. £5 per adult (not sure how much for a child) and £4.50 senior citizen. We went onto the 1.15pm tour of the castle, and it lasted approximately 4t minutes. The tour started at the gates and gave you a general background to the castle, then headed into the grounds and then into the castle itself. Some of the rooms were unavailable as the castle is still being used for college students. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable but the only downside was that sometimes it was a bit quite and difficult to hear. I'd really recommend going on the tour of the castle 🏰 🙂 hidden gem in Durham. You also have to arrive slightly early to collect your lanyards for the tour.

Durham Castle is a very beautiful small castle. The key difference from typical historical landmarks is that it also serves as a university college—many students live here, and staff work on-site. This means that, on one hand, the tours are limited in time and access to the locations where visitors are allowed (really a few in comparison to overall premises). On the other hand, it is uncomfortable for students when a group of lingering tourists walk in their home, sometimes enters the dining hall (a large, beautiful space) at the beginning of dinner, walking around and taking photos. Since there are only a few tours each day, it is definitely advisable to book in advance online, especially during holiday seasons, school breaks, and weekends.

This place is amazing! Well worth a visit. They do guided tours as well which gives you some history which helps contextualise the site.

This is a great day out. Plenty to see and learn. The kids enjoyed it too. There were some buildings you could get in but others under refurbishment. We arrived on the 1 Sunday a month that the sounds are not on until 12. There are plenty of information boards and they are written well and quite funny. The car park is free and at the site. There are toilets in the car park and in the main building. There is also a cafe here woth a gift shop. The staff were polite.

Absolutely love this museum a must visit for everyone of all ages. A brilliant record of industrial and social history with varying displays, exhibitions and events as well as the famous Ashington Painters artworks.

Visiting woodhorn Museum and it was fantastic! 🏰👍 Loved exploring the museum's exhibits, learning about the history of Northumberland's coal mining industry. The pit tours were a real highlight, giving a glimpse into the lives of the miners. Friendly staff and great interactive displays. Highly recommend! 👍 #WoodhornMuseum #Northumberland"

Brilliant weather for a brilliant day, Classic and Vintage Car Rally on as well made even more enjoyable for my son and me...!

Really interesting place to visit, friendly staff, plenty of free parking, dog friendly except in the main building, cafe on site, close by is also a lakeside walk, well worth a visit

This is one of our favourite museums as a family. Firstly it is so accessible both for me as someone with a physical disability, and for other family members who are neurodiverse. Woodhorn museum is probably the most physically accessible place I've visited with two exceptions - The playground; The cafe. Now my kids are older, I don't worry about the playground so much as they play without needing me but a few years ago there's no way I could have got my mobility scooter up or around there. The café, I've tried twice to navigate with my scooter and it's not set out right for independent scooter/wheelchair users. Food/drink items are too high too reach, it's too difficult to both carry a tray of food and drive a scooter or wheelchair, and there are too many tables to safely get in/out. Aside from this (and I recognise I said that it's probably the most accessible which hopefully shows how inaccessible some places are while believing they tick every box!) I love Woodhorn! Firstly, the price is incredible and kids under 16 go free- plus the pass lasts a whole year. So once we have it we will drive up a few times a year. There is always something different going on each school holiday to draw us back, although to be honest my girls love going through the mining history museum every time due to it's interactive features anyway!

Gateshead Millennium Bridge – Engineering with Soul The Gateshead Millennium Bridge isn’t just a crossing—it’s a performance. Linking Newcastle’s Quayside with Gateshead’s cultural quarter, this sleek, tilting arc is a marvel of modern design and quiet drama. I visited on a breezy evening, just in time to watch the bridge tilt—a slow, graceful motion that earned it the nickname “Blinking Eye.” It’s the world’s first and only tilting bridge, and when it moves, it feels like the river itself is taking a breath. The structure is reserved for pedestrians and cyclists, making it a peaceful vantage point to take in the Tyne’s historic skyline. Nearby, the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art and Sage Gateshead add cultural weight to the experience, while the Quayside buzzes with cafés and market stalls. Whether you’re drawn by its engineering or its elegance, the Millennium Bridge offers a moment of quiet connection—between cities, between people, and between past and future.

The Gateshead Millennium Bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks in the North East. It’s not just a bridge, it’s a piece of art and engineering brilliance. The tilting design is incredible to see in action, and at night the lighting makes it even more spectacular. Great place for a walk, cycling, or just enjoying the Quayside views. Definitely a must-visit in Newcastle and Gateshead!

The Gateshead Millennium Bridge is absolutely stunning and a must-see in Newcastle–Gateshead. Its unique tilting design makes it one of the most impressive bridges I’ve ever visited, both as a piece of engineering and as a landmark. Walking across gives you great views of the Quayside, and at night the bridge lights up beautifully, creating a magical atmosphere. It’s also right by plenty of pubs, restaurants, and attractions, so it’s perfect to include as part of an evening stroll. Whether you’re a visitor or a local, it’s an iconic spot that captures the energy and character of Newcastle. Highly recommended, especially at sunset or after dark when the reflections on the water are incredible.

The Gateshead Millennium Bridge is a beautiful and absolutely stunning arched bridge — its unique tilting design and illuminated reflections make it a must-see landmark in Newcastle–Gateshead. Walking across offers fantastic Quayside views, and nearby restaurants, it’s perfect for an evening stroll. Highly recommended, especially at sunset or after dark.

Every time I cross this bridge to visit the Baltic I marvel at the amazing views it offers. It is visually very beautiful from afar and the practical elements of the design allows for both pedestrians and cyclists to cross in their own safe space. In the past I have taken some lovely photos of the bridge at twilight; sadly on my most recent visit it was too cold and blustery to hang around until the light started to fade.

The Gateshead Millennium Bridge is a stunning example of modern engineering and design, linking Gateshead and Newcastle over the River Tyne. Its unique tilting mechanism, resembling a “blinking eye,” is both functional and mesmerizing to watch in action. The sleek, arched structure is particularly beautiful when illuminated at night, casting reflections on the water. Offering scenic views of the river and surrounding landmarks, it’s a favorite spot for photographers and visitors alike. While weather and timing for the tilt might affect the experience, the bridge remains a must-see icon of innovation and elegance.

The Gateshead Millennium Bridge on a memorable ‘blue sky’ afternoon in March 2025, along by the River Tyne in Newcastle. After 3️⃣0️⃣ years since my last visit to this wonderful City, the inspiration for a return trip was triggered by Mark Knopfler’s brilliant ‘One Deep River’ album and its inspiring LP cover. NB photos taken ‘Before My Train Comes’ to go back to London, King’s Cross ⬇️

Really friendly and helpful staff here. I managed to find a table on a Saturday night and use the app to order. Drinks were taking over 15 minutes to come out, which is fairly understandable for how busy they were. They got my first drink wrong, but I couldn't be bothered making an issue out of it as it was luckily something I don't normally mind drinking. Kept it quiet and ordered again to get the right one second time round.

I have been here a couple of times. As Don McLean might sing; A long, long time ago. Probably 30+ years. Alic surprised how busy it is on an early Tuesday evening. Had to sit in the courtyard as all tables gone inside. Bit chilly after an August storm. Boothroyd ordered a strong Dartmoor brewery 4.8% Jail Ale, all the way from Devon. £1.99! .. less 50p with a CAMRA voucher.

Really poor The staff are disinterested, and the one in the photo made us more as he wanted to store things where we were sitting. "Where should we move to"? "I dont know, anywhere..." Flat and warm Lager that you can't get changed as there are no staff with manners to talk to. Filthy tables ! I dont like it here....

A fabulous setting next to the Tyne with views of its famous bridges.Currently being renovated but very welcoming and a typical Spoons offering great value for money on food and beverage.Small but plenty of outside seating Very friendly service .It's popularity and location means it's very busy on weekends, especially nights, but we'll worth the downhill walk from the city centre

I work close by and have popped in for food many times over the years, today we ordered chips and a burger, the same we have ordered in the past. The Burger was over done and burnt with an extremely small portion of chips, in the past they included onion rings and coleslaw - I asked the waiter where’s the rest of the chips to be told we have reduced our portion sizes but we still use the large plates!!! We have decided we won’t be going back, there’s plenty of other places with better value!!

Large pub inside & out, lots of seating but still got very busy. Good location, friendly staff.

Really nice place, close to River, Excellent customer Service, and or course Wetherspoon always fair prices.

A lovely coastal walk to get up to the castle takes around 20-30 minutes from the harbour depending on how fast you walk. The views from the castle and on the walk up are stunning. The castle doesn't have a great deal left but you can get up the main tower and the views from the top are fantastic. The staff were great and informative. One told us that you can sometimes see dolphins off the coast. There are toilets on site. You will need to park on the road leading in to the coastal town and walk up to the castle.

Undoubtedly one of the finest English Heritage sites to visit in the country. Stunning position on the cliffs and the castle ruins are visible for miles. You can walk from Craster (just over a mile), but we approached from Dunstan Steads (under a mile). Excellent views of the birds on the cliffs. At the castle the cliffs are mainly fenced off but there are warning signs of the sheer drop. Terrific views from the top of the castle - care needed on the spiral staircase though. There are toilets , and a small English Heritage shop - very helpful staff. Definitely worth making the effort to visit.

I’ve wanted to visit Dunstanburgh Castle since I was a nipper and finally got to visit in October 2025. It didn’t disappoint. Bonus it’s dog friendly but there is cattle/sheep on the section between Craster and the castle itself. Nice ruins to wander around with stunning views. We paid £6.80 each, discount for booking online before going. Not enough signage about the history, probably want to sell you a guidebook for £4.50 instead. We extended the walk by taking our dog down to Embleton Bay afterwards. A great half day out.

Lovely Spot and Stunning Views!
We parked at the Craster car park — really convenient, with payment options by card, cash, or app. It’s just a short walk to the beachfront from there. Once you reach the shore, you can take a scenic walk to the castle (about 40–45 minutes). The views along the seafront are absolutely stunning — a pure joy for the soul.

Lovely walk to the castle from Craster to see the ruins of the castle. The Dunstanburgh Castle is in hands of English Heritage but it's owned by National Trust so it's free entry for NT members too. The staff made some sarcastic comments about NT when they checked our passes but the rest of the staff were nice and friendly. The castle is situated in a very windy spot but if you go on tower the views are absolutely stunning. There are some benches and tables available in the yard, toilets available too but no running water.

Lovely place to visit. Staff were really friendly, well-maintained, and not too busy. Just mind out that it's a reasonably long walk from the car park if you have a toddler with you!

Fantastic castle. Beautiful ruins of a once majestic castle. The site and the grounds are gorgeous, the drama of the setting cannot be overstated. Easy parking although about 30 minute walk across fields to the castle: generally flat ground and a pathway to keep to for ease. Wish I lived locally so I could go more often.

Went on a beautiful sunny day and was blown away by the gorgeous walled gardens. Lots of butterflies which our daughter enjoyed photographing. We went on a guided tour round the castle and Daphne was very informative and kept some of the "chatty" and wandering guests from the party in line with her professional competence 🤣. After the castle tour we walked through the deer park and captured some wonderful video footage of several deers running up the embankment and crossing the path right in front of us. Lovely experience for both us and our 15 year old. Very stylish and bright/airy cafe where we found something to eat quite easily for us adults, but if you are slightly particular with your foods and not a child it did prove a little more difficult. You can't go wrong with jacket potatoes but unfortunately our daughter isn't a fan. Was looking for something safe like macaroni cheese and garlic bread but we found something to suit in the end. Definitely worth the money. Spent 3+ hours here. Easy to find and parking great. Every aspect of this place was tidy and well maintained. One suggestion, the toilets separate from the cafe (never looked in the cafe toilets) could do with a sanitary dispenser.

Beautiful castle and gardens – well worth a visit! Stunning historic building, peaceful grounds, and a lovely walled garden. Great for families, especially with the deer park and the amazing kids’ play area (Plotters’ Forest). Staff are friendly and everything is well maintained. A perfect day out in the countryside!

What a great family place to visit. Historic castle with loads of insight into its history. Deer park to walk around with plenty of opportunities to see the deer. Lovely gardens to enjoy at your leasure and new well appointed cafe. Definitely worth a visit if you get the chance.

With the right weather you can spend a long day there. A good combination of things for adults and children. The gardens alone are worth the visit. You can explore castle grounds & deer park at your leisure but I'd recommend the guided tours. Separate tours of castle & garden + we enjoyed a separate talk regarding the Raby estate & the development of the railways. Top notch facilities, a lot of effort & money has been spent making an excellent tourist attraction.

We spent an absolutely amazing morning walking around the castle. Every room waited to be discovered with a member of staff and the knowledge they had waiting to pass on. It was an amazing trip back in history and very well maintained with staff with their wealth of knowledge, very friendly and welcoming. We didn't walk as much of the park as we would've liked, but finished the visit off with a yummy lunch. We will definitely visit again.

Great day out. The castle itself was really interesting, loads to see inside with some really knowledgeable staff. Gardens and grounds are spectacular, especially the deer park. Nice cafes and shop as well

A truly amazing day out.. Beautifully presented the gardens are so accessible..the castle is stunning inside with friendly informative volunteers to guide your visit . 2 good cafés on site both are dog friendly 👌. I will visit again for sure 😍

We first came here 16 years ago and always wanted to come back when we saw the Gardens were to be expanded. An amazing attraction in a beautiful town in Northumberland. The admission is reasonably priced and the highlight for us was the "Poison Garden" and our guide was amazing, entertaining and informative. There is an excellent cafe and restaurant as well. Please visit here.

First time visiting & was in October. So all the plants were dieing off which was inevitable for this time of year but nether the less we had a brilliant day. The waterfall feature is stunning. The tour round the poison garden was great. We had fun in the crazy golf. Had a lovely walk round the gardens & the different water fountains. Will definitely be returning in spring to swing in the cherry trees. Amazing day out. Well worth a visit.

What a fantastic day out! Alnwick Garden is even more impressive in person. The sheer variety of plants is incredible, and the displays, especially the stunning water features, are amazing. I particularly enjoyed the unique Poison Garden tour, which was both entertaining and educational. It's a must-see for anyone in the area!

Lovely day out. I purchased the annual ticket which is well worth the money. We've visited a few times and it's always a great time, all parts of the garden are lovely. The bamboo labyrinth is very cool! Even the food is good!

The water cascade feature looks impressive, especially so when all the fountain jets are active. Unfortunately most of the time there are no active fountain jets, or only a few are active for a short period. I saw the majority or all the fountain jets active whilst I was having lunch in the cafe, but despite several subsequent attempts to get a video recording of all fountain jets working on a couple of occasions during the afternoon it didn't happen again which is very disappointing. The ornamental garden above the cascade is attractively laid out with trees providing additional height to the hedges around each flower bed. Near the bottom of the cascade is a hedged maze like area with multiple interesting water features. The poison garden can only be accessed by guided tour which was very informative and interesting. The cafe serves a good selection of hot and cold food, drinks and cakes and is well laid out. I would recommend visiting, but I think the adult entrance fee is excessive. Although I w

A lovely garden great for all generations. We went when the blossom trees were out and it was beautiful. My daughter and I also had an afternoon tea which was delicious. I would definitely recommend anyone visiting.

A good value day out (£18 online for adults), + £3.50 car park, if you take your own picnic. Poison garden tour included in ticket price. Ornamental garden and water gardens great. Bit disappointed that the largest 'tree house' is a restaurant and the 'potting shed' is a café. However, on a nice day of weather, as it was, very pleasant. Good activities for children, if you have them.

A gorgeous castle with a fascinating history—definitely worth a visit! The views are breathtaking, and the staff are warm and welcoming. I also had the chance to join a Quidditch lesson, which was so much fun (even tho it’s serious business!). Overall, a wonderful and memorable experience :)))”

This castle is in a different league! The rooms are extremely ornate, great portraits, fantastic ceilings and amazing fireplaces. A shame that indoor photography was not allowed. It is lived in. The views outside are wonderful , also great exhibits of armoury and all the paraphernalia that goes with it. A 'must see' for all.

We visited with our whole family and had an amazing time! We bought our tickets in advance and came just 2 days before the season ended. The staff were fantastic — even with some power issues, they handled everything smoothly and still made the experience great for everyone. The weather was perfect, the history of the castle is incredible, and the broomstick flying activity was a big hit with the kids! A beautiful place full of charm and stories. Highly recommend visiting Alnwick Castle!

Stunning place to visit. Fun for all the family. Plenty to do and see. It's amazing to know that the family still live there during the public closing time and during the winter. The rooms are beautiful and awe-inspiring. I wish my physical media collection looked like their library. The grounds are great and we even got to learn how to fly our broomsticks. Well worth a visit. The dragon area was a great addition too, well thought out. Lots of toilets and multiple gift shops.

Gorgeous castle! For Harry Potter fans, this is where the famous broomstick flying scene from the first movie was filmed! There are talks and events throughout the day regarding the magical side of the castle as well as more traditional evens like weapons and armor talks, soap making and a fun dragon quest! A place with rich history and enjoyability for all ages! 10/10 highly recommend

Best intact and still working castle visited. Kids had an amazing time dressing up in medieval costumes, making soap and learning to fly on broomsticks. The adults had an amazing experience with seeing and hearing all the history with very informative guides and information displays.

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to this castle. It’s beautifully maintained, with a wide range of activities and guided tours that kept me engaged throughout the day. I ended up spending the entire day exploring.

Firstly the grounds are gorgeous! Just take a book and seat on one of the benches and take it all in :) Beautiful collection of paintings. Some real impressive ones actually Definitely worth the visit. I was not a huge fan of the swan show…nothing extraordinary. The cafe is nice. The bookshop/gift shop are a must

Loved this place. The pet project installation was wonderful. My daughters made some new friends who all got involved with the most fabulous creative play in that space. Meanwhile I had a moment of meditation (some might call it a snooze) with my headphones in on one of the incredibly comfortable 3D canvasses! Fascinating - history and some artworks and curiosities. I remember the two headed calf from when I was a kid (about 40 years ago) Magical to see the silver swan in action. Highly recommended- beautiful grounds as well. Nice gift shop (quality gifts at reasonable prices). Bought a tea towel ~ we kinda collect them. Staff were all nice… and authentic if that makes sense.

Fabulous day out! I'm a wheelchair user and found the museum very accessible. The staff here were amazing! An absolute credit to the museum! Loved the Silver Swan demonstration at 2pm. The cream tea in the cafe was delicious 😋 The gift shop is very nice too and has a range of reasonably priced goods. We paid the membership fee and will definitely be back a few times.

The Bowes Museum is such a fantastic place to visit! The grand building and beautiful grounds make it feel really special from the moment you arrive. Inside, there’s so much to see fascinating exhibitions, incredible artwork, and interesting displays that keep both adults and children engaged. The café is lovely, serving good food and cakes with a relaxed atmosphere. There’s even a small play park in the grounds, which was a great bonus for the children and gave us chance to enjoy a coffee while they played. A brilliant day out for families, history lovers, and anyone visiting the area.

An incredible place too visit. So much to see, make sure you arrive early as you'll need plenty of time! Astonishing world of art, great history in a wonderful. Friendly staff and a more than decent cafe /restaurant providing very generous portions. A must see if the silver swan automaton.

Fantastic day out today. The staff were all brilliant, kind and offered help. Quite a bit for kids to see and do. We all enjoyed the exhibits on display. Oh and the Silver Swan is amazing! We rang up to request a wheelchair for one of us before arrival and it was no problem. Most of the museum is easily accessible to all. Cafe was good with prompt service and helpful staff. Good value as well. Thank you to all staff today!

We had a lovely day at Bowes Museum. Entry was free due to it being Heritage Week, if we had paid it would still be well worth the money. Lots to see. The grounds are lovely as well, but we got rained off.

Another first at this National Trust in Northumberland. Plenty of parking with some disabled parking near the entrance and also some electric charging point for electric vehicles. As you walk through under the clock tower there is a large open garden with deck chairs and the first of many safe spaces for families to entertain children. There's a cafe, shop and toilets all on the ground level making them easy access. Further round is the entrance to this beautiful stately home that apparently has the largest grounds of all the National Trusts. There is wheelchair access into the house to see the ground floor and also an elevator to go up stairs which is fantastic for people that struggle with stairs. There are lots of items and paintings to see so well worth a look around. Apparently, the house was only gift to the Trust in 1947 and the last family member lived there right up to around 2011. There grounds are vast which include a lovey walled garden. You can hire peddle or electric bikes to get around £10 - £12. We got there in the afternoon so went straight around the house as it closed at 15:30 but the grounds stay open till around 17:30. Another National Trust Gem. Well worth a visit. By the way the staff are really friendly, doing a wonderful job.

Wallington Hall is one of the best National Trust days out in Northumberland. The house itself is full of character, with beautiful rooms, quirky collections, and striking murals that tell the history of the North East. The gardens are a real highlight — the walled garden is stunning and peaceful, while the wider estate has riverside walks, ponds, and woodland trails that feel endless. It’s fantastic for families too, with several play areas, adventure trails, and plenty of space for kids to run wild. The café and shop are both worth stopping by, and facilities are good. The estate is big, so wear decent shoes — the walk to the walled garden takes a while but is worth it. Some paths can be tricky if wet, but most are well kept. A super day out!

This is our second visit to Wallington Hall and Estate (previously here 6 or 7 years ago). Both times we visited on a busy (but not overcrowded) weekend. Understandably a popular place for families; Wallington has plenty of space for kids to play and several kids-oriented features in the woods. We thoroughly enjoy the walks through Wallington woods and around ponds, complete with interesting art along the way (carved owl, carved log, etc.). Another delight is the walled garden, which is quite substantial and well maintained with numerous types of plants in varied micro-environments. The estate also has several places to sit and enjoy nature. The main house at Wallington is another National Trust treasure that requires a few visits to truly appreciate the variety and uniqueness of the furniture, paintings, children’s toys, books, and other items. The central hall is amazing for its design and artwork depicting the area's past. The kitchen is outfitted with numerous bygone items, including many old earthenware jars that also caught our interest. The detailed doll houses in one room are also an attraction. Visited in late May 2025

Me and the family really enjoyed it here, the staff were very friendly and there was plenty to do and see. We went for food and it was lovely and the staff were so friendly. My kids favourite part was finding the little animals in the house and my dads favourite part was the walled garden. 100% recommend if you're looking for a fun friendly day out.

Really good and well looked after house and gardens. We went round the house first which was incredible. We did the river walk which took us about an hour to walk but we'll worth it. The walled garden is well worth a walk around aswell.

Lovely place, hadn't been for years but it used to be my Grandma's favourite place for tea! Had a lovely walk by the river and over the stepping stones. Fascinating exhibition about the history of the Hall and it's owners.

Lovely place to visit - beautiful Hall and extensive stunning gardens. Didn't have time for the River Walk but will definitely come back for that. Second hand book shop, tea room and ice cream remain open after the last entry to the Hall. Perfect for all ages groups

Visited in August while in Hexham. A surprisingly beautiful and ancient abbey. It was freezing to enter but a donation is requested, but not mandatory. You can also pay £3.50 to down into the crypt. Well worth a visit if you in the area.

Lovely Abbey Church in a town also worth visiting. Very beautiful building with lots of interesting things to see( view photos). No entrance fee but you can give a donation either by card machine or cash. Very peaceful place with seperate chapel for private prayer.

Absolutely fantastic abbey that is vibrant, active & well worth the entry fee. We paid the extra to go down the steep steps to the original crypt from 673/4...the crypt itself was built from recycled stone from a Roman bridge at Corbridge. Roman carving & inscriptions are clear to see in the stonework. When we visited GAIA (a revolving globe art installation) was in the abbey. It looked fantastic. As a bonus the café was lovely & on a sunny day sitting in the courtyard would be bliss.

Lovely place to look at. Unfortunately we arrived late in the day so only got to enjoy the exterior of the building. They were ringing the bells which was nice. Next to the abbey is a park and the railings of the park are covered in knitted/crocheted poppies which was beautiful to see. Well done to those who made the poppies.

So beautiful. We have English Heritage card but if you don't, I would still recommend buying a ticket to look round

Beautiful welcoming Abbey. We were warmly greeted and welcomed into the Abbey. Beautiful building, free entry but you are able to donate (which I recommend). They also have a shop, cafe and toilets. I found this a very accessible please with on street disc parking nearby. Worth the visit.

A lovely Abbey. Friendly receptionist at the entrance taking tickets to see the massive Earth display. Take a moment to reflect on one's life through our planet Earth and our fragile ecosystem.

We parked at Bowlees Visitor Centre and followed the path along the river past Low Force and the old swing bridge, then continued up to High Force. It’s about four miles there and back and such a lovely walk with great views all the way. The path can be uneven in places so it’s not really one for pushchairs, but it’s very dog friendly and has lots of spots to stop and enjoy the scenery. High Force is a beautiful sight, especially after heavy rain when the water really thunders down. If you prefer a shorter walk, you can park at High Force Hotel, but there’s an entry fee from that side. The Bowlees route is free, and if you carry on a little further upstream you’ll come across Bleabeck Force too, which is another great waterfall to see.

Waterfall itself is absolutely beautiful, an incredible site with multiple different walks, all round incredible scenery. Unfortunately some of the staff were quite rude, lady in the ticket office spoke to us like we were an inconvenience for being there and took so long serving drinks. Was very rude to other customers when someone asked why you had to pay to see the waterfall. I understand the sight has to be maintained but it could have been explained a lot nicer than she did with a lot less attitude. The gentleman at the top of the walk however was lovely and explained the paths to us and how the waterfall came to be. All in all a beautiful experience but it would be nice if the staff at least pretended they wanted to be there!

The waterfall at High Force is a phenomenal sight to see, especially after heavy rainfall. We visited just after the tail end of Storm Claudia had drenched the north east area & saw it raging, quite a sight. The staff members in the pub where you buy your tickets could employ better manners when dealing with customers as we were made to feel like we were just in the way a little & in honesty I'm not sure why we paid as there were no rangers, staff or guides on the path to show tickets to. Parking was reasonably priced BUT please read the small print! There's a lot.

Wow!! Please just visit and enjoy this wonderful place! It literally enabled my partner and I to just breathe 🧘 Beautiful! The chap at the ticket booth was so helpful and friendly, the Hotel was friendly and so accommodating and the Waterfall was so unexpectedly perfect! The walk to the waterfall was simple and pleasant and you could return on the path or take the steep steps up to complete a circular walk - perfect afternoon xxx

We walked from low force, along the river Tees edge, taking in the views... River Tees on one side and fields of cattle on the other..Benches and seats all along the pathway or you could dip your toes in the water at various points.. over the wooden bridge** onto a large grass area to let the dogs stretch their legs before climbing a lot of steps up to the high force motel, where you buy tickets for the falls and wooded area... Carparking available, Toilets, Cafe with picnic benches, to enjoy a food, ice cream or hot drink before handing over your ticket and descending through the woods to more steep steps down to the base of the falls, where you feel the true force of the water... Spend as long as you like, just listening to and seeing the amount of water cascading over the rock face... Back up the steep steps,via left into another wooded area, where cattle roamed free (to our surprise), carved sculptures, bird feeding stations and a nice wood walk....** You can see the falls for free, but from above only, if you walk straight on and don't cross the wooden bridge...

We have visited High Force many times before but what a spectacular visit this time. The volume of the water due to all the heavy rain was very impressive. Such a beautiful sight in autumn. Very well organised purchasing tickets from the hotel. This goes towards the up keep of the paths which were safe and well maintained. The only criticism is the high parking fee, nearly £5 for an hour, payable via a parking website. Beautiful part of the region and definitely worth a visit.

A spectacular waterfall, it was coming down both sides when we visited. Easy walking down to the waterfall, you can then scramble across the rocks for a better view. The walk back through the woods is a bit more arduous and not pushchair friendly, that said you can just double back on yourself.

We visited the fort and museum and spent about an hour and a half here, which was plenty of time to really take it all in. The ruins are incredible and give you a real sense of the history, while the museum brings everything to life with well-laid-out displays and fascinating artefacts. The hill up to the fort is quite steep, but it’s definitely doable if you take your time — worth it once you’re at the top. Facilities are limited, with only one bin and toilet at the entrances, so it’s best to plan ahead. Overall though, it’s a brilliant experience that stands out for both the history and the atmosphere. I’d recommend it to anyone — whether you’re into history, out for a family trip, or just looking for something different to explore.

Housesteads is one of the most impressive and atmospheric forts on Hadrian’s Wall. The ruins are remarkably well preserved, with clear outlines of the granaries, barracks, and the commander’s house, giving a real sense of Roman life on the edge of the empire. The views across the Northumberland landscape are breathtaking, especially from the wall itself, which runs right past the site. There’s a good museum with artefacts and context, plus really friendly staff. A good idea is to include a decent walk along the wall and to visit the museum at the same time. A must-see if you’re exploring Hadrian’s Wall.

Glad we made a detour here on the way back from Scotland. I’d advise going early as it was extremely busy when we left at lunchtime with coaches, we arrived just as it was opening. It’s a steep but steady climb up. Although it’s an English Heritage site, National Trust membership gains access and the cafe/facilities at the bottom are NT managed with museum/shop at top next to site English Heritage (which is also point for tickets).

Wonderful Roman garrison. If you intend walking Hadrian's wall be prepared for some very demanding climbs and descents wear good shoes and clean it can be very wet and windy. Speak to locals.

We came here on a Saturday morning, after having driven an hour or so from Newcastle. The place is operated jointly by National Trust and English Heritage and members of both organisations have free entry. The parking is not free even for members, but there was plenty of spaces. There is quite a long walk from the entrance point to the Fort, going first down hill and then climbing up hill. There is not a great deal left of the Roman Fort but its location right by Hadrian's Wall makes it very interesting. There is good explanations about the history of the place at the visitor's centre nearby. The Hadrian's Wall Path runs along these ruins with energetic ramblers passing by.

Another 'wow' for the Romans. This is one heck of a fort remains. Stepping amongst history made 2000 years ago ! Parking is independent of Nat Trust/English Heritage, around £5 for 3/4 hours, ample spaces with allocated motorhome spots. Lovely Bat Trust chap on reception. You don't pay/card until you're up at the fort. Nat Trust Cafe/toilets etc. There's coffee/snacks at the top but no actual cafe/toilets. It's quite a walk up, well maintained pathways, and most definitely worth the walk. Access can be made by car for less able folk. Brilliant, so much to see, read and explore - including the amazing wall.

Fantastic remains of a Roman Fort and adjoining accommodation and amenities alongside Hadrian's Wall. English Heritage or National Trust membership allows you in for free. Set in beautiful surroundings on hills occupied by sheep and lambs. Good base for Hadrian's Wall walks and has a café, shop, bathrooms, and museum, the latter displaying regular showings of a very informative video. Parking is not free but is convenient and paid by NFC on leaving the premises (number/license plates detected on entry and timed from then). Well worth it.

Had difficulty getting here due to road closures, but the museum is well laid out and some of the exhibits can be touched, it needs to be used in conjunction with the vindolanda ticket as the two complement each other. My only criticism is that the video room needs a door as the noise from school visits can drown out the audio.

Good museum and interesting displays. Worth getting joint ticket with Vindolanda. Big plus is free parking at both sites. I walked east along Hadrian's Wall and on return went back into museum.

The Roman Army Museum does a fantastic job of telling the story of the men who served on Hadrian’s Wall. Through well-presented exhibits, films, and displays, it shows how soldiers came from all over the Roman Empire to defend this frontier. The museum really brings their lives, duties, and experiences to life in a clear and engaging way. It’s an excellent complement to visiting Hadrian’s Wall and a must for anyone interested in Roman history.

A wonderful Museum that provides insight into all aspects of Roman army history. A really interesting film half way which guides you through the history of the wall. A good couple of hours, if you do everything on offer! Incredible education on the history of animal bones my children still take about the talk one of the volunteers gave! 👌🏼👌🏼

The Roman Army Museum at Walltown is an excellent first stop for understanding Roman military life, especially in the context of Hadrian’s Wall. If you’re visiting the area, it adds a lot to the experience—especially with its films, interactive displays, and connection to the landscape. For families, casual visitors, or history fans, it offers good value. If you’re more of a specialist, you might want also to visit Vindolanda or some of the larger forts for deeper archaeology

This place is a must if your visiting Hadrians wall! Excellent. Watch the 20min film if your there, it was worth it and gives a great insight into a soldiers life on the wall

The museum was great on a rainy day but we were not able to go to the second location to walk around the actual Roman fort. The museum provided a good background on the growth and decline of the Roman Empire, the establishment of Hadrian’s wall, and the life of the Roman soldier. All of the items in the museum are items recovered from the fort. Wish there was more information on the any battles fought while the fort was occupied.

We loved our night at the observatory. Unfortunately it was a very cloudy night so was a bit hit and miss, catching the stars through the telescopes. Staff were amazingly entertaining and their passion rubbed off on you by the end of the visit. Complimentary hot chocolate was welcomed towards to end, getting a bit of free time to ask questions and revisit sections of the observatory. The building itself was impressive with the manually rotating roof sections where the telescopes live. We went early June and very keen to go back on a clear night in peak winter season. Thanks for an amazing experience

Wonderful experience. We attended the 9m session on a wonderfully clear July night. The initial video presentation was astounding and truly opened our eyes on the sheer scale of the night sky. The subsequent opportunity to view the sky through the Observatory telescopes in the presence of experts was astounding. This was then followed by a great opportunity to chat with the team The sessions cannot fit in many visitors so it is important to book ahead. And do follow the detailed arrival instructions - the site is by its nature remote and off the beaten track

I had a wonderful experience here. It says something that after driving for 2h into dark skies and it ending up being a cloudy night, that I still wasnt disappointed and would absolutely do it again. The talks were so informative and engaging, super interesting. We saw and used the telescopes and were able to observe a star despite the clouds.

Really good, I would say excellent. The team who were at the top to meet us stay with us for the 3 hours of our tour were brilliant. The team were very knowledgeable in there subject, they were very helpful and super friendly. Unfortunately the weather wasn't helpful it was raining for the first two hours. But the last hours the stars appeared which was fantastic. The team explained so much. I would definitely recommend to go and see the stars. Don't forget it is weather permitting.

We had clear skies - result. We have been before although it was cloudy then. However, don't be dismayed as the team put on a brilliant, educational and interesting talk / slideshow to entertain you. Our last visit was clear skies and we had the opportunity to to look through both telescopes as well as sit outside in the moon chairs to gaze at the night sky. Team there were so enthusiastic, knowledgeable and able to make the subject approachable. Photos are from my iPhone 17 Pro Max, so no match for the telescopes, but gives you an idea. Being dark sky status the area is superb for star gazing be you just interested or a seasoned professional. The track up to the observatory is about 2 miles long, a little bumpy in places and can take a while at 10mph so bear that in mind with your arrival timing.

I visited the observatory on my birthday in March for one of their aurora watch evening events. I knew there was a *chance* of seeing the aurora borealis here (because of an 11 year peak, spring equinox and dark sky conditions) but I never dared hope I would get to see them on my actual birthday! We all filtered in to the lecture room and then within a couple of minutes of the introduction starting, a fellow staff member came rushing in to say it's happening, and then we all went outside and had at least 15mins of watching it live. Phone cameras pick up more than the naked eye, so it doesn't look as pretty as what my phone says, but that doesn't mean it's still not fascinating or exciting to be able to take slow exposure shots and see the results of what you've just captured! Once the excitement was over, and it had calmed down, back inside we went for some learning and then the big telescopes. Had an absolutely fantastic time. Can't recommend this facility enough. You need to do your research and book in advance, but if you do so you will have a wonderful time.

One of the best events I've ever been to, absolutely outstanding and we will definitely be returning for future events. Can't thank Adam, Dan and Gregoire enough, their enthusiasm was electric. Amazing!!!