Tommy is an amazing sculpture. The walk along the beach was bracing. We found some sea glass to take home for our granddaughters. Fish and chips in Bells were delicious.

A stunning sculpture to reflect upon the soldiers of WW1 not only to make you think about the loss but also to consider those that came back. I feel that this captured the moment… It was on my to do list and is now one of my favourites.

Very thought provoking steel statue of Tommy the Soldier.Seaham itself is a lovely lively place with plenty of cafe's.Have a walk down by the Marina..Just a lovely place.

One of the best memorial sculptures I've seen. The surrounding area/garden and carpark all well kept with nice poppy themed benches . Seaham is a lovely small town with brilliant views looking out to sea.. Definitely worth a look round . Only one thing as with all carparks you have to pay, however there is a home bargains just down the road for free parking

The ultimate sacrifice given by so many! I salute you and thank you all.

What an awesome sculpture, so much detail more so in the face. If you have not seen Tommy take a drive to Seaham. Maybe at the next Seaham Food Festival weekend, combine the two.

If you ever visit Seaham you must always stop by and visit Tommy. It's such a beautiful piece of art representing a very powerful moment in UK history. He never fails to impress. I've been visiting him for years and the beauty of him never fails to touch my soul. I don't want to say too much and ruin anyone's experience of visiting. Just be mindful you now need to pay to park, but your £1 is most definitely well spent. Enjoy!

A really good day out, brilliant exhibits with great information boards not long winded like other museums but tell you everything you need to know. For a free day out donations are welcomed it really is a great day out. We didn’t have time to see the historic buildings but we will definitely revisit and take them in next time. Not as vast as there sister museum in York but it is a great museum.

My first visit here today, with my partner and friend. We had a super time enjoying all the special locos and carriages. Highly recommend for anyone in the area. Free to enter, donations appreciated. The staff were all friendly, especially the lady on the desk at the entrance. The shop has a great selection.

Locomotion is widely praised as an excellent, all-weather attraction that's completely FREE to visit, making it an incredibly popular choice for families and budget-conscious travelers. Visitors consistently highlight the sheer volume of historical trains and railway artifacts on display, covering a vast period of railway history. The museum is well-organized, interactive, and provides a rich educational experience. It has big parking spaces.

An absolutely fantastic museum. Visit was on last day of the 200 years of SDR exhibition. Had a lovely walk to engine workshop, housing, workmens cottages and walk on part of original SDR. Cafe was in one of exhibition halls. Good selection of food and drink. All staff were friendly. Easily spent 4 hours here.

Part of the National Railway Museum, the Shildon Locomotion museum houses historically significant items railway locomotives, rolling stock and other railway related items. Most importantly Locomotion No 1 which hauled the first railway passenger journey 200 years ago is here. I visited during the 200th Anniversary weekend, which meant it was busy. You could pay for a ride behind a replica of Stephenson's Rocket on my visit. There are two covered exhibit halls, a great gift shop, a large cafe, and plenty of toilets. Car parking is free, and the site is adjacent to Shildon Railway Station for those arriving by train. The site is fully accesible for those unable to walk any distance. A number of very early railway buildings dating from the 1800's are located a short distance away from the museum, and are well signposted. A great place to visit, not just for rail enthusiasts, but for anyone with an interest in Britain's industrial history.

An excellent railway museum. Brilliant exhibits. Helpful staff. Lots to see and do for all ages. The engines are amazing. Easy to get to by car and plenty of parking.

We had a lovely whistle-stop visit to Locomotion as we were passing on our way up north. Bolstered by a generous serving of lunch, we enjoyed a wander round the halls and a pleasant walk down the tracks. We definitely hope to return another day when we have more time to spend. I especially liked seeing Rocket, and we were also chuffed with our merch from the gift shop 👍

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.

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!

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.

An excellent experience (and took my memories back to visiting my grandparents when I was young). Although I’d recommend booking tickets to beat the queues, we hadn’t and even in half term week there wasn’t too long a wait. The whole museum spreads out over a considerable area. Lots of walking therefore. The exhibits take the form of original buildings, all furnished and presented in period - and well-explained by costumed guides. ♿️The main site is very accessible and well equipped. Lots of accessible toilets and restaurants. However, like any house or town, the exhibits are varying in levels of ease of access. In my view many of the exhibits had been spoiled by the addition of a hallowe’en theme. For example Victorian rooms festooned with fake spiders’ webs and pumpkins. These were all over. They are fine in their place, but today detracted from the authenticity of the museum which we had paid to see. There would have been no fake spiders webs and pumpkins in a real Victorian school room. On the whole, though, the museum was excellent and worth revisiting

What a lovely day out. Even though we were there all day, didn't quite manage to get round it all. Favourite but was the co op. Trams and busses quite frequent. Went to the bank and the manager showed me all the old money with explanation, interesting. An old cinema, showing old films, great. A few refreshments stops, including the old fish and chips shop in the 1950s, obviously tried that, very nice. Would recommend this place

Absolutely fantastic!! The people who work here are absolutely amazing and so knowledgeable. My children thoroughly enjoyed the experience and learning about the past. Living history is so much more interesting and relatable. Sharing this with them was heartwarming. I from a generation where our parents are old enough to have experienced the end of war and grandparents who were considered working class Victorians.

So much to see and do..definitely arrive at opening time and give yourself till closing if you are only doing it in one day. Love that the ticket means you can return for free anytime within the year. Will definitely be going back. Best fish and chips are definitely the ones cooked in beef dripping on a coal range! Fantastic place for adults and children alike. Worth every penny spent 👌

I've just made my first visit in over 30 years and I had an amazing day the staff were wonderful and so knowledgeable, The Fish & Chips from Davy's were out of this world and easily the best I've had. The baked goods from Joseph Herron's were simply delicious as was the pint in the Sun Inn. I had a ride on the Carousel, even winning a prize on the table tennis balls into the small goldfish bowls in the Edwardian fairground. Beamish Museum thoroughly deserves all the accolades it receives

Loved it was absolutely amazing. We had a good few people recommend it and everyone said you would have to take a few trips to take it all in. So we plane to visit a few times because we only had a look at a few bits but not all of it. We had arrived about 10 minutes before they actully opened so only a bit of a wait witch I didnt really mined at all. £58 pounds to get in just the 2 of us. But the next time we plan to visit the min town on the bus or tram. We spent a few hours walking around and I think we had betten the rain actully today. Hopefully the next time it will be better weather all around.

I've never heard anything but glowing reviews of Beamish and it absolutely deserves all the praise! I've visited a few times over the years and took my Gran recently as she was keen to see the relatively new 1950s area for her birthday. We arrived for doors opening and were glad we did as there's so much to see. The buses and trams are a lot of fun and make the site more accessible - it's a big site to explore on foot. It was a fairly quiet (rainy) day so we had the chance to speak to lots of volunteers, they all had so much time for us and lots of knowledge to share. Really felt like everyone wanted us to get the most possible out of our visit. The 1950s area brought back lots of memories for my Gran, especially the electronics store - I love the 1910s shops. We chose to add on the Edwardian photo studio which was brilliant, loads of attention to detail and a really special experience. We got two copies of the photo so it cost £26.50. We got the bus and the driver kindly advised us to show our bus tickets when buying our museum tickets as they reward using public transport/being sustainable with a discount 😊 If we were a wee bit closer I could see us becoming members and regulars!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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 Cragside with my wife, daughter and grandson and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. The house itself is full of fascinating history – hard to believe it was the first home in the world lit by hydroelectric power! Every room tells a story, and the craftsmanship is incredible. The gardens and grounds are just as impressive, with plenty of space to explore and stunning views around every corner. It’s a perfect mix of history, innovation and natural beauty. A brilliant day out for all ages – we’ll definitely be back.

Fabulous place. Lovely walks through the he grounds, all very picturesque and full of nature. House is beautiful too. Shop and cafe just finish it off. Do the Views of Cragside walk as it's wonderful and covers so much.

If you have never visited, you really should! It's been a very long time since I was last here, and as a teenager I didn't really understand the significance of the place. When visiting this time, the impact was much greater. The walks around the grounds, along the river and through the gorge we're beautiful and the formal gardens were well maintained (and a picture in summer I'm sure). We visited in autumn and the colours in the trees were spectacular. The hydroelectric power and elevator were an incredible marvel of their time, and the marble fireplace in one of the rooms is a huge statement of the owners status and wealth. The staff were all very knowledgeable and friendly. If you're making a first visit, you will likely spend all see day at the house and immediate vicinity. But the grounds are enormous, and there are miles and miles of walks off various car parks along the carriage drive. Highly recommended if you are in the area.

Fantastic place. Very helpful staff, particularly the Scottish chap at the entrance. Very clear signs to guide you around the extensive grounds. The house is a must to explore. One of the best National Trust properties (we are members) we have visited. Two areas for suggested improvement. The main cafe is so chaotic that we were put off standing and ordering anything to eat at lunchtime after we had a drink earlier in the day. Secondly, there are two large photographs of Red Squirrels in the shops and apparently there are Red Squirrels in the grounds but I was told "You won't see them." "Why don't you have feeding areas for them, I'm sure they would draw people in." "That would also draw in the Grey Squirrels which we also have." "If you don't do anything about the Greys then you soon won't have any Reds, because of squirrel-pox." This is where the National Trust needs to take a stand and not wash its hands of the problem. But we'll worth a visit all the same.

Love Cragside and its especially beautiful at this time of year. Good facilities and large grounds which are great for mushroom spotting. Definitely worth visiting. My only complaint is that there aren't many savoury vegan food choices BUT there are a variety of vegan cakes!

A beautiful National Trust park with plenty of different walks to suit all levels of ability. The house is fascinating, with lots of detailed information to read and explore. The facilities are excellent too, with toilets, cafés, and plenty of seating available throughout the grounds. A great place to spend a day. Recommend getting passes as you will save a lot of money. Lots of parking in the area.

In my view, Cragside is one of the most appealing estates among the National Trust properties (and NT has many world-class estates). This is our second visit here; the previous visit 8 years earlier was too brief. But more than 5 hours on this visit wasn't enough. Cragside is definitely a multi-day excursion. Cragside has well-designed winding trails through peaceful woods, fabulous tall trees, and imposing rock-exposed hillsides. The trail from the Archimedes screw to the house is as picturesque as one could imagine for any walk. Every turn in the main house reveals incredible design and details. Kitchen, dining room with huge alcove fireplace, gallery, Turkish bath and spa, morning room, library, drawing room with another huge alcove, billiard room, and several bedrooms (especially the Owl Suite) -- an amazing variety of high-quality spaces. All of these areas are outfitted with plenty of artifacts; signage provides helpful information. Even though mid-May and northern part of England, the Cragside property had bursts of colourful plants, particularly the rhodos on the hill in front of the house. The formal garden was just starting to come alive (Google lens identified shrubby cinquefoil, euphorbia fireglow, and a yellow euphorbia). Then there is Cragside's significant technological innovations and "firsts" that Armstrong incorporated here (some of which he invented). Imagine a house in the 1800s with electrical lights powered by the property's own hydroelectricity, a hydraulic lift, an early dishwasher, and a vacuum cleaner. Visited during latter half of May 2025

The castle offers a lovely view from the grounds; however, I can’t recommend paying for entry at the current price. During my visit, we paid £43.50 for two adults, including £6 for parking. For that amount, I expected considerably more content and historical depth. The exhibits are heavily focused on the current family and the Victorian era. Personally, I would have preferred to see more emphasis on the castle’s earlier history, especially given its origins dating back to around 547 AD, but that may come down to individual taste. Interestingly, I found the nearby church to hold far greater historical significance than the castle itself. The World War II display felt somewhat out of place, and the kitchen area has clearly been converted into an extension of the gift shop, which further reduces the amount of authentic content on offer, and there isn’t much to begin with. I also found it odd that the guidebook we bought didn’t include a map, and there were no clear directional signs inside the castle grounds. This made it surprisingly difficult to know where to go or whether we had seen everything, which detracted a bit from the experience. In addition, many of the windows were quite dirty, which took away from what could have been some lovely views from inside. I think we may have just expected too much. By contrast, I found castles such as Warkworth, Alnwick and even Skipton to offer a much richer historical experience for a similar or even lower price. While Bamburgh’s setting is undeniably beautiful, the overall visit felt more like a family heritage exhibition than a deep dive into its remarkable past.

The castle sits on a hill overlooking the sea and the nearby town. The views from the castle are stunningly beautiful. There is a lot to see in the castle as well as outside. I would say give yourself two to three hours to be sure you see everything. Would definitely recommend a visit.

This is an amazing castle. The access is formidable, it’s kept very well, and the displays are perfect, not too little, not too much. The added air and auto museum were icing on the cake.

This is the most impressive castle i have seen to date, the views are amazing and the history is second to none. The castle itself is massive and very imposing, just imagining being in that time having to look at this daunting castle, wow, absolutely amazing, definitely a must see for anyone that has ever watched the Last Kingdom.

Beautiful setting and nice place but Christmas theme took away from the historical displays and not much was shown of the history before the caste. There was also much of the castle interior that was not publicly assessable

Was a brilliant experience, went on a Sunday was quiet and easy to navigate. Beautiful views from all around the castle could really spend the whole day taking all the history in

What an amazing place to visit. The grounds have some stunning views over the beach. The rooms are kept in great condition. The staff were brilliant and informative. There is parking at the castle which is £6 or you can park across the road in another car park. The gift shop was great and there are toilets near the cafe's. I felt there was not enough toilets for the amount of visitors.

The Holy Island museum and priory are a real highlight of any visit to Lindisfarne. The ruins themselves are atmospheric and steeped in history, and the museum does a good job of bringing the story of the monks, the Viking raids, and the Lindisfarne Gospels to life. The exhibits are well presented, and the small heritage centre has some good interactive displays and short films that make it engaging for all ages. Staff and volunteers are knowledgeable and friendly, adding to the experience. On the flip side, the museum itself is fairly small, so you can get around it quite quickly, and some visitors feel the admission price of £10.90 is a little steep for what’s inside. It’s free, however, if you are an English Heritage member. As always on Holy Island, coming here, planning around the tides is essential — miss the safe crossing times and you could be stranded. Overall though, it’s a fascinating and evocative stop, especially when combined with a wander around the priory ruins and the island itself. A must for anyone with an interest in early Christianity or Northumbrian history.

Great place to visit. Not a lot to see apart from the castle and priory. There was more interetin watching the tide come in and cover the causeway, which takes hours by the way lol. Tide times seem to include idiot factor also so don't panic when it says you must leave by a certain time. From the time published that you have to leave the tide takes about 2 hours from that time until you can't leave. Highly recommend popping into the Lindisfarne inn on the A1. Great food and dog friendly.

A place I aways wanted to go see once I'd spotted it on Google Maps. I know now it's a famous landmark, but I didn't know anything about Northumberland, nevermind The Holy Island. We went at night time so the whole quick visit was a little eerie. The journey over to the island, once the tide had gone out and the few cars waiting could cross set the scene. The crossing is unusual, a long stretch of tarmac road that minutes ago was under the waves, but now the vast body of water is drifting out to sea. It feels uncomfortable yet beautiful as the sun was setting. We followed the road, which felt longer than expected into the small village of Lindisfarne. The first large car park is stone based but in the village there is a disabled car park and EV charge points. Nothing was open when we arrived except for a small pub and a hotel that was just closing. We had a drink in The Crown and Achor which is a small lost in time pub The food menu had a lovely selection and the dishes we saw also looked plenty full (the guests left nothing so a great compliment to the chief). I walked around the church yard which has ruins from the old Priory as well as a church that looks to be still in use. Further on there is a vantage tower that I imagine has some spectacular views. Going out of the village we passed a few friendly locals in the dimly lit street. Crossing back to the mainland we went through the nature reserve which is a spectacular view with sea birds settling down and the sea now in the distance. Worth a visit but go in the day when all is open. Our visit was a last minute dash to say we'd been there rather than anything meaningful. Very much a lost in time kind of place which adds to the charm.

A lovely little place to visit with so much history. Although it is a ruin, there is quite a lot left and you can get a real feel for what rooms you were stood in etc. We really enjoyed this and am added bonus was it is an English Heritage site!

Not much to say here. Can't write anything negative - be mindful of the Priory ruins closing time the only thing to note - we crossed on to the Island late due to the tide, had very little time to experience the area properly.

A great place to visit. Watch out for the tide times! Great for bird watching and walking. The abbey is very ruined but worth a look.

Nice remains of Priory with plenty of architecture still remaining, great views to the sea and of the castle from inside, there's also an interesting grave yard to for those interested in such things.

Took grandson for a basic family visit which was really informative and the owners really do care about their birds and their wellbeing. Free to wander after our tour in an area that is so beautiful and unspoilt. We highly recommend this experience.

What an amazing birthday present, my first visit to Falconry Days. It was an experience I won't forget. It's a peaceful place with beautiful views, it was easy to feel at one with nature there. The birds were content and well looked after. Mark and his team clearly loved what they do and you could see the bond between them. They were also very knowledgeable and had some interesting stories to tell. We were all made to feel very welcome. I handled the birds and took some photographs. An all round perfect day.

We are so pleased we asked Falconry days to come along to our wedding to do a handling experience with our guests. Mark was amazing and so knowledgable. Everyone got to fly and handle a bird. It was a great experience. Thank you so much for adding something really special to our wedding. Alex and Josh, Brunton house. 17.06.25

I've been to Falconry Days many times and have loved every visit. The experience days are well worth booking. You get to spend a lot of time with the birds and the care and expertise of the experts Mark and Mandy is exemplary. A great day out and highly recommended

Always such a fabulous experience with Mandy and Mark! Thank you for being so kind and hospitable. Truly a unique day out.

Followed the signs from near Chester’s fort, it said nothing about having to prebook a slot on their website, and says open from 10am. It also doesn’t say how far it is to get there and keeps stringing you along with signs saying how it’s not much further. Outrageous to be greeted with a sign giving all the prices from £15 each up to well over £100. We didn’t need a tour, all we want to see is these 85 birds you have. Only one car in the car park when we went to look at your website to book only to see the next several days are booked out, including today even though you apparently aren’t busy. At all. 30 minutes driving out of our way for nothing. RETHINK YOUR SIGNAGE!!!! awww, check out their response...can't handle the fact that they get a justified 1* review and think it is my 'vegan views.' Nah mate, it is you wasting peoples time, using all capitals and getting all upset🤣 Take constructive criticism! Your signage is MISLEADING and you know you are wasting peoples time because as you leave the carpark you have a sign saying something like "are you leaving?" you know why people are coming in and leaving, they do not know its an attraction you can turn up to and enter, like the sign says and that you have to PRE-BOOK!

Looks like a house when you pull up, but you understand it when you walk up to the door. Really interesting, informative and such beautiful birds. Saw them being fed and exercising. Stunning! And such a great origin story - it all started with some rescue owls.

Lovely place to visit. The bus cafe was really good too. Went back 2 days later just to double check! Honey is great and I've discovered honey fudge 🐝🤩

Well worth a visit if you’re in the area. Impressively detailed and very interesting exhibits with live bees visible in a display. The art is extremely well done and the calligraphy in hand writing all the information is amazing. Good cafe too. Looks a little strange on the way in with all the old farm machinery but don’t skip it just because of first impressions.

A really nice place to visit. Loads of products made from honey and bees wax. There is also information on bees as well. There is a cafe here and some vintage farm machines to look at. Well worth a visit. There is disabled access as well. Plenty of parking. A hidden jem.

We visited on recommendation at the beginning of October, travelling from our hotel in Berwick-upon-Tweed. A fabulous farm where you can explore and learn everthing about honey bees, the bee garden, and purchase all your honey and honey based products directly from the farm. You can also watch the bee's doing their thing. There's lots of history on the area to explore here and a short walk down the road (uphill on the way back) was Chain Bridge a must visit. There's vintage farm equipment to explore, too. My favourite was the London bus. It brought back childhood memories of hopping on and off in the city with my nan. A fabulous wildlife photograph exhibition was also guesting whilst we visited. In the high season there's also a cafe in a converted bus. I would definitely recommend this little gem.

Cafe on the bus was nice, too warm to sit inside today thou. 2 lattes and cakes came to £15ish. Visitor centre sells everything honey and wax😀. Bee garden is nice to sit in. Loads of vintage (rusty) farm equipment. Just a few minute walk to Scotland over the bridge

Visited here last week. The gardens are absolutely beautiful, and a lot of work and effort has gone into achieving the end result and I've never seen so many bees on all the wonderful plants and flowers in one place a joy to visit.

Interesting visit. Old buses,old tractors and farming implements to look at. A garden with bee loving flowers. A small museum and shop selling honey and related products.

The exterior of the house is attractive but fairly plain. The guided tour was well executed and included lots of interesting information about the history of the house and it's past owners. The tour starts with the plainer rooms and works it's way round to increasingly ornate ones, finishing at the very impressive picture gallery. The formal gardens are mainly lawned with some flowerbeds around the edges. The cafe serves a good selection of hot and cold food, cakes and drinks. It poured with rain when I visited so I didn't explore the wider grounds. I recommend a visit to Paxton House.

Beautiful house. We've thoroughly enjoyed the guided house tour for 1.5 hours. Very informative. Tour guide Carol was extremely knowledgeable and witty which made the time fly by. I didn't want to leave!

First visit. Did a walk of the gardens. Ruby the cocker spaniel enjoyed herself - on lead. £7.50 a ticket. 2 adults total 16.00 Inc fee. Tearoom was good value. If in area - worth a look!

The house and grounds are beautiful from the exterior. The grounds are massive and you can walk at your leisure - if you pay £7.50 for tickets. Not sure if you'd even have to pay to be honest, nobody is checking for tickets in the grounds. We weren't able to go inside the house as no 'house only' tour was available, and the house tours are guided only. The tours lasted approx 80 minutes which we didn't have spare.

What a great tour! The house is fantastic, nice cafe, staff really nice. The highlight was the tour, very informative lots of things to see and learn, great day out. The chain suspension bridge is worth seeing too, about a mile away, walk or drive.

We had our wedding at Paxton House last weekend and what a sensational day it was. From the stunning surroundings, to the beauty of the house and most importantly, the amazing Mel who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make our day run so smoothly. We are so grateful to Mel and the Paxton House team who work incredibly hard to keep this beautiful place looking amazing and creating an atmosphere that we will never forget. Thank you so much for everything.

Lovely day out. Make sure you book a guided tour beforehand. Cafe coffee is delicious and their food decent and not overpriced. Very pleasant walks in the grounds.

A fabulous day out with grand kids, We visited the wall garden, which is absolutely stunning, wonderful variety of flowers and veg, the millennium gardens are truly amazing, filled with so many apple trees, the kids loved the park and we had a picnic whilst there, we visited the shop and bought gorgeous marmalade and chutney, the cafe was reasonable and the coffee food. We didn't pay to go in the castle opting for the river walk which to be honest wasn't that well sign posted, could have done with a few more posts to follow, but we happily walked across the field ! The castle is spectacular to look at. A great day out worth a visit

This is one spectacular castle, we didn't manage to get inside but the gardens are absolutely glorious, without doubt one of the best we've ever visited. Lots of inspiration to take home. Beautiful grounds with woodland walks and plenty of space to tire out the little ones.

A lovely place to visit. And walk around the gardens throw the woods. And visit the castle as well. Don't forget to go in the cafe as well for food or drinks. Disabled access and parking. There is also a children's play area as well. A really nice day out. You can also walk down by the river tweed as well

Great grounds to explore. We visited twice in a week but wasn't enough time in explore in a day so purchased an annual pass so we can visit more often. House tour very interesting. Gardens were fab with staff working away in the gardens when visited who were very friendly and enthusiastic when we asked them about the work they were doing. Gift shop very good with excellent customer care but didn't get the chance to sample the cafe on these visits Will be back.

Large and impressive stately home. If I am to be completely honest the £22 entrance charge is a little bit on the high side and you don't actually see that much compared to many other country houses I have visited. That said the gardens are included in the ticket price. Parking is included. Cafe/tearoom and restaurant are both very good. Good toilet facilities. Friendly & staff.

The exterior of the castle is impressive. Everything is very well maintained – the façade, the interior chambers, and of course, the garden. Unfortunately, it was a rainy day, and we couldn’t walk around for long. The luxurious rooms on the first floor are not particularly unique. There are a few interesting artifacts.

A fabulous evening! We went to Floors Castle to see Faithless, as part of the venue's live events. Parking was easy, it probably took less than ten minutes to walk from the car to the stage. Faithless, as expected, were awesome! We're definitely going back to both Floors Castle and Kelso in the near future.

The old Abbey in Melrose, Scotland is a fantastic place to visit for not only history but architectural photography. When we visited late September 2025, you couldn't actually walk into the Abbey itself because of the danger of falling masonry. If you don't mind taking photographs and trying to keep the fencing out of view, then it's great for photography. I love zooming into the ancient gargoyles and trying to get glimpses inside the Abbey. Well worth the visit and we found it quite easy to park.

Visited Melrose and its abbey while on holiday in Scotland. The abbey is conveniently just across the road from a pay and display car park (there are also electric charge points). Entrance is through a small gift shop. Paid a reduced admission fee of £3.85, which included a small donation, because you can't actually go inside the abbey due to renovations and danger from falling masonry. But it was well worth taking the free guided tour around the abbey grounds. John was a great guide, very informative, giving us a full account of the abbey's history and adding a couple of humorous anecdotes as he showed us first around the graveyard and then the foundations of the monks' living quarters, kitchen and cloisters. The abbey church, with its soaring Gothic arches and windows, and a wealth of medieval stone carving, was majestic and awe-inspiring in spite of all the scaffolding and safety barriers. Not to be missed were the grave of one of the original masons who worked on the abbey, the burial place of Robert the Bruce's heart, and the famous bagpipe playing pig! There are info boards around the site with artist's impressions that gave me a real sense of how grand this abbey once looked. The shop has themed gifts and some interesting books, and you can also buy ice-cream here. The young man at the ticket desk was so friendly and helpful, even recommending a nearby café where I could get lunch. Despite the renovations and limited access, Melrose Abbey is well worth a visit.

Great for a quick stop or a lingering one. The Abbey grounds include the structure, garden and picnic areas, and a museum. We enjoyed a leisurely tour.

We visited Melrose Abbey in July 2025. It would have been such a beautiful place to visit, were it not for the fact that this abbey is also undergoing major renovations. I don't know what's going on, but it seems that every abbey in the area is currently undergoing renovation work. Perhaps a lot of subsidy money has become available? They are all covered in scaffolding, which makes visiting them less pleasant because of all the scaffolding on the outside and inside.

An excellent example of medieval architecture with English and french influences. Well organised grounds with good information boards and a similar excellent audio guide system to Jedburgh abbey which coupled with the guide map with location points on it allows you to view all the key points with plenty of information. Additional sections on the guide give details of associated events such as the legend of William Wallaces heart. Helpfully staff please ty of benches to sit and take in the views and a three d printed copy of the bagpipe playing pig for you to study. Acces for less abled is pretty good with ramps and mats to help in wet weather though the ground in the cemetery could be challenging.Dont miss the small but excellent museum found by exciting the grounds over the small bridge and through the black gate crossing the road and enteting into the house well worth a visit. Entrance using English heritage membership is free. Only reason for not giving five stars is that conservation work means you can not go into the building.

If you are lucky enough to get a guided this will be an even better experience. After you have done the Abbey and marvelled at the time, energy and skill that must have gone into building it, go to the Museum. Well worth a visit. Parking is possible in the street outside the Abbey Grounds. Priorwood Gardens not really worth visiting. Nor is Harmony Garden. I cannot stress enough how much you will benefit in your appreciation of the ruins if you can get a free guided tour with an enthusiastic, knowledgeable guide

Interesting well preserved site, slightly compromised by current renovations. The Museum well worth a visit as well!

This is a beautiful house of modest size set in a sublime aspect. It is best viewed after entering from the car park from the first floor balcony of the visitor centre. Happily you can also enjoy a pleasant meal while taking in the view. Taking the path down to the house you pass adjacent to the walled garden. First enter the chapel on the left hand side. A beautifully peaceful place to dwell. Then retrace your steps back outside and enter the house after passing through a stone archway. Friendly volunteers welcome you and offer an audio tour should you wish. Only the ground floor is open to visitors but there is a tremendous amount to take in including the interesting range of artifacts which Scott collected. Once finished in the house then the gardens, which are remarkable well maintained, are worth a gentle stroll. Whrn we visited it was a very hot day so we took advantage of sitting on one of the traditional deckchairs near visitor centre. There is a very reasonable parking charge of £2 per day (August 2025). This is a very worthwhile place to visit.

Fascinating place, very well preserved and so much to look at. Visited here on a Saturday, but early so not too busy. Short walk to the house from the visitor centre and entrance - £15.40 for the day pass for the house and gardens, unfortunately the chapel was closed. Friendly guides at the entrance explained a bit about the house and gave us the audio guides. These were essential really as there was so much in each room to see. There are not actually that many rooms, but the audio guides are really good at explaining the history and function of each, especially if you choose the storytelling guide (as opposed to just the information read out). Great views over the river, and even in November the gardens are good to look around. We also had a walk along the river, there are plenty that start from here.

Lovely visit, guides in the house very welcoming and knowledgeable. Used the recorded information - there were 2 to choose from, one factual and one in the style of Walter Scott himself which I used, it was brilliant. Lovely walk by the river and back through the gardens. Staff in the visitor centre with very welcoming and keen to share where the dogs could go (everywhere except the house). Free entry with Historic Houses membership.

One of the highlights of our trip to Scotland! Abbotsford is so interesting! This home has history, literature, culture and most of all insights into a fascinating life. One of the two audio tours available uses actors and excerpts from Sir Walter Scott’s diary to tell his story. It is beautifully done. The gardens, restaurant and gift shop are also wonderful! Both my husband and I loved it!

We visited late to September 2025 to this particular heritage site and found it fascinating. Not only were we enchanted with the interior of the house but also the the gardens and of course the history. Well recommended and we found it easy to park. A++

Bought an unlimited ticket to experience the whole of Abbotsford as had never visited before & neither had mother in law who's lived in the Borders for over 80yrs! We ranged in ages from teens to 80+ & we all thoroughly enjoyed our visit. The house tour was very interesting & well thought out with 'Sir Walter' taking us round his home. The gardens were lovely & there was plenty of seating dotted around if you got a little weary. The cafe was good accommodating various dietary requirements. There was also a 'snack' area out to the front of the main building with picnic benches. Us younger ones visited Witch's Corner & enjoyed the quiz collecting the trophy bookmarks afterwards! All staff, from the knowledgeable & passionate volunteers to the workers in the main building & cafe were friendly & polite. The facilities were nice & clean too. Plenty of on site parking available at a reasonable price. Would quite happily return & highly recommend a visit if you're in the area.

Walter Scott passed away more than two centuries ago, yet this house still breathes as a living home rather than a mere museum. All the attributes of a museum are present, and still the spirit of Scott’s character and his extraordinary genius lingers in every room. The estate is delightful in every way – from the gardens to the hunting trophies and firearms, and, of course, the warmth of the staff.

Brilliant day out. We thought 2 hours would be enough but we ended up spending 4.5 hours there. Loads of interesting things to see and do. Our whole family from aged 12 to 75 was entertained. The fantastic flight area where you go in a simulator, make paper aeroplanes and eject them was loads of fun. Staff were really passionate and helpful. Definitely recommend. Great family day out.

One of the remaining Concordes is located here. You can even take a walk inside of it! Though it’s a bit of a short ceiling so taller people could find it a little difficult to walk through. Highly recommend this museum. It also features a Vulcan, a Hawk(the Red Arrows version) and and even engines of the Concorde! A lot of information inside this museum, but for people looking for more I would recommend going to the RAF museum in London.

Fantastic day out! Lots to see and do across the various buildings at the site that to see everything, you will need the best part of the whole day. Obvious main attraction is Concorde which is well presented and has loads and loads of interesting information to digest if you like to read all the info boards (me!) I was particularly impressed with the video presentations and the hands on interactive elements which are well designed and appealing to both kids and adults alike. I wanted to visit for quite a while but never got around to it until now. So glad we spontaneously decided to jump across and visit when we did as it really is a great day out with so much to see and do. Highly recommended for a visit.

This place really surprised me. So, so much more than a museum. Spread over a full airfield in many different aircraft hangars, there are more aircraft here than you can imagine. Get up close, see inside and imagine. Main attraction, Concorde is here. Stand below, touch the wheels, walk through the cabin, look inside the cockpit (scary that this could do over 1400 mph). All the history and details of all the aircraft are all here. We also loved the additional very informative talk on the restoration projects team. (Well worth adding) That hanger had everything...a random landrover, a girocopter, huge propeller aircraft engines to the engines off a nuclear bomb 😵...Very informative talk live on site explaining everything. I cannot recomend enough...100% recomend a visit. Don't go too late in the day though, you wont manage round it all before close. We were there at least 4-5 hrs and it went by in a flash. Loved it.

Fantastic place to visit. The website really doesn't do it justice! Walk on board a Concorde and other big planes. The military hanger has a spitfire, harrier, tornado, jaguar and others. Lots of interactive displays throughout. Nice little cafe. Definitely worth a trip.

Amazing experience with a large variety of planes from every era and purpose. The concorde is an absolute rarity and precious piece of the aviation's history. Very worthy!! Shout out to the staff for their dedication and passion.

If this museum only allowed you to enter the hanger and stare up at the Concorde at three times the admission price then it would still be worth going to. I actually got quite emotional upon seeing the sleek beauty up close. Maybe because I am a plane geek. Maybe because I am simply prone to emotions. Maybe because I felt sad that despite it's rare beauty I would never actually get to fly in one. But you get more than the Concorde. The Vulcan is vast and beautiful in a brutal way. The Harrier looks like it still fly sorties. The Jaguar remains an elegant fast jet. The old passenger planes offer a glimpse into the golden age of travel and perhaps also a peek into the innovations that we all take for granted today when we are lucky enough to take to the sky. There is a really great hanger that has loads of interactive activities for kids of all ages. My boys probably loved this the best. The lunch in the onsite cafe was your usual fayre at inflated prices but it was actually decent quality. Anyway, plane geek or not, get yourself to this museum. I have seen the Saturn V rocket up close and personal...the Concorde still took my breath away.

Just had a fab trip on a R.I.B..[Rigid Inflatable Boat!] On the "Three Islands Seabird Seafari!" Would highly recommend it. The guide on the boat was very helpful, knowledgeable and friendly and willing to answer your questions. The boat was alot more comfortable than I thought. Took plenty of photos. Got lucky with the weather. Which is at the hands of mother nature. Would definitely recommend it as youre also supporting a good cause...in terms of the conservation of birds.

They have boat tours for different places like Isle of May (options of landing trips as well), Bass Rock trips (options for landings as well). Well managed and very friendly with great enthusiasm to show the nature and birds on island. I took Bass rock trip, it was super awesome. Charges for boat trip is very competitive. Staff is very courteous and knowledgeable.

We did one of the boat tours - 1 hour around two islands- and it was fun. My 3 kids liked it. Watch for bird poop! Crazy amount of birds in early July

Went there to experience the RIB boat 3 safari island tour. What an experience! Very interesting and a thrilling ride when the RIB went fast.

On Thursday, 24th July 2025, we booked a birdwatching experience with the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick. As we were visiting my son Kiro at St Andrews University, we took public transport to the centre and boarded one of their boats. The staff were incredibly warm and welcoming, which made the whole experience even more enjoyable. We saw the islands of Craigleith and Bass Rock, where we were amazed to see thousands of birds nesting together in large colonies. The sight was truly impressive, and learning about the lighthouse's history added an extra layer of fascination. What struck most was how close we were able to get to the birds, it felt almost magical. To our delight, we even spotted a puffin, which was such a highlight. A truly mesmerising experience. If you are visiting this part of Scotland, we highly recommend booking one of these trips, it is unforgettable.

DId not get time to go on a tour, but explored the point and the gift shop! Nice selection of keepsakes for adults and children alike.

Went on Isle of May trip 11/4/25 and it was a wonderful experience We booked months ago and got lucky with the weather as it can sometimes be cancelled A small rib of 12 people and our guide Kevin. The island was beautiful, interesting and filled with of history but the main draw is the amount of seabirds We were surrounded by Puffins all the time Kevin our guide was excellent He was friendly and organised and worked hard to make sure everyone had the best time He also offered a guided tour of the island and was extremely knowledgeable about its history and the nature Wear sensible footwear and wrap up for the boat as seats are either outside or partially covered HIGHLY recommended

This place is wonderful! We visited between Christmas and New Year. We arrived before anyone else and the lady who met us was absolutely lovely, and immediately made us feel at ease and began to tell us a little about the cove. But the real 'wow' starts when you decent the stairs in your hard hat and see what's hiding below! We thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the tour. I do think they would benefit hugely by having an online pre-pay booking system, since out of the 11 people that should have been on our tour only 4 of us turned up. At the moment you pay on the day, so the cove lost out on the ticket price for 7 people who couldn't be bothered to turn up which is incredibly sad since there was also a waiting list. I appreciate this would probably be costly to implement but it would mean the cove did not lose out for no-shows. This a small out of town attraction (you'll need to get a bus, but it's very easy to find) and really relies on people visiting. And you absolutely should!

Interesting subterranean chambers of speculative origin. My opinion, this site began as a Mithrium and has had various uses over 1700 years. Others suggest the site dates back 300 years with various opinions for its use such as a Masonic lodge, illegal whisky still, abandoned mine or a family home. Whatever and whenever this site is, it's highly recommended a visit to.

One of the best hidden gems in Scotland, What a suprise when you turn up this location. then you enter the shop then go down stairs. it blows you away. well worth visit when your in Edinburgh.

We went here right before lockdown and it was a private tour as no one else showed so great for us. We would recommend, it was a great tour 👍

Visited this place today, enroute to home. Very interesting and so unexpected when walking through a bland white door, directly off the street. Our lovely guide Margaretanne was very informative. If you want to visit and you are driving a motorhome, Morrisons car park is only fifteen minutes walk away and is free.

This hidden gem is well worth the short bus ride from downtown Edinburgh. The guide was fantastic and the site is a very interesting underground complex of hand dug tunnels.

Wonderful hidden gem...the tour takes about an hour...great place and experience

we enjoyed a fantastic tour with Mark who shared his incredible knowledge of St Andrews' history with us, and we even got to enjoy the great view on top of the tower. I would definitely recommend joining one of the tours on site if you're visiting!

Visited the ruins of St Andrews Cathedral on a Saturday morning in late October just after it opened. At that point only a few other people were around so could get some nice photos. Spent some time looking around and soaking in the history. When I was leaving it was getting busier and also looked like a couple of tour groups were also looking around. A interesting landmark to view and they do accept donations to keep the site running.

Absolutely phenomenal ruins of the once must've been amazing cathedral. The current state is still impressive and an absolute must when in the area. Interesting stories about how the relics of St Andrew where brought there. No tickets required to enter the site. Many beautiful tomb stones scattered across the site.

Wow, what an amazing piece of Scottish history and it's free to enter but you can give them a donation if you fell like it. Walking around the grounds let you see just how big this area and the cathedral is. The 160 stairs up to the top of St Rule's Tower is quite a steep climb and not for people with difficulty walking or are maybe a bit claustrophobic. The views from the tip are quite magnificent and worth the climb.

An absolutely incredible place (and free to visit)! I'd highly recommend joining one of the free tours happening twice daily. When I went in early September, they took place at 11am and 3pm. Our guide Kyle was very friendly, patient and knowledgeable, and clearly has a passion for the history of St Andrews. Definitely a highlight of our day trip.

St Andrews Cathedral is a fascinating historical ruin that's well worth a visit. The ruin, although weathered by centuries of history, still retains its imposing character and offers a glimpse into medieval life. Very good location for photographers or history lovers.

We did the free guided tour at the cathedral with Kyle. It was fun and interesting, and he made it easy to follow. Totally worth it, and the place is very beautiful and the tour adds something special to the place.

Very interesting and dark history behind this castle. Very picturesque location on the cliffs of St Andrew’s. You can see the castle easily from outside the fence, but exploring the inside is worthwhile.

St Andrews Castle sits right on the edge of the sea, and there’s something striking about how its ruins rise against the waves. Even though much of it has crumbled, the place still feels powerful, like the stones are holding onto all the stories they’ve seen. This was once the home of bishops and a centre of power in medieval Scotland, so every wall feels like it has witnessed secrets, struggles, and celebrations. Walking through the site, you don’t just see history — you feel it. The bottle dungeon is small, dark, and unsettling, a space that makes you imagine the fear of those who were once locked inside. The underground mine and counter-mine are even more remarkable; crawling through those tunnels gives you a sense of how desperate and determined people were during times of siege. Then you step outside, and the view across the North Sea takes your breath away. The contrast between the beauty of the landscape and the harshness of the castle’s past is part of what makes it so memorable. St Andrews Castle isn’t just another ruin. It’s a place where the drama of history meets the raw beauty of nature, and it leaves a lasting impression.

A must for visiting St Andrews. I love how it is perched on the sea, and i particularly like the museum because it's very interesting and the staff there are lovely. The gift shop is really nice too, they have some very nice things in there. I have a Historic Scotland membership, so I come every time I go to St Andrews. Twinning it with the cathedral is a brilliant idea too. The ruins are very interesting and it's fascinating picturing what it was once like. Excellent!!

I stopped by this historic site while passing through St Andrew's. It was on the visit Scotland package I had purchased so I figured why not. I'm glad I made some time for this place, as it does have quite the storied past. Although it is only a part of what it once was, the visitor center has a lot of great displays and history of the castle. I really enjoyed the mine and counter-mine warfare descriptions, but unfortunately the mine area was under repair. As an engineer, I was really interested in this site. Oh well. Such is the price to maintain history. Thanks for the quick visit.

Nice little castle to wander round. The exhibition at the start was good, the staff were friendly and really helpful. It only got a 4 stars because in typical Historic Scotland fashion the best areas are closed for renovation but they don't reflect this in their prices. Toilets on site and plenty of benches. The views out onto the water are really nice.

Incredible drone filming location - history meets coastal drama As a drone videographer, St Andrews Castle is one of the most visually striking historical sites in Scotland. Perched dramatically on a cliff above the North Sea, the ruins offer sweeping aerial compositions - with a perfect blend of rugged stone, crashing waves, and the town’s character in the background. From above, the layout of the castle really comes alive - the inner courtyard, battlements, and the famous bottle dungeon all form stunning patterns when captured from the sky. The coastal light, especially during golden hour, adds amazing contrast and depth to shots. There’s also a great opportunity to pair footage with the nearby St Andrews Cathedral ruins — just a short walk away and equally spectacular from the air. Important note for fellow drone flyers: This area is close to town, so always check for local flying restrictions. Early mornings are usually quiet and ideal for undisturbed filming. Highly recommended for anyone capturing historical landscapes, coastal drama, or cinematic storytelling in Scotland. A timeless location that never disappoints.

We were visiting St Andrews for a day trip from Stirling and walked around town. We walked around the perimeter of the castle and didn’t go inside. The castle is set on a cliff and has awesome Seaview.

For dog lovers this place is a must visit, just by sitting on the sand you can entertain yourselves and bring smile to your face, just by Watching the dogs and their playful behaviors around you. And I found my peace in the chaos at this spot...🤗

Great beach in the heart of the city, to spend time with friends and family. So much fun and playtime with kids on a bright sunny day. You can do barbeque if you want. Very much recommended.

5* is not enough to prize this place. Always, I mean ALWAYS pleasant visit, calming views and waves going to the shore. No matter of season, day of the week or time during the day. I'm jealous to Edinburghians.

It’s an extremely cold sea, but very beautiful as well. There are small restaurants and shops along the beach, making it a perfect place to relax, enjoy the view, and have a conversation. The atmosphere is amazing. I recommend visiting in the summer — it’s much better.🥰🥰🥰

Portobello Beach faces east, making it ideal for sunrise (and even full-moon) viewing. Aim for a clear day to get the best experience. The promenade has lovely cafés—perfect for pizza and fries after a walk. If you’re up for a sea dip, the water is fairly shallow along the shore.

Lovely promenade to walk along. Sandy beach and dog allowed. Lots of coffee shops, amusements, toilets, play parks and places to eat along it

Nice small and thin beach,Not a lot here in terms of shops etc, but a few food places and an arcade. Clean and tidy.