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Where Is Newcastle?
The City of Newcastle is in the North East of England, only 1 hour and 30 minutes by train from Edinburgh and just over an hour from York. It’s one of the major cities in Northern England and most well known for its industrial heritage and Geordie dialect. However, nowadays Newcastle with kids is amazing fun!
If you are staying in the local area it’s also possible to explore Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland too. It’s easy to access the city from the countryside!
How To Get To Newcastle
Newcastle is easily accessible by train, car, bus or even plane. Newcastle airport is just North West of the city and flies to destinations all over Europe and further afield. You can easily fly there from Southern England too. The East coast mainline is very busy with regular trains arriving from the South, West and Scotland. Or there are plenty of connecting buses, try looking up Citylink or Flixbus timetables.
Things To Do In Newcastle With Kids
Newcastle is the perfect place to visit with kids. There are so many places to visit, from art and culture to history or wildlife. You’ll easily find something to do in my list of the best things to do in Newcastle below.
Life Science Centre
The Life science centre is one of the best places to visit in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne with kids. It’s small but packed with activities for kids and their parents to try out. The activities are all interactive and explain how different scientific processes work. There is also currently a space zone with international space station to explore. Don’t miss the planetarium show and the show in the science theatre too, there is also the possibility of trying some real science lab activities too.
In the school holidays you’ll find extra activities are on for the entire family. So you’ll find plenty of fun things to do.
Discovery Museum – Newcastle With Kids
The Discovery Museum is just a few minute walk from Life science centre. As you enter you will find the ground floor is taken up with the ship ‘Turbinia’, once the fastest ship in the world and an iconic part of Tyneside history. The first floor is devoted to the history of the Tyneside and its industrial and maritime past. On the second floor is the science maze, with interactive exhibits for enquiring minds, plus the history of people migrating to Newcastle. It’s also free admission!
Ouseburn Farm
In the heart of Newcastle is Ouseburn Farm, a working farm owned by a dedicated charity. Started in 1976 by parents from Byker, the farm aims to help visitors to learn about the origins of their food and care for nature. You can visit the farm every day except Monday’s during term time, with lots of extra events put on during school holidays. Perfect for kids who love farm animals!
The Great North Museum
The Great North Museum is in the North of Newcastle, on the Newcastle University Campus. It’s easy to access via public transport (such as the metro) from Newcastle city centre. This Newcastle museum is an amazing natural history museum, with discussions on dinosaurs, fossils, Egyptians and ocean life. There is also a section showing Hadrian’s Wall and it’s important to the Romans.
Newcastle Castle
Newcastle castle is actually made up of two parts, the castle keep and the Black Gate. There was more to the castle, but parts of it were demolished to make way for the Victorian railway line running right beside the keep! However, Victorian campaigners fought to save the keep and Black Gate from complete demolition, so you are lucky to be able to visit! It does mean you get an awesome view of the trains trundling past either side of the keep!
You can find out the history of Newcastle castle inside both structures, but note that the keep is not accessible due to the steps, however there is a lift on the Black Gate for access.
Victoria Tunnel – Newcastle With Kids
The Ouseburn Trust own the Victoria Tunnel, where you can have guided tours along the 19th century wagonway. The wagon way was constructed by coal mine owners to avoid driving the wagons through Newcastle above, which was slow and costly. This got the coal to the River Tyne much quicker! Later it was converted into an air raid shelter during World War 2. There are plenty of interesting stories to hear about this feat of engineering!
The Biscuit Factory
The Biscuit Factory in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne is an independent art gallery showing emergent and well known artists. You can browse the art currently on display (frequently changing!), along with a visit to their cafe and shop. There are often workshops to try out in the school holidays too. Ask for the free children’s Art Hunt when you visit.
Baltic Centre For Contemporary Art
Another free art gallery, although definitely more on the contemporary side! The Baltic celebrates contemporary artists from all over the world. This is one of our favourite family-friendly things to do in Newcastle. The exhibitions change regularly and there’s always something fun for the whole family. Don’t miss the kids workshops available at weekends and holidays, or the nesting kittiwakes on level 4 from April-September (great views from here too!). It’s free entry into the Baltic.
Stephenson Steam Railway
Kids of all ages will love the Stephenson Steam Railway. It’s easily accessed by the Metro or buses from the centre of Newcastle. This is a great place for railway and train enthusiasts in North East England. Ride back in time on the 2 mile long industrial railway line, past the businesses it once served. Inside the museum you can meet Billy, the oldest surviving steam locomotive, along with many other steam, diesel and electric locomotives. Learn about how the Stephenson’s helped influence the development of steam locomotion. There’s also a lovely tea room that’s the perfect spot for a snack!
Seven Stories
This is the National Centre for Children’s Books – Seven Stories. The seven story high building is filled with stories, child-friendly exhibitions about much loved stories and workshops and readings too. There’s always something fun happening here! It’s more aimed at younger kids, so older kids may prefer to visit somewhere else.
Tyne Theatre and Opera House
Older children or those who have an interest in theatre may be interested in a guided tour of the Tyne Theatre and Opera House. Explore the lavish 1860’s theatre, understage, backstage and learn about the history of the theatre’s stars and ghouls!
Indoor Go-Karting
Just 2 miles from the city centre is Go Karting Newcastle. Here the whole family can enjoy a couple of hours racing carts on the 2 different circuits, with one being a multilevel 500m track. A good option for older kids.
Tanfield Railway
Another one for the train fans! Just South of the city is Tanfield Railway, originally built as an industrial wagon way to transport coal from the mines to coast. The railway is now open for old North Eastern Railway stock, including heritage steam trains. Enjoy a trip on the railway and explore the other stock on this lovely little country railway. This light rail way is the perfect place for a family picnic, with various picnic facilities.
The Pottery Experience
Children 10+ can enjoy a family pottery session throwing their own pots during this fabulous pottery experience. Or for groups of all ages you can book a pottery painting experience, enjoy painting various different items together! You can get your pottery sent to you elsewhere in the UK for a small fee. The Pottery experience is in Jesmond, a short metro ride from the city centre and near the pretty Jesmond Dene park.
Segedunum Roman Fort & Museum
The Segedunum Roman Fort and Museum is at Wallsend in Newcastle. Unsurprisingly, being at Wallsend, this is the major fort that marks the Eastern end of Hadrian’s Wall. It’s an interesting place to visit to learn more about the fort, wall and also its industrial heritage too. The visitor centre is excellent for families and understanding the Roman history.
Hawker Market
Hawker’s Market by the River Brew Co is the perfect place to sit outside on a sunny summers (weekend) day to enjoy lunch. Choose from a variety of delicious vendors, including tacos, burgers, pizza and curry. Don’t miss the amazing cocktails for the adults!
Shipley Art Gallery
The Shipley Art Gallery has a range of interesting exhibits that interest kids. They also have plenty of child orientated workshops for younger children during the week. Plus additional workshops for older kids in the holidays and at weekends.
WWT Washington Wetland Centre
Head to the great outdoors to enjoy the WWT Washington Wetland Centre. It’s a great spot to run off some energy in the children’s interactive play area And explore the wildlife reserve to spot birds and even the Asian short claw otters. A lovely place for a day out with the family.
Beamish Museum
Beamish is an open-air museum that brings the history of the North East alive. It’s just outside the city, accessible by bus or car. Visit the 1820s Pockerley, 1900s Town, 1900s Pit Village, 1940s Farm, 1950s Town and 1950s Spain’s Field Farm exhibit areas. There are costumed re-enactors throughout the villages who will tell you more about the history and daily life in the villages. Enjoy exploring the villages, take a steam train ride, taste the food and drink from the past and pose for a family photo. There’s so much to do it will easily keep you occupied for a whole day!
Tynemouth Aquarium
Catch the metro out to the Tynemouth Aquarium on a rainy day to enjoy the underwater world. Exhibits range across habitats all over the world, including the waters off the North East coast, the Amazon rainforest, tropical seas, weird and wonderful sea creatures. Don’t miss seal cove to watch these playful creatures frolicking and the aquarium tunnel to watch fish swim above your head.
Other Fun Things To Do In England
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