Activities Days Out Ideas Summer

Best Summer Holiday Ideas for North England

Best Summer Holidays In North England
Written by Yeyen

Let’s go on a summer day out in North England,
To castles, forests, and even Legoland!
There is adventure, history, nature and more,
Here’s our handy guide at what you can explore!

OUR FAVOURITE PICKS:

The Beatles Story – Liverpool

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**Child Goes Free With Full Paying Adult**
8th-28th August – Summer Fun

Step back in time to the 1960’s  and see how this famous Liverpudlian foursome rose to fame! Take a tour around replicas of Matthew Street and The Cavern and head to the 4D theatre to see the Beatles story come to life!  From 8th-28th August kids can enjoy some fun and free workshops, where they can make their very own music inspired hanging mobile, listen to fun stories or create a piece of funky art. There is even a Bank Holiday quiz where all the family can test their Beatles knowledge. Every child goes free with a fully paying adult when you book through us! BOOK HERE.

Lightwater Valley – Ripon, North Yorkshire

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12th-13th August – Andy’s Prehistoric Raps
**Get up to 41% off when you book through us!**

Come along for thrills and spills at this action packed theme park, which includes Europe’s longest rollercoaster The Ultimate!Purchase a ticket with Picniq to get up to 41% off. This Summer from the 12th-13th of August come and join Andy Day from Cbeebies in a live interactive performance with music, dancing including a zany dinosaur rap! Grown-ups are welcome to join with all the fun too! BOOK HERE.

Diggerland Durham – Durham, County Durham

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**Get 20% Off Standard Admission with a Days Out Card**

This fun filled adventure park gives you the chance for little ones and adults to drive real diggers in all shapes and sizes! Under 17’s can even have a go on the Go Kart race track or sit behind the wheel of a real car on their drivers experience days! Find out more.

Kielder Observatory – Haltwhistle, Northumberland

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This amazing observatory will fascinate all the family and is not just for budding astrologists! Gaze at the stars from the beautiful Kielder Observatory. Make sure to check their calendar as there are lots family events going on! Find out more.

Whitehouse Farm Centre – Morpeth, Northumberland

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This lovely farm has lots of cute animals to make friends with, such as pigs, sheep, rabbits and more! You’ll even have the chance to give them a cuddle and feed. Aspiring mini farmers can ride a tractor and little ones can play in the soft play area. Find out more.

Kirkley Hall Zoological Gardens – Ponteland, Tyne and Wear

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29th July – Pirates and Princesses

This zoo is the perfect place for every animal lover! Here you’ll find pygmy goats, emus, wallabies, marmosets, donkeys and meerkats! Take a walk around the beautiful gardens or venture into the forest for a fun filled trail. On the 29th of July take the kids out for a day packed with adventure and fun where they will get to spend the day with Captain Raggy Beard and all the other little pirates and princesses. There will be plenty of games and treasure hunts and even some story telling. Remember to dress up as the best costume will win a prize! Find out more.

Go Ape! Matfen – Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear

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Take your little monkeys on an adrenaline filled forest adventure as you climb, jump and swing between five treetop stations… before finishing with a massive 160m zipwire! Find out more.

Legoland Discovery Centre – Manchester

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Come along to explore this fun filled discovery centre all about this much loved classic toy. Take a guided tour, have some off road fun at The Lego City Forest Pursuit driving adventure, discover a Lego wizard’s world of magic and more! Find out more.

Alnwick Castle – Alnwick, Northumberland

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Harry Potter fanatics will love this castle where filming took place! You can also dress up as knights for Knights Quest, learn all about swordsmanship, have a go at jousting and more! Find out more.

Illuminasia – Blackpool

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Pay a visit to the world’s largest indoor illuminations, which combines traditional Japanese lanterns and modern technology for a fun filled and educational day out. Find out more.

Chill Factore – Manchester

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Chill out this summer at this fun filled snow centre perfect for all ages and abilities where you can spin, slide, ride and race for hours. If you’ve never tried snowboarding before you’ll be able to have some lessons and try a taster session.There’s even a 12m climbing wall for you to tackle if you need another fun challenge.For the under 4’s there’s the Mini Moose Land which has lots of fun activities and is a perfect place for them to enjoy the snow. Find out more. 

Cheshire Segway – Northwich, Cheshire

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credit: Chesire Segway

If your active little monkeys are after a slightly different, but amazingly fun day out, this segway based activity is for you! Ideal for kids 10 and over, this fun activity offers a ten minute taster session before starting as well as a safety brief to ensure the day is a safe one! Find out more.

Mini Moos Fun Park – Durham, County Durham

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Mini Moos is great for animal lovers also after a slice of adventure! There’s trampolines, tunnels and a petting zoo full of cute and cuddly critters! Find out more.

Pots & Paws – Morpeth, Northumberland

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Budding little artists will love this pottery painting workshop. Choose which one you’d like to paint and let the creative juices flow! After your creations have been glazed you get to take your pottery home! Find out more.

Hamsterly Forest – Auckland, County Durham

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Be at one with nature in this beautiful forest. Explore some fascinating wildlife, try one of the many cycle and walking trails suitable for all abilities or have a lovely picnic! Find out more.

Fun Shack – Seaham, County Durham

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Come and take on one of Europe’s largest climbing frames! There’s tube tunnels, slides, swings, net climbs to tackle and more. Take in some beautiful views of the giant river or pay a visit to their cinema to watch some cartoons and movies. Find out more.

Segedunum Roman Fort – Wallsend, Tyne and Wear

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5th-6th August – Hadrian’s Cavalry Live! The Romans Ride Again.

Segedunum Roman Fort is a great place to take the family to get a taste of Roman life in the north. There’s lots of great exhibitions to see with collections from recent excavations, and a full-scale reconstruction of a bath house. This Summer from 5th to 6th August don’t miss the Hadrian’s Cavalry Live show where you will have the chance to explore the daily life of the Roman army’s cavalry and watch them demonstrate their skills on horseback. Find out more. 

Museum of Science & Industry – Castlefield, Manchester

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11th-28th August – Power Up
22 July – 4th September – Imagine it, Make it, Move it

Aspiring mini scientists will love this fascinating museum with lots of interactive displays and exhibitions, which includes how tornados are made, how the human body works, animation exhibitions and more! Don’t miss the Power Up event running from the 11th-28th of August, where kids will have the chance to play over 180 popular video games from the last 40 years including Pacman, Minecraft and Mario! This Summer The Museum of Science and Industry Explainer team are also getting everyone imagining, making and moving with loads of special hands-on workshops, shows and demonstrations such as make your own fidget spinner, help invent a brand new bike and get creative by printing their own steam train designs. Find out more.

MORE FANTASTIC OPTIONS:

Stanhope Pool – Stanhope, County Durham

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This heated outdoor swimming will be sure to keep aquatic mad kids entertained! There’s also a sauna, soft play area and even a small heated pool for little ones still learning to swim.  Find out more

Tweddle Farm – Peterlee, County Durham

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**Get a Free Bag of Animal Feed Per Child with a Days Out Card**

This lovely farm, with animals ranging from giant rabbits to love birds, also has lots of fun activities for all the family to get involved in. Have a go on their exciting Go Kart track or tractor ride station! Grab a free bag of animal feed on us when you order a Days Out card with Picniq! Find out more.

Greenlands Farm Village – Carnforth, Lancashire

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**Get 2 for 1 entry with Days Out Card**

Greenlands Farm Village offers the chance for mini farmers to meet and hold lots of cute animals from snakes to goats! You can also ride a donkey, play in the straw barn and even take to the race track on their Go Karts. There’s even a toddlers area and lovely artisan village for you to browse. Go two for one with our Days Out Card! Find out more.

Climb Newcastle – Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear

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This amazing climbing centre is perfect for all ages and all abilities. Whether they’re a mini monkey in the making or a climbing newbie, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. There’s even a dedicated kids area! Find out more.

Banana Beach – Ashington, Northumberland

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If you can’t make it to a real beach, this fun indoor play centre is the perfect alternative! There’s slides, cargo nets, zip lines and more. Perfect for whatever the weather brings! Find out more.

Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience – Hartlepool, County Durham

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Learn some fascinating facts about sea life as its brought to life! Take a studio tour of HMS Trincomalee, explore a recreation of an 18th Century seaport and more! Find out more.

Ocean Beach Pleasure Park – South Shields, Tyne and Wear

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Parents and kids will love this traditional fairground on Ocean Beach, the perfect place to unwind in the sun! Families can enjoy dodgems, a swinging pirate ship, bungee trampolines, classic waltzers and more! For smaller kids there’s also tea cups, mini swings and a helter skelter just to name a few! Visit the park on weekends and enjoy a 30 minute game of laser tag for just £2.50pp between 10.00am – 10.30am. You will be given a full briefing and individual score sheet. Limited places, booking recommended. Find out more.

Broom House Farm and Forest – Durham, County Durham

**Get 50p Off Single Entry Price with a Days Out Card**

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This active filled day out gives little explorers the chance to climb towers, follow nature trails, zoom along a zip wire and so much more. There’s also activities such as laser tag, clay pigeon shooting and quad biking! Find out more.

Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art – Gateshead, Tyne and Wear

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For creative mini artists, this arts centre is sure to be a hit. There’s lots of fascinating shows to see, as well as exciting ever changing exhibitions and a lovely rooftop cafe! Find out more.

Gulliver’s World – Warrington, Cheshire

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With over 70 rides, attractions and experiences aimed at younger children between the ages 2–13, Gulliver’s is the perfect day for all of the family. Dare to ride wooden rollercoaster The Antelope, the battle boats, log flumes and more. Find out more.

Rheged Centre – Penrith, Cumbria

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Kids will love this grass covered building which offers some fab activities for all of the family to enjoy! They can have a go at pottery painting and let off some steam in their indoor and outdoor play areas. Find out more.

aster session. Under 4s can enjoy the Mini Moose Land, and for those after a challenge can try a 12m climbing wall! Find out more.

Manchester United Museum & Tour – Old Trafford, Manchester

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**Get exclusive discounts on Manchester United Museum and tour packages with Days Out Card**

If your little one is football mad, this day out is sure to score you lots of parent points! Explore this iconic stadium to marvel at its grounds, trophies won by Manchester United and more. You’ll even get the chance to walk out of the players tunnel. Get up to 20% off of your ticket with our Days Out card! Find out more.

Pencil Museum – Keswick, Cumbria

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Curious minds will love finding out about how pencils are made at this quirky museum! You’ll also get to see the world’s largest colour pencil, as well as try out some workshops in animation, cartoons, illustrations and model making. Find out more.

Museum of Transport – Cheetham, Manchester

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This fascinating museum offers an insight into the history of transport, featuring trams, buses and coaches. It even includes a horse drawn carriage and vintage double decker buses! Get two for one entry with our Days Out Card! Find out more.

Silver Blades Blackburn – Blackburn, Lancashire

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Get your skates on to enjoy a family day out with a difference! Take lessons or try it freestyle with this active and fun activity. There’s even disco sessions for even more ice based fun! Find out more.

Puddletown Pirates – Chorley, Lancashire

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Arr matey! Little pirates will love this indoor themed play park which includes ball pools, slides and lots of fun activities on Skull Island. For toddlers there’s a soft play area ideal for kids under 11.  Find out more.

Ullswater Steamers – Penrith, Cumbria

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Take a ride on this history rich boat which has been operating for over 150 years! Surrounded by England’s third highest mountain, this stunning setting is sure to be a hit with mini captains of the sea! Find out more.

Shap Swimming Pool – Alston, Cumbria

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If you’re looking to get active and spend some time with your little fins, pay a visit to this outdoor swimming pool – the highest heated pool above sea level at 900ft! There’s also a babies pool and lots of lovely benches to relax on. Find out more.

Mattel Play! – Liverpool

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With lots of fun interactive themed zones, featuring well loved characters such as Thomas and Friends,  Fireman Sam and Bob the Builder, this family play centre offers something for everyone. There’s even a chance for little ones to have their photo taken with their favourite character! Find out more.

Heaton Park Manchester – Manchester

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Make some new cute and cuddly friends at Heaton Park’s animal centre, including cows, alpacas, goats, rabbits and guinea pigs! Little adventurers will also love their play park and large range of activities on offer, such as rowing boats, train rides, mini golf and more. Find out more.

Brockholes Nature Reserve – Preston, Lancashire

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Budding David Attenboroughs will love this nature and wildlife filled reserve, as well as the fun floating restaurants and shops! Burn off some steam at their play park, which has slides, swings, bouncy flower, a play hut and more. Find out more.

Mr Bubbles Play Centre – Accrington, Lancashire

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This play centre, designed for 0 – 8 year olds, offers a colourful play frame with a slide, ball pit and more! There’s even a separate play area for under 5s and a colouring area for those after some quiet fun. Find out more.

Wellybobs – Darwen, Lancashire

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Come along to meet lots of cute farmyard animals, visit fun indoor and outdoor play parks and dare to take on a zipwire challenge! There’s also a fun mini golf course for all the family to try and activities such as archery, pony riding and more. Find out more.

Energi Trampoline park – Preston, Lancashire

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This indoor trampoline park will leave your budding gymnasts jumping for joy! With surrounding soft walls and trained staff available to provide a helping hand, Energi offers safe fun for everyone to enjoy. Find out more.

Pendle Wavelengths – Nelson, Lancashire

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If you’re dreaming of a seaside escape but worried about depending on the typical British weather, take your little beach babes to this indoor beach! Pendle features a 25 metre pool and sloping beach, as well as a diner offering a variety of foods, including a healthy food menu. Find out more.

Dewa Roman Experience – Chester, Cheshire

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**£5 off family ticket with Days Out Card**

This unique day out is not only super fun but educational too! Come and learn all about the Romans, where you’ll get to experience sights and smells of life in Roman Chester. Little archaeologists also have the chance to discover some Roman, Saxon and Medieval remains! Find out more.

Chester Zoo – Chester, Cheshire

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16th July-12th August – Summer Events

This family friendly zoo has lots of amazing critters for animal lovers to set their sights on, including elephants, big cats, monkeys and more! For curious minds, zookeepers will be giving fascinating daily talks on caring for the animals. Over the Summer holidays this brilliant zoo has lots of special events planned to entertain all the family! Kids can join in with a rangers training camp or World Snake Day as well as lots of other workshop and special themed days.Find out more.

Aira Force – Penrith, Cumbria

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Take in some stunning scenery, which includes the impressive Aria Force with 65ft drop, and marvel at the beautiful surrounding forest and landscape. The perfect place for a family picnic! Find out more.

Click here to explore a different region!

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