Activities Days Out Ideas For Mums North East Time Killers

FREE Things To Do In The North Of The UK!

Written by Martine Somerville

Are you looking for a fun day out that doesn’t cost lots?
Here’s our handy guide with some super lovely spots!
From galleries, museums and lots more to do and see.
The best part is these activities are all completely free!

Speke Hall – Liverpool

Copyright National Trust / Matthew Antrobus
Copyright National Trust / Matthew Antrobus

Speke Hall is a Tudor house set on the banks of the River Mersey and is a lovely place to bring the whole family. The house has survived a turbulent 400 years of history, been restored and here you can learn all about it. There are plenty of activities for children and the gardens are perfect for the kids to run around and explore. There is a fantastic maze for them to get lost in too! Find out more.

Cycle routes at Nunnington Hall – Yorkshire

Copyright National Trust / Paul Harris
Copyright National Trust / Paul Harris

This fun and easy-to-cycle loop route is perfect for all of the family to enjoy! Start at the beautiful manor house Nunnington Hall, nestled within the banks of the River Rye, then head through the North York National Park towards Bransdale.  Find out more.

Great North Museum

This amazing museum brings together a world of fascinating things both natural and man-made. See Egyptian mummies, Greek artefacts and a brilliant interactive model of Hadrian’s Wall. Families can gaze into space in the planetarium and be just a little scared of the life-size T- Rex replica dinosaur! Find out more.

Tollcross Children’s farm

Tollcross Children’s Farm is a wonderful place to take the kids for a couple of hours. You’ll see a random mix of adorable animals, including horses, peacocks, llamas, sheep, pigs and a pair of lovebirds. Learn all about the animal world, the life of insects and also see the story of Cock Robin in 3D! Find out more.

Formby Red Squirrel Walk, Merseyside, England

Spot native red squirrels in the beautiful woodland surrounding Formby in Merseyside. Enjoy breathtaking sea views as you head out on a bracing coastal walk or find out about Formby’s fascinating coastal history with links to asparagus growing and the early days of aviation. The perfect place to get outdoors and active this winter! Find out more.

Discovery Museum

If your little ones are interested in the wonders of history, science and technology be sure to take them to the Discovery Museum! Explore fascinating collections such as Turbinia, the first steam-powered turbine ship, regimental militaria and many other amazing displays! Find out more.

Leeds City Museum

This is an exciting and fun museum explores the history of Leeds over 450 million years. The central area of the museum allows you to explore the whole of Leeds in one room, with lots of interactive and fun exhibits displaying the history of Leeds. Other exhibitions in the museum include Life on Earth, World View Gallery and Leeds Collectors Gallery. You will see fascinating objects including a 3,000-year-old Egyptian mummy, Roman statues, Greek pottery and lots more! Find out more.

The Helix

This is a wonderful urban green space with a shingle beach next to stunning lagoon. The lagoon plaza has a cafe, a splash park and lots of beautiful scenic walks. Marvel at The Kelpies, two 30 metre high steel monuments, which are the worlds largest equine sculptures weighing over 300 tonnes each. Find out more.

Museum of Science & Industry

An exciting museum, full of interactive displays and an ever-changing variety of exhibitions that explore science and industries. You can see exhibitions such as how tornado’s are made, how the human body works, the history of communications in Manchester, a walk through a recreation of a Victorian sewer (smells included), air and space hall, animation exhibition and a hall dedicated to locomotives. Find out more.

Royal Armouries Leeds

Bitts Park, Carlisle, Cumbria

If you really just want a nice place to bring the children then bring them here. You can play tennis, bowls or football. Walk along the River Eden or just stroll through the beautiful formal gardens and flower beds. There are lovely play areas and you can also enjoy a family game of crazy golf. Find out more.

National Media Museum, Bradford

Lots of fun free and exciting things to do here for the whole family. With a huge collection of photography from film and television. See the oldest photographic negative, advertising, gaming consoles, animations and lots of interactive exhibits which will enlighten the whole family on how television programmes are made and the science behind it all. Cinemas will show all the latest films and also classic movies too so there is plenty to keep the whole family happy! Find out more.

The National Railway Museum, York

Home to iconic trains, celebrate the past, present and future of the railways. Perfect for any budding engineer! Explore the people, places and engineering marvels behind the railways. You can make a donation if you’d like but entry is completely free! Find out more.

What have you been up to? We’d really love to know! Someone else might love it, and really want to have a go! If you’ve got ideas, suggestions or reviews, you can shout all about it on whatever channel you choose!  Let’s go on a Picniq! Follow us on FacebookTwitter or tag us on Instagram using #PicniqUK! 

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