Looking for a family friendly city and family accommodation? Newcastle is a wonderful choice. It has been voted The Best UK City by readers of The Guardian and Observer and quite possibly could also be voted as one of the friendliest cities too. With its abundance of outdoor family destinations, your family is sure to find much to explore and discover. Whether it be history, science or nature related, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Newcastle.
Here is a compilation of a few of our favourites that have come highly recommended!
Jesmond Dene Park
A beautiful choice when seeking for the family to become one with nature and history. Jesmond Dene Park has trails, a mini zoo, exotic scenery, and preserved ruins, there is something for everyone to enjoy here, it even has an abundance of waterfalls and old bridges to cross. The zoo, called Pet’s Corner, includes children’s favorite birds and animals, including rabbits, ducks, parrots, pheasants and other foreign creatures. The trail runs approximately 3 miles in circle around the wooded valley and can be joined in at many points, 16 to be exact, each with its own special milestone to share. Families may want to pack a picnic lunch for the full nature experience and retreat to the Jesmond Dene picnic area.
Opening hour for Pet’s Corner: Monday – Sunday, 9.00am – 4.30pm, Closed on Bank Holidays.
Newcastle Castle
Discover the castle that gave the city it’s name! Not only is it a historic pleasure for the adults, children love it, too. Both boys and girls love to explore the grounds imagining they are princesses or fighting off large dragons! After it’s recent £1.67M restoration, the Castle has reopened it’s medieval gates for visitors to uncover the the secrets held there through the ages. What was once a royal fortress is now an interactive experience for people of all ages to discover what life was once like. If you and your family happen to get lucky, you may catch a “Historic Horror Tour”, a 45 minute evening, walking theatrical performances that will inform and terrify you!
Open daily from 10am-5pm, or 5pm-10pm for Historic Horror Tours.
Life Science Centre
Become scientists for the day and invent, create, explore, and play among the Science Centres many exhibitions, events and theatre shows. The award winning centre is great for all ages and is home to the biggest planetarium in the North of England. It also has a 4D theatre showing a selection of movies at all times. Exhibits are constantly changing, and currently include such themes as Brick History, the story of LEGOS, Dino Jaws the Exhibition, with life size animatronics, and the Prehistoric Autopsy Hominins, a closer look at Neanderthals, Australopithecus and Homo Erectus, just to name a few!
Opening Times: Open every day including Bank Holidays, except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Victorian Tunnel
As the winner of the 2013 NE Tourism Gold Award for the Best Small Visitor Attraction, and listed as the #1 thing to do when in Newcastle by Tripadvisor, The Victorian Tunnel is a must see! The preserved waggon way dug under the two in the 19th century runs 2.5 miles from the Town Moor to the Tyne. It was originally built to transport coal, but was converted into an shelter protecting up to nine thousand of the town’s citizens during WW2 bombing raids. Children enjoy the mystery and adventure of the tunnels as they interactively take a walk through time on this super informative guided tour.
Advance booking is necessary for this excursion. Tour guides and times can be found on the website.
Accommodation
As you can see, there is much for families to learn and discover in Newcastle. People travel from near and far to partake in its historic splendor and award winning destinations. PREMIER SUITES Newcastle is the perfect location for families visiting the city as its luxurious serviced apartments offer the comfort and amenities of a home away from home.
With a choice of either one or two bedrooms, all have spacious, open-plan living areas with modern kitchens. The apartments are located just off Waterloo Street, just a 5 minute walk from Newcastle Central Station. With it’s location right in the heart of the city, it’s a great choice for families looking to explore and discover Newcastle.
