The Best Days Out for Animal Lovers in the North East
Animal lovers go wild for these great days out
RSPB Saltholme
A family-friendly destination, and a go-to for birdwatchers (amateur and experienced alike), explore wildflower meadows, birdwatching pools, lakes and grasslands and join in with pond dipping, meadow sweeping or a Saltholme Safari. There’s a wild play area for children too. There are viewing platforms and four wildlife hides from which to spot a variety of species, from common terns and avocets to dragonflies and moths, and exciting events take place here all year round.
Seaton Carew Road, Middlesbrough TS2 1TU
01642 546625
rspb.org.uk/saltholme
Northumberland Zoo
It’s easy to spend hours at this family-run zoo which is home to a beautiful Arctic fox, cheeky otters, an energetic black-tailed prairie dog, European wildcat, incredible snow leopards, and many other amazing animals including the recent addition – Sally, a Linne’s two-toed sloth. There’s also a great outdoor play area, a tractor museum, and various animal talks which take place throughout your visit.
Eshottheugh Farm, Felton NE65 9QH
01670 787778
northumberlandzoo.co.uk
The Owl Centre
Home to owls, meerkats, vultures, emus and porcupines, amongst many others, The Owl Centre is one of the world’s oldest dedicated owl centres. The team here are passionate about educating the public about their rehabilitation and conservation work, and host regular talks and flying displays. They’ve recently welcomed some baby laughing kookaburras and barn owls, who will hopefully join the flying displays when they’re older.
Kirkleatham Village, Redcar TS10 5NW
01642 480512
kirkleathamowlcentre.co.uk
Butterfly World
More than 140 different species of butterfly and hundreds of beautiful tropical plants are hidden inside Butterfly World, and if you stand still a butterfly might just land on you, so make sure you’re camera-ready. But that’s not all – there’s also an animal and reptile house home to mischievous meerkats, snakes, birds and the smallest monkeys in the world.
Preston Park, Yarm Road, Stockton TS18 3RH
butterflyworld.uk
Tynemouth Aquarium
A favourite attraction for visitors to the coast, you can discover species from all over the world inside Tynemouth Aquarium from angelfish and stingray to sharks and seals. We love the glass tunnel where you can see fish swim past overhead, and if you time it right you can see members of the team feed some of the creatures. Don’t miss the seal show too.
Grand Parade, Tynemouth NE30 4JF
0191 258 1031
tynemouthaquarium.co.uk
Ouseburn Farm
Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, this working city farm (and charity) is a unique place to learn about nature, animals and growing in a green oasis in an otherwise industrialised area, and it’s home to grazing animals, farmyard animals, rodents and reptiles and an orchard.
Ouseburn Road, Newcastle NE1 2PA
0191 232 3698
ouseburnfarm.org.uk
Washington Wetland Centre
Whether you’re meeting geese from around the world in Ganderland or spotting kingfisher, Eurasian teal and little egret from Lagoon View Hide, there’s so much to see and do at Washington Wetland Centre, which also has great adventure play areas for the kids. They can get involved in pond dipping, mini-beast hunting and building a bug house too. Families won’t want to miss the Dragonfly Festival from 18th July–31st August featuring a dragonfly safari, giant outdoor games and a water-based play area.
Pattinson, Washington NE38 8LE
0191 416 5454
wwt.org.uk
Farne Islands
Home to an internationally significant breeding colony of seabirds and Atlantic grey seals, the islands that make up this oasis of nature off the Northumberland coast are a popular destination in summer and the charismatic puffins are the stars of the show. In the waters around the islands, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, porpoises and even orcas, and you can book a boat trip departing from Seahouses harbour for your chance to get up close to sealife.
Near Seahouses NE68 7RQ
01289 389244
nationaltrust.org.uk
