Your Rainy Day Guide to the North East Coast
When the sea mist rolls in, let the summer fun continue indoors (or a little inland) at these rainy-day attractions
Bamburgh Castle
This award-winning castle holds 3,000 years of history (as well as ghost stories, legends and myths) and stunning views across this stretch of the coastline. It was transformed in the 19th century by famous local innovator Lord Armstrong, and visitors today can find artefacts and heirlooms in the State Rooms, admire the false hammer beam ceiling in the King’s Hall, discover battle-scarred weapons in The Armoury, check out the literature in The Library, and discover more of Lord Armstrong’s achievements in The Armstrong & Aviation Museum. Plus, fans of the Netflix series The Last Kingdom can see a selection of key costumes and props used throughout the series. Children will want to join the Princess and Knight School this summer.
Bamburgh NE69 7DF
01668 214208
bamburghcastle.com
Chillingham Castle
For a spooktacular summer, head to Britain’s most haunted historic castle. Brave visitors might want to explore the Torture Chamber or join a ghost tour, but there’s plenty more to do at this 13th-century fortress. Just 20 minutes from the seaside, take a stroll through the state rooms, see tapestries, armour, weapons and the antlers of deer and wild cattle in the Great Hall, and look out for the 300,000-year-old skull of a Wild Bull.
Chillingham, Alnwick NE66 5NJ
01668 215359
chillingham-castle.com
Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery
Take in 10,000 years of history at Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery, an award-winning people’s museum. Visitors are invited to explore two floors of artefacts, documents, photographs and audio visual content to learn more about the area’s rich history, while the gallery floor hosts ever-changing exhibitions. Until 30th August, the museum is taking us back to the 1950s and ‘60s with hands-on activities for kids and objects to spark memories in those who were around then.
14 Bailiffgate, Alnwick NE66 1LX
01665 605847
bailiffgatemuseum.co.uk
Alnwick Castle
Step inside Alnwick Castle’s State Rooms and immerse yourself in more than 900 years of stories in exhibitions, events and live entertainment. One of the largest inhabited castles in the UK, it’s had previous lives as a military outpost, teaching college, refuge for evacuees, a film set, and has been home to the Duke of Northumberland’s family, the Percys, for more than 700 years. The castle has featured in a number of iconic films and most famously stood in for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the first two Harry Potter films. Check out the fascinating collections of paintings, furniture and ceramics.
Alnwick NE66 1NQ
01665 511100
alnwickcastle.com
Tynemouth Aquarium
On Longsands beachfront, you can experience the wonders of the ocean indoors when the weather isn’t playing ball. From axolotl to angelfish and stingray to starfish, you can meet a variety of creatures at this aquarium which also has its own seal hospital where they protect our local seal population by rescuing, rehabilitating and (when possible) releasing seals back into the ocean. Be sure to catch the talk and feed events throughout your visit – and the popular seal show.
Grand Parade, Tynemouth NE30 4JF
0191 258 1031
tynemouthaquarium.co.uk
North East Land, Sea and Air Museum
Discover 100 years of transport history on the former RAF Usworth and Sunderland airport site. From a World War Two street scene to the main aircraft hangar, the Navy collection and 607 Squadron display, there’s so much to see inside the North East Land, Sea and Air Museum. Don’t miss the Living History Weekend on 1st and 2nd August, and the chance to see a cold war Avro Vulcan B2 Bomber – the first Vulcan to go into a private collection.
Old Washington Road, Sunderland SR5 3HZ
0191 519 0662
nelsam.org.uk
Woodhorn Museum
At its peak there were more than 2,000 people working underground at this site, and now this museum is a celebration of Northumberland’s mining heritage. Woodhorn Museum is home to the Ashington Group Collection of artworks (often referred to as the Pitmen Painters) as well as a collection of fascinating photographs by social documentary photographer Mik Critchlow. Many of the original buildings from the colliery are open to explore, the colliery banners on display are changed every year, and various events take place here throughout the year.
Queen Elizabeth II Country Park, Ashington NE63 9YF
0191 277 2410
northeastmuseums.org.uk
The Word
South Tyneside’s state-of-the-art cultural venue (the National Centre For The Written Word) hosts activities for all the family and you can easily spend more than a few hours here. There are more than 70,000 books, an immersive storytelling experience, a digital media wall, interactive tables, a gaming zone, telescopes, computers, and a great chance to learn about local history. Events, exhibitions and workshops take place here all year round too.
45 Market Place, South Shields NE33 1JF
0191 427 1818
theworduk.org
Hartlepool Art Gallery
International, national and regional artists exhibit their work at Hartlepool Art Gallery, which also hosts a programme of events throughout the year. From 18th July don’t miss self-taught Hartlepool artist Stanley Davison’s exhibition A Decade in Paint, whilst self-led activities encourage the whole family to be creative.
Church Street, Hartlepool TS24 7EQ
01429 869706
culturehartlepool.com
Heugh Battery Museum
Hartlepool Headland is home to the only First World War battlefield in the UK. Heugh Battery Museum commemorates the Bombardment of Hartlepool in December 1914 and visitors can also see a collection of military artefacts from throughout history. The museum displays a large collection of artillery pieces that friendly volunteers are happy to share more about. This summer there’ll be craft fayres, medieval re-enactors and car boot sales.
Moor Terrace, Headland, Hartlepool TS24 0PS
01429 270746
heughbattery.co.uk
