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Best of the North East with Parkdean Resorts and North East Family Fun

Family Fun Adventures in Northumberland
Whether you’re staying for the day or the whole weekend, Northumberland is the ideal destination for a family adventure. From beautiful beaches and rural landscapes, to exhilarating attractions and historical landmarks, Northumberland really does have it all.
As part of their Best of Britain campaign, Parkdean Resorts teamed up with Samantha from North East Family Fun, an award-winning family and lifestyle blogger, to unearth some of the best family days out in Northumberland. Here are some of the places they explored.

(Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYkoT1qGt8Q)
Alnwick Castle
Alnwick Castle is the perfect choice for those looking to visit somewhere that’s both fun and educational. There’s so much to see and do, you can easily spend a full day here!
This popular attraction was used for the filming of several Harry Potter films, including the Philosopher’s Stone and the Chamber of Secrets. If you’re visiting with children, they’ll love the real-life broomstick training, where they’ll be taught how to mount and dismount before learning to curve and manoeuvre across the stunning lawns of Alnwick Castle.
They’ll also love the Artisans Courtyard, where they can dress up in authentic medieval costumes, as well as the Dragon’s Quest, a fun activity for the whole family which involves challenging obstacles and a terrifying dragon!
On top of these fun-filled activities, the castle is also home to stunning state rooms, historic exhibitions and beautiful gardens.

Sycamore Gap
If you’re a movie buff and you want to visit more filming locations, then look no further than Sycamore Gap. Named ‘Britain’s Best Tree’ in 2018, this iconic landmark was made famous in ‘Robin Hood Prince of Thieves’, and it’s one of the most photographed areas in Northumberland.
This well-known tree sits in Northumberland National Park, in a secluded dip in Hadrian’s Wall. If you’re visiting Sycamore Gap, then don’t forget your walking boots, as there are a variety of walking routes nearby offering stunning views over the National Park. It’s also the ideal spot to pitch up and enjoy a family picnic if you fancy something a little more relaxing.

The Sill
Another fantastic attraction in Northumberland National Park is The Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre. From hands-on exhibits to interactive displays, the aim of The Sill is to inspire people of all ages to explore the landscape, history, culture and heritage of Northumberland.
Before you enter The Sill, you’ll be wowed by its exterior! The building has a unique grass roof, which was planted to replicate the natural grasslands of the surrounding area. From the roof, visitors will be rewarded with a stunning view across the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hadrian’s Wall.

Tynemouth Longsands Beach
Stretching for almost 40 miles, Northumberland’s coastline is home to an array of beautiful beaches. Whether you’re looking for a place to sit back and relax or somewhere to ride the waves, you’ll find it all in Northumberland.
One of the best beaches is Tynemouth Longsands, an award-winning, mile-long, Blue Flag beach. You can spend hours here building sandcastles, jumping waves or simply taking in the spectacular surrounding views. If you’ve ever fancied trying your hand at watersports, then this is the place to be, as it’s a popular surfing spot amongst the locals. Once you’ve explored the beach, there’s also plenty to do nearby, such as the Blue Reef Aquarium and Tynemouth Park, where you’ll find mini golf, bouncy castles, pirate quests and so much more.

Segedunum Museum
If you’re into history, then you’ll love Segedunum Museum, the most excavated fort along Hadrian’s Wall. Once home to 600 Roman soldiers, you can learn all about Roman life nearly 2,000 years ago. On a visit, expect Roman dressing up, interactive exhibitions and impressive views across the River Tyne from the 35-metre high viewing tower.

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Start planning your day out in the North East and book your Alnwick Castle tickets today.