You’ll find a host of things to do with your family in Newcastle Upon Tyne, a university city in northeast England. Kids with an interest in history can explore the city’s many ancient castles and Roman forts. On clear days, you can explore open-air museums and enjoy zip-wire rides and treetop rope-walks. If it rains, there are lots of indoor attractions for families with children of all ages. Check out this guide on Newcastle Upon Tyne’s family-friendly places for a memorable holiday in this charming city.
The Parlour at Blagdon

The Parlour at Blagdon is a café-bar and ice cream parlour that serves child-sized portions of dishes like spaghetti Bolognese, pizzas, and sausage-and-mash. It also offers afternoon tea sets, including a gluten-free option. Best of all is its extensive list of homemade cakes – must-tries include the sticky date sponge cake and the decadent double chocolate cake.
Location: Blagdon Smithy, Old Great North Road, Seaton Burn, Newcastle upon Tyne NE13 6DQ, UK
Open: Daily from 11.30 am to 5 pm
Phone: +44 (0)1670 789 935
Namco Funscape

Namco Funscape is part of intu Metrocentre, one of the biggest shopping centres in Newcastle Upon Tyne. For older kids, high-speed bumper cars are the big attraction. Arcade games, a soft play area for toddlers, and a café with kids’ menu add to Namco Funscape’s appeal.
Location: 244 Metrocentre, Gateshead NE11 9XY, UK
Open: Hours vary between bowling and games
Phone: +44 (0)191 406 1066
Discovery Museum

Looking for something educational to engage young minds or keep your kids happy on a rainy day? Try Discovery Museum – Newcastle Upon Tyne’s museum of science and technology. Its top attraction is Turbinia, once the fastest ship in the world. Other exhibits that kids will like include ship models and lots of hands-on, interactive displays.
Location: Blandford Square, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4JA, UK
Open: Monday–Friday from 10 am to 4 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm
Phone: +44 (0)191 232 6789
Go Ape Matfen

If you’re looking for activities designed to pump up the family’s adrenaline levels, Newcastle Upon Tyne doesn’t disappoint. On a fine summer day, you can have fun at outdoor adventure parks with activities such as Go Ape Matfen to challenge children and parents. Make like Tarzan on a rope swing, zoom down zip wires, and clamber between treetops at this adventure park in the countryside. The whole family can also explore the forest on Segways.
Location: Matfen Hall Hotel, Matfen, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE20 ORH, UK
Open: Hours vary by season and depending on the adventure
Phone: +44 (0)1603 895 500
Life Science Centre

Newcastle Upon Tyne has a long history of invention and innovation. The Life Science Centre draws on this heritage to bring the steam age and space age to life. For many families, some of the centre’s biggest attraction is the 4D motion ride, planetarium, and live theatre shows on various topics.
Location: Life Science Centre Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4EP, UK
Open: Monday–Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm
Phone: +44 (0)191 243 8210
Stephenson Railway Museum

Children visiting Stephenson Railway Museum may be astonished to learn that little “Billy,” one of the world’s oldest steam locomotives, was once cutting-edge technology. The museum has a fleet of steam engines (built between 1841 and the 1990s), and families can take rides on steam trains if weather permits.
Location: Middle Engine Lane, Wallsend, North Shields NE29 8DX, UK
Open: April–November: weekends from 11 am to 4 pm (hours vary)
Phone: +44 (0)191 200 7146
Beamish, the Living Museum of the North

Beamish, the Living Museum of the North displays life-sized displays spanning the heyday of the Roman Empire up to the 19th century, when Newcastle was one of Britain’s industrial powerhouses. Costumed re-enactors are on hand to entertain and explain. You can ride on an antiquated steam train or an old-fashioned electric tram at this open-air attraction. Kids can buy candy from a shopkeeper in 19th-century costume, and smaller children will love the animals at Beamish Home Farm.
Location: Regional Resource Centre, Beamish DH9 0RG, UK
Open: Winter: daily from 10 am to 4 pm. Summer: daily from 10 am to 5 pm
Phone: +44 (0)191 370 4000