Skip to content
Huddlepin

KIND TO THE WALLET · A HUDDLEPIN LIST

Free things to do in Newcastle with kids

Proper days out that cost nothing to get in: parks, museums, farms, trails and the free events on this month. Bring a picnic and you're done.

43 free places 27 free events this month 11 indoors

FREE EVENTS · NEXT 30 DAYS

Free events coming up

Free to attend. A few need a ticket booked in advance, and the listing says so.

Wed 7 October17 things on

Thu 8 October17 things on

Fri 9 October18 things on

Sat 10 October18 things on

Sun 11 October16 things on

Mon 12 October13 things on

Tue 13 October14 things on

Wed 14 October19 things on

Thu 15 October19 things on

Fri 16 October19 things on

Sat 17 October21 things on

Sun 18 October19 things on

Mon 19 October13 things on

Tue 20 October14 things on

Wed 21 October20 things on

Thu 22 October15 things on

FREE PLACES

43 free days out in Newcastle

16 outdoors for a fine day, 11 indoors for a wet one. Filter below.

36 Lime Street LtdFree

36 Lime Street Ltd

Newcastle upon Tyne

Drop into working artist studios for glassmaking and printmaking demos, free to wander round.

Indoor play

Medieval stone castle with crenellated walls set in grassy grounds with bare trees beyond.Free

Aydon Castle

Corbridge

A well-preserved medieval manor house where you can climb to the battlements and picnic in a walled orchard afterwards.

Picnic area

Beaurepaire Priory (Ruins)Free

Beaurepaire Priory (Ruins)

Durham · ages 0+

Free wander round medieval manor house ruins, with the odd tour and hands-on gardening session thrown in.

Paved pathway through open grassland leading towards three cylindrical structures under a blue sky with white clouds.Free

Big Waters Nature Reserve

Newcastle upon Tyne

A free nature reserve with bird hides and a pond dipping platform, open round the clock.

ParkingPushchair friendlyWheelchair accessible

A large bird with black and white plumage and distinctive long neck looks directly at the camera in a farm enclosure.Free

Bill Quay Community Farm

Gateshead

Free daily access to a working community farm where kids feed and meet the animals and can potter round the growing patches too.

Food on sitePicnic area

This is a photograph, not a designed graphic. Activist speaking into megaphone at street protest with other demonstrators holding placards and banners outside historic buildings.Free

Books For Amnesty

Newcastle upon Tyne

A second-hand bookshop in the city centre where every purchase goes towards Amnesty's work, browsing costs nothing.

Step-free accessToiletsWheelchair accessible

Historic stone church with pitched roof and multiple arched windows, surrounded by green lawns and trees.Free

Brinkburn Priory and Manor House

Morpeth

Free ruined priory and manor grounds to explore, though you do need to book your visit ahead.

Blue badge parkingBooking requiredFree parkingWheelchair accessible

Wooden statue of a seated figure holding a tool, positioned in a landscaped park setting with pathways and green spaces.Free

Carlisle Park

Morpeth · up to age 13

A free riverside park with a paddling pool, a toddler play area and a skate park, open from spring bank holiday to the end of the summer holidays.

Dog friendlyOutdoor playPicnic areaPublic transport nearby+1 more

Wooden bench on a forest path surrounded by tall trees with autumn foliage.Free

Chopwell Wood

Rowlands Gill, Gateshead

Free Forestry England woodland near Gateshead - trails and picnic, Soft Play N.

ParkingPicnic areaDog friendlyWheelchair accessible

Sandy beach with a curved bay, seafront buildings and headlands under evening light, two people walking on shore.Free

Cullercoats Beach

North Shields

A sheltered bay for a paddle or a swim, plus a decent play area right by the sand, and it costs nothing to get in.

CaféFirst aidOutdoor playParking+4 more

Sandy beach cove with large natural rock cave entrance flanked by moss-covered stone formations and cliffs.Free

Cullercoats Caves

North Shields

Sea caves tucked into the cliffs at Cullercoats Bay, only there to explore when the tide's out.

Discovery MuseumFree

Discovery Museum

Newcastle upon Tyne

Free Discovery Museum near Central Station - transport play and Tiny Tyneside for under-5s.

Birthday partiesToiletsWheelchair accessible

Classical stone museum building with orange banner and flag against blue sky.Free

Great North Museum: Hancock

Newcastle upon Tyne

Free Newcastle museum on Barras Bridge - dinosaurs, natural history and rainy-day halls.

ToiletsWheelchair accessibleGift shop

A curved white metal bridge spans through a sunlit woodland with tall conifers in the background.Free

Hamsterley Forest

Hamsterley

Forest trails for walking, mountain biking and a Room on the Broom family trail, with free entry and paid parking.

Accessible toiletBaby changeCaféDog friendly+4 more

Interior viewing chamber with wooden chairs framing a wide window overlooking wetland landscape with water, islands and cloudy sky.Free

Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre

Newcastle

Woodland trails, bird hides and a rubbing-disc trail along the Northumberland coast, free to walk round but £2 to park.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBooking requiredCafé+10 more

Historic stone castle with illuminated windows at dusk, flag flying from central tower, against deep blue twilight sky.Free

Hylton Castle

Sunderland

A free medieval gatehouse and grounds to explore, with a rooftop viewing gallery you climb a spiral stair to reach.

Accessible toiletBlue badge parkingBooking requiredCafé+3 more

Stone arch bridge spanning a flowing river surrounded by lush green vegetation and trees under blue sky.Free

Jesmond Dene

Newcastle upon Tyne

Free woodland valley with waterfalls, mill ruins and a Pets Corner to wander round on foot or with the buggy.

Dog friendlyOutdoor playPicnics allowedPushchair friendly+1 more

Jesmond LibraryFree

Jesmond Library

Newcastle upon Tyne

Story and Rhyme Time, a children's corner stuffed with books and games, and free holiday craft sessions in a grade 2 listed library.

CaféIndoor seatingToiletsUnder-5s area

Laing Art GalleryFree

Laing Art Gallery

Newcastle upon Tyne

Free Newcastle art gallery - British collections and rainy-day temporary shows.

Accessible toiletCaféGift shopToilets+1 more

Wind turbines across moorland with coniferous forest and rolling hills beyond under a partly cloudy sky.Free

Low Barns Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre

Bishop Auckland

Free lakeside and woodland reserve with bird hides, dragonflies to spot and flat paths that suit buggies all the way round.

Accessible toiletBlue badge parkingCaféDog friendly+4 more

Ocean Beach Pleasure ParkFree

Ocean Beach Pleasure Park

South Shields

Free entry to a seaside ride park where kids stack up credits on a Fun Card for the log flume, Dumbos and laser tag.

Accessible toiletDog friendlyFirst aidFood on site+2 more

Sheep grazing at Ouseburn Farm city farmFree

Ouseburn Farm

Newcastle upon Tyne

Free city farm in Ouseburn with animals, Cafe Beam and weekend animal sessions - donations welcome.

Accessible toiletBirthday partiesBlue badge parkingBooking required+11 more

Colourful tulips in shades of red, pink and orange bloom in a woodland garden with a wooden bridge visible among the trees.Free

Path Head Water Mill

Blaydon

Free entry to a working watermill with giant garden games and a weekend café, open Saturdays and Sundays only.

CaféDog friendlyPicnic area

A pig standing in an enclosure with straw on the ground, looking towards the camera.Free

Pets Corner Jesmond Dene

Newcastle upon Tyne

Free Pets Corner in Jesmond Dene with goats, sheep and rabbits beside the visitor centre cafe.

CaféToiletsParkingBaby change

Medieval stone castle with central tower and flag, set on grassy mound surrounded by trees under blue sky.Free

Prudhoe Castle

Prudhoe

Free grounds to explore around a towering keep, with steep steps up to a gatehouse chapel and a Regency mansion inside the walls.

Toilets

Overhead view of two large industrial steam engine cylinders with brass fittings and metal framework inside a museum building.Free

Ryhope Engines Museum

Sunderland

Free visit to a Victorian waterworks building with two giant beam engines you can see running on Steam Days.

Free parking

Historic industrial buildings including a tall brick chimney and converted Victorian warehouses with modern additions.Free

Seven Stories

Newcastle Upon Tyne

Free children's book museum in Ouseburn - galleries and stories, Soft Play N.

ToiletsCaféGift shopParking+2 more

Large group of people of various ages waving at the camera outside a brick community building.Free

Shieldfield Art Works

Newcastle upon Tyne

Free oil painting sessions and changing art exhibitions in a small community gallery, with gardening sessions running alongside in warmer months.

Wooden adventure playground structure with viewing tower beneath a rainbow, set in parkland with autumn trees.Free

Shiremoor Adventure Playground

Newcastle upon Tyne · ages 0-18

Free adventure playground with zip-wires, den-building huts and a small animal corner, plus a separate area for under-eights.

Accessible toiletCaféChanging PlacesOutdoor play+2 more

Two women holding champagne glasses at a busy indoor event, smiling at the camera with a crowd visible behind them.Free

STACK Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne · ages 0+

An outdoor container-built street food and bar site with live music, DJs, and a few kids' events like Techno Tots before the evening crowd takes over.

Accessible toiletBaby changeCard onlyDog friendly+4 more

Wetland landscape with reedy channels and ponds reflecting a cloudy sky, bordered by woodland.Free

Stargate Ponds and Bewes Hills

Ryton

A quiet, free wander round ponds and low hills with flat paths, good for spotting wildlife in about half an hour.

Visitors watch a steam locomotive billowing smoke whilst travelling on narrow-gauge railway tracks through countryside.Free

Stephenson Steam Railway

North Shields · ages 4+

A heritage steam train ride, a railway museum, and a meet with the world's third-oldest working locomotive.

Booking requiredFree parking

Sunderland Astronomical SocietyFree

Sunderland Astronomical Society

Washington

Free evenings of telescope viewing, talks and workshops under a proper dark sky near Washington.

Free parkingPublic transport nearby

The Biscuit FactoryFree

The Biscuit Factory

Newcastle upon Tyne

Free art gallery browsing with a café and rooftop terrace, good for an unhurried wander rather than a hands-on kids' activity.

Birthday partiesCaféGift shopIndoor seating+1 more

The Word, National Centre for the Written WordFree

The Word, National Centre for the Written Word

South Shields

A free library building with a Lego brick pit, digital media walls and baby and toddler sessions to build a morning around.

CaféGift shopIndoor play

Wooden sculpture of a large bird in flight stands on a tree stump in a forest clearing covered with fallen leaves.Free

Thornley Wood

Rowlands Gill

A short, free sculpture trail through Paddock Hill Wood with around ten carved wooden animals to spot.

CaféFree parkingOutdoor play

Historic Victorian theatre building with ornate stonework and arched windows on a town square, with pedestrians and modern sculpture nearby.Free

Tyne Theatre & Opera House

Newcastle upon Tyne

A working Victorian theatre with family shows, backstage tours down into the understage machinery, and pizza before curtain up.

This is a photograph, so I will provide alt text: Green double doors numbered 65 with 'Vane' signage above and 'Orbis Community' logo on adjacent brick wall.Free

Vane

Gateshead

A free contemporary art gallery in Gateshead showing work by critically engaged artists, open Wednesday to Saturday afternoons.

Person fishing from the beach at sunset with golden and orange sky reflected on the water.Free

Warkworth Beach

Amble

A wide, open stretch of sand near Amble for beach games, sunbathing and a go at surfing with a local school.

Accessible toiletFree parkingToilets

Wetland habitat with reedy vegetation, shallow water, and woodland trees beyond.Free

Weetslade Country Park

Cramlington

Free country park with flat trails, a cycle route and a hilltop sculpture with sea and city views, open all year round.

ParkingPicnic areaPushchair friendlyWheelchair accessible

Whickham Hermitage Community GardenFree

Whickham Hermitage Community Garden

Newcastle upon Tyne

Free garden with a fairy village and playhouse to hunt down, plus locally made sculptures dotted along the paths.

Accessible toiletCaféCard onlyCash only+2 more

Staff member sits at reception desk in a busy library with notice boards, books and information displays visible.Free

Whickham Library

Whickham, Newcastle upon Tyne

A free local library where you can borrow books and audio books, with parking and wifi on site.

Accessible toiletParkingToiletsWi-Fi

Sandy beach with scattered visitors, rocky cliffs in foreground, coastal town and buildings visible across the bay under partly cloudy sky.Free

Whitley Bay Beach

Whitley Bay

A free, wide stretch of sand with room for surfing, kayaking and a long promenade walk with North Sea views.

CaféParkingRestaurantToilets+1 more

MAKE A DAY OF IT

Free entry, café on site

Free to get in, somewhere to warm up with a coffee when the kids have run out of steam.

Good to know: free days out in Newcastle

Are they completely free?

Entry is free at all 43. Some charge for extras (parking, a café, a paid trail or exhibition inside) and each listing spells out what costs what, taken from the venue's own price list.

Which free places are indoors?

36 Lime Street Ltd, Books For Amnesty, Discovery Museum, Great North Museum: Hancock and 7 more are under a roof, the ones to keep for a wet day.

Where can I park for free too?

Big Waters Nature Reserve, Brinkburn Priory and Manor House, Chopwell Wood, Cullercoats Beach and 15 more have free parking listed, so the whole day genuinely costs nothing.

Whereabouts are they?

Across Newcastle upon Tyne, Corbridge, Durham, Gateshead, Morpeth and 16 more, all in or around Newcastle, with the full address and directions on every listing.

PLAN A DIFFERENT DAY

What's on, when you need it

This weekend in full →
32 on right nowWED 7 OCT
Today

Everything open and on in Newcastle today, with times and prices.

TOP PICKJiggle and Wiggle · free
See today
37 things onFRI 9 - SUN 11
This weekend
  • Fri33 things · Beginners English Language Conversation Class
  • Sat26 things · Baby Bounce
See the weekend
TomorrowThu 8 · 31 things onRainy days107 under a roofYOU'RE HEREFree43 cost nothing
SEASONALENDS 31 OCTHalloween: pumpkin patches, spooky trails & torchlight. 2 already live.
Plan Halloween

THE WEEKENDER

Next weekend, sorted. Every Thursday, free.

The best family things happening around Newcastle, one hidden gem, and a rainy-day backup plan, from a dad who's been there with a bored seven-year-old.

Free forever. One brilliant email a week. Unsubscribe anytime.

Free things to do in Newcastle with kids · Huddlepin