Aydon Castle
ENTRY
Free
WHERE
Corbridge
What it’s like
A well-preserved medieval manor house where you can climb to the battlements and picnic in a walled orchard afterwards.
This is one for the ones who like poking round old buildings properly, not just glancing at a rope barrier. The hall and chambers are intact enough to make sense of how the place worked, right down to an original fireplace and a garderobe toilet, which is the detail every kid remembers and repeats to anyone who'll listen. Then it's up to the battlements for the view, which is the bit worth saving for last.
Entry itself is free, and the site mentions free admission for up to six children with an adult member, which makes it an easy one to bring the wider group along to without totting up a bill on the way in. There's no need to book ahead, though booking online does knock a bit off the price if you're organised enough to sort it the day before.
Once you're done with the castle itself, the walled orchard is set up for a picnic, so bring lunch rather than relying on finding something there. It suits a slower visit rather than a quick dash round, the kind where you let the kids clamber about the chambers at their own pace and then sit down outside once they've had enough of the stairs.
Tickets work by age band: under-fives go free (you can still get them an infant ticket), and anyone from 5 to 17 needs a child ticket. Worth sorting who needs what before you get to the entrance rather than working it out in the queue.
Facilities
Need to know
- Worth knowing
- Free entry for up to six children accompanied by an adult member
- Booking online by midnight the day before saves 15% on tickets
- Under-fives can still get a free infant ticket even though they don't need to pay
- The walled orchard is the spot for a picnic once you've done the castle
Plan your visit
Do we need to book in advance?
No, you can just turn up. Booking online ahead of time gets you a 15% discount, but you can also book on the day itself if you'd rather have it sorted before you arrive.
How much does it cost?
Entry is free. Under-fives don't need a paid ticket at all, though you can still get them a free infant ticket, and children 5 to 17 need a child ticket.
Is there food on site?
There's a walled orchard set up for picnics, so it's one to bring your own lunch for.
Is it free if I'm a member?
Up to six accompanied children go free with an adult member.
Featured in 2 Huddlepin lists
See all Castles, Historic Houses & Heritage in Newcastle · Things to do in Newcastle
MAKE A DAY OF IT
