The Biscuit Factory
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Newcastle upon Tyne
What it’s like
Free art gallery browsing with a café and rooftop terrace, good for an unhurried wander rather than a hands-on kids' activity.
Walking round a working gallery isn't the obvious afternoon out with children, but it's free to get in, open every day from 10am to 5pm, and nobody's rushing you along. There's no set trail or activity sheet here, so it suits older kids who'll actually look at the paintings and sculpture, or a toddler in a buggy while you have a proper wander yourself. It's a browse rather than a structured visit, and that's either exactly what you want on a slow Sunday or a mismatch if your crew needs something to do with their hands.
The café, The Factory Kitchen, does brunch, lunch and coffee, with a rooftop terrace if the weather's playing along. It's open a little later on Saturdays, 10am to 5pm, and closes at 4pm the rest of the week, so build that into your timing if lunch is the main event. Afternoon tea is on the menu too, which makes it more of a grown-up treat stop than a quick chips-and-juice pit stop.
Dogs aren't allowed inside the gallery or café unless they're assistance animals, so leave the family dog at home for this one. It closes over Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day, and runs shorter hours on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, 10am to 3pm.
If you want somewhere to mark a birthday, they do private hire and have party rooms and function spaces set up for it, worth knowing if you fancy something a bit different from the usual soft play do.
Facilities
Need to know
- Food
- All-day café with rooftop terrace serving brunch, lunch, coffee, homemade bakes and seasonal dishes
- Dogs
- Assistance dogs only. Not permitted in the gallery or café
- No set trail or worksheets, so it's a browse rather than an activity-led visit
- Café hours are shorter than the gallery, last orders effectively earlier on weekdays
- Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day
- Only assistance dogs allowed inside
Plan your visit
Is it free to get in?
Yes, entry to the gallery is free.
What is there for kids to actually do?
There's no activity trail or hands-on exhibits, it's a browse round a working art gallery. It suits kids who'll engage with looking at art more than ones after something interactive.
Is it buggy friendly?
It's an indoor gallery space, so a buggy should manage fine for a wander round, though there's no specific pushchair info given.
Can we get food there?
The Factory Kitchen café does brunch, lunch, coffee and afternoon tea, with a rooftop terrace. It's open until 5pm on Saturdays and 4pm the rest of the week.
Are dogs allowed?
Only assistance dogs, both in the gallery and the café.
Can you book a party there?
They do private hire with function rooms for parties and celebrations.
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