North East England has so many great places for families to enjoy a fun-packed day out. Many of these are free – do check out our A-Z of Free Family Attractions in the region. However, we also have a wealth of award-winning attractions that do have an admission charge in Northumberland, Tyneside, Durham, Wearside and Teesside, and many of them also have annual passes making it easier than ever to plan cheap family days out.
Here is our A-Z of Annual Passes for North East England Tourist Attractions - well nearly just missing an I, U & Y – any suggestions let me know!
This post contains some affiliate ads for English Heritage & National Trust, meaning I may earn a little commission if you make a purchase after clicking the link, so thank you if you do.
A-Z North East England Attractions Annual Passes
A
Alnwick Garden - Northumberland
One of the world’s most contemporary gardens, The Alnwick Garden was built to break the rules. The Duchess of Northumberland embarked upon the creation of “A huge public garden of classic symmetry and astonishing beauty…” and today, the garden is not only an inspiring landscape with beautifully sculpted foliage vivified by water, but the Wirtz International design has combined unique features and spaces to encourage interaction, learning and play. Become a Friend of Alnwick Garden and receive unlimited entry throughout the year and other benefits too. Family cost £45.
Alnwick Castle - Northumberland
Alnwick Castle is one of the most iconic castles in the country – whether you’ve seen it in Harry Potter or Downton Abby! Just off the A1 and easily accessible by train and bus, Alnwick Castle is perfectly situated in the heart of Northumberland - away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Validated tickets for Alnwick Castle are eligible for unlimited admission for 12 months. You can also save 10% when you buy online more than 24 hours in advance. Castle Family (2 adults and up to 4 children)- £39.60 (£44.00 at the gate) giving unlimited entry during opening times.
B
Beamish - County Durham
Beamish in County Durham is a world-famous open-air museum, telling the story of life in North East England in the 1820s, 1900s and 1940s. The Beamish Unlimited Pass allows you to visit again and again after paying just once. So if you’re worried that you won’t be able to fit everything into one day, now you can go back as many times as you like for a whole year! A family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children is £49.50
C
Cragside - Northumberland
As a member of the National Trust, you enjoy free access to hundreds of unforgettable places including Cragside in Northumberland. An extraordinary Victorian house, gardens and woodland where you enter the world of Lord Armstrong - Victorian inventor, innovator and landscape genius. Family membership is £120 per year but covers hundreds of attractions across the country, not just Cragside.
D
Diggerland - Durham
There is so much to do at Diggerland Adventure Parks that just one visit is never enough! But now, with the Diggerland Annual Pass, you can enjoy as many awesome days out at any of our four, uniquely digger-themed UK parks as you desire, and return time and time again throughout the entire season without limit to get to grips with driving and operating real, full-size construction diggers and dumpers, and enjoying up to twenty thrilling rides like the contemporary, merry Dig-a-Round, the bone-rattling Groundshuttle, and the adrenaline-pumping Spindizzy! The Diggerland Adventure Parks, Annual Pass costs just £69.99 per person, is valid for a full 12 months from the date of issue, and allows the named pass-holder unlimited entry to all four UK Diggerland parks. Applies to adults to age 65 & children 90cm or over
E
English Heritage
English Heritage cares for over 400 historic places, bringing the story of England to life for millions of visitors each year including Belsay Hall castle & Gardens, Chesters Roman Fort and Museum and Tynemouth Priory. Family annual membership is £99.
F
Forestry Commission - Durham & Northumberland
Get free parking, discounts on events and much more with an annual Discovery Pass A great way for you to support your local forest. Also includes great national and local discounts. A Kielder Forest & Water Park Discovery Pass is £40 and a Hamsterley Forest Discovery Pass is £47
G
Gibside - Tyne & Wear
As a member of the National Trust, you enjoy free access to hundreds of unforgettable places including Gibside in Tyne & Wear. Gibside is one of a few surviving 18th-century designed landscapes and was fashioned with two things in mind: spectacular views and ‘wow’ moments. It is a Georgian landscape garden forged in an industrial past with 243 hectares (600 acres) of gardens, woodland and countryside – perfect for wildlife spotting. Highlights include a Neo-classical chapel, restored stable block and grand ruin. Family membership is £120 per year but covers hundreds of attractions across the country, not just Gibside.
H
Hall Hill Farm - County Durham
Set in the beautiful rolling hills of County Durham, Hall Hill Farm near Lanchester, is an award-winning mixed farm of 290 hectares - a great day out for children and schools with loads of great things to do and see. Recently awarded the silver award in the small attraction of the year category by VisitEngland, a family pass for four people with unlimited entry for 12 months is £130.
J
Jarrow Hall - South Tyneside
Explore the extraordinary life of the Venerable Bede, the father of English history at Jarrow Hall Anglo-Saxon Farm, Village and Bede Museum in South Tyneside. Jarrow Hall Unlimited tickets mean you can visit as many times as you like for a whole year at Jarrow Hall. Adults (16+) £15 and Children (aged 5-15) £10.
K
Killhope - County Durham
Killhope is a multi-award winning 19th century mining museum in the centre of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), where you can experience the life and work of the lead mining families of the North Pennines. Famous for its iconic working waterwheel, the venue offers so much more to do and see, including stunning landscape, captivating art installation, fascinating lead mining history, scenic walks and amazing wildlife. Killhope annual passes are valid for 12 months from your first visit for an unlimited number of visits. A Family Annual Pass (2 adults & 2 concessions max)is £37.00
L
Life Science Centre - Newcastle
Life is an award-winning Science Centre in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne where one ticket gets you everything! Hosting a wide portfolio of attractions visitors are guaranteed to find something of interest, tickets are consistently priced between events with a full price list available at the bottom of this page. Headlining events include the likes of the Science Theatre, a 4D Motion Ride*, the North’s biggest planetarium and the Curiosity Zone to name only a small selection. A Family (2 adults + 2 children OR 1 adult + 3 children) annual pass is £94
M
The Bowes Museum - County Durham
The Bowes Museum is a hidden treasure, a jewel in the heart of beautiful Teesdale. The magnificent building stands proud in the historic market town of Barnard Castle housing internationally significant collections of fine and decorative arts. Purpose built in the 19th century by John and Joséphine Bowes, the Museum has a wonderful story to tell. The gardens were originally designed by John and Joséphine Bowes and the formal parterre garden complements this unique building. Today you can explore acres of parkland, enjoy a picnic or go for a peaceful stroll around the grounds, where there are specimen trees from all over the world. There is also a new childrens' play area for families to enjoy which includes a climbing frame, balancing log and bars, a slide, large bucket swing, stepping stones and a bridge beam. The admission price means you can enjoy unlimited entry at The Bowes Museum and temporary exhibitions all year around. A family pass - 2 Adults (Up to 4 Children) is £30.00
N
National Trust
As a member of the National Trust, you enjoy free access to hundreds of unforgettable places including many attractions across North East England. Family membership is £120 per year but covers hundreds of attractions across the country.
O
Open Treasure - Durham Cathedral
Open Treasure is a new world-class exhibition experience at the heart of Durham Cathedral. It gives visitors access to previously hidden spaces within the Cathedral's magnificent Claustral buildings, showcasing the Cathedral's collections so that they can be discovered and enjoyed by many more people of all ages. The journey begins in the magnificent fourteenth-century Monks’ Dormitory, with interactive exhibits and activities for visitors of all ages, and continues through a new state-of-the-art Collections Gallery with a rolling programme of exhibitions. The journey also includes the spectacular Great Kitchen, with its famous octagonal ceiling, now the permanent home of the Treasures of St Cuthbert, some of the most precious Anglo-Saxon artefacts in the world!
P
Preston Park & Museum - Tees Valley
At Preston Park Museum & Grounds you can experience what life was like in 1895 as you take a stroll down the replica Victorian Street. Plus for little and big kids alike, there’s a chance to let off some steam in the Adventure Play Area and Skate Park. There are the galleries, Victorian Street, Walled Kitchen garden and orchard plus ground to explore. A family ticket (2A+4C) is £5 and all tickets are valid for one year from date of issue.
Q
Cawfields Quarry & National Park - Northumberland
At Cawfields Quarry Hadrian's Wall hangs on the edge of the sheer crags of the Whin Sill. Although many of the sites are free to visit, an annual Hadrian’s Wall Car Parks Pass is available for £30, allowing unlimited car parking year-round in all of the Hadrian’s Wall car parks including The Sill and Housesteads
R
Blue Reef Aquarium - Tynemouth
Enjoy close encounters with hundreds of incredible creatures from around the world at Blue Reef Aquarium in Tynemouth. An annual pass includes FREE ENTRY to all Blue Reef Aquariums including Newquay, Hastings and Portsmouth; along with Smugglers Adventure in Hastings, plus loads of other benefits. Annual pass for a family of 4 is £113.70
S
Seven Stories - Newcastle
Seven Stories - The National Centre for Children's Books is a museum and visitor centre dedicated to children's literature and based in the Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle upon Tyne. Located under Byker Bridge here you can explore your own creativity through writing, illustration and crafts or uncover a world of storytelling with dressing up and dramatic fun in the Seven Stories theatre. The Seven Stories Visitor Centre also includes an independent children’s bookshop and Café with a great selection of home cooked food. An annual family pass for 2 adults and 2 children is £65.
T
Tanfield Railway - Durham
A 3-mile steam railway and the oldest railway in the world, based on a section of the 1725 Tanfield Waggonway Trains with a variety of vintage carriages. Travel into the scenic Causey Woods where the 1727 Causey Arch bridge is the centrepiece in a deep valley with many walks and display boards giving the 18th Century railway history of the area. Back at Marley Hill shed, the oldest working engine shed in Britain, built in 1854, a large collection of locally built and used locomotives can be seen. The Tanfield Unlimited Ticket allows you to enjoy 12 months unlimited travel on the Tanfield Railway from the time of your first visit. A family ticket costs £80
V
Valley Bouldering Centre - Newcastle
The Valley is the second climbing centre to be opened by Climb Newcastle. Building on the success of the Climb Newcastle original bouldering centre in the old Byker swimming pool. The Valley is on the edge of the Ouseburn Valley, in the East of the city. Climb Newcastle is the brainchild of former british and world climbing champion Andy Earl, and well-known local climbers Chris Graham and Darren Stevenson. A junior annual membership is £340.
W
Woodhorn - Northumberland
Discover 800 years of history and experience fantastic events and exhibitions at Woodhorn Museum and Northumberland Archives. Woodhorn Charitable Trust this year has an exciting new membership scheme: the parking charge at Woodhorn has been removed, children go free and adults pay just once for 12 months unlimited returns. An Adult Annual Pass is £7 with under 16 free.
X
Ease eXtra Card – North Tyneside
easeEXTRA is a discount card which gives money off all activities in North Tyneside sport and leisure centres. North Tyneside residents can also access Active North Tyneside’s free activities; with a valid easeEXTRA card. Adult resident price is £7.10 and non-residents £13.80. At Hadrian Leisure in Wallsend, there is a free weekly splash session foe easeEXTRA card holders. Sessions are held every Sunday at 12.00 until 1.00pm (term time only) at Hadrian Leisure Centre, Wallsend.
Z
Kirkley Hall Zoo - Northumberland
As well as providing a great family day out the aim of Kirkley Hall’s dedicated zoo team is to educate people about the various species of animals we have and their behaviours and habitats. The zoo is part of Northumberland College's Kirkley Hall Campus and was set up as an educational training facility for the college’s Animal Care students as well as becoming a tourist attraction on weekends and school holidays. A Family Pass (2 adults and up to 3 children) is £90.00
A Forestry Commission survey discovered we spend on average £4800 a year on entertaining our children. Even if we bought all of the above annual passes it would cost around £2000 but we just don't think there are enough days of the year to fit it all in!
Deb x
To be kept up to date with events, new openings, recipes, things to do and child-friendly places to take the kids, plus giveaways then follow My Boys Club on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter too.
Or why not pin this on Pinterest?
0 Comments