What's on in Northumberland

Northumberland Weather

Get the most out of your holiday by checking the Northumberland weather guide first!

Seafield Ocean Leisure Club - Day Escapes and Spa Packages

Seafield Ocean Club - Day Escapes ans Spa Packages

Why not treat yourself or a loved one whilst on holiday in Northumberland. In Seahouses you'll find a superb private leisure club which offers a selection of Day Esacpes and Spa Packages to non members  - perfect for special occassions!

Prices start from £55. For more information about any of these packages, please call reception on: 01665 721600
 

Gibside Chapel - Food and Craft Market

Tasty seasonal produce and high quality crafts from local farmers and producers on the first and third Saturday every month. Enjoy a range of food, drink and craft stalls, plus tasting and cooking demos. Free entry!

More Information: Gibside, 01207 541820, gibside@nationaltrust.org.uk
 

Northumberlandia - New stunning human landform sculpture

Northumberlandia is a unique piece of public art set in a 46 acre community park with free public access and 4 miles of footpaths on and around the landform.

The centrepiece of the park is Northumberlandia, a stunning human landform sculpture of a reclining lady. Made of 1.5 million tonnes of rock, clay and soil, she is 100 feet high and a quarter of a mile long.

Far from being a rigid manicured art form Northumberlandia is a living part of the countryside that will mature over time and change with the seasons. What you see when you visit is only the start of something that will evolve through generations.

Free Entry

There is a car park with a small charge for parking.
 

Hancock Museum - Great North Museum Planetarium

Don't miss the spectacular new planetarium shows...they're out of this world!
Take an immersive journey into the wonders of the night sky with a trip around the solar system or see ancient creatures brought back to life using the latest and greatest technology.

Shows are screened at various times from Monday - Sunday, see website for full details of times and prices. Sea Monsters - A Prehistoric Adventure

See extraordinary marine reptiles of the dinosaur age brought to life. Become immersed in this unexplored world and learn about the fascinating science behind history's grandest ocean creatures.

Fragile Planet

Travel 120 million light years to rediscover home and Earth's special place in the Universe as the only known haven for life. The journey continues beyond the Milky Way to search for other special planets that might host extraterrestrial life.

Earth, Moon & Sun

Join Coyote, a character with razor-sharp wit, as he learns more about the night sky. This fast paced fun show examines how humans learn through space exploration and explores lunar phases, eclipses and other puzzles.

Seasonal Stargazing

Become familiar with the starry night, with easy to follow star hopping directions and descriptive constellation tours. Discover how to find things in the night sky and see some of the most beautiful objects in astronomy.How big is the Universe? Are we alone? These questions and more are tackled in this exciting journey through space and time.

Dawn of the Space Age

Re-live the excitment of the early days of space exploration, from the launch of the first artificial satellite to the magnificent lunar landings and privately operated space flights.

Northern Outdoor Holiday Activities

Half Term Holiday Fun!

Northern Outdoor specialise in providing a wide range of unique and impressive experiences for all ages and abilities. Try your hand at archery, canoeing, rock climbing or mountain biking to name but a few.

Looking for a real challenge during your holiday, then you might want to try a family boot camp. Northern Outdoors belive that fun is at the heart of all their activities, so if you are looking for an exhilerating experience, whilst enjoying the great outdoors, you won't be disappoinbted by what they have to offer!

Activity programmes are run throughout the year for everyone and for families there are lots of tailored activities you can choose from during the holiday periods. Here is a taste of what you can expect Click Here.

If you would like to book any of these sessions, we can offer you a
special discount. Please ask for more details when booking. For more details, please call: 0845 467 3750 or email: info@northernoutdoor.co.uk.

Cragside House and Garden - Victorian Baking Days

Enter the world of Lord Armstrong - Victorian inventor, innovator and landscape genius. Cragside house was truly a wonder of its age.

Discover the first house in the world to be lit by hydroelectricity. It is crammed full of ingenious gadgets - most of them still working. The gardens are incredible. One of the largest rock gardens in Europe leads down to the Iron Bridge, which in turn leads to the formal garden. Children will love our adventure play area and exploring Nelly's Labyrinth, a networks of paths and tunnels cut out of a vast area of rhododendron forest.
 

Imagine visiting Cragside House to be greeted by the smell of freshly baked cakes as you step through the door. On Wednesdays between 1 and 4pm our volunteer cooks will be in costume recreating authentic Victorian recipes in our magnificent kitchen. Each week there will be a different recipe.
 

Free event (normal admission charges apply)

House, gardens and woodland.
¦Adult: £13.20
¦Child: £6.60
¦Family: £33.00
¦Group: £11.00
 

Alnwick Castle

We look forward to welcoming visitors back to Alnwick Castle this season, with so much to see and do every time you visit!

From touring the stunning art and furniture collections in the State Rooms, to broomstick training sessions (for young and old muggles alike!), Potter-inspired magic shows, and medieval crafts in Knight's Quest - there is something for the whole family and with the unlocked ticket you can come back as many times as you like, so there is no need to miss anything!

Alnwick Castle has been the location for all kinds of films productions and television programmes - most famously taking the starring role of Hogwarts in the first two Harry Potter films.

Alnwick Castle and the surrounding parkland of Hulne Park offer a dramatic and unspoilt setting for filmmakers.

Most famously in recent years, Alnwick Castle has featured as Hogwarts in the first two Harry Potter movies. Scenes filmed at Alnwick Castle include the flying lesson in Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone and the crash landing of the flying Ford Anglia in Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets.

Alnwick Castle is a perfect day out for all Potter fans, young or old.

Prices:

Adult
£14.00
Concession (students and aged 60+)
£12.60
Child (5-16 years)
£7.00
Family (2 + 2, 3, 4)
£36.00
Group (14+ people)
Click here
Car Park (per car)
£3.50

 

High Bridge Street Quarter Festival

High Bridge Quarter stages it's third street festival on Saturday 20th April and Saturday 8 September 2013.  There will be live music and DJ's, global street food, cookery demonstrations and discounts at shops in the area.

Attended by over 12,000 people at the previous events in April and September last year, the festival acts as a showcase for niche traders on High Bridge Newcastle.

Centre for Life - Hover Chase 4d ride

 Catch our exciting adventure ’Hover Chase’, a high speed race through city streets, oil refineries, forests, and caves.
For safety reasons you have to be at least 1.2 metres (4 feet) in height to use the Motion Ride. There are plenty of other things to enjoy if you’re smaller- just ask a member of staff.

Splash Alnwick!

Water Fun at Alnwick Gardens!

Family friendly water pistol fun comes to The Alnwick Garden. Our mad band of Pistoleers will be on hand to dish out a soaking with a series of games designed to be played by all.

Dare to sneak up and soak in the Labyrinth? Get stuck in with a dash about the grounds as the team set up a series of challenges to test your mettle. No need to wash your hair, we'll do it for you.

The games will take place hourly every weekend and throughout the holidays. It is advised you bring a change of clothes with you!
 

Medieval Jesting with Zooted

Zooted, the jesting duo, take you back to days when comedy was uncomplicated and the comedians were...simple! Where chivalry was the order of the day and the knights fought each other to keep it that way!

With a highly entertaining blend of comedy, fire-eating and sword-juggling, Zooted never fail to delight and amaze!

Medieval Jousting on:

4-6 May 2013 and 10-12 August 2013

Seahouses Food Craft Market

Every Sunday at the Bunker in Seahouses between 11-4pm

There will be a variety of stalls with an array of home produced goodies and quality gifts, with many of the sellers living in the Northumberland area. These can include homemade scones & cakes, handmade fudge & chocolate, handmade soaps, lotions & potions, silver and copper jewellery, handmade garden ornaments & plaques, jams & chutneys, soft toys, plants, homemade ginger wine, scarves and more (stalls will vary from time to time)

This is a free event for the public, but we are weather dependent so please ring 07811 169200 to check before travelling.

Amble Puffin Festival

 This May will see the beautiful harbour town of Amble transformed, ready to embrace its very own festival, set to put Amble on the map! The first ever Puffin Festival will take place from 18th May to 1st June, a puffin spectacular spread over two weeks.

This new and exciting event will celebrate Amble’s favourite bird, and there is no coincidence that the festival coincides with the best time to see the puffins and their gorgeous little pufflings on Coquet Island.

There will be plenty going on in Amble with features throughout to include many community exhibitions, children’s events as well as live music.

To keep up to date with latest news you can follow @AmblePuffinFest on Twitter or find the ‘The Puffin Festival’ Facebook event page.

Alnwick Castle Closed

Alnwick Castle is closed from 19-25 June 2013 inclusive on the occasion of the marriage of the present Duke and Duchess’s youngest daughter, Lady Melissa. We do hope that all our visitors understand as we celebrate this very special occasion. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

We are delighted to advise that if you visit the castle before 19 June, you may well see preparations for the wedding taking place and if you visit after the wedding, we hope to have Lady Melissa’s wedding dress displayed in the Coach House exhibition in the castle.

Walking with dragons

The people of medieval Northumberland were very afraid of dragons - and today you will see why! 

Led by the Goblin Queen, an enormous animatronic dragon with moving wings, blinking eyes and smoke bellowing from its nostrils roars into Alnwick Castle. Come and enjoy a truly unique walkabout performance. You really will believe in dragons after seeing this!

Age of the Dinosaur

Age of the Dinosaur (from 25 May) is Life’s latest exhibition which comes from the Natural History Museum in London.

Prepare to be transported back in time more than 65 million years to a Jurassic forest and Cretaceous desert, home to some weird, wonderful and now extinct plants and animals including dinosaurs like Tarbosaurus, the scary cousin of T.rex.

Wallington Hall - The Romans Return

March back in time to the Imperial Age as Comitatus take over Wallington.

Don’t miss the Roman soldiers being put through their paces or the dashing cavalry squadron displaying their skill on horseback.

Plus there will be a new show this year as Gladiators fight it out in the arena, you can see birds of prey in the Roman encampment and find out about Roman gardening.

Time – 11am - 4pm

The Vikings are coming. Oh no not again!!

The Northumbria Herred of the Vikings invades the castle to show us what life was like with a tented camp, talks and demonstrations. (Included in admission)

CATS, Andrew Lloyd-Webber's record-breaking, smash-hit

Don't miss CATS, Andrew Lloyd-Webber's extraordinary record-breaking, smash-hit musical!

Adapted from TS Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, this wonderful blend of fantasy, drama and romance is set on the night that the Jellicle Cats meet for the Jellicle Ball in a sparkling fusion of music, dance and verse.

With an amazing musical score that includes the timeless Memory, spectacular set designs, stunning costumes and breathtaking choreography, CATS is a magical musical like no other.

One of the longest-running shows in West End and Broadway history, CATS has enchanted audiences in over 300 cities around the world – now you too have the chance to experience this legendary musical phenomenon
 

Tickets £10.00 - £40.00
 

Georgian Country Fair - Beamish Museum

Enjoy the hustle and bustle of a Georgian Country Fair at Pockerley Waggonway from Thursday 30th May to Sunday 2nd June 2013.

There'll be a whole host of traditional Georgian entertainment for all the family to enjoy, including a Flea Circus, Punch & Judy, and Georgian games including an 1830's swing boat ride! We will have market stalls selling bread, fruit and vegetables, and other local produce.There will also be traditional regional music from the Northumbrian Piper, and you can meet the Quack Doctor with a remedy for every ailment...

Every day of the fair you can have a go at:

?Lavender Bag making
?Costume try on
?Sampler making
?Shove ha'penny
 

Derek the Baby Dragon

Meet Derek, the delightful baby dragon who will regale you with tales of dragon lords! A little on the cheeky side, Derek is an Alnwick Castle favourite and is sure to keep visitors roaringly entertained.

Seahouses Craft Fayre

Seahouses Sports Community Centre between 10am - 3pm.

Brinkburn Music Festival

Join us for Brinkburn Music’s 20th Anniversary in 2013.

The Festival will be very proud to present its 20th Year programme from Friday 5 to Sunday 7 July 2013.

Brinkburn Priory is the most excellent location to listen to music of all kinds, but it has become especially known for its classical music programme. In partnership with English Heritage the priory provides a wonderful heritage backdrop to Brinkburn Music Festival.

North East Chilli Festival 2013

This 'Sizzling' Event is being held in the Beautiful Gardens of Seaton Delaval Hall. An excellent Family day out with lots to do including, Live entertainment, Chilli  tasting aswell as a chilli-eating competition  in the marquee, craft workshops and also Seaton Delaval Hall grounds to explore.

Ticket prices;

Early bird (see website) £4.00 per ticket type
Tickets £7.00 per ticket type
Under 16's free Free

Booking advisable
Unfortunately we are not able to offer a concessionary rate for National Trust members on this occasion.
 

Quites Weekend

Beamish Museum will be holding the National Quoits Championship on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th July 2013.Between twenty and fifty competitors from The Quoits Association will play in the traditional game in the Pit Village here at Beamish.

The sporting event, which is similar to the game hoopla, has been associated with mining communities for many years.

Rothbury Traditional Music Festival

This is a well-established Traditional Country Music Fair featuring pipes, fiddles, bodrun, guitars, folk singing, and dialect poetry. A full weekend of fantastic folk!

Rothbury Traditional Music Festival is a small, friendly, community based music festival set in the heart of Northumberland in Rothbury in the beautiful Coquet Valley.

Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat - Theatre Royal Newcastle

Having enjoyed sensational reviews, Bill Kenwright’s “Amazing”, “Superb”, “Wonderful” and “Brilliant” production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sparkling family musical continues to enjoy huge success across the country with standing ovations at every performance.

Retelling the Biblical story of Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colours, this magical musical is full of unforgettable songs including Those Canaan Days, Any Dream Will Do and Close Every Door To Me.

Tickets from £14. Book early and we guarantee you will pay the lowest price for your tickets!
 

Alnwick International Music Festival 2013

8 days of events, 250 entertainers from around the world, a grand costumed event with dancers in traditional costume with traditional music. Evening concerts in the Playhouse, and dances each evening in the Northumberland Hall. Most events are centered around the Market place.
 

Open air theatre - The Mikado

Award-winning open-air theatre company Illyria return to Wallington this summer with a hilarious version of Gilbert & Sullivan’s popular comic opera, the Mikado.

• Date - Sunday 11 August
• Time - 7.30pm (gates open 6pm)
• Price - Adults £19, children (5- 17) £9.50*
* Booking fee applies.

Advance booking is recommended so call 0844 249 1895 or book online
 

Bamburgh Castle's - As you Like it

The Lord Chamberlains Men As you Like It 

Follow our heroine Rosalind as she flees persecution in her uncles court, accompanied by her cousin Celia and Touchstone the court jester, to find safety and eventually love in the Forest of Arden.

Adults £14.50
Concessions £10

Please call 01668 214 208 for tickets

Agricultural Power from the Past

From Thursday 29th August to Sunday 1st September, Beamish is hosting Agricultural Power from the Past, an extravaganza of horse power, steam power and everything in between.

Horse drawn vehicles, bicycles, motorcycles, trams, stationary engines, tractors, railway locomotives, traction engines and a host of fascinating agricultural machinery will be on display and in action in all areas of the museum.

Agricultural Show

From Thursday 12th September to Sunday 15th September, we are hosting the annual Agricultural Show, recreating a typical country show from the early 1900s. This event forms part of the month long Festival of Agriculture, which celebrates the agricultural and rural heritage of the North East of England.

From goats, geese and Gordon Highlanders to Farriery, Falconry, Fur & Feather and everything in between the show promises to be a fantastic four days of all things rural.