Newcastle — Travelrags

The GuardianJul 19, 2026

No car? No problem! Six cheap family days out in England by bus

With bus fares capped at £3 and free for kids in August, it’s the ideal time for wildlife watching, woodland walks, world-class art and more Trips to waterfalls, gardens, galleries, medieval forests and prehistoric caves will make the long school holidays a lot more fun. To help families explore affordably, throughout August buses in England will be free for kids and adult fares will be capped…

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Great North Museum: HancockMuseumFree entrance; has planetarium shows and Roman altars.
Treasure: Hidden, Lost, FoundMuseumExhibition of Roman coins and Viking silver, free until Sept 20.
Tales on the TynePlaceTrail of giant Peter Rabbit sculptures across Newcastle.
INNSiDE NewcastleHotelWaterfront hotel with bambino menu and family-friendly rooms.
Tyneside cinemaPlaceArt deco cinema with selected films at £5 each week.
Elsewhere
Biscuit FactoryMuseumOuseburn, United KingdomGallery in Ouseburn with kids' activities and a roof terrace.
Hatfield ForestTrailHatfield, United Kingdom400 hectares of fields and woodland, former royal hunting ground.
Thremhall PriorySightHatfield, United KingdomCan be reached via a linear walk through woods.
South Mill arts centreArts centreBishop's Stortford, United KingdomOffers kids' crafts for £2.
Much Hadham Forge museumMuseumMuch Hadham, United KingdomFree event on Aug 27 with a Tudor storyteller.
Creswell CragsSightCreswell, United KingdomLimestone gorge with caves where prehistoric humans lived.
Welbeck EstatePlaceWelbeck, United KingdomIncludes a sculpture-dotted trail to Creswell Crags.
Harley cafeCaféWelbeck, United KingdomAward-winning cafe serving local food.
Muddy Boots cafeCaféHarewood, United KingdomCafe reachable on a 5-mile circular walk.
Royal Armouries museumMuseumLeeds, United KingdomFree, five-storey museum overlooking the dock.
Sainsbury CentreArts centreNorwich, United KingdomFree sculpture park with 20th-century art and architecture.
Norwich CastleMuseumNorwich, United KingdomReopened after renovation, has sound-and-light shows.
Aira ForceCaféUllswater, United KingdomMossy, fern-fringed waterfalls with varied walks.
Gowbarrow FellTrailUllswater, United KingdomOffers a hike with spectacular views.
The Green ManRestaurantHatfield, United Kingdom

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The GuardianMay 15

‘We found a charming alternative to touristy Bath’: readers’ favourite UK trips

From Hadrian’s Wall to the locations of Happy Valley and Hot Fuzz, readers share their top discoveries • Tell us about your favourite UK coast walk – the best tip wins a £200 holiday voucher “So this is where Officer Nick Angel [Simon Pegg] chased that swan.” As a fan of Hot Fuzz, I was excited to explore the cathedral city of Wells in Somerset, where much of the film was shot. This charming, c…

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Northumberland coastSightCycled from Newcastle to Berwick over four days
Elsewhere
Hot FuzzPlaceWells, United KingdomFilm location explored in Wells
Mendip HillsSightWells, United KingdomThis is one of England’s most special places – the limestone Mendip Hills with the lakes of the Chew Valley is a…
Cheddar GorgeSightWells, United KingdomCheddar Gorge: I wasn’t expecting it to be so brilliant here, with magnificent mountains, goats and butterflies too…
Wookey Hole CavesSightWells, United KingdomThe River Axe flows through the cave.
Bishop’s Palace and GardensSightWells, United KingdomMagnificent medieval building in Wells
Wells CathedralSightWells, United KingdomGothic cathedral with one of the oldest working clocks
Happy ValleySightHebden Bridge, United KingdomFilming location scouted in Hebden Bridge
Bass RockSightNorth Berwick, United KingdomTurns gold on clear early evenings
YHA hostelHotelBeer, United KingdomLovely, large, relaxed, welcoming, ideal for families
Hadrian’s WallSightHexham, United KingdomArea explored by train, bus, and foot
DunstanburghSightAlnwick, United KingdomImpressive castle visited on cycling tour
WoodhornMuseumAshington, United KingdomMining museum visited on cycling tour
Ardnamurchan peninsulaNeighborhoodFort William, United KingdomStunning peninsula with the most westerly point
Sanna BaySightFort William, United KingdomShell-sand beach for wild camping
Ardnamurchan lighthouseSightFort William, United KingdomWalked to this lighthouse
BamburghNeighborhoodAlnwick, United KingdomLocation of an impressive castle and museum
Scottish Seabird CentreMuseumNorth Berwick, United Kingdom
Woozie’s DeliRestaurantBeer, United Kingdom
RNLI Grace Darling MuseumMuseumAlnwick, United Kingdom

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