Our Favourite Parks

Hi Everyone,

The summer holidays are fast approaching so we want to help you all have an amazing time, as we're all definitely due a bit of fun. Since we love to be outdoors we thought we'd start with some of our favourite parks. Not only are parks brilliant for a wide range of age groups they have the added benefit of being free so win win. The parks listed below all have toilet facilities on site 😃

Our top pics are:

SALTWELL PARK

We love this park it had two fantastic play areas, a boating lake, train, lots of wildlife and a cafe.

https://notboredoutdoors.blogspot.com/2020/02/hi-everyone-saltwell-park-has-to-be-one.html?m=1

CARLISLE PARK

We love to visit here with its play areas that are spread out, beautiful river walks, boats, lots of places to grab a bite and ice cream.

https://notboredoutdoors.blogspot.com/2021/04/carlisle-park.html?m=1

BARNES PARK

This is a smaller park but we love the play areas and the lovely duck pond. Its a great place to ride a bike or scooter.

https://notboredoutdoors.blogspot.com/2020/10/barnes-park-sunderland.html?m=1

TYNE GREEN PARK

Again this is a beautiful park with lots of green space, lovely river walks and a very well equipped play area.

https://notboredoutdoors.blogspot.com/2020/07/tyne-green-park.html?m=1

RICHARDSON-DEES PARK

The play area here is fantastic, with lots of green space, woodland walks and trails. There is a skate park and cafe. This is a very good park for all the family.

https://notboredoutdoors.blogspot.com/2021/09/richardson-dees-park.html?m=1

DERWENT WATERSIDE PARK

We really enjoy coming here it always feels more like a day trip then just going to the park. The play area is superb and the views are breathtaking. It also has the benefit of stunning walks around the reservoir to. There is a cafe and gift shop.

https://notboredoutdoors.blogspot.com/2020/07/derwent-waterside-park.html?m=1

Don't forget to check out https://notboredoutdoors.blogspot.com for more ideas

Angry Birds Golf

Hi Everyone,

Our youngest had a day off school on Thursday due to the elections so we decided to give Angry Birds Adventure Golf at the MetroCentre a go with a friend. It was our first visit and I have to say we were very impressed.

There are two courses both 18 holes each which are located downstairs, the space is huge and the angry birds theme is really well done. The course we tried was challenging enough to make it fun but not overly hard.

With it being a school day for most we had the whole place to ourselves which was lovely so we could really enjoy the props and take our time playing. Both kids really enjoyed it.

The staff here are wonderful Our friend's daughter tripped on a little wall whilst playing and hurt her ankle, we were quickly seen by two first aiders who assessed her, made sure everything was fine and even offered us free vouchers to return if she couldn't carry on. Ironically our daughter then tripped and hurt her ankle on the way out, so do be careful of the little walls.

We had a voucher for £4.95 to play 18 holes but we did see lots of different deals and promotions advertised so do check them out before going.

Despite our injuries we would 100% recommend @angrybirdsgolfuk and we can't wait to try the other courses and the food options.

Planet Circus OMG 2022

😊🎪Planet Circus OMG is back in the North East!🎪😊 

There 2022 performance is described as Sensational, Magnificent, & Spectacular 🤩 

We will be attending a show at a later date, so check back for our full review.

If you want to book your tickets, you can use the links below 👇 

Gateshead Tickets 

Rainton Arena Tickets 

South Shields Tickets 

Durham - The Sands Tickets 

Darlington Tickets./ 

Harrogate Tickets

Mother Shiptons

Hi Everyone,

We visited Mother Shiptons Easter Adventure yesterday which is running everyday until 24th April.

It's a beautiful place with a very large adventure play area, cave, waterfall, petrifying well, museum, shop, refreshment vans and plenty of picnic tables.

The Easter Adventure was amazing, the kids were giving a trail to follow and the attention to detail was second to none. There were so many things to see and explore. The photo opportunities were amazing. They have put selfie stations next to all the attractions making it perfect for capturing those precious family memories without missing one of the family out of the photos.

The story of Mother Shipton is a fascinating one and you can read all about her as you make your way around the park. The waterfall and petryfing well are really quirky and we enjoyed exploring the museum to learn more.

You are allowed two and a half hours to explore and that would be our only grumble as it was such a lovely day, we could have happily stayed longer but it is ample time to see and do everything within the park. We had a really lovely day and we are looking forward to their future events. We imagine Halloween especially at Mother Shiptons Cave would be amazing.

There are still tickets available for the Easter Adventure. For booking and more info please visit:

https://www.mothershipton.co.uk/

#presstrip #mothershiptonscave #mothershipton #york #knaresborough #easter #easteradventure #photoop #selfie #familyphoto #eastertreat #makingmemories #familytime #notboredoutdoors

Mamas Pizza Edinburgh

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to give a quick review of Mamma's Edinburgh. This is a wonderful American style Pizza restaurant and they really know what they're doing. The pizzas are absolutely delicious, the decour is really fun and quirky, the staff are very friendly and is situated in the heart of the Grassmarket so perfect for shopping and exploring the city.

Best of all for us was the fact that they are brilliant at gluten free. Our coeliac daughter, who is very picky about her pizzas said it was the best pizza she had ever tasted, high praise indeed! It's so nice to be able to eat as a family and not have to worry about if our daughter's food is safe and most importantly for her not to feel different or have less of a choice. So well done Mamma's we can't wait to come back.

#mammas #mammasedinburgh #pizza #coeliac #glutenfree #delicious #grassmarketedinburgh #edinburgh #familytime #makingmemories #worryfree #notboredoutdoors

Vue Cinema

Hi Everyone,

We love going to the cinema and VUE Gateshead is definitely our favourite. Standard tickets cost just £4.99 with the option to upgrade to regular for £5.99 or VIP £6.99, which is very reasonable. VUE also accepts meerkat movie vouchers (buy one get one free on Tues and Weds). Our favourite screen is VUE extreme which has no additional charge and is absolutely massive. You feel like you're in the movie when watching.

VUE is really easy to get to as it's situated in Trinity Square so plenty of buses and the metro stops within a two minute walk from the cinema. You can also park for free for up to 5 hours when you go to the cinema.

There's lots of fab movies out at the minute including Sonic 2 and the Secrets of Dumbledore released this week so perfect for a treat in the Easter holidays. 

#vue #vuegateshead #trinitysquare #brilliantvalueformoney #supersaverseats #vueextreme #cinema #familytime #getlostinamovie #sweets #popcorn #notboredoutdoors

Edinburgh Castle

Hi Everyone,

We went to Edinburgh Castle on the most gloriously sunny day, there wasn't a cloud in the sky and and it felt like we were abroad. We definitely hit the weather jackpot.

The amazing benefit of this lovely weather was that the views from the castle which are always very spectacular were just breathtakingly beautiful. We could see for miles. The castle has various vantage points so you are able to get full 360 degree views and we really enjoyed this, we spent a lot of time just looking out and seeing what places etc we could spot. It's worth visiting just for the views.

There is a whole host more to enjoy at the castle, and all are areas are so well kept and preserved, it was fascinating exploring it all. The areas include The Great Hall,

St Margaret’s Chapel, Mons Meg

One o’Clock Gun (well worth watching this, it's very impressive), Palace Apartments,

Prisons of War exhibition,

Honours of Scotland (Crown Jewels & Stone of Destiny),

Scottish National War Memorial,

National War Museum, The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum along with a lovely tea room and shops.

We had a lovely few hours at Edinburgh Castle and it definitely enhanced our trip.

#edinburghcastle #edinburgh #views #viewsofthecity #cameraready #history #oneoclockgunedinburghcastle #panoramicview #familytime #makingmemories #notboredoutdoors #visitscotland

Rail Card

Hi Everyone,

With the Easter holidays fast approaching we just wanted to share our experience of using a friends and family rail card. These cards reduce the price of train tickets by around 33% allowing for some fantastic deals. 

Our recent trip to Edinburgh cost just under £40 for our family of 4, which we thought was great value. You can also get discounted bus travel at your chosen destination with the plus bus option, which we made very good use of.

The family and friends rail card lasts a full year and costs £30 (can use Tesco clubcard points if you have them) so after a couple of trips it pays for itself. You can travel to any destination and if you play about with the dates and times you can find some excellent deals. 

We also use the LNER app as you can get lots of discounts and cashback to spend on future travel making it even cheaper.

We really do love train journeys, it always feels more of an adventure than going by car and it's nice to just sit back and relax while traveling. We personally enjoy a good old fashioned game of cards and snacks on our journeys. We have to say the Lumo and Azuma trains we travelled on were fantastic, on time, no issues, very clean with friendly staff. We couldn't fault them.

*Photo of a trip for a family of 4 to York from Newcastle with and without a rail card as an example of savings*

#trains #LNER #Lumo #Azuma #railcard #friendsandfamily #discounts #relax #adventure #PlusBus #pertectfortheholidays #notboredoutdoors

The Ghost Bus Edinburgh

Hi Everyone,

We had a terrifyingly fun ride on the Ghost Bus this weekend in Edinburgh. This is something we have wanted to do for years but always thought it may be a bit too scary for the kids, however this ghost bus is absolutely perfect for families as it's very silly and not too scary.

The tour itself is around an hour and the wonderfully atmospheric ghost bus complete with lamps and velvet curtains, takes you round some of Edinburgh's most haunted sights, including a walk through a spooky cemetery. 

The tour is led by the conductor who is very funny and engaging and has a good historical knowledge of Edinburgh, along with his driver Angus. It's a perfect mix of fun, facts and frights.

There are a couple of scary moments on the bus so if you are your child is very sensitive to scares you may want to be more cautious but it is more silly than scary and the children on our tour were all laughing and seemed to be loving it, we know our girls definitely were.

It was a very fun hour and definitely a tour we would do again. The Ghost Bus Tours run in York and London as well as Edinburgh so we will definitely be checking them out.

#theghostbustours #tourwithadifference #scares #laughs #familyfun #darkside #edinburgh #angusthedriver #thewheelsonthebus #makingmemories #notboredoutdoors #grassmarket

Souter Lighthouse Bike Ride

Hi Everyone,

We have always enjoyed a bike ride, perfect for a few hours of fresh air and is completely free. One of our favourite routes is along the coast, up to Souter Lighthouse and then onto Whitburn, it's such a picturesque route and it's pretty much a straight route with only a few small crossings to negotiate, so it's ideal for kids.

There are lots of lovely cycle routes in South Tyneside, which you can find in the link below from visit South Tyneside.

 https://www.visitsouthtyneside.co.uk/article/63004/Cycling

Yorkshire Wildlife Park

Hi Everyone,

We visited Yorkshire Wildlife Park during half term using the National Lottery Days out offer. Reducing the price for a family of 4 from £66 to £16.

https://notboredoutdoors.blogspot.com/2021/11/national-lottery-days-out.html

We probably picked the worst day weather wise to go as we had snow, hail, rain and wind but thankfully we did get some sunny spells. The bad weather didn't spoil our day at all. The park itself is a good size with a wide range of animals. I think we were most impressed with the polar bears as we had never seen these in real life before. They are beautiful animals.

Our youngest is a huge Zebra fan so was very excited to them, they even seemed to stand and pose for photos which was very cool. As well as animals in a typical zoo setting they also have walk through areas with lemurs and wallabies which were really nice to get close to.

All the animals were amazing but what makes Yorkshire Wildlife Park different is all the play areas. There seemed to be a different area at every turn and so well built, it is like an adventure forest. They were suitable for a range of ages and our 9 and 12 year old thoroughly enjoyed them. There is also a massive free soft play in the park with a area for smaller children. Children of all ages were having a great time in it and to make it even more special it over looked the monkey enclosure so we could watch our monkeys and right next to actual monkeys.

It's a brilliant day out. We were there all day despite the terrible weather. It's always been a place we wanted to try but was a bit put off with the cost, as we weren't sure what to expect but after visiting we definitely think it's worth full price but don't forget to use the lottery offer while it's still available. The money you save can be used in the gift shop and food outlets 😃. We'll definitely be back.

South Lakes Safari Zoo (Re-Up)

Hi everyone,

On Sunday 25th August 2019, we were lucky enough to visit South Lakes Safari Zoo and take part in a number of their animal experiences, which were amazing and insightful. 

Firstly we met and fed the female Kordofan Giraffes, these are absolutely beautiful and the whole experience was amazing. Seeing the giraffes using their long black tongues to reach out and take the food from our hands was spectacular.

We then moved onto feeding the ringtail and rough Lemurs which were the most gentlest animals we have ever met. They were holding onto our hands whilst taking the food, such a surreal moment. 

By far the most unique experience we have ever had was hand feeding the mother and son Jaguars Bonita and Remi. This was absolutely amazing, to see these animals up close and personal really helps you to appreciate their size and beauty. This is something we will never forget. 

Unfortunately all these animals are classified as Endangered or criticality endanger in the wild due to deforestation, hunting and the tourist trade in their native countries. This is such a shame for any creature let alone gorgeous ones like these. 

We finished the day by feeding the Humboldts Penguins. These little ones like their food and will surround you in an instant but we didn't mind as they are lovely. 

The Safari Zoo in general is fantastic. Unlike other zoos we have visited, this one feels very relaxed and open. It feels more like you are part of the animals world rather than viewing them inside an enclosure. The staff are very friendly and welcoming. Their knowledge is extraordinary and you can see they are extremely passionate about their job. 

As well as pre-booking animal experiences as we have detailed above, there are many opportunities throughout the day to feed and interact with the animals and keepers. 

The zoo is open year round with the exception of Christmas day. It is very reasonably priced but they also have offers available on the door if you purchase a map for £1 or book online to save 20% using the link below. 

https://www.southlakessafarizoo.com/online-safari-saver/

Overall this was a unbelievable and unforgettable trip. We would thoroughly recommend anyone to go and support this fantastic zoo with the work that they are doing whilst making family memories that will last a lifetime. Here are some photos and videos from our time there.

Rainton Arena Winter Wonderland Offers

Hi Everyone,

There are some great discounts for Rainton Areas Winter Wonderland ice rink and Aladdin Pantomime at the moment. Follow the links for all the info and to  get your tickets.

Aladdin:

Pantomime discount tickets here

Get a ticket to see the wonderful Aladdin pantomime 

Traditional pantomime mixed with an updated twist with Tiktok dances, songs  and more 

Can multibuy vouchers for families and groups

Family friendly pantomime but with entertainment and humour for all ages to enjoy

Spend some quality family time together making memories 

Shows running from 5th-22nd Dec 2021

Shows start at 11am and 3:30pm

Ice Rink:

Ice rink discount tickets here

Largest ice skating rink in the North East 

Ideal for all skating abilities whether you are a natural on the ice or like Bambi on ice there's fun all round.

After your skating you are at the winter wonderland with Santas Grotto, a full fair ground and world food stalls at your feet

Spend some quality family time together making memories 

Monday to Thursday 4pm-8pm

#ad #neoffers #pantomime #aladdin #icerink #raintonarena #raintonarenawinterwonderland #Christmas #familytime #notboredoutdoors

The Hole In Wand

 Hi Everyone,

We visited @theholeinwand wizard golf yesterday and we're so surprised by just how much fun it is. It is set up very much in the style of Harry Potter and each of the 9 holes has a wizard theme. 

It is very immersive as there is a backstory to go alongside the game and also a letter hunt. At the end depending on your score you will receive a potion. Different scores receive different ones. We were very excited to enjoy them in the Tavern.

The Tavern menu is quite fun and also wizard themed. Everything looked lovely and definitely finished the golf fun off well. We wanted to give a big shout out to the staff. They are so friendly and really set up the wizard mood perfectly.

Prices start at £6.99 and definitely do book before going as it's very popular and quite often becomes sold out. 

#holeinwand # #holeinwandyork #harrypotter  # visityork #potions #york #familytime #igotaholeinone

National Lottery Days Out

 Hi Everyone,

The National Lottery is still providing vouchers for great days out. To get a voucher worth £25 all you have to do is buy a lottery ticket worth over £2. 

So not only do you get a chance to win some money, you also get to enjoy a great day out at a lower price!

Full details of the promotion and a list of days out that the voucher can be used for can be found here, there's absolutely loads to choose from:

https://www.visitbritainshop.com/gb/en/nationallotterydaysout

Northumberland College Zoo

 Hi Everyone,

There's a cracking deal for Northumberland College Zoo at the moment. You can get a family ticket for only £10. Tickets are valid Sat & Sun, 10am-4pm - weekday Oct and Feb half-term dates available!

Check out the full details and get your tickets here:

https://tidd.ly/30NkjK1

Rainton Arena Winter Wonderland

 Hi Everyone,

Rainton Arena is back this Christmas with another fantastic event for all the family to enjoy. They have absolutely loads going so do check it out:

"Can you guess who's flying into Winter Wonderland this Christmas? 🎅🏼🎁

From November-January you can take a trip to Santa's grotto, a skate around the Ice Rink, a ride on our fairground rides and try our delicious food and drinks stalls. 🎡⛸️

Entry is FREE however you will need to purchase tickets for Santa's Grotto and Ice Rink which are available on our website."

Ice Rink ❄️: https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Durham/Rainton-Arena/Winter-Wonderland---Ice-Skating-2021-later-sessions/35841561/

Santas Grotto 🎅🏼: https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Durham/Rainton-Arena/Winter-Wonderland-8211-Santas-Grotto-2021-Early-Sessions/35842392/

Newcastle Winter Wonderland

 Hi Everyone,

How amazing does Winter Wonderland sound!!

"The BIG Wish LTD is proud to present NEWCASTLE LARGEST WINTER WONDERLAND in the heart of Newcastle Upon Tyne at Newcastle Racecourse! 

Join us from 19th November through to 2nd January for a fun filled family day out! 

We have something to suit all of the family! From thrilling rides and attractions to Santa Claus himself and his naughty elves! Glide across the ice on our real ice rink! Visit our Christmas market, including street food stalls and Christmas themed stalls! Take a weight off with a pint or a mulled wine at our giant German Bar, where we have incredible live bands."

For more information and to book visit:

https://www.facebook.com/Winterwonderlandnewcastlebigwish/

#winterwonderland #newcastleracecourse #iceskating #funfair #familyfun #christmas #christmasvibes #

School of Rock

 Hi Everyone,

We had the most amazing night last night watching  @schoolofrockuk at the beautiful @sundempire . We had previously seen the show in London a few years back so we knew we were in for a treat but we were totally blown away again by just how amazing the show cast and production is. It was also wonderful to get outdoors again and watch live theatre.The atmosphere from the audience was fantastic. We have to give a huge thank you to The Sunderland Empire for giving us the most wonderful night, it is a beautiful building filled with wonderful staff and amazing shows.

If you've missed School of Rock this time round they are back in the North East at the Theatre Royal Newcastle in March 2022. We can't recommend this show enough for families, kids and adults. 

Alton Towers

 Hi Everyone,

We had an amazing time at Alton Towers  yesterday. We particularly enjoyed the new World of David Walliams zone, we would definitely recommend a visit to any fans of his out there.

Our youngest was able to ride Thirteen for the first time which she absolutely loved and we managed to ride most of the rides on our visit and have a trip to the dungeons so happy kids and adults at the end of the day. 

There are a few new retro rides at the park this year which were alot of fun, and the 80s rock tunes went down a treat.

The park was very busy so please do bare this mind if you plan a visit and are worried about covid. We managed to avoid most of the big crowds using the app but there are some points where this isn't possible.

#altontowers #familyfun #choochoo #screamifyouwanttogofaster #davidwalliams #theworldofdavidwalliams