Days out in Northumberland
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Wed 30 SepTowns and placesThings to Do in Berwick-upon-Tweed: Walls, Beaches and Wet Days
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Bairns & Beaches is a guide to beaches, castles, walks and days out in Northumberland, written by Dan and Julia, a North East family who holiday here as often as they can. Guides, a calendar of events, Holy Island crossing times and two free emails a week, all checked against the venue's own page.
Holy Island causeway
Can we cross to Holy Island?
The tide covers the causeway to Holy Island twice a day. These are Northumberland County Council's published safe crossing times, copied exactly as the council publishes them.
Always check the council's official times and the signs at the causeway before you cross; times can change and the tide can be affected by weather.
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What this county does best
Castles
Castles of Northumberland
The castles on one map, with seasons, prices, parking and which ones suit children, plus a passport you can tick off.
Explore the castles →Dark skies
Dark skies
The International Dark Sky Park: tonight's moon and darkness, the observatories, meteor shower dates and where to stand.
Tonight's sky →Wildlife
Puffins, seals and birds
The Farne Islands and Coquet Island, 35 places to watch birds on a map, month by month, and a list you can tick.
Go wildlife watching →Latest guides(17)
↗Things to Do in Berwick-upon-Tweed: Walls, Beaches and Wet Days
↗Things to Do in Northumberland With Kids: Where to Start
↗Seal Pups in Northumberland 2026: Farne Boats and Where to Watch
↗Santa in Northumberland 2026: Trains, Grottos and What They Cost
↗Rainy Day Things to Do in Northumberland (That Aren't Soft Play)
↗October Half Term in Northumberland 2026: What's On and What's Shut
Coming up this week
Family days out
Tenderly: The Life and Times of Nat King Cole
Wed 30 Sep, 19:30
The Hearth, Horsley Details ↗
The Alnwick Garden 25th anniversary weekend
Thu 1 Oct
The Alnwick Garden, Alnwick Details ↗
History Hunters: home education session
Thu 1 Oct, 11:00
Seaton Delaval Hall, Seaton Sluice Details ↗
Lunchtime Live
Thu 1 Oct, 13:00
Hexham Abbey, Hexham · Free Details ↗
The Alnwick Garden 25th anniversary weekend
Fri 2 Oct
The Alnwick Garden, Alnwick Details ↗
Grown-up days out
Berwick Film Society: Miroirs No. 3
Wed 30 Sep, 14:00
Maltings Cinema at Berwick Barracks, Berwick-upon-Tweed Details ↗
The Okavango Delta: a talk and journey to Botswana
Wed 30 Sep, 17:20
Etal Village Hall, Etal Book ↗
Alana Brook organ recital
Wed 30 Sep, 19:00
Berwick Parish Church (Holy Trinity), Berwick-upon-Tweed · Free Details ↗
Vanbrugh 300 talk: Sandy Nairne, Sir Charles Saumarez Smith and Mark Newman
Thu 1 Oct, 18:45
Seaton Delaval Hall, Seaton Sluice Details ↗
Berwick Comedy Club
Thu 1 Oct, 19:00
The Straw Yard, Berwick Barracks, Berwick-upon-Tweed Details ↗
Start here
Family weekends
Castles, beaches, boat trips, forests and half-term fun, for children of school age and their grown-ups.
See family events →Weekday wanders
Guided walks, talks, gigs, gardens and quiet days out for couples, friends and anyone with free weekdays.
See grown-up events →Add it to your calendar
Subscribe once and every event, with links and map pins, lands in Apple, Google or Outlook.
Subscribe →Find your Northumberland
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Why we make this
Bairns & Beaches is our own guide to exploring Northumberland. We wanted a plain, honest place to see what's on and where to go, so we built it, and we share it because we think it helps visitors and the people who live here alike.