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Wanderlog staff Updated • updatedMar 31, 2023
How long is the drive from Sunderland to Glasgow?
The direct drive from Sunderland to Glasgow is 165 mi (266 km), and should have a drive time of 2 hrs 54 mins in normal traffic.
If you’re going on a road trip from Sunderland to Glasgow, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way — with Newcastle upon Tyne, Stirling, Keswick, Alnwick, Hexham, Carlisle, Durham, Falkirk, Dumfries, and Gateshead, as well as top places to visit like Locomotion and Gateshead Millennium Bridge, or the ever-popular Durham Cathedral.
The top cities between Sunderland and Glasgow are Newcastle upon Tyne, Stirling, Keswick, Alnwick, Hexham, Carlisle, Durham, Falkirk, Dumfries, and Gateshead. Newcastle upon Tyne is the most popular city on the route. It's less than an hour from Sunderland and 3 hours from Glasgow.
Gateshead, located in the Gateshead Metropolitan Borough of Tyne and Wear, England, sits on the southern bank of the River Tyne. The town offers a range of accommodation options both in its city center and near popular attractions. Visitors can enjoy stunning views over the River Tyne while dining at one of Gateshead's favorite spots, making it an ideal location for a sunset meal.
40% as popular as Newcastle upon Tyne
3 minutes off the main route, 9% of way to Glasgow
Durham, located in northeast England, is a picturesque city known for its historic landmarks and natural beauty. The iconic Durham Cathedral and Norman Durham Castle are situated along the River Wear, offering a glimpse into the city's rich heritage. Visitors can explore the medieval Crook Hall with its charming gardens and maze, while nature enthusiasts can wander through Durham University's Botanic Garden, home to diverse plant species.
54% as popular as Newcastle upon Tyne
10 minutes off the main route, 9% of way to Glasgow
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Newcastle upon Tyne, often referred to as Newcastle, is a vibrant city located on the northern bank of the River Tyne in Tyne and Wear, England. It is the largest settlement in both the Tyneside conurbation and North East England. The city offers a diverse culinary scene with underground eateries serving up delicious burgers paired with craft beers from local and UK breweries. Additionally, Newcastle boasts an array of pubs where visitors can unwind and soak up the lively atmosphere.
Most popular city on this route
4 minutes off the main route, 12% of way to Glasgow
Hexham, a charming market town in Northumberland, England, sits on the picturesque south bank of the River Tyne. It serves as a bustling hub for hikers and cyclists exploring the surrounding rolling hills, woodlands, and riverside paths. The town's proximity to Hadrian's Wall makes it an ideal base for delving into Roman history. Visitors can explore Hexham Abbey with its impressive 12th-century Early English Gothic architecture and delve into the crypt adorned with ancient Roman inscriptions.
35% as popular as Newcastle upon Tyne
4 minutes off the main route, 25% of way to Glasgow
Alnwick, a market town in Northumberland, England, is steeped in history and charm. The medieval town boasts cobbled streets lined with independent shops and eateries that offer a taste of the local retail and food scene. Visitors can explore the iconic Alnwick Castle, famous for its appearance as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films, as well as the enchanting Alnwick Garden with its treetop dining experience. The town also features historic inns and a renowned theatre.
57% as popular as Newcastle upon Tyne
16 minutes off the main route, 28% of way to Glasgow
I'll never travel to Glasgow without this trip planner again
Keswick, a charming market town nestled in the Lake District National Park of northwest England, offers a blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Visitors can explore the Cumberland Pencil Museum and Keswick Museum & Art Gallery to delve into local heritage. The ancient Castlerigg Stone Circle and the picturesque Derwent Water lake provide opportunities for outdoor adventures and scenic boat tours. Additionally, golf enthusiasts can enjoy the Keswick Golf Club's course with stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
75% as popular as Newcastle upon Tyne
36 minutes off the main route, 48% of way to Glasgow
Carlisle, a city in Cumbria, England, is the county town and administrative hub of the City of Carlisle district. Situated 8 miles south of the Scottish border, it is often referred to as a "border city". The meeting point of rivers Eden, Caldew and Petteril adds to its geographical significance.
29% as popular as Newcastle upon Tyne
6 minutes off the main route, 50% of way to Glasgow
Dumfries, a market town and former royal burgh in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, is situated near the mouth of the River Nith on the Solway Firth. As the county town of Dumfriesshire, it boasts a rich history and is renowned for its connections with Robert Burns. The town features attractions such as the Theatre Royal, Dumfries Museum, and various parks.
19% as popular as Newcastle upon Tyne
21 minutes off the main route, 60% of way to Glasgow
Stirling is a city located in central Scotland, known for its historic landmarks and attractions. The old town features Stirling Castle, situated atop a rocky volcanic outcrop, while the National Wallace Monument stands on the Abbey Craig overlooking the site of the Battle of Stirling Bridge. Visitors can also experience interactive 3D displays at the Battle of Bannockburn Experience to learn about the history of this conflict.
86% as popular as Newcastle upon Tyne
25 minutes off the main route, 84% of way to Glasgow
The Falkirk Wheel is a remarkable and distinctive boat lift that was constructed in 2002 to link the Forth & Clyde Canal with the Union Canal. This modern engineering feat features a rotating mechanism that raises vessels by 115ft from one canal to the other. Visitors can embark on boat trips departing from the lower basin, which pass through Roughcastle Tunnel before completing their return journey via the wheel.
What an amazing experience. The sun was shining. The trip was excellent. The Captain and Crew were knowledgeable and really funny. The engineering aspects were incredible and the views spectacular. Ended the trip with lunch at the Boardwalk. Highly recommend both.
pam birtle — Google review
For the mechanical-minded and water-loving sorts, this is a must visit. There are many family-oriented activities in and around the Falkirk Wheel. Great for a day out, as there is a cafeteria and store on site. There seems to be ample low cost parking. There is no other cost to visit, unless you take a boat ride on the Wheel and canal, or participate in one of the other on-site activities.
Jeremy H. — Google review
An astonishingly beautiful piece of engineering that's more like a work of art. The views from the top are fantastic. Don't forget to check out the light show in the Falkirk Tunnel a short distance along the Union Canal heading towards Edinburgh - magical.
Brian Kennedy — Google review
amazing boat trip, boat was packed so would recommend booking before hand. all staff were really polite and helpful, coffee cakes etc all available there too! gift shop had loads of options.
lauren perkins — Google review
The world first and only rotating boat lift. It’s a fantastic innovation and unique piece of boat lift to connect the surrounding Canals. Well worth the visit to explore the area and admire this amazing engineering work 🏴
PH PC — Google review
I have lived here all my life and never been here. I wasn't disappointed. The boat ride was really interesting and was good to learn all about it. The crew were amazing and very knowledgeable. The views are spectacular. It is definitely something to experience. There is a cafe with outdoor seating so you can enjoy a coffee and cake whilst watching the wheel in action. And of course a gift shop with plenty of items. A great day out for all the family.
Sharon Noble — Google review
Really amazing! Very cool bit of engineering, and the park for the kids within the facility is fantastic. Caters really well to families and the amenities are well kept. Really looking forward to taking a canal boat down the Falkirk wheel in the future. Definitely recommend.
Alex Sewell — Google review
An original place to spend time with the family. It has a very large playground and the walk around the place is very good. You can see how the boats rise on the wheel to continue their journey through the canal. it is worth the visit. Don't miss the colored tunnel located in the upper part of the canal.
Javisa Australia — Google review
Stunning piece of engineering designed to raise and lower boats between (I hope I have this right) the Falkirk Canal and the Forth and Clyde canal. Getting to and walking all round the Wheel is free but you can pay to do a boat ride that takes you up and down in the wheel or you can just watch this happening. There's a large a friendly cafe there. Not very easy to access on public transport. I took a train from Edinburgh and cycled. I've included a video of the wheel in action.
Angus Hamilton — Google review
A wonderful piece of architecture. I was full of admiration for how it worked and it still works very well. My journey here took me 5 hours, I was so happy that I finally managed to see it and the weather was good. I recommend spending time there with your family, There is a playground, a shooting range, and water balls and I plan to finish building water rockets for children to shoot at. Inside there is a shop, 1 large restaurant and a stand for buying sandwiches and coffee, toilets and beautiful works of local artists. The area has 2 access roads, 3 large parking lots, and pedestrian and bicycle paths. The entire area is green, but wear a warm jacket or sweatshirt because sometimes it is windy and you will be cold. I recommend it, I will come here again.
The price of parking is favorable, see the photo in the gallery how much it costs to park.
Kinia K — Google review
Went to visit the Falkirk Wheel in January 2024. Unfortunately the wheel was under maintenance work but most of the wheel was lit up and we were still able to visit and see the wheel. Lots of fun too. Also huge respect’s to the owners of the site as there was maintenance happening the car park was permitted as free. Huge thanks to the respects there!
kindness ARK — Google review
Lovely site,something I've wanted to see for sometime. We were able to park beside the shop being a blue badge holder! As the cafe was packed we bought the most amazing hot chocolate from the mobile coffee van, delicious!
Susan Bradford — Google review
As a tourist destination this has everything you expect. Expensive coffee, expensive food a gift shop and something to look at.
To be fair, parking is free and there is lots for the kids to do, just happens that we're adults so I have to be fair in review.
The kids playground was nice and if you wanted to avoid paying parking at The Kelpies they are just a 90 minute walk along the canal.
It was interesting to see the Wheel spin but unfortunately due to high winds boat tours were not running.
If it's your first time in Scotland, got kids with you or you're particularly interested in Canals this place is an obligatory stop.
Robin Steer — Google review
Great engineering matter. Must see near to Edinburgh, Stirling or Glasgow. Wait for moving, a ship flows in, the carousel moves and the ship is high above you and goes on direction glasgow. Great experience. I also recommend taking more time for a longer walking around the wheel. The nature scenes with views are beautiful, good for your healthy and they are amazing places for your photography. After walking don't hesitate to refresh yourself by a coffee in restaurant next to wheel.
Robert Fillner — Google review
We recently visited her in May half term, we managed to get parked fairly easily, there is a charge for the car park. The wheel itself is very interesting to see, we booked for a ride on the boat up the wheel and along part of the canal and back. It was reasonably priced and you receive information about the wheel and history of canals on board. We really enjoyed it as a family.
We also played on the water balls on the surrounding water which the children loved and the little boats. The staff were friendly and we didn't have to wait long. There was also a play park there.
There was other activities you could book there such as bike hire and archery however we didn't book these.
There was toilets, food and coffee vans as well as a shop for souvenirs.
We had a fab few hours here and would definitely recommend a visit.
Victoria Topping — Google review
If you are into amazing engineering then this is a must see if you're anywhere nearby. Essentially it is a boat lift which lifts canal boats from the lower canal up 35m to a higher canal via a huge wheel, thus avoiding the need for multiple locks. Plenty of information and a visitor centre, plus well laid out canal side walks linking various places of interest and local towns and villages. Very interesting.
Steve Mann — Google review
An engineering marvel and must see , enjoy a trip on barge (do book it) or just walk around the park. Walk to the top and see the barges load up , you can also walk though the tunnel and over the top back. At the bottom there’s a kids water play area (see pics) and you can also hire SUPS.
Spencer Hudson — Google review
Good signposts to get to the car park. ANPR is used for the car parking. Drop off is free, take the ticket at the barrier, drive down, drop off, drive back to the barrier, scan the ticket and drive out. 20 minutes is the limit.
Payment for parking is via ticket validation at the yellow machines, card only.
This is an amazing piece of engineering and physics. We managed to get tickets for the last trip of the day, which was just a full rotation of the wheel as there was not enough time to have the full trip before the attraction closed. The guides on they trip boat were fantastic, they were informative, funny and ensured everyone was safe and enjoyed the trip.
There are quite a few activities around the area including the Antonine Wall, the canal tunnel, walking trails, water balls, shooting range, a playground or you can just watch the boats.
Inside the visitor centre there are information boards on how and where the wheel was made and built. There’s also a restaurant, a gift shop, toilets and a parking payment machine.
It’s well worth a visit, we can’t wait to go back to do the full trip, but this time book a trip time in advance.
Dave Holland — Google review
We visited on a wet day but this meant it was quiet, great gift shop and cafe and you can book a boat trip to experience the wheel in motion. Really is worth watching it in action. Lots of side attractions to spend more time. Free to see the wheel and only needed to pay for parking, £3 for as long as you needed, definitely worth a visit.
Sarah Welek — Google review
It wasn’t very clear how the place works. We looked around for ticket prices or times for things but wasn’t easy so sort of gave up. Tried to play mini golf but couldn’t get the kit. Other people were playing and we went to the hire place and it said golf was opening soon go there, but golf had a sign to go to hire. Gave it 10 mins and gave up as patience of a nearly 3 year old is thin 😂
Everything looked closed so maybe just bad timing. Looks like in the summer could be really good. Visited April Easter holidays.
Melanie Comerford — Google review
An amazing feat of engineering. We were given a lot of information by one of the staff a really well worth trip. Unfortunately, when we were there, the basin was drained whilst they undertook engineering work. Buy still worth the trip.
David Trenbath — Google review
Excellent solo visit midweek during half term. Admired watching the wheel operate from the hill (near segway) before descending to the visitor center. Grabbed a delicious macaroni cheese for lunch, the cafe was buzzing, lovely friendly staff. Booked the last 90 min wheel boat ride. There was clearly lots of activities to keep you busy, but I just admired this marvel of engineering and its many photographic opportunities. The tour was great and well worth doing. Something quite surreal about ascending and descending silently afloat. Plenty of parking, clean, ample toilet facilities, cafe and coffee bar with indoor seating, and gift shop.
Rebecca Grimbly — Google review
One of a kind engineering wonder that will make you wonder what's next?
A great place for kids and friends to explore.
Try the gift shop and don't forget to buy some tablets.
No not the iPad or android kind. It's a snack. Ask the store keeper.
Mahmoud Nowaz — Google review
Although we have been a few times, the weather was good enough for us to pretend we were tourists and it didn't disappoint!
We went with our now 6 year old son. There were plenty of activities for him. He chose to do the wee paddling boats, and then we played with the archimedes water pumps, which im so glad are back in action! Super cute! Then we went into the playing area until it was our time for the boat trip.
The ticket was a bit pricey, but we thoroughly enjoyed it! The guy doing the commentary was funny and engaging. Got some stunning photos!
100% recommended to both tourists and non-tourists! #falkirk #falkirkwheel
Abbas Aliakbar — Google review
Unfortunately we visited the Wheel during its maintenance time, but a friendly Scottish gentlemen with a black Labrador informed us that it would be back in operation in March. I wasn’t bothered it wasn’t running, just looking at it and reading about the facts of the Wheel was enough for me. There was a gift shop and coffee shop in the visitor centre so it was nice to enjoy a coffee and scone and looking at the Wheel. We shall definitely come back to see it again. It’s worth noting that if you are a Blue Badge holder like my fiancé is, parking is free when the Wheel is operating. In the winter months the barriers are up so any vehicle is free which I think is really nice.
I’ve put I recommend booking tickets in advance purely because when the Wheel is operational again I expect it’ll be busy, so save yourself some time and get the tickets online.
Can’t wait to come back!
Kathryn Hall — Google review
42% as popular as Newcastle upon Tyne
20 minutes off the main route, 86% of way to Glasgow
Best stops along Sunderland to Glasgow drive
The top stops along the way from Sunderland to Glasgow (with short detours) are Stirling Castle, Beamish, the Living Museum of the North, and Alnwick Castle. Other popular stops include Durham Cathedral, Derwentwater, and The Alnwick Garden.
The Norman CofE cathedral in Durham City, also known as Durham Cathedral and St. Cuthbert's shrine, is an architecturally innovative masterpiece that boasts a treasury museum. The seat of the 4th ranked cardinal in the Church of England hierarchy, this church sits on a rugged peninsula overlooking the medieval city below and is one of Europe's most stunning sights. Its Romanesque-style architecture is awe-inspiring whether viewed from Palace Green or Prebends Bridge.
Amazing visit, now one of my favourite Cathedrals. Big thanks to the staff and volunteers who were without exception friendly, knowledgeable, entertaining and enthusiastic. Keep up the good work. Sad that the tower wasn't open, but there's no accounting for the weather!!
Lucy Mortlock (Mooosy) — Google review
Whether you are religious or not, Durham Cathedral has something for you. Beautiful architecture, movie history (some of Harry Potter was filmed here), medieval carvings etc. it’s lovely to see and brilliant that it is being restored and maintained so well. I visited during December 2021 as part of the Durham Lumiere and it was wonderfully lit up on the outside. My visit this week was to refresh myself on the beauty of the inside and it did not disappoint.
I didn’t indulge in the cafe but there were plenty of seats and tables that were nicely already out and the prices seemed reasonable. You can take guided tours and visit the tower too.
There are numerous staff/guides to help and inform you but if anything, there are so many at times I felt a bit watched!
This filters into a criticism. The Cathedrals admission is free but you are encouraged to donate (they recommend £5). There are numerous payment points but the one I didn’t like was the desk where they took payment, and people weren’t able to donate or students with no money seemed to cringe past through the barrier system trying not to make eye contact! Having already donated cash into one of the boxes early on my visit, I had to wait my turn behind a queue of tourists making donations and kind of edge past them. I really think this could be made less intimidating for visitors.
Finding Balance — Google review
Wonderful cathedral located in the centre of the city on high ground. The tower is magnificent and the 300+ steps to the top rewards you with superb views of the city and surrounding area. Also the Hidden Treasures museum is well worth a visit.
Richard Wilson — Google review
Very impressive building. Coffee shop, gift shop. Free to walk around inside just made a donation. You can also book to go up the towers for a small fee, maybe next time I visit I'd like to give that a go
Don Limpio — Google review
We visited Durham for the day. We climbed the cathedral Tower & took some beautiful photos. The weather was amazing, giving us stunning views. We had a lovely scone, jam & cream at a little cafe called Cafe Dal, just down from the cathedral. Very friendly owner, it is obviously popular as people were queuing, but it's worth the wait. All the cakes are homemade 😋.
Linda Robertson — Google review
Worth visiting place. Magnificent well preserved cathedral. Once Was a shoot spot for several movies ( including few parts of Harry Potter ). Also there are few interesting old graves in front of the cathedral. Entry is Free but donations is advisable ( to support maintenance), also you can get some tour on payment basement.
Ksenia Maslennikova — Google review
Very beautiful views at night during the lights festival. The cathedral is really very ancient and historical with lot of engraved structures and carvings on the stone building walls. It is a fine example of ancient architecture and the creative calibre of the old artists. It should be preserved by the local authorities at all cost as it represents the history of Durham. Standing on the hilltop with excellent views from the riverside, it is one of the most beautiful monuments of the northeast. It is very near to the Durham city centre and car parking can be found at the Prince Bishop's car park.
Anup Kumar — Google review
A must see for everyone, no matter their proclivity to religion. The architecture is amazing and fortunately this is still being looked after and the upkeep is ongoing and specialist skills are being retained. The volunteers are very welcoming and were very knowledgeable when asked questions. The roof top visit is a must for those not acrophobic. The views are incredible but the stairs will be a challenge for some.
David Kay — Google review
Lots of history here. If you book a tour, you get a lot of information. There is also a museum linked to the cathedral. Nice to walk around the site. Harry Potter 1 & 2 were filmed here too. Harry Potter tours can be booked.
Andi 51 — Google review
We did the roof top tour and it was great - really interesting. Not sure how one gets to do this as a member of the public though, ours was specially arranged. On a clear day the views are amazing from the roof, and the tower visits are open to anyone who can manage the climb! (And Harry Potter movie fans will spot several familiar locations in the cloisters and chapter house.)
Julie Brazier — Google review
Great place to visit.
Great architecture.
Its free although they try their best to get a £5 per person donation out of you!
Well worth an hour wandering around taking it all in.
Andrew Bickle — Google review
A glorious space with a fascinating history. Extremely helpful volunteers to answer questions and guide your visit. The 300+ steps up to the roof of the central tower are well worth climbing!
Pippa J-Cee — Google review
A lovely Cathedral to visit, amazing art work and artifacts. A £5 donation gesture. But, be mindful that it's extra to go into the Tower and art gallery which will set you back £7.50 for each entrance. Overall a lovely few hours spent and the cafe was nice, too. My wife enjoyed the walnut and coffee cake. Would recommend it if in the area.
Viking 1476 — Google review
This was our second visit to this stunning Cathedral.
It's so beautiful and lots and lots to see.
It's been used in some movies too.
There's a cafe (can get very busy) and toilets.
It was very busy the day we visited as it was Easter Weekend but it wasn't overwhelming and it didn't spoil our visit.
I'm limiting my photo posts so as not to spoil it for anyone.
Louise Bentley — Google review
Phenomenal. Breathtaking. Spiritual. Spectacular. So much to see. The cathedral is free to enter however donations are voluntary (they help so if you can please do). Wheelchair friendly. On the grounds of the cathedral is a car park for blue badge holders only. There is public bathrooms. Old surrounding buildings including library, museum and Castle (£5 entrance for tour one every 30min). The cathedral hosts daily services as well as evening prayer. The cathedral is at the top of the hill. It is a fair incline. Lovely walk up to the church passing Lovely shops, restaurants and coffee shops along the way. Great place for all ages. Phenomenal history. Can spend anywhere for 30min to a few hours here.
Christine Lewis — Google review
Lovely Cathedral it was quiet when we walked round but it was New Year's Eve and Durham itself isn't busy. I'm guessing that's down to fears of omicron. Well worth the suggested donation.
Helen Dubej — Google review
Amazing pieces of history and to just walk around this whole place is just mesmerizing, getting to see all the artifacts and knowing a few movies where filmed here make it that much more special.
Really enjoyed the time here with the family and exploring.
Dustin de la port — Google review
Simply amazing and spectacular on all fronts. From stunning architecture that makes you think how on earth they built the cathedral, to stunning stained glass windows and Harry Potter staring cloisters. You have to find to time to visit.
Martin Wright — Google review
Beautiful Cathedral, inside and out with fascinating history. The cathedral has many volunteer local historians who, when available can provide fascinating insights into history of the Cathedral and its construction.
Cafe is good and toilet facilities well maintained.
Adam Cresser — Google review
Its a beautiful cathedral. No ticket fee but one can donate if you like so. The structure itself is 1000+ years old and find many tombs inside the cathedral. One of the most spectacular thing and must see is the musical organ. Also movies like harry potter, snow white and the huntsman & endgame took locations from the cathedral.
Shijo Jose — Google review
Beautiful and splendid cathedral. Durham cathedral is full of history, and was built in the 11th century. It’s the most typical Norman cathedral in England. The space inside the cathedral is large, and there is a huge model of the earth hanging in the middle of the cathedral. It also includes a courtyard surrounded by corridors and was used as a filming place for the Harry Potter movies.
it get — Google review
Durham is an amazing cathedral. Easily one of the most impressive in the country. We paid to climb the tower. It was £7.50 each and well worth it. We'll be visiting again
iestyn pritchard — Google review
Great to visit. Museum well worth the £7.50 p/p. Lots of interesting things to see. Look for the stone mason marks on the limestone bricks.
Karl Chadburn — Google review
What a beautiful place to visit. So much to see in the Cathedral. Amazing architecture, carved wood everywhere I looked. Please if you visit don't forget to look up. The bats had been distributed by the storm a few days earlier and they were flying around the cloisters I couldn't believe how many people hadn't noticed them. There are on this video.
Clarky Clarke — Google review
Captivated by this building and it's history. So grateful I knew so little about it before my visit. I was totally unprepared for the impact it would have on me.
You have to go to this place, it is an unmissable building if you are are resident or visitor to the uk.
Thanks to all the wonderful, friendly and enthusiastic guides, particularly the young man by the huge doors who explained so much about the building's use and architecture, and monasteries in general.
Entry is free but please leave a healthy donation if you can.
Please note that if you want to visit the castle that it is a university and as such has specific times for guided tours. Although don't let that stop you going to the cathedral if you can't make the castle opening times!
Helen Smith — Google review
Amazing place to visit. No charge for entry but there is a suggested donation. You can also book on to go to the top of the main tower. Massive cathedral, full of history with so much to see inside.
David Forster — Google review
We only had time for a flying visit today but made sure that we got up to Durham Cathedral.
As a building it is very striking, standing above much of the city; inside the stonework is so beautiful and the stained glass is breathtaking.
Whilst you are exploring the surrounding ding areas see if you can find the medieval pilgrims route upto the Cathedral as we did. It is marked, but you’ll have to look closely! See the photos for a clue.
Anne Marie Stagg — Google review
This place is absolutely stunning and so magical. It really is a must-see for any Potterhead as Philosophers Stone and Chamber Of Secrets were filmed here in parts. It was also used in Avengers End Game. There are no words to describe how beautiful the exquisite architecture is, and there is plenty to explore. The walk-up to the Cathedral is very steep, but there is a bus from the City Centre that drops you right outside. The staff are all volunteers who are incredibly friendly and welcoming and full of stories about the many features inside the building. There is a lovely cafe and shop inside which is well worth a visit too 😀 It is free to visit but donations are welcomed and you have the opportunity to purchase a candle to light for £1. You can film inside the building but no flash photography.
Sarah Stuttard — Google review
One of the most beloved and monumental cathedrals in all of England. As an American I am constantly in awe of the sheer variety of immense and majestic buildings here that exist in the United Kingdom. Yet even in that tradition, Durham cathedral is quite special, particularly because of the combination of Gothic and romanesc architectural styles. Heavy and solemn arches inside the nave contrast with soaring vaulted ceilings that represent some of the first experimentations with what would become the early Gothic style. Even if you are not an architectural obsessive or a person who finds serenity in being relieved from the myopia of routine through absorbed into the mystical vastness represented by ancient cathedrals, I still greatly recommend coming here. The museum is unpretentious and quite informative, depicting the lives of the monks who lived here before the Reformation, and I also highly recommend the elegantly serene cloisters that are striking enough that movies like Harry Potter were filmed here.
Joshua Fagan — Google review
Being my first time at a cathedral, this experience certainly sets a high standard for future cathedral visits. The details in the sculpting and crafting of this edifice is magnificent. Spent about 4hrs touring this venue and just couldn't get enough. I'd say go there for yourself and find out how fascinating this cathedral is- so much history too!
Joshua Matthew — Google review
Lovely Cathedral with a great history of Church of England. Lovely organ. The service was excellent with great memories of Anglican Communion. Proudly Anglican
solomon fab — Google review
Truly beautiful and absolutely worth a visit. I was not aware that the Venerable Bede was buried there (as well as St Cuthbert). I will definitely come back for another visit.
Tomas Cvrcek — Google review
A marvellous historical place hold the history of 1000-2000 years ago. Wonderful architectural design. Graves of people from history nearly 2000 years ago infront of cathedral . Historical place must visit. Peaceful quit and clam . Secure
This fascinating museum features some of the world's most majestic steam locomotives, as well as interesting period rolling stock. It is one of the largest railway museums in the world, and is based in a former steam-train depot in downtown York.
Locomotion is a free museum. The donations are not mandatory. You can book your free ticket online and if you are happy to donate you can do it at the end of the visit.
If you a train lover you are going to enjoy the museum. There is a lot of trains to see. Because of the covid, some exhibits are closed and you won’t be able to see them inside.
On site there is plenty of free parking spaces. As the other section of the museum is closed for reconstruction the visit time will be around two hours.
I would definitely recommend it, it is free so you have nothing to loose.
Ross Malickis — Google review
An excellent way to spend a couple of hours. The museum is lovely and the exhibits are well placed for good viewing. Lots of interesting facts and a chance to see the working bits close up. Train wheels are seriously scary! The Royal Carriage is beautiful.
In addition there is a well stocked shop (filled with memorabilia that is a train enthusiast's paradise) and a lovely little cafe so you can round off your visit with a cuppa and a snack.
I'm amazed this interesting little museum is FREE TO VISIT but we were more than happy to make a donation.
Worth a visit and 100% recommended.
Barbara Wilson — Google review
Very good free museum with some interesting trains and a challenging little train ride. We only had a couple of hours here but enjoyed looking at all the trains. The ride on the Rocket involved more flying ash than I'd anticipated but still worth doing (once would have been enough though - they didn't need to take us twice).
Richard — Google review
Brilliant free museum for young and old. Good selection of trains & rolling stock. Easily visited by train but quite a walk from the station. Especially worth visiting when they have events as I did. You can make a no obligation donation as you leave.
Paul Cochrane — Google review
Great museum with some important British rail history within. It's not super big but you can spend 2-3 hours there if you have a proper look at everything.
Cafe is quite good too.
Only real negative is that reading online you used to be able to get more access to some of the locomotives and on this visit there was a lot of signs blocking things off.
There were also some rolling stock in the middle of the place that you couldn't get a good look at sadly.
I hope one day APT is more accessible as it would be amazing to see inside.
Had a great day here though, well worth a visit
Aidan H — Google review
Ample parking 🅿️ next to working railway too so train station nearby. The examples they've got on display have been restored and cared for beautifully. In particular I enjoyed looking at the royal train and carriages of the 1900's and queen Alexandria's personal carriage. I'd say the night ferry was really interesting too, and the Winston Churchill locomotive is huge! Great place especially with free entry. Make a donation when you visit. Keep the heritage alive!
Tara Linkowska — Google review
This is a fantastic museum to visit. An absolute gem. It is just right for a family day out. Not overly long yet xaptures imagination and enables visitors to learn something new. It goes from strength to strength and new developments will engage and encourage future visits. The renovation works are exceptional. It us a must. The cafe is reasonably priced, comfortable and serves as a little treat following the visit. Love Shildon!!
Adele Thain — Google review
Fantastic afternoon at Locomotion. There was so much for us to see and do. Our 3 year old loved everything about it including the outside play park and the activities within the main shed. The staff and volunteers were friendly and helpful. A highlight was standing at the controls of an engine and the knowledgeable volunteer (Bob I think his name was) providing a very detailed talk.
We also had lunch there which was very tasty and reasonably priced. All in a great day out.
Michael Moody — Google review
A splendid museum full of some of the most amazing locomotives and stories. The staff were very helpful and friendly. We wondered round for about an hour and then had a cuppa. The disabled facilities are the best. I would heartily recommend a visit it seems to be very children friendly including a playground
Paul McCullock — Google review
Lovely place. Free entry donations only. Don't be shy. Good day out for the family. There's a gift shop, cafe, outside hot drinks stand. We'll worth a visit. Staff are very hopeful and knowledgeable
nigel ETHERIDGE — Google review
Brilliant little gem. Lots for train enthusiasts and very kid friendly. The park is lovely and the Easter themed activities were great. Also, the cafe was lovely and the best food I've tasted.
Hayley Nunn — Google review
Free entry, donation made! Some lovely ages. The Winston Churchill locomotive is spectacular. As is the royal carriages from 1900’s.
aleksander linkowski — Google review
Took my friends son for a couple of hours last week, and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. A very informative chat about the workings of a Black 5 while sat in the cab was the highlight. Living my childhood again, with the youngster living his first time around 😁👍
Jon Shaw — Google review
Best train museum I’ve ever been to! Amazing selection of engines and rolling stock. Helpful guides and a huge gift shop. Not much more to say, it’s the ideal railway museum to go to this year. Especially since they will release a new engine shed in spring! It’s going to have 27 new rail vehicles and be the world record holder for historical rail vehicles in a museum in the world! Truly an icon of the area, with the oldest standing station just down the road. Any enthusiast should come down here!
General Tauntaun CIS — Google review
Went on 29th Dec to see the Flying Scotsman with my two sons and we had a brilliant day out. Locomotion is an excellent place to visit and the exhibits are superb. I think it's being extended as well for the future.
Obviously the Flying Scotsman was the star but there was so much else to see including Stephenson's Rocket and some great history.
The wait to go onto the FS footplate was up to two hours though.
Lee Morris — Google review
We visited today as a family with a very excited little boy who was desperate to see The Flying Scotsman.
Parking was rather frustrating. In the website it advised using the car park at the ‘collection building’ as there main car park is currently under construction. The only problem was: we had no idea where that was as never been before and it wasn’t highlighted on the map…
We queued for a good 20mins before we got to the gates of the main car park where a member of staff was managing cars in and out. We asked him about the additional car park and he said he had been told nothing about it. I feel this is maybe something that could be looked at.
When we did get parked and we squelched through the mud bath of a car park we were not disappointed. (Don’t wear your best shoes!)
The Flying Scotsman was there right out the front in all its glory. Thankfully the 90+ mins to step onboard was inside the museum otherwise we would have got rather soggy.
A really nice laid out museum with lots to see and different activities for little ones to get involved in.
The gift shop was great…. Could have spent a fortune in there!
Cafe looked nice but after spending a fair amount of our visit queuing to get on TFS we didn’t fancy the long queue for refreshments.
Overall a nice visit.
Crystal Brook — Google review
Fantastic day out. Free entry but we made a donation anyway. There was a lego workshop on which my children LOVED. plenty to see and interactive stations dotted around as well as various activity stations of knex, lego, mega blocks etc. Cafe is awesome with train chairs and tables to eat at!
Sam Carter — Google review
Visited to view the Flying Scotsman on tour,
Spent 3 hrs queuing to experience the footplate. Amazed to see how many people including very well behaved kids queued for so long for this experience.
John Lonsdale — Google review
What an educational and child friendly space! Loved all of it . free entry and car park is on site also free. Don't miss playground.
Elena Leeming — Google review
Great, free museum to while away a couple of hours. Knowledgeable volunteers. Lovely open atmosphere. Reasonable cafe.
They are in the midst of a massive expansion programme which will be amazing when finished. Personally, I don't get so excited by the engines themselves but enjoy the social history that surrounds them. Would have appreciated a little more story telling - hopefully that's coming in 2025.
B B — Google review
4.6
(3594)
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4.5
(999)
Dale Road Industrial Estate, Shildon, DL4 2RE, United Kingdom
The Gateshead Millennium Bridge is a stunning, iconic bridge that crosses the River Tyne between Gatesheads Quays arts quarter and the Quayside of Newcastle upon Tyne. It's a popular spot for people travelling on pleasure boats or for those simply walking or cycling.
Superb piece of engineering and architectural design. Had a best view of the river tyne when you are standing at the center. Also, you can see other different bridges including the famous tyne bridge its a great place for photo opportunities specially at night where lights are all over the bridge and the surrounding areas. Lots of shops and cafes nearby to fill your tummy
Adam Namingsan — Google review
The bridge itself is stunning. We have the chance to have visited this in the day but it is more stunning at night. Near this bridge is a bar which is great to unwind better to sit outside near the bridge so you can feel the fresh air and cool wind on this time of the year. The staff are friendly but the drink cost a little expensive for a pint.
Symon Sioson — Google review
One of the main attractions of Newcastle upon Tyne. Located at the centre of the city. The place is good for a handout with friends or family. Easy to access either via public transportation or by private vehicle.
Anandu S — Google review
You can't miss this bridge when walking the quayside, illuminated in the evening it makes for a stunning sight. Not only photogenic but also incredibly practical as it allows access to Gateshead from Newcastle and vice versa. The bridge also tilts to allow boats through which is an interesting watch.
When walking across it at busy times you may notice a slight 'bounce' in the bridge, really strange feeling but I'm sure it's solid so nothing to worry about!
Oliver Henderson — Google review
This is a lovely place to take pictures and especially at night. The scenery is mind blowing.....with a good camera of course
Chris Sebastine — Google review
A great tourist attraction + a very practical way of crossing by foot and cycling to the other side of the Tyne
The bridge pivots to allow larger vessels to pass underneath
This was an industrial and commercial based area back in the day but now is a very pleasant way to spend some time sightseeing
Jon Atk — Google review
What a fabulous time spent their, one particular thing we feel good for the level of architecture which we developed in few decades of time....is amazing, as you can clearly see the no's Of bridges just ahead of it and each one tells its story. Can spend a whole day by just sticking on it
Amit Chand — Google review
I had the most amazing time with my wife and friends at Gateshead Millennium Bridge in Newcastle. The memories we created here will be cherished forever. This place is perfect for anyone seeking a delightful evening alone, with friends, or with family. The bridge, especially at night, offers a mesmerizing atmosphere that adds to the magic of the experience. Whether you're strolling along the riverbanks or simply admiring the beautifully lit surroundings, this iconic spot in Newcastle is a must-visit. Highly recommended for creating lasting memories and enjoying quality time with loved ones.
Sajad Soorni — Google review
I love this bridge, walking at night/morning, sunset/sunrise, winter/summer. It’s such an icon for Newcastle. From the number of photos, you can tell how much I love it. Great design, welcomes everyone, runners, cyclists, walkers, children or walking your pet. It gives Newcastle a modern and stylish touch.
Rayan Alkadi — Google review
Nice place to relax! It's just beautiful down here.
Rafiq Ali — Google review
These are my actual photos from weekend of Feb 23. Beautiful Newcastle upon Tyne Quayside, amazing sky tonight with calm River Tyne. Such beautiful views. You will find the famous Tyne Bridge, Swing Bridge and Millenium Bridge.
The Sage. This modern building has quite a unique design of huge glass windows, views from here are rather special out across the River Tyne and along The Quayside, designed inside for musical concerts and jazz bands, parties etc to emphasise acoustic sound.
The Baltic Centre, the old Flour Mills, now has a restaurant/cafe bar namely,
Six Baltic Restaurant and serving cocktails and fine dining food.
Also the iconic Millenium Bridge, changing colours. A wonderful vibrant Quayside with many fabulous restaurants, Ginos, Tomahawk Steakhouse, Hardrock Cafe, plenty bars, coffee shops, hotels such as The Hilton, Malmaison and Leonardo Hotel, offers good food and lovely views of The Millenium Bridge.
Sunday is Market day with good quality craft stalls, jewellery, leathers, clothes, gifts etc and food and drinks vans available all along the Quayside, it is definitely worth a look.
Take a stroll on the Quayside .. there's a good path past the Staithes and in the other direction past the Pitcher and Piano, also a nice little walk. Theres always plenty going on and you won't be disappointed. Also, you can take a boat trip down the RiverTyne during warmer weather and take it all in. x
Yvonne Hood — Google review
Amazing atmosphere. Beautiful view. Love walking nearby the river at nights enjoying the lights and calmness.
Sandra Prasad — Google review
Not only a beautifully designed pedestrian and cycle bridge, but also great views of Newcastle’s older Tyne bridges and some main sights.
Pedro de Pedra — Google review
Lovely walk along the quay side.Different bridges, and lovely architecture and statues. Very impressed with visit to Newcastle .
Bill — Google review
It was a great experience to walk across this spectacular modern bridge linking Newcastle with Gateshead. There's a wheelchair accessible pedestrian walkway, a cycle track, metal seating and a fantastic view along the river towards the Tyne Bridge, with the Swing Bridge and the two-tiered High Level Bridge behind it. Some great photo opportunities. I didn't realise it when I was there, but this is the world's first tilting bridge. You can watch it tilt at noon every day between May and September - or you might be lucky enough to be there when it tilts to allow a ship to pass underneath. The quayside is also a pleasant (and level) place to stroll, with outdoor cafes, bars and restaurants.
Valerie Hinchliffe — Google review
Iconic bridge over the River Tyne in Newcastle, best enjoyed at night, where its striking display of colour outlining its shape is best seen.
It owns a world first achievement in that it's the only tilting bridge, to provide navigational clearance for larger craft. It carries a pedestrian footway as well as a cycleway, enabling both groups to travel between the Newcastle Quayside and the opposite Gateshead Quayside.
Here you can find two iconic buildings to visit and enjoy - the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and the Glasshouse International Centre for Music. Take the lift to the top of the BALTIC building for great views of the city.
Neil Tufano — Google review
Sometimes you just go somewhere at the right time of day. What a beautiful bridge and the stunning sunset provided a great photo.
Justin Turner — Google review
Definitely worth a wander across, it is an outstanding piece of modern engineering, connecting Gateshead and Newcastle with a stunning design and revolutionary tilting mechanism. The views of the River Tyne and the surrounding areas are breathtaking and the bridge is a fantastic way to soak in the vibrant atmosphere, particularly during events happening nearby. I highly recommend taking a stroll across this architectural wonder as it is truly a must-visit if you're in the area.
The Quayside is a great place to go for a relaxed evening with friends. It's got exposed beams, stone walls and terrace tables, perfect for real ales and pub grub. Plus, it's situated right on the river which makes it a great place to watch the romantic sights of Newcastle.
Incredible back garden with a great atmosphere and even more on sunny days. Big choice of drinks and food. Very clean and good service.
Marta Foronda — Google review
Came today during the day, it was great! We had a view of the river, the food was nice for the price, and the service was quick. Would recommend for anyone looking for a cost-effective place to eat/drink.
Sophia Arvaniti — Google review
What a great lovely place this is. It is little walk down from monument metro station and from the local bus service but we'll worth the walk down on a lovely day, actually central station metro station is closer. The people were lovely and friendly,the place itself was nice and clean. Has two beer gardens, one out front the other out through the back. If its not a nice day inside to eat is just as nice. The food was lovely and at affordable prices. I will definitely be back and have recommended to my family and friends already. They have accessible entrance but I don't know about accessible toilets. The toilets were nice and clean, up some stairs 😊x
Nicola King — Google review
Right on the riverside, as the name suggests, you can find the charming building that is The Quayside. There are more tables upstairs if you can't find a seat immediately (just follow the sign upstairs to the 'Ladies' to find more available).
It is fairly dark downstairs even though the electric lights are blazing, especially in the little nook tucked away to one side of the long bar. That said, to my mind this Wetherspoons is really one for a sunny day where you want to sit outside. There's seating to the river front of the building but most outdoor seatig can be found between the two red roofs of the Quayside. This courtyard with long tables, some under canvas, can be accessed via the building or from the back of the property along the parallel road.
As for the facilities, the ladies as mentioned previously is as often is the case, upstairs. The door leading to the accessible toilet and gents is to the far side of the bar, though the gents is not also downstairs as this suggests but up a different staircase.
Christine Adamson — Google review
Just love this place. The view and ambience is stunning. It’s a must have experience to sit outside with some beer and good food. It’s a very fine spot to chill after a busy day or catch up with friends. They always have amazing deals on food and drinks. We had a special meal of chicken tikka with pappadum , rice and naan it was really worth the price.
Ammu Hoby — Google review
Great location! Friendly staff happy to help, clean and tidy. Speedy service on bar and food! Would definitely recommend!
Nathan Dyson — Google review
Gorgous frontage on the river side. Looks like and is an oldy worldy pub with thick stone walls and inside are beutiful beamed ceilings upstairs. Prettiest spoons(externally, riverside) I've visited 💖 yet. Lovely friendly ☺️ staff🏆🎉🎈🥇. Ladies 🚺 loos are upstairs and far away...🙈🏃♀️🧗♀️🏋♀️😂😂.
Brenda — Google review
Love this place. Came to watch the football. People are friendly, prices are reasonable and everywhere is very clean
Debi Darby — Google review
Usual Weatherspoons experience. Pretty easy to order from the app, then drinks are swiftly brought to the table. Except coffee that you go and collect from the machine. 2 coffee machines not working but 3rd attempt was fine!
David Barnes — Google review
This is a truly atmospheric place which has a buzz about it. The staff were really friendly and helpful. I dropped a star on this occasion as I had asked for my steak to be cooked rare but it was unfortunately overcooked. This was followed by an excellent Bramley Apple Crumble but this had a bit of plastic in it! Just little things that let them down but I would suggest still a great place to go
Philip Bennett — Google review
Popped in for a drink when we had some time to kill. Large pub in what looks like an old warehouse. Great location right on the river. Outdoor seating by the river and another large area in an internal courtyard, as well as plenty of seating indoors. Pleasant stop to get some refreshment.
Karen Edwards — Google review
Pizza was great, wasn't cut though? Staff were delightful. 'Warm cookie dough sandwich' came as a slab of cookie dough with some sauce on it. They didn't have brandy glasses either. Outrageous.
Bob G — Google review
It's a nice bar right on the Newcastle quayside. It's great value for money and offers plenty of choice of good quality food. The service was good for such a busy place. The staff were polite and friendly. We sat upstairs in a nice room overlooking the river. Thanks.
Marc Barker — Google review
A very friendly and really big 'Spoon' but with this sth - climatic. The location at the river Tyne is stunning. Nearby all these important, beautiful and different bridges just awesome. Moreover, one of the best fish & chips I've eaten in spoons. During the matches (like vs Villa) the atmosphere is fantastic. Staff helpful. Really great.
kojiki123 — Google review
Pub in a very old traditional style building overlooking the Tyne. Staff are always very nice and friendly. Great atmosphere. The food is fine but don’t be expecting fancy dishes.
Carole TJ — Google review
You'll find it hard to get better value for money than Westherspoons pubs. On this city break it was ideal for a good breakfast. A regular English fried breakfast with unlimited coffee or tea was £5.95. Very quiet when we arrived just after 8.00am but by the time we left it was quietly busy. The location is right by the Tyne and the building might have been a rambling farmhouse in days gone by with small rooms and cosy corners. Just what we needed first thing in a morning. After sightseeing late afternoon we git into the habit of calling in for a glass of something relaxing before continuing to the Travelodge almost next door.
Bob Barton — Google review
One standout feature at the Quayside JD Wetherspoon is its seamless ordering system via the app. On a bustling Saturday morning, my companions and I decided to kick-start our day at this popular spot. The ability to order from the app proved to be a game-changer, especially amidst the frenzy of match day.
Despite the rush, we found a cozy spot and settled in for breakfast. The food met our expectations; it was satisfying without being exceptional. From classic English breakfast options to lighter fare, there was something for everyone.
The app streamlined our dining experience, allowing us to browse the menu, place our orders, and even pay without the hassle of flagging down a waiter. This not only saved us time but also minimized disruptions to the staff, who were already managing a busy match day crowd.
Service, while still stretched thin due to the rush of patrons, remained efficient and courteous. Despite the occasional delay, the staff managed to navigate the crowd admirably, ensuring that orders were delivered promptly.
The ambiance was lively, with the energy of fellow diners adding to the experience. Despite the crowds, we were able to enjoy our meal and converse comfortably.
Overall, the Quayside JD Wetherspoon provided a satisfying breakfast experience, with the added convenience of seamless ordering via the app. If you're in the area and looking for a hassle-free dining experience, especially on busy days, this is definitely worth a visit.
Steven Brown — Google review
4.3
(6477)
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4.5
(3265)
35-37 Close, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3RN, United Kingdom
Woodhorn Museum, located in Ashington, Northumberland, is a former 19th-century coal mine transformed into a museum and heritage center. It offers an immersive experience to learn about the region's mining history through interactive displays, exhibitions, collections, and events. Visitors can explore original colliery buildings and gain insights into the lives of miners. The museum also features art exhibitions inspired by local people and the industrial landscape. Additionally, it provides tours and showcases contemporary arts and cultural exhibits.
Friendly people and interesting points of interest, many of which have a video and/or audio presentation, but be aware the guys have VERY broad accents indeed. I enjoyed the fact that the signs are often a bit tounge in cheek whilst explaining life at the mine and wider community. There's even a section on the '80s strike which tries to be even handed making it very rare indeed. Really good day - it wasn't busy when we went and the weather was okay so bear that in mind.
Andy Cooper — Google review
Great visit. It was once a working mine and there's so much information about the history of the site. There's a lovely art gallery and a cafe for refreshments. Highly recommended if you want to learn some local history. There's also quite a lot of information about the miners strike in 1984.
Neil Smith — Google review
Very educational, great exhibition of photos and paintings. 7 pound for adults and free for u16s. Pay once and valid for 12 months
Andrew Hyde — Google review
Woodhorn museum is a fascinating glimpse of the lives of coal miners and their families. It’s extremely well laid out and very informative. The art galleries are amazing too, plus there’s a nice cafe. Plenty of parking and your admission fee gets you access for a year.
Marion Fordham — Google review
Totally brilliant place and right up my street. Gives you a great insight into the life of the miner and colliery during the last century. I love to learn about people's working lives in previous times. Watch the film in the Winding House and listen to the two guys talking about their life operating the cages all day long, moving men and materials up and down the shafts. They talk about their work with such affection and nostalgia.
Some of these miner's took to painting pictures of mining life in their spare time and formed the Ashington Group of Artists. The best of their work is now proudly displayed in the permanent exhibition here. Whilst all amateur artists, the paintings are very good.
Plenty of free parking here and not busy when I went. I really got a sense and feel for what this place would have been like when it was operating before it's closure in 1982.
First class visit.
Miles Macdonald — Google review
Really interesting, great that the North East Mining industry has been kept and educating younger generations, I important. Dog friendly, except in cafe and new building Food good. Pat once, annual pass, picnic area. Highly recommend.
Susan Marriott — Google review
Excellent source of mining history.. Well laid out and staff were so good with the knowledge. Lovely and friendly people..love you accent. The artwork was amazing. Showed some of life as a miner. Brave men.
My maternal grandfather was one.
Elizabeth Sansom — Google review
Very interesting to visit. Plenty of different exhibitions to see. Cafe on site. Plenty of parking. Entrance ticket allows revisit for 1 year
Di “Boghopper” — Google review
Excellent museum depicting the working environment of miners during the Woodhorn mine days. Small children's play area with limited seating and a pleasant cafe with a few menu cold choices. Eat in or outside.
Brenda Summers — Google review
A great place to visit and look into the local mining history. Also a good place to do family history research. Good all round customer facilities. Cafe, shop. Toilets, etc. plenty of parking space. Very friendly and helpful staff.
Thomas Downey — Google review
A delightful day out at the ex-coal mine museum with so much to see of our now, sadly dead heritage.
Not only wile away with cuppa & nibbles after browsing exhibits
take ride on the 2ft gauge railway around the "lake" edge,or even walk the whole circumference,with viewin g seats to rest on, the circa 2 mile pathed walk.
Bill Harries — Google review
A historic former 19th-century coal mine that is now a museum and heritage centre for art and local historic relics.
A self-guided walk around the outdoor site with information boards explaining the buildings' use.
The cutter is a modern building that houses the local archive, cafe, and an excellent interactive exhibition showcasing life as a miner up until the mine's closure.
Sandi Steer — Google review
Interesting place to visit. Knowledgeable friendly staff.
All nice and flat. Superb coffee shop/café.
All up well worth the entrance, which is valid for a year.
marc worsey — Google review
Very informative museum about the mining history and some wonderful art galleries. Well worth a visit. The staff were all very helpful and enthusiastic about the museum and we were even offered a motability scooter for my mam to use which meant she could enjoy it without over exhausting herself. We even had lunch in the cafe which was reasonably priced.
Linda Brady — Google review
Really enjoyed the museum. Sensible price to enter, £13 for two. Interesting info and time warp back to points in time like miners strike etc. Nice play area for kids as well as nice cafe we thought reasonably priced.
stuart hawkes — Google review
Fabulous place, allow all day though and take the tours! The life of a miner and his family in the North West is explored in an interesting and accessible exhibition, the pit painters paintings are amazing, worth the visit on its own. There is a very good cafe, a play area, union banners, art installations and a good little shop. There is a short ride on a narrow gauge train. The mine above ground is fascinating, the staff are helpful and friendly. We'll worth the admission price and you can go back all year
Marianne Skinner — Google review
4.6
(1308)
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4.5
(820)
QEII Country Park, Ashington, NE63 9YF, United Kingdom
This award winning open-air living museum recreates northern life during the 1800s/1900s. It features costumed staff, trams and buses, and is open daily from 1am to 4pm (5pm summer). Admission is free.
What a magnificent experience! Went with my wife and 11 year old son. The attention to detail is terrific and the transport around the area is vintage tram and bus. There is building work expanding the site but that is immediately forgiven due to the varied displays. I love that the ticket lets me come back throughout the year and I didn't feel ripped off buying things in the shops. I will bring the dog back too and enjoy the scenery.
Matt English — Google review
Had a fantastic day. The historic areas comes to life through the people in character telling stories of how people lived at specific times.
Well worth becoming a friend if your thinking which tickets to choose. The 10% discounts pay back the small extra cost, such as food, fish n chips, bakery, cafe, old sweet shop, gift shop etc. If you are a carer then you go free with the person you care for. Dogs are allowed if controlled and well behaved.
We will visit again later in the year and hopefully enjoy the same weather and experience seeing all the many attractions. You do need reasonable weather as many areas are outdoors.
We went in the week which can have children from schools. For me this made the experience better especially listening to them joining in an old school type lesson, reciting maths times table.
Last point, would be a great experience if you take parents/ grandparents. They will no doubt have stories to share that they will relate to with the many exhibits. Lots of ride options, trams buses on regular route to help with getting around.
The museum is still expanding so more to come.
David Hunter — Google review
Fabulous place and so much to see and experience. We only managed to get around half of it. Good accessibility for wheelchair users with a bus that can be requested to take you between areas.
Go early and make a day of it. It was really interesting. I just wished we lived closer 😞
Diane Gilmartin — Google review
Wonderful step back in time for all ages. Really enjoyed it but the only draw backs were the queues for everything. Couldn't get near the bakery, confectionary, fish and chip shop etc. The staff were so lovely and helpful. The year ticket is a great idea because you need more than one day to see it all.
Buy tickets online as buying at the entrance can take up to an hour to get in.
dawn nosair — Google review
Fascinating place to visit, our first time and all tickets allow you to return free of charge within the year. A great day out for all the family depicting life throughout from the 1800s to the 1950s. You can walk through the houses as they would’ve have been,through each timeline. There is a pub, bakers, tearoom, hairdresser all of which you can buy from, and plenty more display shops,a school, and garages to view. Ride on one of the old buses or trams which take you all over the museum and visit the 1950s farm and you can take a tour down a former working mine. A great day out for all ages to enjoy.
Suzy B — Google review
We had a very pleasant surprise seeing something different. We were told by some good friends that we'll like it. Despite the windy day and some showers it was a great experience. My son was very happy seeing old buses and the trams as well as the steam vehicles. We'll return for sure in the summer when the weather will be better.
Adrian Tasca — Google review
Visited Beamish after a stay in Newcastle and so glad we did! A wonderful unique place. Be prepared for lots of walking and any weather! Trams and buses can get you around too. It’s huge! All was good especially the town. Got some great decorating ideas for my own period home! Can’t wait to come back and see the 1950s development currently underway.
S Hunt — Google review
A must see attraction if visiting the area. Purchasing tickets in advance is a must during peak seasons. Your ticket will also allow you repeat visits for a whole year from the date of purchase.
A review on their website will tell you all you need in regards to the various attractions and their planned future developments.
Beamish is one of those places you could spend the whole day exploring and still have more to see. Once on site you can opt to travel on their restored motor buses, electric trolleybuses. or walk! A good pair of walking shoes if choosing the later, is advised to transverse the various areas spread out over this 350 acre site.
Either way you choose, you’ll be treated to a amazing travel through forgotten and living history with period dressed, very knowledgeable staff.
Most shops items are for display only, but a small amount of goods are available for visitors to purchase. The period chip shops and pub are essential to visit. There are plenty of areas to rest and relax. Cash and cards accepted, advise to take both just in case the card payment machine are having issues.
Wheelchair access to most areas. Dog friendly but some areas only allow Assistance dogs only.
Stewart Harding — Google review
Loved this place! So informative and interesting. The busses/motor vehicles were amazing to ride around on. The layout is great and easy to navigate.
The fish and chip shop at the 1950s town was amazing. Everyone that works there is lovely and really knowledgeable.
There was a little steam train running in the mining village area, that was great fun! A short ride but definitely worth a look for any train enthusiast.
Didn't see everything in one visit to definitely planning another!
jodiee myers — Google review
This living museum is brilliant. There are several areas to visit and the trams/buses take you all the way around the site. Everything from different eras has been lovingly recreated to give you as accurate an insight as possible into how life used to be years ago. There are areas from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries including the colliery area in which you can actually go down a tunnel. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. There is so much to see, it's hard to do it all in one visit so definalty worth returning because, once you've paid your entrance fee, you can go back during the following year.
Ashley Huby — Google review
Awesome place, spent the whole day there 10-5pm and only saw half of it!! Really well presented and thought out. A credit to the owners and visionaries that have produced it. A living time capsule that was a joy to experience. The sweet shop and pub are a must 😋
Will deffo be using the free annual pass included with the price of entry to go back and enjoy the rest.
Matthew Rayner — Google review
This was our second visit in a couple of weeks, and we are already planning our 3rd. The best thing about the tickets are they are valid for a year and there is so much to see. We've done the towns in two trips but we still haven't seen everything. You can easily fill a whole day here with the family. The food on site is wonderful and well worth the wait. Plenty of toilets and we love the transport of trams or buses to take you around the site. There's so much to see and it's lovely to see they are building more. Also, let's not forget the funfair. Definitely organise a trip.
S Steele — Google review
Absolutely one of the best places I've visited. The Town was my favourite I could have just stayed there and the new 1950's section looks exciting will definitely be returning to see it. All the staff are very friendly and knowledgeable always willing to chat! The ONLY downside for us was not enough drinks vendors, it was a warm day and the places that sold drinks were so busy with very large queues and few and far between, saying that I cant wait to return.
Kerry Gillott — Google review
This place is amazing. You can't do it all in one day. Try and plan your trip, ideally you need 3 days to try and see everything. At least with the yearly pass, it's possible and affordable. Possibly the best museum in the UK. You do need to get there early, to get the maximum out of your days. Some definite highlights for us the pit village and the trip down the mine. The staff in the houses and shops are amazing and so informative. I really can't rate this highly enough. We had 2 full days and want to go back already. Just brilliant. I should say it's a massive site, they have trams and buses to get you to the different parts of the site, but there is alot of walking.
Gavin Young — Google review
What a fantastic experience, really fun day out, you can spend hours here. It’s so to the point with each era you won’t be disappointed. Many themes are brilliantly put together with items, areas, people, props etc that make each area like going back in time. Would highly recommended for family, couples and history lovers.
Matthew Sedgwick — Google review
So we decided to visit Beamish during the half term holidays pretty busy for a very cold day! Started off at the new 1950 section a nice little addition to the museum then we went to the town bought some sweets and cakes which were delicious and reminded me of days at school only thing missing was custard but bought an extra one to enjoy at home. Had our lunch under the bandstand and let the children play on the grass and wander about up near the cannon then took a look around the town at the dentist, old pub and the train station. Next we went to the fairground and the children enjoyed the rides, some of our group took a tram to the mining village and thoroughly enjoyed that experience. Plenty to see and do at the mining village including a tour down an old coal mine the man who took us down was very knowledgeable explaining everything along the way. To finish up we went to the hall and the children enjoyed writing with a quill and ink and couldn't believe that was how people used to write! Overall the staff were very helpful all dressed in full uniform and remaining in character with whoever they interacted with, the park was spotless no litter in sight and we had a fantastic day at beamish would recommend a visit here to anyone.
Andrew Phillips — Google review
Back third time to this place. You pay ticket and you can back again as many times you want within one year. Clean places and so friendly staff. This place offered a lot and struggle to do everything in one day. Dogs friendly. Some of the attractions you have to pay extra. In pub they offered nice and tasty Scottish eggs. Beers are also good. Book your photographer to get picture like 40 years ago. This time I took grandparents - they really love it.
crafty travellers world — Google review
Absolutely recommend this place for a good day out with kids and family. Lots of things to do for kids. There is a funfair too. Kids will love to see the farm and the animals.
There are vintage trams and buses too which son is mad about.
Ice creams at the town center opp park are really worth trying. Must go on a sunny day to enjoy a perfect day out. Annual multi entry pass makes it even more appealing 😬
Anik Gupta — Google review
Fantastically unique place.
Really captures the essence of the various time periods that they exhibit.
They host frequent events and would recommend arriving early on these days as it gets very busy.
Definitely worth a visit if you're looking for a day activity. Certainly something that you can travel 30miles to visit.
LSG UK — Google review
Fantastic museum split into sections from 1800's to 1950. A real insight and really interactive with all the staff in period costume. This is our second visit and your ticket will last for 1 year. Best visit at the weekend when all of the museum is open (our friends visited during the week when parts were closed). Plenty of parking. Don't overlook this attraction if visiting the area.
Daren Kenward — Google review
An absolutely amazing trip back through time.
Multiple different eras through historic Britain from the 1800s through to 1950. With actors in period dress filled with facts and information. Authentic food and exhibits.
I would plan a good few hours here if not the full day, there is a fair bit of walking involved but there are trams and vintage buses for those who don't want to walk much.
Plenty benches and food and drink stops, I would bring a water bottle with you as there are plenty of drinking water taps for you to fill up from.
Forrest Hamilton — Google review
The museum has developed hugely since my last visit (many years ago) and covers a growing range of urban, rural, and industrial settings from the last 2 centuries. The period transport options to get you around the extensive site are great fun and operate frequently throughout the day - although it's also entirely walkable. Facilities such as toilets are discreetly provided in all of the settings, and there are plenty of food & drink outlets, again entirely in keeping with the historic locations so not detracting in any way. Finally, the many friendly and very well-informed, appropriately period costumed volunteers really bring the whole place to life most wonderfully.
Tony Willenbruch — Google review
Absolutely stunning. Interesting for children and adults, immersion in history. Plenty of things to do, good for picnics too. On some stations you can check cupboards and drawers - that was captivating)
Olga Leont — Google review
One of the best outside attraction museums I have ever been to. It was brilliant. Everything was just so real. The staff were in character for the period that you were travelling to. It's a shame that we only had 6 hours. So was only able to do 1890s and 1920s towns and 1940s farms. Absolutely brilliant can't wait to go again. Also the ticket price is really good for a family of 5 £20.00 each which also covers for the whole year. Incredible.
Nick Fidock — Google review
Love this place! If you take your time you can't manage to do everything in the day... we rushed around from time to time just to try and do everything, a brilliant experience for the kids with great memories
Ivan C — Google review
What an awesome place, the kids, dog and me had a wonderful day plodding along (there is transport all around the site but we chose walking). The old mine is an amazing little place, you can imagine the hardship old miners where put through and the hardware needed to keep them alive.
I love the old cottages and the special fireplaces in the cottages and the old town is cool as you like!!
The food, both hot and cold is era appropriate and really good!! Like the pork pie must have had most of pepper pig In it !!
Loads of stuff for the kids to do and the guides and staff are so patient and great at engaging them with facts and tales from the past.
I'd definitely go again, in fact I can't wait
Northumbrian Tarantulas — Google review
We visited Beamish last Thursday, thankfully the day before Easter kicked off. No queue at all to get in (10:20AM) or to purchase tickets as we didn't pre-book. Ample availability for buses and trams on this day due to it being quieter. An amazing way to access each area as some are quite a walk away from each other.
Our favourite areas were the 1900s and 1950s towns. Unfortunately the 1950s farm is currently not open during the week so we weren't able to visit this (if we'd checked the website, we'd have known this in advance). Incredible fish and chips in the 1950s chippy (no queue at all on this day). This isn't finished yet, but they've made great progress so far, can't wait to hopefully see this later this summer. My partner got her hair done in the 50s salon. Great value at £5 to have it styled and it turned out amazing!
In the 1900s town we opted to partake in a traditional photoshoot. We tried to do this in the afternoon, however they were fully booked. The staff told us that it is best to try to book this first thing in the day, as they book up quickly. However, due to a last minute cancellation, they managed to accommodate us. Both guys made us feel totally at ease, which is particularly impressive for myself as I never know what to do when a camera is pointed at me.
We arrived at opening and left just before closing and still didn't manage to fit in visiting everything. Thankfully the ticket is valid for unlimited visits over a year, so we will definitely return! Amazing staff, amazing experience, amazing day!
Jack Betts — Google review
A fantastic place to visit as you can experience history in a way that makes it real. Beamish is just amazing and everyone should go. A single day may not be enough there is so much to see
Gav Jam — Google review
We had an absolutely amazing time at beamish today, the site is extremely well looked after with loads to see and do. The staff are amazing all dressed in period correct clothing and all have wealth of knowledge about every thing related to that period. We will definitely be going again in the future. The ticket price is good as it allows you to enter for a year with the original ticket.
Richard Moore — Google review
Great day out. Alot of fun stepping back in time and seeing how people lived. Got to chat to people dressed accordingly to that era. One thing that stuck with me was how happy all the employees were, it was very apparent that they all really enjoyed working there.
For me personally the highlight was the little hairdressers from the 50s.. There was a lady called Adelaide who was great fun, very knowledgeable and she did 2 very brilliant up-do's in me and my friends hair.. she made us feel really welcome and had such a laugh trying on dresses, shawls and bags then took our photos. Beamish was very clean and tidy. Highly recommended for a great day out!
The Bowes Museum is an eclectic collection of antiques, curios, art and relics housed on three floors in a grand building. The centerpiece of the collection is a finely crafted life sized automaton that performs daily.
Excellent museum and grounds. Hugely interesting story of the couple who built and collected items to fill it. Very high quality exhibits, across a broad spectrum from furniture, silverware, ceramics and paintings to religious artifacts. The staff seem genuinely excited to work here and were very knowledgeable. Once purchased the ticket lasts for 12 months and the on site restaurant was also 5 star.
Andy Stewart — Google review
Good day out with range of ways to pay, we went for annual local ticket which proved cheaper than the standard day ticket. Loads of parking but best not to use the main car park area as the lead up road has massive pot holes just park on the peripheral road. Loads to keep you occupied, and even got to see the Silver Swan being tested. Nice café with plenty choice, good shop and clean toilets. Highly recommended.
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Malc Clements — Google review
This place is amazing. Such a diverse range of items on show from vintage toys, fashion, gorgeous furniture, modern art, curiosities and of course the famous Swan. The swan is absolutely stunning, however you can't see it work at the moment as it needs renovation work. Their is a video to show you it working and the history of it. Good access for disabled visitors like myself. Lift to each floor and accessible toilet.
Jane Harrison — Google review
A great museum. The collections are amazing, paintings, furniture a whole load of stuff, to numerous to mention. Staff are very helpful and friendly. Cafe is excellent and offers good food options.
Garry Howell — Google review
What a beautiful museum, always something of interest to see, especially like the focus on costume / fashion. You need a whole day as there is so much to see. Portrait galleries are stunning. Cafe is excellent, easy to park. It is quite dear to get in...I think you may be able to visit all year for less than we paid for the day but I wasn't told that when I paid and would have gone for that option as it was cheaper! Also gift aid option is more expensive which I don't understand as they claim it back.
Charlotte Gordon — Google review
Completely unexpected to find this gem in the middle of the country side
Absolutely beautiful building and stunning collection of art, furniture, clothing and very querky inventions from over a few centuries ago
The day that we visited was snowing and already decorated for Christmas which made it really special.
Would recommend a quick stop at their cafe. Coffee and food were great!
Unfortunately, the silver swan is undergoing reparations at the moment.
We bought the 1 year membership ( which ironically is cheaper that the day pass) so planning to visit again!
Alba Fern — Google review
Lovely afternoon here! Very informative and a huge variety of pieces!
The Swan is beautiful! Like nothing I've ever seen before! The short video on the Swan is definitely worth a watch.
It's a shame The Bowes never got to open the museum, but such a lovely reminder of them throughout!
Polite and helpful staff!
Lovely well kept grounds.
Free parking.
Tickets are valid for a year! Bonus!
Didn't make it to the cafe but will most likely return as we enjoyed the museum so much!
Couldn't help but wish I was allowed to explore the private areas of this beautiful building!😍
Lowenna Gibbons — Google review
An absolutely amazing building, steeped in fascinating history and containing thousands of interesting works of art, design and craft. To get the most out of this museum you should allow yourself time to wander, you could easily spend a whole day here looking through the exhibits. The Raymond Briggs showcase was on when we visited and it was absolutely astounding. Would definitely recommend.
Luke Sharples — Google review
We Did Not Know What To Expect From This Museum As Its Our First Visit, But It Has More Than Exceeded Our Expectations, Very Welcoming When You Step Foot Inside And It's A Real Eye Opener To What's Inside. This Was An Amazing Experience And Reasonably Priced For What You See. The Museum Also Has An On Site Cafe And Gift Shop... A++
Paul Brown — Google review
Great place to stop for a wander in the woods and admire the French style gardens. We didn't visit the museum itself but enjoyed a browse in the well stocked gift shop and had an early lunch in the cafe. Great gluten free options. Enjoyed a gluten free roast beef sandwich with crisps and side salad. Plenty parking on drive in front of the big house and in the car park behind. Very popular with dog walkers.
Dorothy Warren — Google review
Fabulous museum with so much to see you’ll probably need a second visit. The Silver Swan exhibit was particularly wonderful.
It’s a stunning building to with a lovely cafe and friendly staff throughout.
Loads of car parking spaces and well looked after toilet facilities.
Adam Cresser — Google review
Excellent day out. Loads of exhibits to see and arranged well around a beautiful house and gardens. Coffee shop and restaurant on site. There is also a lift for disabled access as the museum/house is set over 2 floors. Recommended.
jedinite128 — Google review
Interesting collection of pottery and I did enjoy the murmurings bird exhibition. However, I checked the website the morning we were travelling specifically to visit the silver Swan (76 miles), which had been repaired before Christmas. Paid £18 each and then told the Swan was again being repaired! Not worth £18 entry especially when it's star feature is again kaput!
Cheryl Petcher — Google review
We visited Bowes on the Heritage Day & it certainly attracted hundreds of people as well.
I had read up about the museum prior to our visit but even so just blown away by the sheer size of it.
We arrived early Saturday afternoon & parked at the front of the museum & went for lunch. The restaurant was very busy but they say its that busy every weekend!
After lunch we took the lift (yes there's a lift) to the 3rd floor & the Art gallery. Just blown away by the beautiful landscape pictures on display. Other galleries to look out for are the Ceramic & Furnishings. We also saw the famous automata Swan & a Clothes gallery.
Lovely way to spend the afternoon.
Staff were very helpful.
Bryan Gilbert — Google review
Visited December. Loads of old stuff (tat) to look at. There is a big painting of a cow a mechanical arm playing notes on an organ and someone in a shark suit on a skateboard riding into a river; made the hour drive worth it!
The staff were great, some were as stuffy as the antiquities.
The metal swan wasn’t out, getting fixed or something, didn’t miss it bit of old junk probably worth more as scrap.
Bought a local season ticket as it was cheaper than a day ticket still £27. Don’t think I will be using it again.
Had a look in the cafe did fancy a sandwich for £8.
Woke Christmas / merry winter😂
Jason T — Google review
Excellent place to visit, we visited this place last year and didn't see everything, so we returned this year to complete our tour. There are so many interesting collections to see, and it is very informative. Also if you stay for lunch the food is very good at a reasonable price 👌 👍
The Alnwick Garden is an impressive garden complex adjacent to Alnwick Castle, envisioned by the Duchess of Northumberland. It boasts a vast network of formal gardens that cover 4.8 hectares, including the world's largest Tai Haku Cherry Orchard and a massive treehouse restaurant. The centerpiece of this garden is the Grand Cascade, featuring 120 water jets that cascade down through 21 weirs, creating an awe-inspiring waterfall effect.
Beautiful place for relaxation. Nice picnic areas. Swings for every one! Numerous water features, lovely little maze. Garden at the back that has amazing roses! You'll enjoy your time by yourself and with your family.
Asif Awais — Google review
Very nice walk at the peak of spring. Most of the apple blossom had fallen but had a calming walk around leading to the top garden. Very good wheel chair access and tidy. Gardeners answered any question's. Poison garden was extremely interesting and the scale of the fountain took me by surprise as this was my first visit.
Curtis Barley — Google review
Wow i did think over £17 per adult to look at a garden was steep but man it was worth every penny (kids go free) we spent all day here! The poison garden was fantastic. Cocktail van fabulous. Just such a stunning garden felt like i was in a fairy tale!
Linzie Cairns — Google review
Lovely day out for three generations for my mum's birthday. Bit of a rainy day but didn't dampen our spirits.
Cafe food was really tasty, queues were a bit long and prices varied depending in what you wanted. Plenty of seating options.
Will have to return to see the Cherry Blossoms in bloom.
Samantha callaghan — Google review
This was such a delightful day. The kids just loved every minute. Beautiful setting and super clean and tidy. So much for the kids to do and the staff were all amazing.
Gemma Twinning — Google review
I was here with my family on holiday, even tho it was raining it was fantastic all the same. The scenery and atmosphere even on a day where it is just raining is outstanding. The poison garden was fantastic and the guide was amazing and funny and made the experience enjoyable. And the water features and bamboo maze is a must see as well. The cafe is brilliant for a quick hot drink stop. All in all great place to go
Peter Groat — Google review
One of the best places you can visit in the country let alone the world. First day was cancelled due to high winds, we are talking enough to knock you over. Duty manager said we can come back the next and it was a real pleasure to finally explore the Alnwick gardens in piece and at my own pace. They was a lot more I hadn’t really thought of and each section was just as wonderful as the last section. I highly recommend it for anyone to come and visit at least once
Mark N — Google review
The gardens are fantastic. Obviously not as colourful as earlier in the year but still beautiful. We did the guided tour of the Poison Garden which was excellent - informative and funny and also had a cream tea in the cafe which was delicious. Well worth the fee.
maria miller — Google review
A wonderful place to visit any time of the year. Magnificent gardens and water features. The rose garden and the poison gardens are exceptional. Good food, especially in the Treehouse restaurant. Shop is great. Excellent place for kids and good parking. Brilliant all round...
Mark Allen-Warren — Google review
A fantastic family day out when the sun is shining 😀.
A lovely place to be, so we'll out together and designed.
We paid a one-off payment of £33per adult that covers us unlimited access over 12 months. We chose this one, as it includes free carpark, 10% off in the cafe/shop, and no need to book in advance before visiting.
A huge bonus is that children are free, and they can spend all day running and playing being children.
It is all very clean and tidy, with plenty of things to keep you fed and watered along with being fully entertained.
Andrew Horn — Google review
Nice morning out exploring the gardens and many fountains with the family. Enough to keep little ones entertained for a few hours - who doesn't like getting a soaking by a fountain? It is a little pricey if you're just heading for the gardens only, and if bringing the little ones worth doubling up with Lilidorei. Crazy Golf is a great distraction for little (and big) feet - our boys loved it.
Leon Butler — Google review
Absolutely incredible garden. Completely symmetrical, I was blown away. Staff are extremely friendly and the poisonous garden is definitely worth a visit. Plenty of places to sit and get away from the world in peace for a while. The fountains are amazing. I would certainly make a special journey to visit the garden. The cafe is available on site with toilets and plenty of seating. Parking outside the garden is £3.50 all day and you must pay for entrance, you save money booking online.
Martin Hook — Google review
Really spooky! 100 deadly and intoxicating plants to discover. A tour guide takes you on a 30 minute long journey with a group. Lots of dangerous stuff to see and cool stories from the guide. There's also a wee tunnel covered in ivy on the way out. The castle is just next door and was featured in the Harry Potter movies as Hogwarts. There's archery at the castle. And a haunted burger van in the gardens.
Snack Sabbath — Google review
Alnwick Gardens is without doubt the best and most diverse gardens that our family have visited. There is genuinely something for every age group and interest.
The kids loved the maze, treasure hunt, fountains and swings in the blossom tree orchard. I thought the tour of the Poison Garden was incredibly interesting, made by the engaging and funny guide.
There is a massive cafe with plenty of sheltered seating, which was useful on a rainy day. The shop is also really big and has a great selection of products.
We can’t wait to go back - five stars!
Duke — Google review
Wow! A beautiful wander through well thought out areas, with lots of labels identifying the plants (often lacking at other gardens). So much to see and do for all ages. I was fortunate enough to hire a mobility scooter (free) so even though I have intermittent mobility issues I could access all areas. The café is great, as is the huge covered patio area. We were lucky that the ducks and ducklings were wandering around the tables while we had lunch!
Hayley Archer — Google review
Fantastic garden where accessibility is well catered for. Ample disabled parking, and all paths are wheelchair/scooter friendly. The walk through the cherry trees is very clever, especially with all the swings- can only imagine how pretty that is when in full blossom. The only bit that’s not fully accessible by wheelchair is the steps up and round the fountain, can get so far as there are ramps to get you to the middle section where you can see the water jumping over the oath. Bamboo maze was fun and very clever. Lots of benches so you can sit and admire the surroundings. Food was lovely. Really enjoyable day out.
h baxter — Google review
As always the gardens are a lovely experience and day trip for anyone. The car park is only £3 for the full day which is great if you also want to venture into the town which is only a stones throw away.
The price of admission is ok, but I never understand why they charge you an extra couple of quid for gift aid, and yet they claim the 20% VAT on the tickets, seems like a right con to me. Plus, they don’t actually ask you if you want the tickets without the gift aid. They simply assume, which I felt quite insulted by.
That gripe aside, the gardens are lovely. The walk around can take you around an hour or so. There’s loads of open spaces to have a picnic and enjoy the lazy sunshine.
The gardens are amazingly put together and the water features are enjoyed mostly by kids getting soaked wet.
In all, a great hour spent wandering around. But the tickets could be a bit cheaper, and the staff could give you the option of giving gift aid as opposed to simply assuming.
Chris C317 — Google review
This is a great place for all ages. The grounds are beautifully maintained and the water fountain display is amazing. The cafe does nice food and drinks which are reasonably priced and everywhere was clean. The poison garden tour is definitely worth doing and it's included in the entrance price. Highly recommended 5*
Mark Reid — Google review
Went with 2 of the grandkids for the Xmas light show, great evening, weather was dry, my first visit to the gardens and I will definitely be back. Very impressed indeed. Advance booking recommended for the event.
John Turnbull — Google review
Beautiful gardens, a must if you are in the area. Kids will love arts and crafts activities, playing with water and learning about plants. The poison garden is very interesting, a lot to learn; there usually is a cue (tours every 30 min) and places fill up quickly (around 20-25 people per tour). The area with wooden swings under the trees is so peaceful. Restroom and restaurant available on site.
Fabrizio Oddo — Google review
We spent the day at Alnwick garden and Lilidorei and it was magical we had the best day together and my kids are older at 10 and 17 we spent the day laughing and smiling and in this completely amazing fairytale world! When the kids are this age it's hard to spend quality time together and here it felt like we were little kids again! I would 100% recommend going! My only suggestion would be go early or late as from about 11 it got so busy was really difficult to properly explore!
jess — Google review
Gorgeous place to visit! The staff were amazing and I was able to book in a mobility scooter for free which allowed me to get around the park with ease.
There is lots to do in the park and I highly recommend the poison gardens. Our tour guide John Nox was amazing! He was so knowledgeable and fun. He made the experience really interesting and enjoyable and managed to make many of us horrified !
They accommodated a big group of us for a tour as we missed the last one by a few minutes which we were so grateful for.
Emily Harrison — Google review
Visited on a Saturday. Second time going and had been previously a number of years ago. I feel they are improving the place even since the last time I visited and felt like there was more to see this time around. Really enjoyed the informative Poison garden and the host was very engaging.
random User — Google review
Visit to the gardens, late March, just before Easter. Gardens slowly wakening up with spring colour, we did the poison garden tour, and the guide was very informative. Lunch in the cafe was reasonably priced. Had a quick walk around the new Lillidore - such a magical place for children.
Marie Stapleton — Google review
Beautiful gardens with stunning Waterfall and fountains. Definitely well worth a visit. Give yourself plenty of time as there is much to see. The swings amongst the cherry orchard is a nice place to sit and relax. The poison garden tour is a must. Barbara your tour guide is very knowledgeable and funny. Gift shop and cafe on site.
The castle is a huge, imposing structure that has remained largely unchanged since the 14th century. It is now most famous as one of the filming sites for the Harry Potter series of books and movies, but it is an excellent place to visit for anyone interested in history or architecture. The interior of the castle is sumptuous and extravagant, and there are stunning Italian paintings on display. There are also several interesting gardens inside the complex.
Lots of great tours. We intend to keep coming back with our annual passes. Fabulous interiors as well as views from the castle and the landscape that surrounds the area. It is great coming back to watch the floral display evolve. Well worth a walk around the grounds surrounding the Castle itself.
John Conley — Google review
Alnwick Castle is a beautiful place to visit. It has many attractions such as the magnificent state rooms, Fusiliers Museum, attractive grounds, the stable wing where demonstrations take place of swords and chain mail plus there us a huge dressing up wardrobe.
Near the stables is Dragon Quest, escape from the sleeping dragon. Fun for children of all ages and adults. The room guides are very knowledgeable.
They have a Professor on hand to teach broomstick training which adults and children do. It was great fun.
There are two free guided walks at different times during the day of the grounds and a film and TV walk showing where films such as Harry Potter and Tobin Hood Prince of Thieves was filmed.
There is a lovrly cafe and two sets of toilets within the castle.
The castle is free for members of Historic Houses but otherwise payable.
The beautiful gardens full of fountains are a separate attraction with separate charges.
I visited the castle and gardens over two days there was so much to see and do.
The Castle car park is opposite and has a parable charge as you enter.
Christopher Watkins — Google review
Alnwick Castle left me spellbound! From its imposing exterior to the exquisite interiors, it was a journey through centuries of history and enchantment. The opulent State Rooms, stunning art collection, and well-preserved medieval architecture were awe-inspiring. The highlight was undoubtedly the Alnwick Garden, a mesmerizing blend of beauty and tranquility. A captivating destination for history lovers and garden enthusiasts alike. A true gem in Northumberland!
Felipe Almeida — Google review
This was a hard one for me. The castle is beautiful and well maintained. However I love to go everywhere and see all of the castle. I do not care much for modern parts of castles. I view them from a medieval perspective. This one has many other things happening. The Harry Potter stuff is nice for those that are into that. There is also a nice children's area.
Randy Wrinkle — Google review
Spent the morning walking around the castle. Costs £20 per adult. So average price for a stately home.
But it is far from average. Take the Walk around the ground tour. It lasts about 45 minutes, and you get so much information about the Percy family and the history of the castle.
Then, visit the state rooms again. It's great to see all the family history.
Finally, we stopped for a cup of tea and a scone and jam. All in all a great few hours
Roger Ince — Google review
The most magical, beautiful and scenic castle I have ever seen! It was like visiting Hogwarts.
Staff were friendly and approachable. They took photos for me as I was visiting solo. Staff were helpful informing me where Harry Potter scenes were filmed.
You learn how to fly on a broom and how to make it fly saying "up, up, up".
You would need a good 3 hours if not more to view. So much for children to do.
Dragon lair was so scary but amazing.
There was a play on for the children. Lots of activities for children to play.
Toilets on site.
Cafe on site.
Gift shop on site.
Rebecca Louise — Google review
What a beautiful castle. You can explore the entire grounds so make sure you have some decent time to do so. Photography is prohibited inside the castle rooms. Lots of shopping and dining options right outside the castle.
Jason Pribush — Google review
The castle exterior is just beautiful, it’s not a surprise that movies scenes are shot in their surroundings.
In addition, on the day of my visit, they also staged different activities like - medieval music, falcon exhibitions, so on - utterly fascinating.
The interiors are also worth a visit, there is actually quite a lot to see.
Matt R — Google review
Fabulous place to visit, we were fortunate that we managed to get in on the last day before the castle closed for the season.
Had a fabulous time wandering around the castle, plenty of information around the rooms and loads of volunteers who were more than happy to share their knowledge with you.
Recommended place to visit.
Graham Walker — Google review
Enchanted. Glorious day makes for an experience. The foundation display and the planting and structure of the gardens were lovely. The castle and its setting were beautiful. Not able to take photos inside the castle but the state rooms are worth seeing.
Kim Bayley — Google review
Beautiful historic place to visit for all ages. There was plenty to see and lots of activities aimed around children with adults to join in too.
The living area inside was outstanding and well worth the visit.
Lisa Falkowski — Google review
Interesting castle with lots to see and do. Clearly the Harry Potter theme is prevalent with activities such as broomstick training. The children enjoyed the dragon quest. The staff were doing their best to entertain despite the heavy rain!
The castle was busy when we visited, but it's large enough that aside from the state rooms (which was very crowded in places), it didn't feel too busy.
Admission isn't cheap (£19.50 per adult or £10.25 per child if booked online), but this allows you to visit for free for up to a year.
There is a cafe there and a large hall with tables where you can eat (even your own food) in the dry if it's raining. The cafe served good coffee!
There are lots of free car parks very close by (avoid car park A which requires tokens - instead aim for B or C).
All in all, a fun day out.
Adam Sewell — Google review
An excellent family day out. Good value for what you got.
Beautiful grounds.
Very good birds of prey display.
Dragon quest very fun and surprising.
Clay making for kids free and good.
Aaron Freeman-Powell — Google review
We went there on Easter Saturday 2024, the road to the Car Park was chockers in both directions, had a 15 minute wait, due to the lack of adequate traffic management at the entrance to the car park, this may have been a testament to the popularity of the venue.
Payment to the Car Park is cashless only.
The castle itself is spectacular, the staterooms are filled with interesting displays. There are plenty of things to see and do for younger visitors as the castle fully exploits its Harry Potter connections.
This is a spectacular venue, with good clean well maintained toilets, plenty of stuff to keep the kids busy, plenty of food and drink outlets.
This is a great place to visit, so if you are in the area please give it a go.
Alan Holt — Google review
We brought our kids and had a great time. Make sure to navigate to the Castle and Garden Car Park—they have RV and bus parking also. The broom lessons and dragon quest are free with admission and very fun for the kids. The archery is paid but was fun and very well run.
Troy H — Google review
Wow! Incredible tour from Eric on the film tour. The castle itself is beautiful and where the Duke lives is stunning and we loved the personal touches of the photos! We would love to come back if we lived local
c c — Google review
43yrs old and first time I've been inside the castle. £20 each but that gives you an annual pass. Highly recommended, there's plenty to see. The castle has been very well maintained, the state rooms are very impressive.
There's plenty going on outside to see and join in with especially for the kids.
diane Thompson — Google review
Beautiful castle with parking next to it which isn't that expensive but due to having dogs with us we have found parking on same road just bit further for free on side of the road. We were able to walk across river from castle on lovely walk which leads to castle. Again not long walk with fantastic views of castle and grounds.
Sabina Pilatova — Google review
This is the world's 2nd largest inhabited castle in the world, after Windsor. It's a true fortified castle built for defense and war. Although this castle has never been breached, it has seen its share of wars. Most of the original castle has been upgraded and enhanced over its existence by its owner of 700 years. It is a beautiful and operational home to the Percy family.
Christopher Nee — Google review
Excellent day at Alnwick Castle. Great to visit a castle and home that has been in the same family for 700 years. And what fabulous history that includes as the family worked carefully and diplomatically through English historical events without losing their castle, a great feat indeed when many others were lost along the way. Fun watching the Harry Potter broomstick training and we enjoyed the dragon walk. We visited mid week term time but looking at some of the features I suspect this is fabulous when kids are around and enjoying the various activities. Very nice lunch too. Car parking is good value but beware poor signage approaching from inland, we got lost in Alnwick , ace signage from the a1.
Alan Johnson — Google review
We had a great day here with our two grandchildren. The weather was great which obviously helped but a full programme of activities made it a fabulous day. We thought that places on the broomstick training were limited but that wasn’t the case at all. The two ladies leading the training were very good. Funny, witty and lively made this a great start to the day. Soap making,dragon quest and two excellent Tom Fool shows made this a great day out.
Barry Dobson — Google review
This is a lovely castle but very much commercialised for families with young children. Lovely activities such as dressing up in period costumes, dragon quests, making a clay tile and broomstick flying. However when visiting without children it does not have as much of an appeal. Entry fee is also quite a bit more than neighbouring castles.
Not allowing photos to be taken inside the castle is also a disappointment. We found there were areas inside closed which had not been advertised when booking. Not somewhere we would hurry back to unfortunately.
Paula Coplin — Google review
Beautiful castle and grounds, the craftsmanship of the ceilings and rooms is awesome, it's a bit expensive but worth seeing, the weather was too bad so we didn't do the gardens, these are priced separately so the costs can mount up.
Bill Peden — Google review
Fabulous day at the castle. So much to see and do. Various tours or activities as well. Enjoyed watching people learning how to fly their broomsticks although didn't try it myself. Nice cafe and restaurant and all of the staff were friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommend buying ticket on-line as it is then valid for 12 months. We'll be back.
Monica Cunningham — Google review
Walking into this castle for the first time was like stepping into a real-life Hogwarts, and it completely blew my mind. The place was absolutely stunning, with towering turrets that made me feel like I was in a fairy tale. The whole scene, with its medieval charm, was like being in a Harry Potter movie. The gardens around the castle were so beautiful, filled with flowers and greenery that added to the magical atmosphere. Inside, as I explored the halls with suits of armor and ancient tapestries, I couldn't help but imagine the kind of adventures that could have taken place there. The views from the top of the towers were breathtaking, and every nook and cranny seemed to hold a piece of history. This experience has definitely set the bar high for any future castle visits—I never knew a place could feel so enchanting and transport me to a world of wonder.
Sky lyx — Google review
Great place to visit with kids, the dragon quest dungeon is very pol with a mirror maze. The boar sandwiches are the best !
David Mc Murray — Google review
Such an amazing castle to visit. It isn't just beautiful but there is SO much to do there (medieval soap making, broomstick ride classes, archery, medieval games,etc). We went with our little one and spent a whole day there without a dull moment. Highly recommended for families in particular.
Nasim Forootan — Google review
This is a magnificent castle, in perfect condition still occupied by the owning family, who are the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland. The internet says it’s the second largest occupied in the UK after Windsor Castle.
There were lots of activities taking place when I was there including broomstick lessons, (some Harry Potter was filmed there) and some medieval kids craft and dress up.
The state rooms are the most opulent I have seen, absolutely stunning, and I’ve visited Windsor castle. There’s lots of exhibitions connecting the Duke with the royal family and coronations.
I’ve only given this 4 stars because, compared so other castles I’ve visited a lot remains private as it’s still occupied, so I felt I didn’t see that much of the castle for the entry price, which is the highest I think I’ve paid.
I was also disappointed that there is no photography in the state rooms, and very little information around the castle about its history, which is one of the things I enjoy the most in a visit.
Overall a memorable visit and stunning place, just wish I could have seen and learnt more!
Cragside, a rural mansion built by inventor Lord Armstrong, boasts sprawling and beautifully landscaped gardens with over 1000 trees. Visitors can explore the house filled with fascinating innovations and gadgets, while children can enjoy a giant play area in the gardens. The terrain is hilly and requires some clambering on flagstone paths, but it's worth it for the stunning views. Although closed to visitors during storm Arwen, Cragside now offers free entry for National Trust members.
Lots to explore! The house and the many innovations there are really interesting. The gardens were just waking up from winter when we went but look great - makes us want to return in the summertime! Giant playpark and some lovely rocky paths behind the house.
Emma Howard — Google review
Beautiful house! Nice garden's to explore with the children. We didn't see everything but did notice that there was a shuttle bus that can take you to the different areas as it is quite spread out. The play park and tea rooms are nice although I didn't get a photo.
KIM CARR — Google review
Always an amazing experience at Cragside, no matter how many times you go you can always find new trails to walk, and photos to take.
If you’re not a NT member then the tickets are pricey but well worth it as we spent over 6 hours at Cragside. Venturing off up to the walks on the cliffs, takes you to the labyrinth, which is so easy to get disoriented… and we did many times. But so much fun.
The lakes are a lovely place to picnic down in the summer sun and spend some lazy hours enjoying the tranquility of it all.
The house is a wonder to those who have never seen it and still very much enjoyable to those that have. I still don’t think it’s an ideal place to take masses of kids, running around the corridors etc.
The gardens are always the most attractive thing. The number of walks around the grounds is testing to even those fit and able. There’s loads of steep climbs and decents, but well worth the effort if you take your time. And the views are gorgeous.
My advice, take a picnic, plenty of fly repellent, and strap in for a full day of walking and enjoying the sights, sounds and beauty of it all.
Chris C317 — Google review
Amazing house & spectacular gardens. If you need support for access there is a great shuttle bus with wheelchair capability. The formal gardens were beautiful. If you like Victorian ingenuity, then this is for you! Hydroelectric power...inventive owner...arts & crafts house. Amazing!
Karen Clyne — Google review
Cragside has to be one of my favourite National Trust visits. There’s so much to do! A really unusual and interesting Victorian manor. Featuring gadgets galore and some stunning opulence! Rockery walks to the formal gardens and then a drive out to the park to for other more adventurous walks and a kids playground! Always worth a visit!
Chris Brierley — Google review
A really excellent experience. The first house in world to be powered by hydro electric power..lovely gardens and interior rooms are unbelievable! Thanks to National Trust for the work it does.
Kevin Buckley — Google review
What a stunning place. Definitely recommend, especially May/early June for the vast array of beautiful rhododendrons.
Great walks, although we got drenched by the heavy rains. Would advise wearing walking boots for a good walk. House is interesting too but the gardens are the star.
Nice cafe, decent choice of food although not a lot of veggie choices. Great cake!
julie kelsall — Google review
Very interesting place with lots of things to see and a fascinating history. Mum couldn't go upstairs but was able to see the rooms and objects on an interactive screen which meant she was included in the whole visit. The drive round the grounds also made it possible for us all to appreciate the site.
Susan Hinchliff — Google review
Absolutely stunning National Trust Property/Grounds. You could spend a day and a half or more here the grounds are very impressive from the moment you drive into the property.
There are several car parks throughout which you can park and visit different areas of the park. The whole Carriage Way Drive is 6 miles long.
We did not visit the property inside itself but after watching the BBC National Treasures Programme after our visit it is evident the house is as it looks on the outside.
If you are visiting with a dog everyone is dog friendly and it is dog friendly throughout the Grounds/Garden.
Victoria Gilbert — Google review
Visited this stunning location midweek during our recent summer holiday. The drive to this beautiful location with stunning landscape views alone helped set the bar!
The estate is huge! You will never cover all it's corners in one day alone. But most visitors firstly enjoy the beautiful house with its stunning decor and history and then it's immediate gardens with the pinetum. You can then take a breather at their cafe before deciding what to do next.
Which would be yo visit other buildings around the site, like the power house which is accessed via a woodland walk, with gradients. There is a peel off route through a small gorge which I would highly recommend, as it is simple beautiful!
The estate is surrounded by vast amounts of forest, which has many, many footpaths and walks which could lead you to the lakes in the upper forests, you will need sturdy footwear also take snacks and drinks, as I said, it's vast!
Most visitors though decide to take their cars on the dedicated route around the estate, where you can take in a lot of the beautiful sites from the comfort of your car seats. There are small car parks around this route if you we wish to pull over and explore!
This is quite important for those who are visiting with people who can't or don't want to tackle the estates miles of footpaths to see these sights.
Simon Kimpton — Google review
Lovely day out, whole family enjoyed it. We are national trust members so was easy to arrive and park up, there was no queue to show our pass at the gates when we arrived. We parked in the main car park where there was plenty spaces and a short walk from the facilities where there was picnic benches, toilets and cafe.
We visited the play area and labyrinth and had a walk through the woods and around the house. Such beautiful views. We did take pram for our youngest, there was lots of trails that wouldn't of been suitable for it but we walked from the house to the play area no problem although steep in some areas. Suitable footwear is a must!
Play area was great for the kids and in a good condition, there was a kiosk there that wasn't open when we went but looks like it would sell refreshments, there was toilets and a car park next to play area too. There is plenty car parks on the trail so if you have little ones that can't walk far you can drive between each car park/area to visit, however there were lots of beautiful trails to walk around as well with plenty picnic areas to stop at if youve brought your own food.
We didn't visit inside the house this time but did look around the outside and walked across the iron bridge with the house view in the background!
Overall we had a great day out and made for tired legs on the way home. Would definitely recommend a visit. The kids are already planning their next trip back.
Victoria Topping — Google review
First time visiting. Only visited a small proportion however absolutely stunning, loved walking around the house especially in the gallery some amazing artwork displayed. Cafe at the stables worth a visit highly recommended the fruit loaf slice. Can't wait to return in the warmer months to fully experience the grounds and walks.
Kirsty Moan — Google review
Amazing landscaped gardens. Bring your hiking boots as it is quite hilly and requires a bit of clambering up and down the flagstone paths.
Absolutely massive trees. Over 1000 trees blown down during storm Arwen.
Craigside house was closed to visitors.
Free entry for national trust members.
Nice friendly staff in the coffee shop.
molometer — Google review
Beautiful area! The house was wonderful (but I would advise not going at "peak" times into the house as it gets busy quickly). I would suggest getting the guidebook as it makes everything else make a bit more sense. The grounds are so expansive - there's definitely more to explore away from the main routes! Once you're in the gardens it's easy to find a secluded space away from the main bustle for a scenic picnic. The carriage view drive was equally brilliant!
Musically Mad — Google review
Cragside! A true hidden gem. Situated in breathtaking scenery. Full of walks of differing levels and the house itself, so interesting and definitely not to be missed. It is £22 for entry with special prices for families or free if you are members of The National Trust. I highly recommend a visit.
Wendy Summerscales — Google review
A brilliant place to visit with all the family. Lots of different areas with lots to look at and wander around - lakes, forest, crags and more. The cafe is lovely with lots to offer and there's an ice-cream hut at the far side. The drive round is quite narrow but worth it. We loved the formal gardens up at the top with tremendous views.
Debs Middleton — Google review
This is a great day out for the whole family. The house was amazing and very interesting. The grounds and gardens were beautiful with so much to see and do. There were plenty of well signed walks but lots of hills so not suitable for everyone. The labyrinth is definitely worth the walk up the hill. There is also a gift shop and tea room to visit.
Mark Reid — Google review
Don’t even know where to start.. this place is incredible, out of this world, jaw dropping! Is a dream and more.
Loads of activities and places to explore on one property.
I have just found my favourite place in the UK and is Cragside. The art, the table that comes apart, the windows and the view, the little falls and the bridge, is all I thought a castle would look like. For me, Cragside was a throwback to Bran Castle and I definitely recommend you see it at least once in this lifetime.
Alexandra-Gabriela Comandasu — Google review
Fantastic house and surrounding gardens, wasn't expecting the walls around the estate but it's a welcome suprise. There's a onsite shuttle bus, welcome center, shop and very good restaurant. The staff are all friendly and answered all our questions.
Some of the walks may be a bit hazardous during Winter/ Early spring, but when the ground firms up and it's a dry day I intend to come back.
The house is really impressive and is mind bogglingly, minimum a 150yrs old yet so modern.
Had free entry as I'm a national trust member, and really re-enforced the great value for money you get with it. The estate also has motorhome suitable parking.
Matthew Chambers — Google review
Lovely day out, fascinating house and extensive beautiful walks in the estate even in the wet! Looking forward to a summer visit
Be prepared though to walk and be aware that some routes might be quite challenging for some persons. You will definitely get your steps in!
Anon Anon (Currymonster) — Google review
This has been on my bucket list and did not disappoint. I went back twice in the same week while holidaying as from Kent. Coach drive, absolutely fantastic, incredible views, a lovely drive around the estate with plenty of huge car parks to stop in and explore. The gardens around the house, stunning, the walk along by the river, stunning. The house was lovely to look at. I will definitely go back, perhaps next time , in the summer months when the weather may be kinder.
Karen Martin — Google review
We have been NT members for over a decade and have seen many amazing places. Visited Crafside for the first time this week and can honestly say that it is our new favourite. So easy to spend a full day there. The property is second to none. A drive-along carriage route offers plenty of beauty spots as well as an incredible childrens play area.
Lisa Wren — Google review
We are National Trust members and call into cragside on a regular basis, there is so much to do and see on site, it is the best of all the sites we have visited and well worth several visit as it is difficult to see everything in one go.
You can park in the main car park and visit the house which is almost a visit in it's self then the hydroelectric area, the visitors centre with shop, tearoom and information centre. Then take the car on the carriage drive, this is a one way tour of the estate with loads of car parks for stopping at picnic site's and other attractions such as the labyrinth, the children's play area or one of the many lakes, there are loads of walks dotted all over the estate, some need good strong shoes or boots.
If you are a non-member, you really get your money's worth. Go early, and you can fill the whole day and still not see everything.
Anthony Hall — Google review
Cragside feels like a magical forest, the gardens and grounds are beautiful and so well maintained. The house it beautiful and the history very interesting. There is a ring road around the grounds which is a lovely drive and there are stop off points where you can park and then go for further walks. Lots of picnic spots if you go in the summer. We are national trust members so all smooth and easy on arrival.
Lauren Cromarty — Google review
House is set in am amazing woodland that has plenty of walks and some stunning scenery. There are two places to eat both have decents prices.
David Connell — Google review
Went here in October. This was somewhere I'd always wanted to visit and I wasn't disappointed. Started off with the six-mile carriage drive and stopped off at several car parks to do some of the waymarked walks with the dogs. Allow enough time for the walks as there is a lot to see, including the water intake for the lakes as part of the original hydroelectric scheme. Afterward visited the house and you go around at your own pace following the waymarked route. We spent quite a long time here and we could have spent longer.
David Grant — Google review
This place is absolutely amazing! There is sooo many things to see. You absolutely need a full day. The grounds are massive. It really is an amazing house. A must see.
Carla Briscoe — Google review
Spent the day trying to explore the extensive nature areas of Cragside!
We walked over 8 miles during our 6hrs+ visit but found a lot of the trails poorly marked! Rather disappointing! Dog friendly in the grounds and a area within the cafe, however it does annoy me as an ex-dog(s) owner when people ignore the “dogs on leads rule” clearly some people can’t read!!
We’ll be back to visit the house and formal gardens another time.
Beautiful grounds. I am going back to do the walled garden as there was a large downpour of hailstones & I got drenched. Lots of birds, beautiful trees and I loved it.
Julie Healy — Google review
There's loads to to do and explore here, from amazing gardens, to a woodland river walk and loads of play areas for children. A family could easily spend a day here!
The house itself is wonderful! I don't think I've ever know a National Trust house feel so homely! There's so many homely touches including fake fires, music playing in some of the rooms and plenty of places to sit and relax!
Hannah Wild — Google review
Gorgeous National Trust property in Northumberland,
Wonderful walks around the gardens following the river..
The most beautiful open gallery inside the house, with original works of art depicting local heritage and culture.
Fabulous gift shop ,ice creams and lots of space for outdoor picnic.tea and cakes..
Great fun for young families,as there's adventure playground climbing frames . always a pleasure in any season.the walled gardens are worth a visit if you like Italian gardens.
Kate Rudd — Google review
This place is truly beautiful! The house is magnificent with ornate decoration, I could have spent hours in all of the rooms, chatting with the helpful guides. We took a walk along the river, continuing into the walled garden. The sun was out and there were plenty of visitors enjoying the Saturday. Having a little snack now in the cafe. No doubt about it, well worth the ticket price. The wife found a free entrance to a National Trust, so very happy to spend in the shop.
Matt English — Google review
Nice, relatively sheltered walks so ideal for both nice and not-so-nice days. Ample parking, good quality paths and the walled-garden area was particularly pleasing with the nice flowers adding a bit of colour even in winter. There’s a dog-friendly and reasonably-sized cafe. Coffee and cakes were decent enough. Toilets seemed newly refurbished and were nice and clean. Multiple play areas for children.
Steve Beckett — Google review
Easy to spend a half day here with the House, Gardens and River Walk to occupy your time. For me, the jewel in the Crown is the large Walled Garden, one of the best I've seen at any property. It's abundantly furnished with a huge variety of flowers and shrubs, and each area of this compound is different, and delights in its own way. From the top corner of the Walled Garden you can follow a gravelled path that takes you down and along the river before returning you to the House. It's around a one hour very pleasant circular walk.
The House is worth a mention as it was gifted to the National Trust with all it's furniture and furnishings. The 19th century library has a lovely homely feel to it with its 3000 plus beautifully bound books. The "Italian Renaissance" style Hall is the centre piece of the House, and don't miss the lavish "Rococo Style" decoration of the Drawing Room ceiling.
Miles Macdonald — Google review
Lovely property and fully up there with the exceptional standards the NT achieve.
The Walled Garden was a real treat, and the footpaths to get there, in fact throughout the estate, were extremely well maintained.
Cafe was also up there with the best and the staff right across the estate were helpful and friendly.
Well worth a visit. Highly recommended.
Alan Davis — Google review
Loved this place, full of history and beauty.
Extremely family-friendly and dog friendly.
Well worth a visit, so much to see, we all thoroughly enjoyed our day .
SOPHIE JOHNSON — Google review
Stunning location, set in vast gardens, the house is just breathtaking. Lots for kids and adults alike to see and do. Super play areas and food available, including wood fired pizzas.
The house is just incredible inside, the decor, furnishings and collections are superb. Also the majority of the house is accessible, which you don't always find at this type of property.
If you're coming through, allow enough time to see everything, you can easily fill a day here.
Michael Lees — Google review
We visited 7 years ago and promised to return, at last we did. Wonderful warm welcome. The staff went out of their way to make our visit just perfect by giving us the information we needed so we could have plenty of time to visit the house and gardens. They were friendly, caring and very polite. There is ample room in the car park, toilet to clean and tidy, and lots of places to sit down to rest or benches to eat and drink. We were one of the last to enter the house but we will not rushed and we were able to look around at our leisure. The house was very interesting and the staff were wonderful. The Walled Gardens are beautifully kept and so enjoyable to walk around. There were play parks for children and some lovely different length walks. This is somewhere I recommend for families because there is something for every different age groups. The staff make sure you have the information needed to suit different age groups.
Sandra Hughes — Google review
Wonderful Wallington! Plenty of play areas for the kids and walks for everyone; through the woods, along the river, up through fields and farmland with wildlife in abundance along the way! Cafe serves a good range of drinks and food and the addition of the wood fire pizza van is a lovely added touch
Jimbob Lowrie — Google review
Really great place to visit. Was so much more than I was expecting. Will visit again as we didn't have time to see all the grounds
craig young — Google review
A good place to visit to spend a few hours particularly on a sunny day. The house has some stunning features and well worth spending some time inside to make sure you see everything.
There's plenty of parking and a short walk to the house which is set in a large courtyard garden. The courtyard has toilet facilities, cafe and shop. We didn't use the cafe but it looked OK but you could always take a picnic as the courtyard/garden offers sunny sheltered spots.
There are several walks around the ground and we followed the river walk and even though it was October it was a very pleasant walk.
We were there on a Sunday and it was quite busy as the grounds appear to be well used by families out enjoying the fresh air.
M Gallichan — Google review
An amazing day out for all the family. It has a variety of nature trails, not all suitable for wheelchair access, but short and long to suit ability. Cafes, shop and toilets throughout the trail is a big plus. Dog friendly.
Dawn Sayers — Google review
Such a wonderful place every time of the year. It's a great trip for the whole family ...you can enjoy a short and long walk or cycle around the estate. There are 3 or 4 playgrounds for kids including a great train playground which was built linking to the original estate 🙂 nice food options and lovely 🍨. The gift shop has lots of plants and a good choice of locally sourced souvenirs. Don't miss visiting the walled garden and you can grab a cuppa there until 3pm and sit and enjoy the nature. Top marks.
Kinga L — Google review
We have visited Wallington a number of times when visiting family. Gardens look good at all times of year. Worth going for snowdrops but good anytime. Tea room offers a good selection of cakes. Friendly staff.
Previously my father used an electric "tramper" to get around which the staff on the gate offered to us, as he can't walk too far. He absolutely loved it and you can get around quite easily.
Look out for the roe deer too!
Jonathan P — Google review
It’s a lovely walk through ancient woodland past ponds to a gorgeous walled garden with colour and beauty even in late November. Particularly excited to discover a toilet facility there too in a very novel outbuilding! Ended the walk with a look around the hall and the plant shop. The perfect day out!
Sarah Deane Photographic — Google review
Wonderful National Trust property and grounds. Always changes throughout the season. Can get busy at times so come early if you can. Staff are always pleasant and welcoming. The long walk from the house to the bridge and back though the walled gardens takes you through various landscapes, really a great day out! The cafe and shop are well stocked with items too.
The house itself is full of treasures, well worth a visit!
Steve Hurst — Google review
Fascinating house beautifuly decorated and so interesting to see how the well off lived really a life of luxury compared to ordinary people. Looking forward to going back to explore the grounds 1
John Reay — Google review
Beautiful place to visit.
Extensive grounds and well kept gardens offering a variety of walks.
The house is well preserved and maintained with staff assisting with information and answering any questions.
Cafes are dotted around the grounds for that all important tea break ..
B Mo — Google review
A lovely 1/2 day and had our boys not grown up I would have expected it to be a full day.
Friendly team and loads to do for all ages.
Housesteads Roman Fort, also known as Vercovicium, is an English Heritage Site located in Northumberland. This tourist attraction comprises the ruins of an auxiliary fort built from stone in AD 124 during the Roman occupation of Britannia, shortly after Hadrian's Wall was completed. It was the first fortress established in the region and is now home to a visitor centre, museum and guides dressed in period costumes.
Great place to visit. Fantastic Roman Fort with a museum of all the artefacts found on site. Lots of information boards describing each area and what it was used for. The staff are all so friendly and knowledgeable. When we visited there was an art exhibition on site which was fabulous. Free for English Heritage and National Trust members although you still have to pay for parking, which cost us £4. There's a cafe on site with cakes, pastries and hot and cold drinks. The site is also dog friendly. It's worth putting on some good waterproof shoes with decent grips.
Neil Smith — Google review
Lovely little history lesson in the visitor center and info boards walking in the ruins.
You can walk along the wall for a while in both directions, something I'll be doing more of when the days get longer.
Robert Carmichael — Google review
Had a great time visiting this Roman Fort. Excellent day out. Great museum & coffee shop. I was a little disappointed that some people decided not to pay and just enter the Fort via the North Gate side of the Hadrian's wall pathway, climbing over the small fence to enter the Fort, avoiding staff that were there to check paid tickets. This needs addressing by Management! Otherwise, highly recommend a visit there. The staff were lovely too, very knowledgeable about the area.
Michelle — Google review
English Heritage at it's finest! Amazing panorama, from every spot, well-mantained site, friendly staff and a great souvenir shop. They also have a great tour with a knowledgeable guide!
Walking uphil takes a bit effort, but definitely worth it. The view of the valley on a sunny day, is just perfect, and makes the history alive.
Hermann Parkhomenko — Google review
40 years ago I visited Housesteads with my father. In turn I took my son. Some of the best ruins, we headed on to Sycamore gap and back. Wonderful day.
robert kime — Google review
The site was fabulous and the museum was informative and well laid out, if small. We came this time to see the artwork which was, well, just a bit mad, but great to get and impression of the height of the fort in its heyday. All staff welcoming and chatty but not pushy. Dog friendly!
Chloe Brownlee-Chapman — Google review
The largest Roman fort on Hadrian's Wall, well worth spending at least a couple of hours here.
We had a superb walk along the wall, from Steel Rig car park, in beautiful weather.
There are a number of explanatory boards around the side and a small but excellent museum close by.
Rich B — Google review
Fantastic scenery and wonderfully maintained site. Lots of information boards to explain the site.
Dog friendly
Steep walk
Cafe at car park
Pay carpark.
Small museum at pay office.
Nicholas Nunney — Google review
Had a great time. The weather wasn't good but still enjoyable. Can I take this opportunity to tell you about the books below, they Are available on Amazon and all profits will go to cancer research. And if this goes well hopefully diabetes research.
i c Henderson — Google review
Great and accessible place along Hadrian’s Wall to go (by car and public transport at certain times of year). The visitor centre is a little small so would advise going at a less busy time but when the weather is fine as it is a c.10 minute walk from the car park and bus stop.
There are a few mile castles, etc. nearby so great place to base yourself if you want to see several landmarks along a relatively short distance.
Sarah Norris — Google review
Wow! What a fantastic day. Great walk for families and dogs. Loved seeing the Roman ruins and walking on the wall. The visitor center had clean bathrooms and a small cafe. At the ruins there was a small gift shop and museum.
Cori Fairchild — Google review
So stunning to be here where our ancestors fought and lived forging a different future for generations to come. To walk from here down to Sycamore gap (Robin Hood) and down to the Sill just a beautiful walk even in the rain and mud!
linda marieskind — Google review
Beautiful scenery. Nice walk from the car park to the ancient Roman fort. The size and scale of the fort is impressive.
Michal Szulc — Google review
One of the places where imagination switches on. Plenty help for your mind with films and drawings so you can find yourself in a Roman soldiers shoes. Superb location to see some of the best parts of Hadrians Wall. Walk a few miles along the wall both ways to appreciate it's beauty
TiC — Google review
A bit of a hill down and then up to get to the ruins and the bit of Hadirians wall that is there next to ruins. If you want to just get some pictures and don't want to spend too long there then this is a good spot But there is the option to go in the museum and ruins if you want Otherwise just pay for the reasonable priced parking.
Hersha C — Google review
Beautiful scenery. Hard uphill walking, especially in the mud of winter. Suggest sticking to paths when it’s so muddy else you will slip! Toilets nearby and an excellent cafe - I highly recommend the millionaire’s shortcake.
Claire Peak — Google review
Fabulous Roman fort Remains. It's quite a climb from the car park to the site and admissions shop. There is a small museum and an interactive video to watch. Our young children enjoyed looking for the signs from Felix a Roman soldier who explained the site in a child friendly way.
Claire Davidson — Google review
Being disabled I was unable to make much of Being in this Fabulous place once more. Luckily my companion wasn't constrained and he enjoyed every second of his voyage into the past. I had the sheer joy of sitting at the south gate, on my mobility scooter, drinking in the ambience.
Bill Steel — Google review
There is a well signposted parking. Visitor centre (café, toilets) managed by the National Trust, a very friendly staff. Then you climb to the Roman fort managed by English Heritage. You should go to the small museum first to purchase tickets. There is a small museum and a short film presenting the fort. You can climb to the fort from there. You can also walk the Hadrian's Wall path from there. Beautiful place.
A F — Google review
Exploring these Roman ruins during winter was enjoyable due to the lack of other tourists. There is plenty of information displays throughout the ruins explaining each section of the fort. There were great views of Hadrin's wall and it was possible to walk along the sections connected to the fort although this was quite steep and appropriate footwear is recommended. There's a small museum beside the fort which is a decent if not short experience. There's an uphill walk from the car park and it's quite muddy in the winter, so take this into account if you are planning a visit.
Thomas Armstrong — Google review
Lovely area and enjoyed the walk along the wall from housesteads to Sycamore gap, we took the military walk as it was easier and a little away from the wall but didn't take away from the fact we were there. Sycamore gap lived up to what I was expecting, and emotional for me as my last girlfriend who passed away in 2020 from cancer, wanted to go and couldn't make it, but had her favourite me to you bear with me and her photo, would really recommend a visit.
Gary Powell — Google review
Fantastic place to visit. The only negative is the climb up to the site. It is a proper path takes about 15 minutes. However, it is a long climb. If you are infirm, or asthmatic, it could be an issue.
Once you reach the site, it is amazing. The views are exceptional. The place is a lot bigger than you expect. The staff were great, very knowledgeable and friendly. Dog friendly which is a bonus. The facilities are very clean and tidy.
Vindolanda is an archaeological site and museum located in Northumberland, England that showcases the remains of a Roman fort and village. Situated on Hadrian's Wall, this location brings Roman Britain to life with reconstructed turrets and temples. The museum offers an intriguing glimpse into the daily life of a Roman garrison town by exhibiting leather sandals, writing tablets and helmets from the era. Visitors can also explore excavated parts of the fort and town for a truly immersive experience.
Could not recommend going here more! We were going to go for an hour then go for a walk, but we enjoyed it so much we spent a day wandering round, reading every bit of information and soaking in the incredible atmosphere. Even if history really isn't your thing it's so much fun to imagine the site as it was and it is such a stunning location its worth the visit.
Molly Mesher — Google review
Our second visit to Vindolanda did not disappoint. Came to see in better weather as last time a few years back was October and raining. The museum is fantastic. The tour guide Alex was brilliant, very clear, concise and a great sense of humour.
Hazel Currie — Google review
Excellent site. Informative tour guides. You can watch the team excavating the site.
Brilliant museum and cafe on site. Definitely worth a visit. Will probably go back again as there was so much to try and take in.
Chris Willocks — Google review
Amazing day out with the kids and very educational, displays laid out to help with ruins of the buildings. The museum is also definitely worth a visit.
Karl Watkins — Google review
An amazing site. A real jewel for England. Such a large and interesting place. The tour guides are so knowledgeable and interesting. The museum had so many artifacts and the hot soup in the Cafe was delicious. You can easily spend most of the day here. A must see. Make sure you do a guided tour.
Sue Jameson — Google review
Incredible History.
What an amazing place to visit. Being able to walk around these ancient ruins is a brilliant experience, but to then see what the archaeologists have dug up in the museum is just stunning; leather shoes, letters, weapons etc. This is so worth a visit.
Iwan Lewis — Google review
A wonderful archaeological dig site on a Roman military fortress and the village that grew up immediately outside its gates.
There is so much of interest to see here, including the reconstruction of both a wooden and a stone watch tower, a small temple and the superb museum, where so many of the finds are displayed.
Rich B — Google review
Managed to attend a guided tour and really enjoyed it. Well worth a visit , the museum was particularly of interest to me, and the canteen provided some welcome refreshments in a lovely garden .
Bill Crawford — Google review
We visited this attraction today, and it really was like stepping back in time. There is so much history here, and the site has done a wonderful job of preserving and displaying what they have found.
It was an absolutely beautiful day to go visit as the weather was gorgeous.
The only thing I would suggest is maybe making the parking a bit closer to the exhibit. It was a bit of a hike for this tired, nearly 60 year old. I'm just saying!!
Other than the parking, I highly recommend this place for everyone.
Debra Doser — Google review
Excellent! Well worth the visit Take your time wandering the ruins. Head down the hill to the cafe and outstanding museum. Very informative, loads of seating to rest/listen & nice facilities.
If you have a disabilty or difficulty walking for 1600 meters or cannot walk uphill for long periods of time (although there is some seating for rest along the way), ask the museum staff where you can pick up your passenger or park close to the museum entrance.
Great visit!! Pictures I have taken do not properly serve this wonderful site.
Lisa Cooper Colvin — Google review
Nice visit to a very historical site, a great place to wander around for all ages.
Very informative and interesting Museum full of Roman artifacts from the site.
Toilets and a cafe on site.
Admission fee 10% discount for English Heritage members.
Three car parks on site, they probably fill quickly in summer.
Quite a narrow and steep lane to access location, so be prepared.
Marcus Williams — Google review
I recommend one listens to podcasts, or reads up on the place before visiting. That will give you a better appreciation of the awesome archaeological work in progress that it is.
Easy to get to by bus.
Great volunteer guide presentation.
Grownups, allow 5 hours. It would be horrible to have to rush though all the things that there are to see and do.
Anthony King — Google review
We visited on a Sunday in mid-June.
It was easy to find and car parking was easy because it was quiet on our arrival at 11am.
We pre-booked tickets as we thought that we would visit this site and the Roman Museum.
We thought that it was a little bit expensive until we moved away from the archaeological site and experienced the indoor and outdoor museums. These really helped explain the dig site and made it a day to remember.
We had lunch at the cafe. Very nice people gave us very nice food 😊
Not sure that we felt short-changed by not visiting the Roman museum on the second-half of our ticket.
Rich Witte — Google review
Utterly astounding. The ruins of Vindolanda are incredible and this is only a small fraction of what was actually there. The museum has some incredible artifacts on display that give a genuine human connection to the people who lived at Vindolanda. If you have an interest in history this is a must see.
S O — Google review
Our second visit to Vindolanda, I find it fascinating on how advanced the Romans were. I would advise purchasing the guide book, there are several centuries of occupation on this site and this can make it difficult to interprate, when looking at the remains. There was a live archeology dig at the time of our visit, there are also two living archeology experiments on going in terms of an example of recreated mile castle and wall, both in timber and stone, the museum is breathtaking in terms of finds and their preservation. Well worth a visit.
Andrew “Andy” Maclean — Google review
An amazing place, so fascinating, the museum too is one of the best I’ve been too!!! Well laid out and put together
Millie Coffey — Google review
An amazing place to visit if you have any interest in Roman history and the Roman rule of Britain. Good facilities, the cafe was nice, the museum was excellent and the displays were well done. The site itself is a must see. Very quiet in February during the week.
Thomas Armstrong — Google review
This is a great place for something different and to learn some history. The ruins are presented wonderfully with signposts telling you what different areas were used as and even audio posts telling you history. The museum is more extensive than I expected. It was quiet when we visited and we had a great day out.
Eilidh Black — Google review
Always loved history at school, so this was a no brainer. What a historical site, plenty to see, ruins, artifacts & a tour guide if needed. Had a wonderful day of history. Would definitely recommend for all the family.
Andrew Haselup — Google review
Very interesting remains of a Roman settlement. So much more to see here than I imagined. The ruins have informative signage indicating what were the homes, baths, latrines, tavern, military buildings and granaries etc. There is a wonderful museum exhibiting the finds from the site and a lovely cafe. Well worth visiting.
Jan H — Google review
A beautiful experience ! The guide was very informative and explained the site so well, that you could imagine what it would have been like all those years ago.
Even without the guides and array of different tours you can hop in and out of, the site is well looked after and fun to look around. Definitely for kids and adults alike, it has something for everyone here. Because footfall was not heavy in October, it was very peaceful.
The mini museum is such a bonus, and the cafe at the back has the most awesome decor in the style of ancient Roman times.
Loved it !
Elise Freshwater-Blizzard — Google review
What an amazing site, and a great insight into the Roman empire in the north of England.
Thousands of artefacts on display in the museum are definitely worth seeing.
The actual fort and Roman village remains are awesome to see too.
Plenty of parking.
The cafe is also nice for light lunches too.
Toilets are also available.
The gift shop will have something for every budget.
The book shop is also a must for avid readers for all things Roman.
Definitely worth the money.
Saver tickets can be bought for the sister site at the Roman army museum just along the road.
Woodland resort with a range of lodging options, plus kids' activities, shopping, dining and a spa.
Perfect tranquil location in the forest. Lots of activities to do and a fantastic subtropical swimming pool. Good variety of eating places. Huck's food was tasty and a good atmosphere. Also good cocktails. Bowling and amusement arcade were good too. Brilliant for families to enjoy quality time together. Highly recommend!
Laura Aitken — Google review
We had a great holiday at Center Parcs Whinfell Forest.
The lodge we stayed in was very clean and tidy, with everything you need for a comfortable stay.
We were a 2 minute walk to the village centre which was great.
It can be pricey to do activities and to eat out at Center Parcs, but the food and activities are always good.
Around the village centre everything was clean and all covid safety protocols were in place.
There are a few gift shops and a supermarket on site.
The subtropical swimming paradise was great for all of the family, with slides and rapids, for hours of fun.
There is an outdoor pool which is great, it's a bit slippy on the tiles, but also be aware at this time of year it's freezing outside, so from the door to the pool you will get cold, but the heated pool is great and well worth it.
We saw staff cleaning all the time, they do a great job.
Overall I would definitely recommend this Center Parcs as a great holiday destination, for all the family, young and old.
There are plenty of places to walk, activities indoor and out for you to enjoy.
JJ Dabreo — Google review
Beautiful setting, everywhere nice and clean. Best place to eat (in our opinion) was Huck, friendly staff (Richard W)
The only criticism I have is that they don't seem to promote (on site) any activities, so we missed a lot we feel. Otherwise a great mini break
k winters — Google review
We have had a fantastic break. The activities available were great. Every single member of staff we interacted with were extremely friendly. Great food in the restaurants. We will definitely be back.
The lodge was good overall. However, one issue was the kitchen in the lodge was not very practical. The gas oven was very poor. The shower curtain was far too long. A few basic toiletries like soap for washing hands and extra toilet rolls would be great.
Overall a great break and would highly recommend.
Paul Clark — Google review
Just back from the perfect family break with activities for 3 generations. The lodge was clean and comfortable. Everyone working in the park was friendly and helpful and made us feel very welcome - nothing was too much trouble. We all really enjoyed the swimming area and the outdoor and indoor play areas were excellent. We will be back!!
Wendy B — Google review
Amazing place for a holiday and would definitely recommend for it for anyone looking for a holiday. Pool is great and big. The sports is amazing for little kids and adults. Slot of clubs which is good. And rooms are very very big and even the 1 floor house is very big as well as well as the VIP and 2 floored houses. Five ⭐!!!!
James Flynn — Google review
This has been the most magical Christmas holiday ever. Center parcs pulled out all the stops to make it so festive and enjoyable for kids and adults alike. The winter wonderland is worth a visit on its own. The check in experience was good, albeit there were queues to get in which I am told was to be expected. The lodges are spacious and well equipped. It was clean too. We only had a 5 to 10 minute walk to the village centre. We found the swimming really fun, although getting in early was advisable as it gets busy. The on-site shops and restaurants offered plenty of variety. We booked a Santa visit for our little one. It included a present and 2 x photos with Santa. If you have kids, try to get along to see the Santa parade on an evening. In general this is just a lovely place to relax, take a walk and soak up the Christmas vibe. Yes it's not cheap but if you can afford it, I'd highly recommend it
Chris Gill — Google review
Great place for a young family, everything conveniently located (sometimes a bit of a long walk from the outer most cabins) loads of stuff for the kids to do and nice clean facilities. My only dislike was the beds, if you like a firm mattress then your in luck because I have slept on softer floors, nothing like waking up feeling like you have gone 10 rounds in the ring.
michael chapman — Google review
Just back from a 4 night stay. Great place to get together. Well equipped lodge although a wee bit tired. A bit of attention to detail required but all in all a good experience. Nice time of year to go with all the fairy lights. Sport's bar is a nice place to go for food and drinks. Staff throughout the whole park were lovely.
Yvonne McLaughlin — Google review
Had a fabulous time, the pool area was lovely, the spa was amazing definitely recommend a trip there but make sure you book everything in advance because restaurants and activities fill up really quickly. Lodge was lovely but the oven took quite a while to cook everything! Recommend taking the low quality ovens into account when you start cooking, don't wait til you're starving!!
Beth Shepherd — Google review
Had such a wonderful holiday here, really can’t fault it. Lodges were lovely, clean and filled with everything we needed. Staff were always friendly and helpful. Facilities were fantastic - the pool, play parks and walks around the forest could take up all your time (and all are free). Shops were well stocked for anything you would need. We ate out at the lakeside inn and the food was delicious - recommend a burger! Coming back as soon as we can!
David Fotheringham — Google review
The accommodation was first class, and everything was included. We even had a family of ducks visit daily. The staff were amazing, nothing was too much trouble and the swimming pool was really warm, spotlessly clean and great fun. We went with 3 teenagers and they really enjoyed the activities. Definitely a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star experience despite the rain ☔
Bobbie Dawson — Google review
Had a great visit. Accommodation was fantastic with great facilities.
Rooms were spacious and comfortable.
The fact that cars are parked away from the accommodation is a huge plus. Much safer to be walking and cycling around the park.
Great outdoor play area for the little ones.
The pool was fantastic.
The on site shop was good. Plenty of options and well priced.
Andrew Berry — Google review
Amazing location, all the hype is well deserved. Great cabins, service and activities. Very friendly staff and lovely swimming pool. All you need for a relaxed trip. We went during the week when schools were on so might be a lot busier and hectic during school holidays but still worth it.
David McGregor — Google review
We had a great weekend here. I would however advise booking restaurant slots when booking, before you arrive as they were all fully booked and no delivery service was available so had to buy food from the on site supermarket, which was expensive. Lots of festive things to do. We had an 18month old and an 11 year old and both were entertained. Staff are all very helpful. The lodge was well situated to the main plaza but not too close. Lots of walking and things to see. Great experience. Bit pricy as only swimming area is included in the booking fee. Everything else is extra.
Moyra Black — Google review
It was a fantastic stay We could not fault the accommodation we stayed in one of the tree houses every thing you needed and was spotless so thank you to the cleaning staff. Thank you too the member of center Parcs staff who would come every morning and clean the hot tub and ask if we needed anything nothing was too much trouble (sorry I forgot your name) complementary champagne on arrival? plus gift boxes for the children the forest is amazing and so are the activities
Beverly Chamberlain — Google review
Went for a spa day. Fabulous experience so lovely and relaxing. Fantastic facilities and very friendly staff. You are made to feel very welcome. Spa package was great value
Moo K — Google review
First time at Whinfell and we weren't disappointed.
Such a beautiful setting, especially since cars aren't allowed on site after unpacking.
The swimming pool was busy but great fun for our toddler (and us). Clean and we got a changing room and lockers easily.
The Indian restaurant was fantastic, exceeding expectations with both the food and the service - well worth a visit. The burgers in the sports cafe were also great. Expect to pay more with it being on site.
As this was our first family holiday we had concerns about arrangements for our toddler but needn't have been as the travel cots provided were better than expected (wooden cots) with baby gates at top and bottoms of stairs and the lodge was also well designed for a young family.
Supermarket well equipped and not as pricy as we thought.
We are already looking forward to our next visit.
Stephanie Jones — Google review
Fantastic family week away. We were worried that the covid restrictions would impact on the holiday but they didn't. Booked again for next year as we enjoyed it so much. Love how safe it is for the kids and how the pool keeps everyone entertained from the 3 year old to the 73 year old in the group. Lodges are very clean and the setting is lovely.
Laura Jones — Google review
Been going here since I was a kid! I absolutely love it here. Such an amazing escape and so much to do! So many activities to choose from, villas are always immaculate and the pool is out of this world! All staff in the village are so kind and friendly. Can’t wait to come back!
Jane McGuire — Google review
The park was great, surrounded by woodland, brilliant swimming pool facilities, activities were very expensive and not much suitable for a baby, however there was plenty for older families. Would be nice to have more areas to explore which are not just surrounded by lodges, we expected some trails, but sadly that wasn't the case, makes you feel very trapped within the lodges and facilities.
The room we were allocated was completely unsuitable for a baby. The floors were all hard tile which was a nightmare as our baby kept falling and hitting his head. The touch-sensitive button on the bath kept activating by itself, waking our baby in the middle of the night on multiple occasions. Additionally, the coffee machine did not work and there was a horrible smell of gone off milk on the sofa of the apartment.
We were also informed during our visit by letter that we would have no power all night on the night before departure, which meant we could not charge our phones, use our baby monitor or use lights. This proved very difficult for us to feed or change our baby. We had requested a cot and high chair for our stay, both of which were missing, having to wait around for them to arrive.
There was a lot of noise from the other apartments and corridor which made it very difficult to sleep. There was no dustpan and brush or cleaning equipment of any kind in our room which made tidying up after our little one very difficult.
Very disappointed after raising our issues with Center Parcs to be told that if we wanted something more suitable for a baby, then we should have selected a specific room during booking (for an additional fee). Just another attempt to take more money from you.
James Paylor — Google review
Absolutely beautiful place. Every staff member I came across was just beyond helpful. Had a lovely week here and hope to visit again. Activities were suitable for everyone and we'll priced. Lodge was clean, tidy and well stocked. Any problems were sorted instantly.
Abigail-Jayne Manley — Google review
Great place for a family vacation. Be prepared to be very active this is a huge place with lots to offer.
Try book activities before you arrive as they do get booked up pretty fast. A bike each is a must, I rented from the reception at a good price and a nice bike.
The pool really is very good for the kids and adults alike, plenty of slides and activities.
Nice play parks and nature for the kids to explore:
Dining out was not as expensive as I thought it was going to be also the on-site supermarket not really overpriced.
Chalets were fantastic, with every home comfort you can think of, with the exception of a washing machine.
Everywhere is a bit of a walk or cycle.
Great place and great stay.
Conner Regan — Google review
We had a amazing time at whinfell.
From the minute we arrived we were greeted by a very polite security guard who showed us were to go.
All the staff we dealt with were amazing helpful fun polite. The staff made the break what it was. The kids loved it..
The accommodation was excellent.
We will be going back.
del col — Google review
Beautiful location and great for either a quiet getaway or an activity weekend. Excellent child facilities as well and very family focused. Good restaurants and Cafe Rouge in particular was surprisingly good with amazing staff. The only people who may not find what they're looking for here are solo travellers and romantic couples.
Stuart Somerville — Google review
Really enjoyed our short weekend getaway to Whinfell. Lodge was great, comfy, clean and well serviced, plus great views of Badgers! Bike hire great and super easy. Winter wonderland activities were an added bonus. Enjoyed the pool a lot although they seemed to be having some technical difficulties. We'll be back!
Paula B — Google review
Lovely break away with the family, we loved seeing the red squirrels and pheasants daily. We hired bikes for getting around which was great but it is a bit steep in places which was hard work on the bike. Lovely Christmas activities available to book with children and plenty of lights of an evening to see.
We enjoyed our stay and would come back but during a different season
Nikki Hannah — Google review
For the quality you pay for it is worth the expense. The facilities and variety of activities are excellent for the whole family . There is such a choice of things to do you will be occupied the whole time you are there.
Best to share the cost of lodges with a group of family members and the provision facilities at the lodges is excellent aswell.
We have been a few times over the years and never been disappointed 🙂👍
Phil Rigby — Google review
Whinfell forrest Centre Parks is an incredible place to visit.
The staff on the activities are friendly knowledgeable and very professional. From the moment we arrived we felt welcome. We had an issue with the lodge keys but it was very quickly resolved.
Yes the food and drinks are quite expensive but you don't have to dine out there is plenty of cooking availability with a microwave and oven. The fridge is small but you can get a lot in it. The cupboard space is very adequate.
The swimming pool is amazing and free there are nature walks and plenty of play parks for the children.
We stayed in a 3 bedroom lodge 1 double bed and 4 single beds 2 showers and toilets. Ample seating and the views of the forest with wildlife wandering around. All in all one of the best holidays I've had I can't wait to come next year.
Ian Storey — Google review
I've had a fair number of trips to this site over the years.
The facilities and location are great with the Lake District just down the road.
It has plenty to do, but a lot is at a premium price and is booked up quickly. Some elements, such as the water park are included in the booking cost.
Alistair Rose — Google review
Beautiful forest environment. Well equipped clean lodges. Great infrastructure and support. Swimming pools included and well equipped. Good playgrounds for kids. Dog play areas. Woodland walk’s beautiful. Everything else cheesy and expensive but as expected.
Jon Bee — Google review
We just got back from Center Parcs Whinfell Forest, and wow, it was awesome! First off, the rooms are super cozy and clean. We had a tiny issue with the heating at one point, but the staff were on it like lightning. They sent over a technician who was super friendly and fixed it up quick, no stress at all.
The place is a dream for anyone who loves being outdoors. We went on so many walks and bike rides through the forest, and it was just beautiful. It’s so peaceful, and there are loads of trails to explore.
Food-wise, we were really happy. We ate at Bella Italia, and it was delicious – great spot for a family meal. There’s plenty of choice around, so you’re not stuck eating the same thing every day.
But let me tell you about the Subtropical Paradise Pool – it’s epic! There are slides, loads of swimming spots, and it’s perfect for families. It doesn’t matter if you’ve got little ones or teenagers, there’s something for everyone. We spent so much time in there, just having a blast.
Overall, our trip to Center Parcs Whinfell Forest was top-notch. Great rooms, amazing places to walk and cycle, yummy food, and that pool was the cherry on top. We made a bunch of awesome memories and can’t wait to go back. Totally recommend it if you’re looking for a fun family getaway!
Dillon Pattison — Google review
My wife and I,our three grown up kids and partners and six grandchildren spent three nights in lodges and apartments.It was the best holiday I've ever had spending so much time with the family. The activities for the kids and adults were brilliant and all of the staff were excellent. We'll definitely be going back.
Peter McCrave — Google review
Immediately when pulling in there is a sense of calmness when you're in amongst all of the trees. Check in service is great from the car but line for check in can be long depending on when you arrive.
Center Parcs is fantastic for those with children of any age. Things to see and do with or without a booked activities.
Great overall experience with my wife being gluten intolerant, taken very seriously in all the restaurants and its refreshing that most places have a gluten free menu.
I would recommend booking more then 48 days in advance of your stay to make sure you can book all the activities as closer to the time there can be limited or no booking available for most young children's activities.
We have stayed in the Lakeside apartments twice, clean and tidy studio style apartments. Not luxury but clean and basic.
Car and parking can be a bit of s nightmare when check in is at 4pm on the first day, getting the car, unpacking and going back to the car park. Especially with a tidied toddler. On the flop side it is very nice not having cars on the road during the stay.
Overall it is a great stay and I recommend to all my friends with and without kids for a relaxing UK break. Surrounding area and being close to the Lakes is also a big bonus.
Oli Braithwaite — Google review
4.6
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4.0
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Center Parcs Whinfell Forest Whinfell Forest, Penrith, CA10 2DW, United Kingdom
Lowther Castle & Gardens is a historical landmark located in the Lake District, England. The estate was once home to the Earls of Lonsdale and features beautiful gardens as well as a cafe and shop. Kids will love spending time at the Adventure Playground which is located on site.
This place was so good! We arrived and the courtyard was beautiful somewhere to sit, eat, drink and use toilet facilities! The toilets were lovely and clean! The cafe was spacious and also clean. Lots of choice hot and cold food! The castle itself is just stunning we set off around the garden and found some little wooden houses which were like something out of a film I loved them! The different flowers rockery and views walking around just top it off! The scented garden was amazing! We then went into the woods on our quest to find the hidden castle 🏰 it was playground for the children to our surprise (we have no kids) but it looked ace! You can get food at the top near this too lovely hut under the low trees! Parking is free! You can get bikes to hire which we didn’t do but we are hoping to do that next time!
Samantha Lloyd — Google review
Superb adventure playground. Easy parking. Pretty building. Decent cafe with friendly staff. Gardens still a bit of a work in progress, but coming along nicely. Nice views.
D Underwood — Google review
The views and the Adventure Park were amazing. Castle is cool too. The best part was the Adventure playground and the obstacle course in the woods. It was definitely the best my kids have been to and we had so much fun running through it with them. So much to explore! We will definitely be back many times!
Brie D — Google review
Lots of carpark space
Stunning grounds to explore
Huge area with views & different themes
It's great to look around the historic Castle
Impressive architecture & history
Great for all the family (especially young ones)
Good facilities, cafe, toilets in historic courtyard
Bit pricey we thought, especially when the castle, grounds & exhibition are still under restoration & not all available to see/enjoy.
But we'll worth a visit if the weather is nice, dog friendly & will be stunning when fully restored.
Lewis Walch — Google review
Wow this place is truly amazing! Perfect location for families. Get your self a picnic made up and spend the day with lots of exploring of the beautiful grounds.
The kids lost castle park is worth the extra fee alone. It is huge! The kids will never get bored as there is so much to chose from, it is perfect.
Michael Jubb — Google review
Absolutely fantastic day out. My son loved the 'Lost Castle' adventure playground, it's huge! The grounds are massive filled with summerhouses and tree swings. Perfect place to take your dog too. We loved it.
Vicky Holmes — Google review
The estate walks offer stunning views of the moors with Ullswater and the pennies in the distance. The eight mile loop is particularly good. Look out for the Fell ponies with their long mains. Also, the lost castle is a great playground for kids. The gardens are beautiful. Ample parking is available, and it is free. Well maintained and beautiful in every aspect.
Roger Kirby — Google review
Beautiful place to visit. Such an interesting castle. This would be magnificent if fully restored to its former glory. The lost castle for the children and even adults who also participated in the slides. Toddlers sand pit, zip lines swings perfect for the children of all ages.
The whole of the castle is well laid out and a pleasure to walk around. History of its demise in 1939 and how it was used in war time.
The cafe has a lunch and tea menu, and ice cream. We had our own picnic.
Georgina Scholick-West — Google review
Beautiful grounds, huge area to explore with children or for a quiet wander. We paid for entrance into the castle and castle gardens and I'd absolutely recommend ypu doing the same because the garden they've created with the castle walls are stunning. They have a wonderful cafe with hot and cold food available and plenty of refreshments. We'll maintained toilet facilities and ample parking space. Ypu will enjoy visiting lowther Castle and gardens.
Emily Emz — Google review
Gorgeous gardens with lots to do and see. The kids playground is AMAZING! The only thing that let it down was the lack of mobility aids. Many gardens and parks we have previously visited have had wheelchair rental or the use of a buggy to help cart those will mobility issues around.
Emily Harrison — Google review
Great place for the whole family. The baby zipwire is a must if you have small kids (my 1yo loved it), and the adventure playground is great for bigger kids. The castle was great too, and the cafe served a good range of food for all the family.
Tom Sayer — Google review
Another highlight of our stay in the Lake District. The castle and gardens are great to explore. Lots of outdoor space to sit and relax. There is a cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. Also one of the biggest and best adventure playgrounds I've ever seen, our kids loved it!
Stephen Lee — Google review
Had a great day out here The grounds are huge and great to see work in progress for such an impressive site Would suggest getting there early and having food first as the cafe area is free to enter so gets very busy! We had a very nice ice cream before the walk around. Such interesting history loved reading about the Yellow Earl and his love of life sounded such an interesting character!
Tracey Parker — Google review
Breathtaking.. honestly couldn’t believe how stunning and well preserved Lowther Castle and the general estate has been kept. There was so much charm and character and stories in every corner! We spent the whole day here and would go again and again if I could!
Daniella LK — Google review
What a brilliant place to visit. Museum was interesting and well laid out. The castle ruin was beautiful to be able to meander though. Garden grounds were very well maintained. Coffee shop/cafe was very reasonable. The kids play area is one of the best we’ve been to and a must visit if in the area with children. Nestled in the wooded gardens it’s huge with everything from toddler sand pits to zip wires. Went as a large family group of mixed ages and there was something for everyone. Will definitely visit again.
Anna Warren — Google review
What an absolutely stunning place to visit. The museum was interesting, the castle was partly ruined but still beautiful, the gardens were colourful and varied. The temporary ceramic daffodil display was lovely to see. We spent a couple of hours here but would have spent more time if we had time as we missed some of the garden and woodland walks. Definitely a 'must visit'.
Tara Sanders — Google review
Lovely location and grounds and a fantastic castle to look at from outside. The internal museum isn't fantastic but the gardens make up for that.
Best outdoor kids playground we've been to, I'd say (and we've been to a few).
Marcus Rogers — Google review
*Felt like a mini-disney land 🏰*
We went for easter and the easter- eggs treasure hunt made the experience more exciting for us. It's one of the castles in Lake districts that isn't a leftover building ruin (memes xD).
The family has great passion for gardening and it was quite evident in how they showcased through the humongous area for sight seeing different species of trees, plants and flora. The natural (& man-edited) view of this place is pleasing and we couldn't help but enjoy the fantastic green views all around us.
They've got advanced + in person booking available. A little crowded, given it was a public holiday. Nice staff, decent amount of information about thr royal family, map(brochure) was really helpful for navigation; an excellent spot to take your family and kids. They've also got a dedicated spot at the very end for kids' plays area and park. Toilets were neat at the entrance. A restaurant at the beginning and a cafe at the end of the voyage. Perfect spot for summer outing with family and friends 👨👨👧👦
Karthikesh B (Karthi) — Google review
I was very impressed with the progress. Such a shame the building internals were torn down.
Progress in the gardens is good to see.
Food in the restaurant was surprisingly good!
Dave Wilson — Google review
WOW. This place isn't just family friendly, the whole place has been thoughtfully designed with families in mind. Brilliant for kids who enjoy a bit of exploring, even if they can't walk that far. And the Lost Castle playground is the biggest and best we have ever seen - absolutely stunning. The café is great too.
We came in the middle of December - the weather was against us but we loved the feeling of having the place to ourselves!
Ben Horrigan — Google review
Beautiful castle with an interesting family history. The cafe menu was amazing & I wished we had more time to spend there. They are having some restoration done on the outer walls, so there are building works going on at the moment . The weather put us off visiting the gardens, so we decided to come back again to spend time exploring them. A place to return to again and again.
Angela Baker — Google review
Wow what a place!! We will definitely be coming back in summer when the gardens are in bloom.
We have watched this place for many years and love what they have done to the place. Visitor centre, gardens, children's play area likevyou have never seen before and acre and acres to wander in - brilliant!!
Kielder Observatory, constructed with local spruce and larch, is situated in Europe's largest gold-tier protected dark sky park within the Kielder Water and Forest Park. It offers stunning stargazing experiences, including the renowned "Kielder Moment," where visitors feel a profound connection to the cosmos. The observatory hosts regular events such as star camps and Space Kids Events, providing hands-on activities for families.
My husband and I went to the Jewels of the Universe event and it was amazing. The talk was informative, delivered by a chap who was obviously passionate about his subject, which made it all the better. Looking through the Sir Patrick Moore telescope was incredible, a real privilege to see a double star and even a galaxy. We enjoyed the evening immensely
Julie Cleary — Google review
We went to Space Kids - rockets and more recently and it was absolutely fantastic. My husband and I enjoyed it along with our son, who came out smiling and inspired. The whole event was fabulous and there was a good mix of talking and doing if that makes sense. The team were approachable, chatty and talented. The observatory and surroundings are beautiful too. Highly recommended!
Verity Yeates — Google review
From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by knowledgeable astronomers who guided us through an evening of discovery. Equipped with powerful telescopes, we delved into the depths of space, witnessing distant galaxies, shimmering nebulae, and elusive planets.
The Dark Cosmos Event offered more than just stargazing; it was a journey of enlightenment and inspiration. Engaging talks and interactive demonstrations provided fascinating insights into the mysteries of the cosmos, leaving us with a newfound appreciation for the night sky.
Absolutely recommend 👍🏻
Stephanie Staff — Google review
We were on their ‘Late Night Explorer’ experience and it was amazing!! The staff were all super helpful and informative and the whole experience was brill. We were unlucky with the weather but still managed to get a picture of the moon with my iPhone via one of their telescopes. I highly recommend a visit, we will definitely be back 🌚✨
amy bagnall — Google review
Fantastic experience. Even though it was cloudy and we were unable to see much through the telescopes the staff were very passionate and knowledgeable. The various talks and show n tells were very interesting and learnt loads. If the clouds had cleared it would have only enhanced an already interesting evening. Be warned it's a late night 9pm to midnight. The road up is a bit of rough but easily passable if you go slower. You get to touch mars and the moon what's not cool about that!
Paul Cousins — Google review
A must visit for astro enthusiasts!
Tickets - Book well in advance, the best ones are sold out quickly (e.g. shows that are close to a meteor shower or late night from 12-3am)
Getting there - We drove down from Edinburgh and it takes about 2-3 hours each way. Stunning landscapes along the way and some beautiful forest roads leading up to the mountain where this observatory is located. The path becomes narrower as you go up but fairly comfortable.
The Observatory Experience - They have regular shows based on different themes followed by a tour of the place and some free time. The content is great, it’s also beginner friendly. The people who work here are warm and a pleasure to talk to. They have some nice meteorite samples, a wide range of telescopes, and merch you can buy at the end.
Weather - This is the variable with highest impact on your overall experience given that it’s usually cloudy or raining making live observations impossible. However, the experience is worth it no matter the weather conditions.
The journey is the reward, the hot chocolate is the cherry on top and if you have nice weather consider yourself blessed!
Rahul Ramchandani — Google review
Fantastic visit to the Observatory, when though it was cloudy during our visit it was a great night learning lots about the mysteries of the universe.
The staff were amazing and very knowledgeable, couldn't recommend a visit more highly.
Paul Currie — Google review
We went for a midnight watch and what a superb experience it turned out to be. The stars came into view when wanted them and we could scrutinise them so clearly with the professional 16inch telescope. Followed by a mug of hot chocolate. Both Perfect. We had three professional astronomer lecturers and we came away wiser and more knowledgeable.
A revelatory adventure perfect as a father/daughter gift to each other.
Jim Mitchell — Google review
A fantastic 3 hours, very educational and light hearted explanation of aurora events. Night sky simply amazing and viewing through telescopes was wonderful. The size of the universe is mind boggling. The knowledge of the staff was incredible.
Wrap up warm...be prepared for a stimulating experience... worth every penny
chris hands — Google review
We chose the late night experience, which started at 11pm with a welcome and a short presentation. We were then split into 3 groups of 10, and our group went out onto the deck first. This was lucky, as for the first hour, we had completely clear skies. Our guide had lots of information, and because of the nearly full moon, we looked at the craters of the Moon through the telescope. We also had a good look at the stripes on Jupiter and its moons. Our guide was happy to answer questions and name the constellations above, and he helped us to take photos using the telescope and our own phones. The next rotation for us was a welcome hot chocolate; it was -2°c and despite warm clothes, our feet were freezing. This was followed by a demonstration and a look through a more powerful telescope. Our last rotation was in the rotating turret, this time led by a lovely, enthusiastic astrophysicist. All the guides were very knowledgeable, but they kept the information they shared at an appropriate level for amateurs.
One extra highlight for us was being able to say that we'd stood on Mars (we stood on a piece of a meteorite that is thought to have come from Mars!)
This is a fantastic experience and the second time we have visited the observatory; the first time several years ago we had bad weather and we had a lecture instead of looking through the telescopes. It really is a lottery.
Patricia Goldring — Google review
Kielder Observatory is located in one of a limited number of dark zones in Europe. These are ares where light from buildings is limited at night to minimise light pollution. The observatory is located atop a hill in the extensive Kielder forest and is accessed via a gravel and pitted road that is wide enough for just one vehicle. The observatory is funded by charitable donations and is run by a small team of staff with varying backgrounds in astronomy, solely for the public. The daily program runs from 9pm to about 12pm. There are video presentations that are very professionally prepared and are both entertaining and packed with cosmological information. Each is about half an hour long, informal and interactive. There are two telescopes that can be directed to any object and are computer controlled. Everyone gets to view the celestial body most suited to being viewed at that time through the telescope with the guidance of a staff member. Cloudy skies would make live demonstrations problematical but with several hours and the whole of the night sky available to star gaze there will always be something to see. It is a brilliant experience for everyone from children to grown ups.
surinder cheema — Google review
Went to the Jewels of the universe event for my birthday, what an amazing experience. The team were all very knowledgeable and helped maximise our stargazing time based on the weather conditions. Got a great view of Jupiter, the Moon and Sirius then a guide through the constellations. We will definitely visit again.
Tom Saye — Google review
A fabulous evening at the Aurora event. We were a group of 8 (not 9 as planned) ladies who had started high school together in the late 60s. Our friend who so wanted to see the lights had died recently so it was an emotional experience for us.
All the experts there were so knowledgeable and enthusiastic but a special mention must be made to Liam who went above and beyond in searching out a 68 year old star for us!
He positioned the telescope so we could look at the star 17 Cygni - 68.2 years old. As I looked through the telescope a shooting star blazed overhead - how special was that??
The next morning we looked at our photos and oohhhhh.. one of our group had a photo of the aurora! The skies had been pretty clear and we had been taking random shots - but there it was! What a lovely way to end our trip.
Thank you so much to all you lovely boffins - and THANK YOU Liam.. 😘
.. also thank you to 17 Cygni for being such a special star - you're now known to us as Siobhan.. 🥰✨
Wendy Williams — Google review
Excellent!!!
Proper geek mode I was in
You can see the northern lights from there!
Great staff with fountains of knowledge and know how
Wonderful powerful telescopes
Unfortunately after a 3 hour tour and educating talk the skies were cloudy and I got to see completely nothing!!ggrrrrrr
But I did get to stand on a piece of Martian rock so I get to say I've stood on Mars which I literally did!!!!
Telescope views of the milkywsy available if clear weather presents itself but....
Hot drinks served for free with any ticket bought
Great products on sale.
Rare meteorites etc
Wonderful experience which I highly recommended you do if you get the chance
Situated in the heart of keldler forest the uks biggest man-made forest with views to are inspire tou
I'm returning next year to hopefully see ... something next time
Brilliant family day out it really is
Go try it and hopefully see for yourselves
Elliott Hawkes — Google review
We had a fabulous evening at the observatory, the sky cleared briefly on what had been a dull and overcast day, Josie and the team re-jigged their plans and gave us a fabulous view of the night sky whilst it was available, the guy who did the presentation on space rocks should be on the stage, how he could make his presentation so entertaining and informative was brilliant. the guy who gave us the presentation on the telescope was fantastic - he just loves what he does.
How you all can remember all those numbers is beyond me let alone comprehend millions of light years!!!!!
thanks to the volunteers for providing us all with a nice warm drink halfway through the evening it was very appreciated.
Great night out
Dave Brookes — Google review
A wonderful and informative experience, we attended the 'Secret lives of Stars' talk last night. The adverse weather didn't stop us, it was very well run, and the entire team were knowledgeable and exceptionally friendly.
I'd definitely recommend a visit. The drive up there can be a little challenging in the pitch black, so if you're not the most confident driver I'd recommend you make a night of it and book some of the nearby accommodation.
J H — Google review
Absolutely amazing. We attended an event here and learned so much! The team delivering the evening were amazing and very clearly love their jobs. We were a little late arriving due to traffic etc but they were more than accommodating even then. We would absolutely come back.
Rebecca Fuller — Google review
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Black Fell, Kielder, Hexham NE48 1EJ, United Kingdom
The cathedral of Carlisle is a small Gothic building that features finely decorated choir stalls from the 15th century. The building was badly damaged in the English Civil War and only part of the nave remains.
Beautiful. Traditional Stunning architecture and decor. Steeped in history. Loved our visit here. Cafe in the grounds. Toilet facilities. Wheelchair access etc Well worth a visit and right round the corner from town centre which is full of little places to eat, gift store and bars.
Caz Bitz — Google review
We were greeted by a friendly guide who gave us a five minute pocket guide to the Cathedral which was well worthwhile.
This is an interesting building in that there is a definite break between the two architectural styles of Norman and Gothic.
The Treasury in the new crypt is also impressive.
Allow about 30 minutes for a visit.
We happily gave the £3 suggested donation.
Jocelyn Twose — Google review
Wonderful cathedral, a must visit if in Carlisle. Quite dark inside but it was off-peak times and during the day so understandable. Very helpful members of staff around the building to answer any questions.
Sekhmet — Google review
Fantastic day. Did not realise that a new cafe had been built here about 5 years ago. Sympathetically designed and greatly enhances the visitor experience. Will now be a regular haunt for us. There was a concert rehearsal so great to listen to this.
Julia King — Google review
A very impressive and well designed Cathedral. Every single thing in the church is beautifully detailed and well kept. Every person there was lovely and very helpful. One of the better UK cathedrals I've been to.
Ellie Clayton — Google review
Carlisle cathedral is Beautiful. Lovely atmosphere feeling as you go in. The people were singing. Free to go in. You can leave a donation when your visit is finished. Light a candle 🕯 for your love ones. ❤️ lots to look at and enjoy your visit.
Robert Clelland (Rab) — Google review
Beautiful church. Its beautiful Inside the church, with a stunning architecture. You get a pocket guide which explains everything about the church. It is not open for visit on Sundays but you can enter for free on all other days. There are many stained glass windows with murals. The altar and the woodworks within the altar is stunning. The ceiling seems to be newly painted with stars in blue background which was really cool to look at. Organ pipes were stacked in the walls outside a hidden chamber and the guide explained that they will be played only during service.
Over all stunning and peaceful place.
Jithin S Mankad — Google review
Breathtakingly beautiful inside. Stained glass is wonderful, and the wood carvings in the choir are just incredible. There are some interesting panels depicting the lives of various saints scattered around the cathedral, so be sure to take in all the details before leaving. If you're visiting the city this is a must-see!
okay, this is epic — Google review
Great little cathedral. It was beautiful, and enough to see but not overwhelming like some some other, larger cathedrals. The staff were very friendly and they have a nice laminated guide to point out key things to see in the church with a quick description. Worth checking out
Madelyn Mattern — Google review
Absolutely stunning cathedral set back slightly from the main shopping area (I expected it to be further away like the castle), boasting the largest full flowing stained glass window in the uk and the cloisters ceiling. From the minute you enter the ground it takes your breath, and the more you look the more you see, like the fist sized gargoyle carvings all around the window rims and intricate details of everything.
Upon entering (this happened the first time but not the second as the lady looked busy with guests) I was given a laminated paper with info and ‘what’s where’ drawings on however it’s very easy to navigate without.
The cathedral is free however you are able if desire to give a donation of any amount. The recommended is £4.
Downstairs is a small “museum” of sorts.
The place is definitely worth a visit and pass an hour unless you take time to sit and reflect or simply marvel. The grounds have other interesting places and a coffee shop which is a tad on the expensive side but it’s what id expect given location.
If you do visit, make sure you use the mirror below the ceiling for a better look at it, it really is something special.
Also if you take the time to read the history it is an even more interesting place. Overall a very well preserved, peaceful, beautiful, astounding place.
Leanne Harrison — Google review
Absolutely well worth a visit. Just don't miss it if you can. Free entry but donation welcome. Also a very nice little coffee shop for a break. Will be going again when in Carlisle
John Andrew Hodgkinson — Google review
This was a huge red sandstone building that had evolved over the last 900 years and looks like a lot of the ornamental stonework was replaced recently. Outside there were the remains of the original Augustinian cloisters and a nice cafe area and inside I was almost the only visitor. There were a few original Norman features and some amazing medieval paintings too.
The ceiling had been repainted in the 1860’s and really added to the serenity of the building. There was a lot of magnificent stained glass and also regimental colours, now faded and darkened. Moving with the times the cathedral had contactless donation terminals which was a great idea as I had no cash.
Marcus Hurley — Google review
Beautiful cathedral. We came to sign the Queen's Book of Condolence. We had a look around at some of the beautiful architecture and artefacts. Well worth a look around.
karen hopkins — Google review
Free to visit. Very welcoming. Beautiful stained glass windows. Wonderful ceiling full of stars. Lovely Cafe. Go and visit if you can.
Nic Dorset — Google review
An attractive cathedral with a stunning interior, situated in well kept grounds. Highlights include the beautiful starlight ceiling, magnificent stained glass east window and medieval painted panels.
The helpful staff are happy to answer questions, or provide information sheets to guide you around the cathedral. The treasury exhibition is highly informative and houses an impressive collection of artefacts.
Accessibility is very good and there's no charge to visit, but donations are welcomed to help maintain the cathedral. The grounds are well worth a look, with ruins of the Augustinian priory. There's also a well staffed café on site serving lunch and refreshments.
The cathedral is open between 07:30 and 18:30 Monday to Friday, and until 17:00 on weekends.
Andrew Thomas — Google review
Beautiful. I was lucky enough to be there when there was an organist playing. It was breathtaking.
The star ceiling is unbelievable, so pretty. There are deckchairs to sit in and marvel at the stars.
The staff are lovely and helpful.
Not a massive building, but it's absolutely beautiful
Lynn Thompson — Google review
Must see when in Carlisle. Loads of history. There’s also a nightly choir and organ recital. I missed this but would be so great to see an hear in this amazing cathedral.
Brandt Tracey — Google review
We stopped to grab a bite on our way to Edinburgh. Then we decided we would visit the cathedral. Nice bit of local history and architecturally sound. We spent a few hours here. They have a quest for the kids as well. The volunteers engaged well with adults and kids alike.
Tarun Bharadwaj Natam — Google review
No tickets required to enter the church. It was a beautiful visit and there are guides in the church whom you can ask questions. Once your visit is over there is a cafe inside to take a break. When you exit the church you can give a donation voluntarily.
Jen — Google review
The cathedral is really pretty, not big but interesting and worth seeing.
Read about the story of the stars on the ceiling.:) Free entrance, easy to reach, right in the city centre, it takes a few minutes to visit.
Aurelia Ghenuche — Google review
Excellent!! Don't know how the folks of old managed to climb the steps, so narrow, with all their kit on. Brilliant place to visit
Nigel Gardner — Google review
Worth visiting when exploring Carlisle. Free entry, of course, a donation is always appreciated. The visitor shop has some great items available to purchase
Carl Whittle — Google review
A must see when you're in the area. As you enter, immediately on your left there's a rune engraving in the wall, very peculiar to find something like that in a cathedral. The blue ceiling and the organs are quite something. Do go down to the treasury, there are very beautiful items.
Derwentwater is a long, narrow lake located in the Lake District of North West England. With its tranquil landscapes and many opportunities for recreation, it is popular with visitors all year round. The lake has a network of footpaths and boating opportunities, as well as being home to Keswick Launches which take in stunning views of the surrounding fells. For those looking to explore more of the area, Borrowdale Valley is just across the lake.
A really beautiful place to walk. It's about 10 miles and takes about 4 to 6 hours to walk around, depending upon how many stops you make for refreshments. I high recommend St Mary's Mount for refreshments and tye Derwentwater Hotel.
History Academy — Google review
Beautiful ribbon lake nestled within the classic Lake District mountainous terrain. If you can get on the water, it's a great feeling, and even if not, you'll be able to feel the serenity at any point around the lake. Genuinely a stunning place especially when it's not too rainy or cloudy (good luck!) and one of my highlights when visiting the lakes.
Oliver Ling — Google review
Derwentwater is a truly magical an amazing place!! An can be certainly breath-taking over the summer month.
Takes roughly 4 - 5hrs get all way round an is about 10miles long too walk.
Ben Taylor (Benji) — Google review
Derwentwater is a beautiful lake located in the Lake District National Park in Cumbria, England. It is one of the most popular and picturesque lakes in the region, surrounded by stunning landscapes and fells. Derwentwater is approximately 3 miles long and 1 mile wide, offering scenic views, walking trails, and opportunities for boating and watersports. The lake is also dotted with several islands, including the well-known Derwent Island, which is owned by the National Trust and can be visited by boat. It's a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Mohammad Abufara — Google review
Has a circular walk around the lake, with beautiful views. Part of it is flooded at the moment, though, just before the "Chinese Bridge".
Shaun Brown — Google review
Great spot for wild swimming. Plenty of parking. Views are incredible
Moose lowe — Google review
It's a beautiful place for swimming, outing, spending leisure time/special time with you family,friends, girlfriend-boyfriend or buggy ,specially for tourists, boating, enjoy the beauty of nature.
These picture was taken last summer
Md Imtiaz Ahmed Shakib — Google review
Wandering down from Keswick for the first time, and the view emerging from the trees, is one of the few times, I was astonished in my life. It is absolutely wonderfully gorgeous, and if you have never seen it for yourself, watch the Star Wars scene where the X-Wings flew over the water. Even major film makers know a beautiful place when they see one!
Access is easy. Keswick is ten minutes walk away, there is a large carpark a few minutes away to the north, which also has toilets. The path that runs down the eastern shore soon brings you to peace and quiet, woodland mottled in sunlight from a high sun, providing shade on the hot days. And the views from all angles, are just beautiful in all the best ways, at all times of all the days.
Everything is so close here, and yet so beautiful, you can spend an hour here, or a day, and every minute is worth it
DavidStaGr — Google review
We walked round Derwentwater anticlockwise from Keswick. Its a ten mile walk on mainly flat road so isnt too strenuous and the scenery is absolutely stunning. It took around 5 hours to walk at a fairly steady pace, we did it in trainers quite easily so walking boots aren't necessary. Well worth the effort.
Alison James — Google review
The day that we visited Lake Derwentwater was really sunny. The lake was really beautiful. There is a large grass area perfect for picnics. This is a place that you must take photos of.
Priyangen Mangalaruban — Google review
We walked all round this beautiful lake the first full day we had in Keswick. Well worth the aching legs...
M. R. Parkins — Google review
Definitely worth a walk, it's even possible to catch a boat and walk different areas of the lake. The views are spectacular and change all year round. There is a good path from Keswick to Friars Crag that is suitable for wheel chair access.
Cat Bells is a small, gentle mountain peak that can be easily accessed via a short path with panoramic lakeland views. It's perfect for those who want an easy hike that does not compromise on the view, and is also popular amongst hillwalkers.
Absolutely stunning hike! Perfect for kids though there was a small bit of scrambling (last photo) but that was our favorite part! It took us a couple of hours with plenty of stops for playing and enjoying the views
Renee Miller — Google review
Nice circular route with great views. Good walk for most dogs, easy route to follow. We went down to the lakeside, makes the walk a wee bit longer but gives you 2 different types of scenery vistas.
Greg Campbell-smith — Google review
Nice steep walk, we managed to get halfway up with great views of Derwent Water.
Up and down near the top in less than 2 hours which was great.
Tabby Tabster — Google review
Absolutely beautiful walk.
Stunning views.
We did the hike with our dogs, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
It is fairly steep on both the ascent and descent, one thing to take into consideration, on the descent some rock scrambling and climbing is required.
Lucy Smith — Google review
Walked up one morning with my dog and the views didn’t disappoint. We walked straight up from the bottom and once you got so far up it was quite a scramble, especially when you’re on your own trying to hold a dog! We came down the other path (I’m not sure if there’s more than just those two), which winds down the outside facing Derwentwater, and that was definitely an easier route! I would definitely go back again but go the ‘easier’ route up.
Anna Cialis-Hodgson — Google review
We had an amazing hike in Catbells and it was one of the best hikes we did in the Lake district. This hike was a full of spectacular views overlooking the Derwentwater and the range of magical mountains in Lake District. The hike was quite an easy one and we did as a preparation for the Helvellyn hike we are planning to do in next couple of days. We parked the car in Hawes end car park. Make sure not to park your Car along the double yellow lines, no matter how tempting you are, you will definitely get a parking ticket. I saw many Cars got parking tickets just because they wanted to save £5 of the Car park. Make sure to keep only footsteps and take only photos /memories. Thanks Lake District 😊
Anjana Silva — Google review
Good family climb. Some scrambles, we did it with a five and seven year old in good weather. Recommended getting a buss or getting off the ferry at Hawes end.
Stephen Nicholson — Google review
Great "Little" walk. I had thought we could do this on one of our rest days. It was a little bit steeper than I'd thought. But I have to say, one of my favourite walks. The views are great. Parking is a nightmare. I'd Googled beforehand and getting the launch from Keswick was recommended. This was a great idea. It added another element to the adventure. And made parking easy. The lakeside carpark is massive.
martin cockerell — Google review
This was a very steep walk for me! I'd like to think I'm fairly fit but I found this very demanding. The views are amazingly beautiful but please be warned that this is NOT a flat easy walk. I regret not taking some food and drink to enjoy the spectacular views at the top.
Ken Lau — Google review
Amazing view! Definitely recommend. It’s about a 25-35 min hike up to the first viewpoint and it’s amazing. It’s quite steep so wear proper shoes as not to fall or slip, especially on the way down. The view from the top is really breathtaking.
Dominique Saayman — Google review
Fantastic views all the way. Amazing. A must do thing to put on your list. There were people of all ages doing this, but there are two parts when you have to scramble up the rocks. Not easy for all to do! Start at Hawks End to get the best experience of it all. You go up to the first peak and as you get there you then see another. As you get to the top, then there's another, get to next peak then there's yet another again. Lovely to sit down and have a drink and a sarni looking out over the views. The winding path on the side going down left me in sooo much pain in my knees though!! I didnt think I would be able to drive home! Worth it cos the views are amazing! Parking..... what a nightmare! Seemed like cars were in every little gap at sides of road there was and its a bit tight in places for two cars to pass. There are a lot of double yellow lines so be careful where you choose. I basically just got lucky with a parking spot. If you see one grab it
Trickyj “TRICKYJ” Trickyj — Google review
Perfect hike for first time climbers, it has absolutely everything to get their love for climbing going!! The views are beautiful the walk isn't too strenuous.
Views for miles and a lovely lake at the bottom of the fell, perfect spot for wild swimming and having a picnic, a firm family favourite!!!
Spontaneous Adventures — Google review
Fairly easy walk for beginners and it’ll take about an hour up and less than that coming down, if you’re fairly fit
There’s parking right at the starting point, (the side facing the lake) so if you can get that then it’s literally a few steps to the starting point (which slights right, up the hill)
The views are spectacular and there’s nothing like a short hike to end your day!
You can do a circular route and come down the shorter but less scenic view and really complete this miniature mountain
If you’re with the family and they’re not up for running across striding edge with you then this scenic route will get everyone out and wanting to climb
The Seeker — Google review
Great walk with excellent views around Keswick. Not to busy and a moderate rating, great starter point for beginners.
Craig Johnston — Google review
This is probably my favourite hike in England.
I've parked in the area previously, within a half mile of the start. Yet parking is difficult and I was lucky to find a legal spot to park.
Yesterday when I ventured up with the wife we parked at the Lake Side car park (£8.50 for 6 hours).
We then caught the ferry form the lakeside to Hawes End. The journey is lovely and takes about 30 mins.
It was £5.50 each one way. The guys that run the ferry are great. Very friendly and happy to advise on directions and where best to get off etc.
There is a wooden jetty at Hawes end which leads straight into a woodland. It's sigh posted to the start of the Catbells walk and brings you out at the North End of the walk. This is the most challenging end of the climb as it's 80% climbing, some of which is pretty steep and there is some technicality at around 4 points along the route to the summit. It's a bit of scrambling and for some bits you're going to need both hands to help you climb. It's doable for most people who are at least moderately active.
The only way I can gauge it for you is I am above average fitness for my age. (I am 50 my VO2 max currently at 47). I carried a pack with 12kg weight. I used walking poles and my heart rate reached around 150bpm on the toughest section which is the scramble right before the summit. I like to go for it and push myself so I shot up there but you can take your time and have regular rests. So don't let this put you off.
The great thing about this hike is that it's incredibly rewarding. It's a short distance but steep enough to get you a good workout. Yet, as you climb there are rewards at every turn. Even after hiking just five mins into the trail you will start to be rewarded with Great views. And this gift keeps on giving the higher you climb.
You'll have views over to the Langdale Pikes to the SE, Keswick town, Blencathra and Skiddaw to the North and NE.
Then over to your SW, views Straight into the Kentmere Horse Shoe.
Ok a clear day you can see right across to the East towards the very peak of Hellvellyn.
Just 360° fantastic views.
We missed the last boat back from Hawes End landing which is at 1740hrs.
We also missed the last bus back (no.77) which was at 1801hrs from Portinscale. So we had to walk back to Keswick which took about 90 mins from the foot of Catbells at the Hawes End area.
The total walk from Hawes end landing jetty along the ridge to Catbells summit, then down a path way that leads East from the ridge between Catbells and Maiden more (towards the lake). Then following the path way along the lower fells of Catbells South to North back to Hawes End. Continuing along the main road towards Portinscale, then through and over the River Derwent and along a dirt track straight into the centre of Keswick Town was 7.4 miles approximately.
I'd advise planning to get the boat back from Hawes End. In which case Hawes end to Hawes end over Catbells is around 4 miles.
You can pay for your ticket by contactless card on the boat itself if you haven't bought a return ticket.
That's it. Hopefully this contains all the main info for you to enjoy a great mini adventure in Catbells. Sounds obvious, (but I can tell you that people still underestimate the fells), but make sure you take food, drinks and proper walking gear and jacket etc for inclement weather. It can and does change very quickly up there and you're very exposed up there. It's almost always windy up there and so when you're sat admiring the view from the summit and all sweaty, you'll cool off super quick. I've included some photos if you're interested. Enjoy.
Outdoorsonaut — Google review
Beautiful walk. No need to use the car park if you staying in Keswick as you can take the ferry or walk around the north part of the lake to get there.
Views are fantastic, on the negative side it's a little too busy but most people are respectful and helpful. For those who are older or with young children, there are two scrambling sections which are unavoidable and the second would be particularly challenging with very young kids or if you are infirm.
If you want to go further and have the time/energy you can walk over the hilltops along to Maidens Moor and High Spy which is a route just after you come down the far side of Catbells. These are much less frequented and not particularly challenging after the initial climb of Catbells and takes you up to around 650m. If you are feeling particularly daring you can go even further and there is a beautiful and secluded swimming lake on past High Spy peak.
Well worth doing.
Dave Newts — Google review
This my second hike of the year .. amazing views and beautiful trails definitely recommend worth it
Miquel Lambert — Google review
Surprisingly amazing for the low altitude of this fell. Really enjoyed the hike on the way to High Spy. This fell in the Lake District National Park is very busy due to its proximity to the town of Keswick. A lot of people hike up and back down to their hotels and camping sites. Nevertheless a truly wonderful short walk and definitely a must do Wainwright. Parking for this fell is as always a problem in the peek season and you'll most likely have to pay, then walk to the beginning of Cat Bells.
Stephen Hayes — Google review
Really enjoyed the hike up Catsbells. Such amazing views! Some parts are literally clambering up rocks (make sure you go in the right direction for the loop as wouldn't want to be going down the rocks) but doable if reasonably fit and mobile. Did the 5k circular route. Parking is an issue, ensure you follow parking rules.
Natasha fallows — Google review
A nice little walk with great views of derwent. Not a bad walk and easy going. It dies get very busy as loads of people were on the way up as we desended.
Rob Morgans — Google review
Lovely day out if the weather is playing ball. Be prepared for a bit of a scramble at the top, but nothing too intense. Anyone with a fair amount of fitness should find it a doddle.
Charlene G — Google review
Catbells is a relatively easy climb for the generalist hiker. One that you can do with the kids if they’re competent. Personally if you don’t want any whinging, try when your kids are older than 8 years as it’s a progressive climb with 3 or 4 scrambling sections to its peak of just 450 metres. Don’t let the modest height of this mountain put you off. The views from the peak over Derwentwater are exquisite. A bonus is that on clear days you will find the RAF Eurofighters training overhead through the valleys of Blencathra to the northeast and over Bassenthwaite. We timed the passing jets perfectly as we meandered through the Cumbria Way near Nichol End Marina. Seeing a Typhoon 500ft above your head is quite something and the noise verging on deafening. Quite a shock for my 10 year old son! Our route from Portinscale south past Lingholm Kitchen and Gardens, up through the foothills is well sign posted. You can’t go wrong! There’s even a little snack truck where you can have a coffee and a crépe before you begin your ascent (or finish if you’re doing a loop to Portinscale). This Route 1 is around 8 miles back to Portinscale and can easily be finished in around 4 hours including a picturesque lunch on the tops. One of the best walks the Lakes has to offer.
Paul G (Paulies Travels) — Google review
Lovely walk if you follow the road around and come up the side of the lake it is more gentle as the other side you need to climb on roads
Lee Hallmark — Google review
4.9
(636)
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5.0
(1742)
Keswick, CA12 5TU, United Kingdom
I'll never travel to Glasgow without this trip planner again
Gretna Green is a town in the Scottish Highlands and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Scotland. The town is known for its attraction of wedding venues with a symbolic anvil and coach museum, restaurant and bar. The Blacksmiths Restaurant Bar has a self-service option as well as Smiths at Gretna Green hotel which sells souvenirs and has a gift shop.
It was beautiful and amazing! You can feel the history as you walk through the stairs and look out the windows. Be sure to check out the walls and military museum. The gift shop is really nice too and worth checking out!
Avagayil Wallen — Google review
An amazing must-go attraction when visiting Scotland. There are toilets, cafés and a big souvenir shop that sells a variety of things. Although it is famous for runaway marriage in the old days, there are still many people coming here to get married (as we saw groups of properly dressed people coming to attend the wedding ceremony). It's a place that could make people feel loved and happy.
Cheri Choi — Google review
Stopped here on the way back from Scotland. Beautiful sunny day. Plenty of people getting married. Two in, two out. Lovely horses and carriage. Food on site a little expensive but ok. Outside table were a little dirty and not cleared up very quickly. Staff were friendly and offered our dog water.
john bentham — Google review
The Famous Gretna Green I think everyone should pay a visit to this charming place in stunning Scotland at list once in their lifetime.
Very touristy place but definitely worth a visit.
Lovely little shops where you can buy some fine Scotish whisky.
Also its a famous place to get married 😀
muddy_laces — Google review
For me it’s a handy place to stop off heading in either direction from the motorway as an electric car driver I usually find that the charger here is unoccupied more often than not. Large grassy area to the rear to exercise the dogs and the grounds are well maintained. I enjoyed watching all the bird life there today as well.
Brian Muir — Google review
Always wanted to go and just never had the time. Now in my retirement I just had to go on the way back from Scotland. I had herd so much of the stories my father would tell me him being a Scot now I have been I was not disappointed it is of course very modern now and of course very commercial as u expected but what a nice place very romantic and very special please if you haven’t been you must go
Stuart Mitchell — Google review
Always somewhere to visit when I come to Scotland and stay overnight at Gretna, before going up to the Highlsnds. Staff always friendly. Gift stocks a bit depleted this time and prices on some things a bit high. Buy worth a visit.
Ian Jarrett — Google review
We only stopped off for a cuppa and toilet break. Beautiful place with interesting artwork /sculptures in the yard. Glad we dropped in. Lovely brief interlude
Christine Slater — Google review
Very touristy and a bit pricey. Lots of expensive Scotish items for sale. Some nice jewellery. Nice buildings. Cafe was clean and reasonably priced for a tourist hot spot. Friendly staff and clean toilets. Free entry.
Widey xyz — Google review
We had a lovely time 'tying the knot' at Gretna. The lady that did our ceremony was lovely, friendly, helpful & took time to answer our questions, it was a really memorable experience. We had afternoon tea & explored the shops. Yes it isn't cheap, it's quite commercial & busy but nevertheless we still enjoyed ourselves & it's basically what you make it. What do you expect with somewhere that's so steeped in tradition it attracts lots of interest worldwide. The staff were all helpful & friendly, the afternoon tea was pretty good too. Not sure it's worth multiple visits but as a one off or anniversary it's a must for Love.
Dan Dan — Google review
We can't recommend Gretna Green Famous Blacksmiths Shop enough! We got married here last week, and the staff were all fantastic, and we had the most magical day!
We visited the Gretna Green experience the day before our wedding, and we loved finding out about the history of the building that we were going to get married in!
We also enjoyed the food in the restaurant and received excellent service from Ewan.
Leanne Rossin — Google review
Went there with a coach party.
We all had afternoon tea which included tea and scones.
The on-site shops were well stocked.
The Piper was in attendance playing a variety of tunes, he was cheerful and approachable. He was wearing the Black Stuart tartan.
There were a number of statues in the grounds reading for photo shoots .
The on-site shops were well stocked, there was a bit of a sale at the time
A very pleasant place to visit, it is no longer a spot on the map
Nigel Robinson — Google review
On a quiet weekday the place was very quiet. Lots of parking and room to wander round. Some parts were shut and we didn't get into the actual marriage room. The cafe only served machine coffee and this was lukewarm. Not impressed at £13+ for 2 coffees, 1 tea . 2 pieces of flapjack and a bag of crisps.
Liz Armstrong — Google review
Beautiful place. Wasn't sure what to expect but blown away with how it's all set out. You have to go in every shop as they all have something different. Go see the Blacksmiths museum, its a must. We also saw a wedding which was the icing on the cake.
Angie Moon — Google review
Nice place to stop and enjoy an ice cream and watch the weddings being held like an assembly line 😆.
Nice open space green good for picnics, a Love Maze to keep you occupied for 20mins.
Lots of retail opportunities should you wish to induldge.
Tahir Anwar — Google review
National Holidays did a stop here on way home was busy in cafe and shops but still lovely to have a walk around saw 1 wedding! Piper was amazing too
Lesley Clayton — Google review
Had a lovely afternoon here at Gretna Green. We had the handfasting blessing. The setting and service conducted by the lovely lass Hope. She made the the whole experience for my wife and I very special. Xx. Will remember that day xx thank you to to the chap in the shop the bagpipe player and the lady in the office. You all made our day. Xx thank you xx yours sincerely Steve and Annie and Luna xx
STEVE SINGLETON — Google review
Good place to visit we stopped on the way to Banff.
Very interesting shops and some bargains to be had also a good food hall.
And don't forget the piper and the weddings.
paul dalton — Google review
We checked first that dogs were allowed and it said they were except in the food hall so we drove up so we could look around. Once we arrived we found all the shops had no dogs allowed posters on the doors but we got lucky with the big Scottish shop as the lass told us we could go in with ours (would never leave them outside). We spent quite a bit in there getting presents and was a lovely shop. The two lasses were so friendly and helpful too.
Unfortunately that's were the good part ended. We ate outside, as obviously had our dogs, so had to go in separately to get our food. I had eaten mine before my partner got back and it really wasn't great. The chips were mostly not cooked through and yet this wasn't early when we got there. That night we were both unwell and could only put it down to the food we ate there. A real shame. We did see 3 couples getting married whilst we were there and the place is lovely. Obviously caught them on a bad day but we wouldn't go again.
Claire Nolan — Google review
I used to love this place it was always the first and last glimpse of all things Scottish at the start and end of trips over the border but now it's become a soulless corporate enterprise. The actual Blacksmith shop and outer area are still lovely and traditional and of course it's in a beautiful setting but it's no longer a good shopping and dining experience.
Deborah Young — Google review
Wow what an incredible bit of history tucked away. And still operating like the times of old. Excellent layout loads do shopping opportunities, great food and such lovely staff. Highly recommend this location for a day out or go big and get married here. Many photo opportunities.
zane cohen — Google review
We stopped off there only for coffee and walk the pooches. Very busy. Plenty of parking. Areas for dogs. Gift shops and restaurant. There was even Bagpipes being played.
Julie Powell — Google review
This was such a find. I had no idea of the history behind Gretna Green. We did the experience, which was £6.95 for an adult and was worth every penny. Full of history and how legislation changed marriage, together with some personal accounts and stories. It was beautifully presented.
Very friendly service from staff too.
There are several shops, a restaurant and an outdoor area with a maze and play area for children.
It's a really special place and truly worth a visit.
Andy T — Google review
Great place to visit. There is such a rich history of Gretna Green and the Famous Blacksmith Shop. Fantastic experience would definitely recommend visiting if in Scotland.
Stewart Hall-Smith — Google review
We got married here on the 22/03/2024 and we had a magical experience from start to finish. The day was absolutely perfect. Thank you to all the staff who were fantastic!
We are so glad we chose this venue and would highly recommend to anyone thinking about marrying here xxx
Lesley — Google review
Very touristic place with posh shops. Dogs are nowhere allowed. Only the "experience" is worthwhile (but you have to pay for the entrance). You even cannot visit the old Black Smit Shop (because of all the weddings going on). So, a place to visit only once and never again. If it is not on your route for your vacation, don't go there.
M vW — Google review
4.2
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4.0
(1639)
Headless Cross, Gretna Green, Gretna, DG16 5EA, United Kingdom
Caerlaverock Castle, situated by Glencaple on the Solway coast of Scotland, is a magnificent medieval fortress with twin-towered gatehouses and surrounded by a moat. The triangular pink-stoned castle appears impenetrable but has been attacked several times in history, including the famous siege by Edward in 1300 that was later immortalized in an epic poem.
The castle was closed on my recent visit due to maintenance, but the grounds are lovely and there's a lovely cafe ,
It's the only triangular castle in Britain , and has a most.
On previous visits I have been inside the castle and it's very interesting with architecture that's seems strange in a castle but it adds to the attraction . It's well worth a visit . There's a lovely children's play area as well and further down there's the ruins of the original castle.
Great place for a picnic .
Staff are nice and helpful .
Teen Brown — Google review
Like so many sites on the SW300, it was free to park (perhaps while the castle is cordoned off) and the toilets were very clean and modern and also free to use. The staff in the gift shop were very friendly and pleasant. It’s worth a walk around the moat, despite the back of the castle being in ruins I think it’s much more interesting than the front.
Benny Hell — Google review
an interesting place to visit not only in terms of history but also recreation. The castle is currently closed to visitors, but is due to reopen - when? - not known yet.
You can walk around the castle to admire its architecture. Around a lot of green area where you can lie down and relax on a blanket. There is also a play area for children, a gift shop and very good latte coffee for £2. Free parking, lying on a blanket and watching the castle from the outside as well for free. Enjoy
Anna Besford — Google review
A beautiful and atmospheric place to visit with amazing history.
It is completely free to walk around the grounds of the castle and along the short walk through the woods to the foundations of the earlier building.
Entry to the castle is a very reasonable £6 per adult or free if you are a member of Historic Scotland, and you also get a discount on the price of drinks or snacks inside the shop as a member.
The staff are lovely and very knowledgeable about the area and history of the castle.
We spent a lovely couple of hours enjoying our time at this very unusual triangular castle and would definitely recommend a visit.
joanne patrick — Google review
Lovely staff. Couldn't have been more helpful and knowledgeable. Lovely gift shop. Castle was closed for restoration but still well worth a visit.
Joe McAdam — Google review
If this castle was in England, you'd pay a small fortune for entrance and probably have to pay to park too. Here, it is all free with a lovely gift shop and extremely helpful staff. There's a nice playground for the kids an an interactive app you can download a learn about this castles important place in British history. You couldn't go in when we were there but you could wander all around the castle alongside the moat. Plus, and this is very important, some of the nicest ice cream on the planet!
Jon Harney — Google review
Very nice scenery and great castle. Very informational exhibition about a castle siege.
Unfortunately, Castle could not be entered due to safety concerns and outstanding inspections. But you can have a very nice walk around the castle and see the inside from behind.
Timo Kirst — Google review
Lovely walk down to castle and pretty accessible on lower areas. There are stairs to higher levels. Some of it was unavailable as being improved but clearly stated what was out of bounds. Went around to original site, path a bit bumpy but mobility scooter managed it. There are woodland trails for kids but didn't go on them as not sure if passable. Had a nice coffee in little shop and hubby went in to see the exhibition about the 3 year seige narrated by Tony Robinson. Can take dogs on leads around grounds. Unusual triangular shaped moated castle with an interesting history.
Michele Way — Google review
A place worth visiting. An interesting part of Scottish history. This place is well-kept. The parking lot is well prepared. There is a small souvenir shop in the visitor center. There is a clean toilet. This place is mostly accessible to people with disabilities. You can take your dog with you.
Andy Pandy — Google review
One of the most interesting to look at castles I've seen, even though it was closed for safety reasons when I attended. You can walk around the castle grounds and photograph around the moat which surrounds the castle itself and there is a gift shop and toilets on site (open) as well as a woodland walk, which brings you to an excavated site where the old castle stood.
Write2matthew — Google review
Excellent. Even though they’ve got the builders in! Managed a few photos without the scaffolding. You can still wander about the grounds. Free parking. Found out it would have been free anyway due to EH cross-membership.
Original castle foundations fascinating but I couldn’t find my way to what might have been the harbour. Hot drinks and snacks in the shop.
Noel Fearnside — Google review
Fascinating site with the foundations of possibly the first stone castle built in Scotland.
Caerlaverock castle is the second attempt after the first one started to fall down!
Helpful and friendly staff on site to talk you through the history, landmarks and wildlife.
It's free to park and wander round the site although there will be a charge to look around the castle itself once it reopens following some work to make some crumbling masonry safe.
I recommend spending a bit of time here, having a coffee and appreciating the scenery and wildlife - on my visit, loads of swallows and baby toads.
Nick Toms — Google review
A lovely visit, very nice gift shop where we had some nice small tubs of local ice cream. It was a sunny day when we visited and although the castle is closed for repairs you can still have a pleasant walk around it’s perimeter. An unusual triangular design. Staff very nice in the gift shop. Good toilets and a reasonable car park. Just a nice place to chill. It’s free too, well for now whilst the repairs are being undertaken which look as if they could take some time. There looks to be longer country walks too from the edges of the castle that we didn’t explore as we were only passing through.
Ian, Jac, Wispa & Hugo — Google review
Greeted by very pleasant staff and made to feel welcome. Castle and grounds are great. For our first stay in Scotland and our first castle visit, was very happy with the visit and history. Nice history video presentation too.
M Spooner — Google review
Free entry for English heritage members, the only triangular castle in the UK is well worth a visit. Its in a spectacular setting with some limited access to the insides. There is a cafe, toilets on site, volunteers are first class and it's well worth a visit.
kevin mills — Google review
Lovely walking around the grounds of the castle and £6 if you want to go inside. Very nice tea shop on site. Free parking. Visited a couple of times, would definitely recommend.
Jeff Buggins — Google review
This is a emoted castle with an interesting history. It’s a beautiful place to visit, and even if you do not have an Explorer pass for Historic Scotland, entry is reasonably priced (£6 per adult). I went without my children in this case, but I did notice that there was a lovely playground in the grounds, ideal for little ones, and there’s little café on site as well. It’s honestly a beautiful building within easy reach of Dumfries
Stacey MacNaught — Google review
Was running late but the good people let me in and made me feel welcome. Ended up freezing because earlier in day I was in short sleeves but the weather had changed and I did not want to miss the visit. Had a great time, clicking away merrily. Part is still closed due to restoration work but the rest is great. Enjoyed my stop at the refreshment room, as well. I fitted in a lot in 30mins!
ken Wallwork — Google review
A great castle full of history with a good video exhibition about the medieval siege. An added bonus is the nice walk through a wooded area to the foundations of the original castle. Staff were friendly and there was a nice Easter trail for children. Hot drinks can be bought for a reasonable price in the gift shop.
Ollie Fitton-Cook — Google review
A lovely place to visit. Especially on a Sunny day. Been many time since I was a child. Great for a family day out.
Richard Partington — Google review
Really interesting place to visit. Lovely walk around the Castle and brilliant to visit inside. £6 for adults, £3.5 for kids and under 7 go free.
Ana S — Google review
Have been here in the past but was not able to enter the castle due to the ongoing restoration works. Entry is free for English Heritage members* (*Valid membership that has been active for one year or over). The castle is small but boasts some great architecture and it's triangular shape is unique to other castles I have visited. You are able to view the majority of the interior however, at the time of my visit, the East wing of the castle was still under renovation so was inaccessible. The site also has a tea room and shop which is reasonably priced along with a small outdoor play area. There is also a walking trail that has AR plaques that provide historical information as you progress. The trail also leads you to the ruins of the old Castle which was established in the 1220s (more foundations than ruins). Further out there are amazing walks and bird hides. If you are in Dumfries I would highly recommend a visit to this historic castle.
Butch Dingle — Google review
It was a lovely adventure. The castle is really cool built in the middle of a moat. And there's a layout of an older castle farther in the woods. An educational video played in the small museum and the gift shop also sold hot chocolate for the cold and rainy weather. The price was cheap and I would recommend visiting if you're in the area
Rhonda Boston — Google review
Lovely place to visit. There is also the remains of the original castle further down the driveway past the new castle. The staff were great and very friendly/helpful. They also advised us of the best way to get back to where we were going due to the storm flooding.
Sophie Davis — Google review
Beautiful castle steeped in history.
Lovely walk around the building and the foundations of the previous castle a few hundred yards away. Informative display with a video of the castle’s history and a lovely little shop with refreshments.
Katie Levitt — Google review
4.6
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4.5
(1051)
Castle Road End, Dumfries, DG1 4RU, United Kingdom
Five Sisters Zoo, located near West Calder, is a beloved local attraction offering an up-close experience with a diverse range of animals including lions, bears, lemurs, monkeys, reptiles, reindeer, birds, wallabies, wolves and snow leopards. The zoo also features a play park and handling sessions for visitors of all ages.
Haven’t been here for about 4 years & I can’t believe how much bigger it has become! We went on Easter Monday weather was nice & dry so the perfect day for a walk round the zoo! Loved to see the new cheetah’s such beautiful animals! Did not manage to see the snow or the clouded leopards so will have to go back for another visit! We also went for lunch in the leaping lemurs cafe which was tasty & didn’t take a long time from ordering until you got your food! Overall a great day out for any age
Epic Gamer — Google review
Our family had a lovely day out here lots of animals to see very good information and lots of Space. Very reasonable Prices we are a family of 6. Its February so there was no Bears,Lions or Tigers to see wondering if its due to the winter months. We will come back when its warmer to see. Kids loved walking around, after we had been to the gift shop we popped into the soft play, gave my review of 4 Stars as you had to Pay for That separately. Cafe in there is very basic. Staff on the grounds were polite. So overall It was a good wee day out.
Alison Fin — Google review
Absolutely wonderful zoo. I've always loved coming here especially as a photographer. The animals are always so well looked after and have plenty of enrichment and space in their enclosures and the staff are always so helpful and friendly! I couldn't ask for a better zoo to visit!
Ainslie Wright — Google review
Had an amazing time at the zoo, with a great variety of animals to see. Not too busy so lots of opportunity to spend time with all my favourites. A good variety of catering options, lots of toilets, and plenty to see. We had a lemur experience, and it was so much fun and our keeper Steve was clearly passionate about the animals and gave lots of knowledge about the Lemurs. I would love to do more experiences here - I hope they introduce more in the Peak season!
Zoe Close — Google review
Five Sisters Zoo was fantastic. My husband and I didn't even know it existed until we had Googled for zoos near us, granted it was a two and a half hour drive away, but it was so worth it.
There's so much to see, and the animals are so clearly taken care of. The staff were so helpful and friendly, especially the lady who carried out the lemur feeding experience with us.
10/10. Excellent day out with loads to enjoy.
The one thing I would advise, though, is to mind the geese in the bird walk-through as they're quite feisty and one of them likes to charge at you!
Chloe Clements — Google review
The whole day was AMAZING! The staff were friendly, informative and cheery! I paid extra for the Lemur Feeding Experience which was absolutely wonderful and I would do it again and again!! The staff really care about the animals and their welfare. It is lovely to see happy animals that do not look stressed or scared. I paid extra for the evening Photography Experience with the carnivores, including the bears, snow leopard, clouded leopard, lions and cheetahs! Amazing experience and the staff doing the tour were outstanding (I think it was Gary and Emma). We also had a volunteer and some of the family on the tour with us, who were all again friendly, approachable and accommodating. The buffet and tea and coffee which was included with the experience was lovely too. Best money I've spent on myself! I interacted with the staff at the entrance, gift shop and cafe which went above and beyond with some help I needed before the Photography experience, which actually made my night possible. This is a place I would visit again and again. I was able to take amazing photos and would recommend anyone to visit, which I have done already when telling friends and those close to me.
Cherisse Docherty — Google review
A modest but expanding zoo buried away in West Calder. Not the easiest to get to and car parking arrangements not ideal but expanding as the zoo grows. A good range of animals nicely laid out in large enclosures but all quite close together, ideal for small kids to explore safely on foot even when busy. Lots of good educational information including informative talks from staff throughout the day. Kids play area and some small vans to grab food but recommend bringing packed lunches. Zoo is actively involved in conservation, taking rescued animals such as the new bear, and supporting other efforts like beaver rewinding in Scotland. Reasonable value for money, quite expensive but keen to support the growth and expansion of this amenity. Will be back.
Martin Hurst — Google review
Had a great day here,would rather spend time here than any other zoo....
We chose to feed the lemurs and that was a brilliant experience for me and my son.we wanted to get one in our bag but the keeper spotted us!!next time...
It's great to support this wee gem of a zoo in any way you can,please visit as soon as you can for an amazing day!!!
Gem Williams — Google review
Amazing place , we have visited this zoo at multiple occasions,and kids are always excited every time. Big collection of unique animals , with our Favourite lemurs and red panda 🐼🐻. Reptali lovers will find a lot of them as well big and small. Restaurant on site sell fries 🍟 hot dogs ,and soft drinks ....ice 🍦 creams as well of course. Souvenirs shop allow your kids to gram some animals gadgets on the go. Great place highly recommend. 🐒 🐒 🐒
tony montana — Google review
Very nice place for the visitors but also for the animals. You can enjoy them and share some memorable hours with friends. The Christmas atmosphere was amazing!
Tsvetelina Tsvetkova — Google review
Fantastic zoo, perfect for family day out. Huge space, and love how they take care of the animals many of which rescued. Loved that you could read the stories about the rescued bears and what difference the zoo makes for them and all the animals. Will definitely go back and will be recommending to everyone. So much better than Edinburgh zoo.
Veronika McCann — Google review
My partner took me here yesterday for my birthday, we had a great day. It was quiet & peaceful being a Friday late morning. Will need to come back during the summer. Great wee day out.
Stephanie Dykes — Google review
Well this place is nothing short of a hidden gem. What a fabulous little zoo with far more animals than I can remember. Located a stones throw from a housing estate, this place has it all from soft furries to friendly donkeys to snakes and crocodiles. Four legs, two legs no legs, wings, fangs... all sorts. It is a bit tired looking so don't forget to donate if you visit. A whole day can be spent here without any real effort. Take lunch with you or buy it in the zoo. If you have young children, my recommendation would be to head to the soft play located in a separate building. It has a lovely cafe with reasonably priced delicious food. Go there first, have your lunch then you can take your time going round the zoo. There are talks at certain times which are posted around the zoo. Some animals have volunteers stationed there too answer questions. Honestly is a great day out for a lot less than some of the other more main stream animal parks.
Stephen Corbett — Google review
It was very nice to relive my childhood memories of going to the zoo. It is a welcoming, beautiful and clean place. Many beautiful animals and many of them also sleepy, we were able to look at them with their little treats and interact with the birds. It is worth visiting especially by children.
isabela muntean — Google review
Good to see large enclosure for bears and big cats. All exhibits close to each other which reduces walking. Only downside was lack of food/drink availability. Gift shop fridge almost empty of cols drinks and no water , only food place was burger van which was 40 mins wait time. Staff didn't seam very experienced, were cooking one order at a time, cooked chips lying in open cartons for 10mins while burgers cooked so chips were cold and very small portion for price. Take a packed lunch.
christine broadley — Google review
What an amazing zoo. Surprised to see so many animals out and about on such a chilly day. Really enjoyed seeing them all but particular highlights included the fruit bats, the playful otters, the talking parrots, the cheeky cheetahs and the wolves which were just on the other side of the fence. Great close up view. Plenty of parking either in the large car park directly beside the zoo building or in the overflow car park across the road. Snack van inside park serving hot drinks and snacks. Chips not gluten free but the ones in the cafe at the main entrance are. Disabled access. A brilliant day out.
Dorothy Warren — Google review
Nice place for family visit 😊 helpful staff. All animals visible not in hideout. The only downside was that there wasn't big enough food choices no vegan option at all. But from the other hand park have quite few seats where you can enjoy food which you brought with you. Definitely worth to come and see. I will definitely return.
trickster cookie — Google review
Main attraction the Cheetah is under veterinary care. Huge in closure with nothing, no snow leopard. Missed the lions but signs didn't make sense. Anyway my daughter liked her time there, but I'll not be back. Need the glass cleaned, difficult seeing what's inside. Pretty much around the same price as Blair Drummond. They offered so much more value for money
Brian Dougan — Google review
Our 2nd time at the illuminations and what a joy it was. We attended last night and there was 4 of us. It was extremely cold but walking round and seeing the animals, stopping for lovely food and drinks along the way and the wee one enjoying the rides and helter skelter. We had a 6.30pm time slot and we left at 8.45pm. The atmosphere was fab. We seen lizards, snakes monkeys, owls, penguins, otters, reindeer, parrots, snow leopards to name a few. The staff were so friendly and helpful. The illuminations were amazing. Really enjoyed all the different types light up displays and discovering more on our way around. It took 40 mins from Coatbridge to get there and is well signposted although Google maps did an excellent job getting us there.
We will definitely be back for a day time visit. Would thoroughly recommend. There's a gift shop and they sell real Christmas trees as well.
Claire Robertson — Google review
Visited today with our 5 and 2 year old, have been before a few times. The zoo was packed with lovely animals and attractions so they didn't get bored walking around too long between enclosures. Everything is also easily viewable for small kids too so they aren't left out or your arms are breaking lifting them up all the time! The zoo is lovely and clean and the staff were friendly and welcoming and there were lots of educational boards around the zoo explaining how they care for the animals and where they came from. We loved seeing the cheetah and the bear having a lovely swim in the pond, and visiting the penguins and reptile house. Thankyou Five sisters for a lovely family day out.
Sarah Thomson — Google review
Great zoo, you can tell that the animals are all truly cared for. Large enclosures for the animals, which look very well kept. Lots of other activities and things for families to do, as well as a cafe to get a bite to eat. Definitely worth a visit!
Owen Glasby — Google review
SUPER PLACE!
A great range of animals housed in well thought out exibit areas. Lots of information to hand, particularly in respect of the commendable conservation work taking place.
Very child-friendly with play areas, good sized and reasonable priced restaurant, friendly staff, and free parking. I was particularly impressed with how easy and inexpensive the zoo has made it for the public to play their part by sponsoring the animals. Terrific day out - well worth a visit. Well done 5 Sisters Zoo and staff.
Drumlanrig Castle is a grand 17th century castle located on a vast estate spanning 120,000 acres of parkland. It boasts an impressive collection of art and antiques, including the renowned Buccleuch Art Collection. Visitors can explore opulent rooms filled with rich furnishings and admire beautiful paintings and tapestries. The estate also offers opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, biking, fishing and game shooting amidst wild landscapes of ancient trees and lochs.
A must stop, if not stay. Such beautiful countryside to explore over and above the exquisite gardens & stable ateliers & businesses. You’ll smell the stunning scents of Tracy’s soaps from miles away.
Definitely be back for more walking & cycling. Families will enjoy the adventure playground.
Sam McDonald — Google review
Amazing gardens and great little cafe. Very impressed that at this time of year there was plenty visitor parking without charge and all the gardens were open, even though the house was closed. Nice little café with a stick grown produce for sale outside and the children’s play park.
Absolutely stunning building and beautiful grounds.
Leigh Bird — Google review
Amazing parkland with great walks and cycle rides. The castle is closed in winter but the grounds are all open. You can drive right up to the castle and when we went the car park was free. There are some artisan shops open doing bike repairs, interior decor and handmade gifts.
Paul Goddard — Google review
Absolutely stunning, you require a day visit for the whole place. Palace Castle looks superb outside and a lot of historic antiques inside. Excellent Gardens and kids playground. Cafe and shops are cool.
Igor Smy — Google review
Fabulous place to visit with or without the kids .
Wonderful walks and beautiful views, the shops were very quaint. Loved Mums shed bought a fabulous bespoke hanging ornament. The owner was there making all sorts of mystical magical things , she was very helpful and inspiring.
Natalie Barrett — Google review
Travelled quite a distance to find it was closed
Came to visit the castle - the gardens and cafe were open but found that the castle itself was closed.
Google said it was open and we were not informed by staff upon purchasing our tickets that the castle was shut.
Stalls in the stables and the gift shop were also closed (bike hire was open)
Not overly happy with pur experience
Aidan James — Google review
Lovely walks, dog friendly, great play park for kids, quirky shops, bikes to buy or hire,affordable prices with great advice, highlight of the year totally recommend ,Galloway Country Fair.
Susan Szulc — Google review
Lovely formal gardens in a beautiful setting. Missed the house tour as all booked up. Great for kids too with a modern playground next to the cafe.
Kerry Chapman — Google review
First visit today but not sure there is enough here for us to want to visit again. Nice looking castle but you have to book in advance to go in. You have to buy tickets and pay to go to the Gardens and Play area too but we are not of an age where we want to play so didn't go in. Very few people around and nobody seemed any the wiser. The cafes were both in paid areas but I feel if the coffee shops/cafe were easily accessible the place would pull in more people possibly. We chose to go for a walk and follow a couple of the routes round and up to the lochs. Nice peaceful walk but not a soul in sight. Quite hilly walk but was nice too. We left feeling a little disappointed and confused to be honest and went and found lunch elsewhere.
Catherine Haigh — Google review
This castle is splendid built in an idyllic environment and the view is magnificent,the garden is awesome ,this area covered by nature is scenic and the old sycamore trees add more information.
Paul Inbaraj Pillai — Google review
What a great day out with the family. Go for a walk round the grounds, take a picnic and get a coffee from the cafe. There is a great park too for the kids.
Matt H — Google review
Great place and well worth a visit. Book a tour and see and hear more about the castle, family and antiques. Very interesting and excellent tour guides. Should also say that end of May was a great time to visit and appreciate the multiple yellow azaleas.
Charles Henderson — Google review
Amazing place with something for everyone. Sadly didn't get into the castle as too hot for the dog in the car but the grounds are exceptional. The staff were friendly and the playground was amazing. It was very quiet when we were there
lynda morton — Google review
A beautiful stately home with lovely walks and gardens, a very nice tearoom and an adventure playground for the kids.
Inside on the tour is an art collection, furniture and antiques.
Peter Mabon — Google review
Visited the Castle and Gardens on a Thursday. The Castle wasn't open for tours on that day so check before you visit if you are wanting to see inside.
The bike trails are still not open due to previous storm damage and the small artisan shops didn't appear to be open although they looked like the individual units were being redecorated inside and out.
Entry into the gardens and children's adventure playground is fairly cheap and the playground looks like fun. Oh to be young again. The cafe is adequate but I'd bring your own sandwiches if visiting over lunchtime.
The Castle and gardens/grounds are simply stunning. You can appreciate the work that must go into keeping them up to that standard.
I took my dogs with me and they enjoyed it too. Would definitely recommend to others.
Linlithgow Palace is an elegant medieval structure located in the town of Linlithgow, surrounded by scenic parkland near a loch. Ever since its construction, it has been used as a royal residence and was one of the most important seats of monarchy during the 15th and 16th centuries. It even served as the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots.
Castle is partly restored at the moment. It's large and has many info boards. Lake surrounds the castle. Spectacular views and a lovely park to walk, run or kids to play. Lots of birds and ducks. Entry fee is really well priced. So worth taking family to view. So much history...very interesting.
Lisa Campos — Google review
Lovely palace situated in a beautiful area, sadly when I visited the palace was closed for renovations so I couldn't explore , just look from the outside , I would love to go back when open and explore the site and learn more about the history
Shox Wake — Google review
IF you enjoy jousting, then sign up for next year's event. Fantastic setting. Wonderful history and the castle is amazing. Great place to bring the family at any time of the year. Lovely town. Really enjoyed visiting St Michael's Church which is next door to the castle with some superb stained glass and that iconic roof top.
berit pedersen — Google review
Just fabulous. Friendly staff, great views, so much history, the sheer scale of the place..... Must try and come back for the Scotch Hop in the summer.
Kat Instone — Google review
Palace it's self is still closed but you can spend as much time as you want int he grounds. Passing points can be narrow and if someone with a double buggy comes toward you , you may end up in the nettles.
Very hungry swans that don't seem to be afraid of humans. We watched one visit a family on the grass with a sun tent . It then followed one of the family as he tried to tempt it away with a sandwich!
Lots of benches dotted around for when you need a rest. Easy walk to the main street if you need a snack or drink. A lovely place to walk.
Shona Rowell — Google review
Gorgeous place! The palace is located by the loch, great to visit with kids- not babies or prams due are way too many stairs-. My kids loved it. You can walk through most of the ruins and galleries of the castle except some areas that are under renovation.
Tamara — Google review
Huge, old ruin in sometimes really good condition. They were renovating when we were there, so we could not see everything from the palace.
The audio guide on the phone works great and the staff is really friendly.
Lukas S. — Google review
Very impressive ruined palace. We had a lovely visit. You can walk around the ground floor and first floor. You can walk up one of the towers and the views are fantastic.
Andy Munro — Google review
I have never been inside the Palace until my visit. Very interesting and great place to see. I would have liked to have had some information boards around as I felt there were a lot of places you went to, and there was no information around. Really enjoyed looking at the delicate details in the stone carvings. Especially the fountain. There are lots of spiral steps and lots of bits to explore. If you're not afraid of heights like I am, then a visit to the top of the tower is very much so a must. The views are amazing.
Fast N Mucky Photography — Google review
An incredible place filled with history. It was well worth a visit as it's super easy to get to from Edinburgh by train. I loved reading all of the history of Mary Queen of Scots and James VI. I wish I could be transported back in time.
Daniel Nelson — Google review
Beautiful palace with loads of interesting history. Unfortunately currently under repair due to age.
I can recommend walking around the Loch as the views are stunning and there’s a nice even path with benches scattered around.
Sophie Jordan — Google review
Amazing palace ruins with a great depth of history and many corners to explore. The restoration done is amazing and I’m so glad it finally opened after being closed for a while. The palace was like a maze but this made it even more fun. Staff were very friendly.
Sen Sen Lin Quan — Google review
Thele castle itself and the view from the tower are magnificent. The photos would have been so much nicer if they weren't for scaffolding. It's also unfortunate that lots of spaces are being closed off for renovation and work to be done.
Teresa — Google review
This place is massive.
Kids will love it here going from corner to corner of the Palace.
Some areas are undergoing repairs at the moment but it doesn't detract from getting a feel of the place.
Research your kings and queens before you visit to get feeling of significance of the Palace.
We had a nice walk round the loch afterwards which took us about 45 minutes.
Gemma Chamberlain — Google review
Great place for an adventure, described as a maze and yes it was. So many places to see. Although some was closed off from the public due to having work done. You never felt like you had been short changed
Diane McNay — Google review
A peaceful and beautiful palace.. helpful and friendly staff. I think we picked a good day to visit because it wasn't busy.. a palace for imagination
paul brandon — Google review
We loved this palace. They focus on conservation over restoration. They are continuously working on maintaining what is remaining. It is hauntingly beautiful. A definite must see.
Toothfairy — Google review
This was a last minute choice during a stop from another tour. Really nice castle and you get a great exploration of it. However, the place is a bit of a maze! Signs to an exit aren't as clear as we would have liked, so we got a little lost and almost missed our tour bus. If you have time and like history it's worth seeing.
Chris Bern — Google review
Wow, Linlithgow Palace has become an instant favourite. Our first visit and expecting to spend about an hour here, quickly turned into 2. The castle itself is famous for being the birth place of Mary Stuart (Mary Queen of Scots). The Palace was fun to explore with many rooms, passageways and stairs. It was also quite modestly lit and some of these areas being darker really added to the atmosphere. Staff were fantastic and were able to answer all questions we had. Overall, an amazing place to visit.
Tom Smith — Google review
It was a really nice place to spend an afternoon/day at the palace, the church next to it and the loch. Remember to download the audio guide to learn more about the history and lifes in the palace, really interesting stories there! Unfortunately part of the palace was close and we weren’t able to get the full experience of the palace, which was reflected on the ticket price(discounted). Staff was super helpful as well.
Also I’d recommend buying tickets on the spot to save the booking fee online.
Kasey Kaching — Google review
Such a shame it is not better taken care of, though some restoration is on-going.
It is very emotional for me to be at places where Mary Queen of Scott's went.
It is definitely worth a visit.
New Lanark, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a former cotton mill industrial village renowned for its social experiment during the Industrial Revolution. The site boasts of a large roof garden that offers panoramic views, making it an attractive destination for tourists. This historic location provides visitors with an opportunity to learn about the influence of industry on society and how this shaped modern-day living.
One of the best places to visit in southern Scotland. Really lovely and off the beaten track. Museum and shop etc. Great walks. I make a point of stopping by here whenever I'm in Scotland.
Beth Mitchell — Google review
Bizarre wee place but what a cool and wonderful history! The walk to the waterfalls is short and well worth the effort! Unfortunately not accessible for wheel chair users but the rest of the premises is! Great little afternoon out and the hotel had some good grub!
Jeremy Young — Google review
Visited here six years ago and enjoyed it so we decided to give it another visit wow! It was worth it and the walk to the falls was so good we sat and relaxed listening to the sound of the water fall. The Clyde is also used to produce electricity which is good for all who is connected. The wife and i loved it.
Bill Butler — Google review
It's interesting to hear about what it is like in the factory. It was good to see some working machines. Owens house was interesting as I had heard a lot about his contribution to socialism. To be honest I'm not sure the pod ride was necessary to learn about it and it might have been as good to have walked through but I guess others would like the novelty. The soup and scone in the restaurant was nice too. I also find the village architecturally interesting. But the piece de resistance is the falls of Clyde for a stunning walk.
Thomas Quinn — Google review
Great day out for the kids and have a nice walk by the water. My daughter thought it was amazing using the payphone to phone her grandad. I found the water hypnotic to watch after the heavy rain fall.
Nicole Devlin — Google review
Highly recommended for New Year! Fireworks, pipers, bells, dancing, and excellent food. The staff could not have been more friendly and helpful.
Sharon Eaton — Google review
Came here to walk the Falls of Clyde. Absolutely Awe inspiring! We're comfortable shoes, some mud and steps along the way. Fantastic water feature. The New Lannark Mills are a fantastic visit but I did not go to them this time.
Nicola June Potts — Google review
This is somewhere I've wanted to visit for a long time as interested in industrial history. The restoration of the mill buildings and tenement blocks has been done to a high standard. It is a living museum in that it still makes wool and people live on site. The story of Robert Owen is amazing and he was so ahead of his time in improving conditions for workers and encouraging education for all. There is a large gift shop and cafe. Would have liked to have seen a clear display of items made with their wool, larger than the one in the manufacturing area, which could be easily missed. It has lost a star because of the wait to get in. There was only one person on the ticket desk and a large party arrived when we did and it took a long time to process them. We were then behind them in the queue for the ride. There was no clear signage to say if you could bypass the ride and come back to it later. The signage that was there, about health conditions, should have been earlier in the queue to give time to change route. Some displays were contradictory and dated.
So overall definitely worth a visit but could do with a bit of tweaking to improve the experience.
Fern A — Google review
Lovely Hotel in a gorgeous setting.
Scenic walk along the River Clyde.
3 course dinner was lovely and there was a good choice.
Great choice for breakfast. Continental or full breakfast were on offer.
Bedroom was large and looked out onto the river.
Wouldn't say spotless. Cobwebs hanging from ceiling and stuck to walls. Skirting boards had a thick layer of dust on them.
TV plug had label attached saying it had been serviced in April. Hadn't been dusted since.
Dish in bathroom to hold liquid soap wS also very dusty.
Karen Ali — Google review
Visually stunning. We never went into any of the exhibitions but just enjoyed the walk along the River Clyde. This in itself was worth the visit with the birdsong and the music of the river. We enjoyed lunch in the restaurant, which was very nice and the staff were very friendly.
ian walker — Google review
Amazing location. Lots of walks for different levels. Lots of beautiful sights to see and nature to look at. The place itself is incredibly beautiful. Almost like you've stepped back in time
Holly Anderson — Google review
Great place !! Take the kids and enjoy the ride through history... If you gift aid your tickets last a year !! Beautiful views, brilliant gift shop and if you're local they do farmers markets etc so it's win win 😊
feehay650 — Google review
New Lanark Mill Hotel is in such a beautiful location. Lovely old buildings, cobbled streets, and fantastic views over the Falls of Clyde. Spacious rooms. Food is super. Friendly, welcoming staff. Brilliant pool & jacuzzi. Highly recommended. 👍🏻
SuperPinny — Google review
A beautifully preserved part of our industrial heritage.
Well worth the visit.
Easy to get to if you're a tourist in Glasgow without a car.
Take the train from Glasgow to Lanark. It's every half an hour and takes and hour.
Right by the train station in Lanark is the Bus Stance. Take the 135 bus to New Lanark, it drops you right by the door. The bus is hourly, at the time of my review it leaves at 34 minutes past the hour.
Sean O'Neill — Google review
Really interesting visitors centre.
Great walk to all the falls.
Free bus back to the car park was the icing on the cake!
clare booth — Google review
Fabulous setting good day out hotel has a spa good scenery and walks very hilly. Stayed in cottage very spacious but basic.Didnt go to museum did gift shop and area around. Good day out take packed lunch if weathers nice very pricey in cafe . Hotel has restaurant as well.
Lynniloo Ady — Google review
Fascinating place and on such a huge scale.
Very interesting history, especially liked seeing where the wool is spun and produced.
Lovely cakes in the café.
As the mills are on the valley floor along the river, the paths down to them from the car park are very steep. There is a shuttle bus that runs back and forth between the two.
Sam Palmer — Google review
A large site with a lot to see. With the car park at the top of a steep hill, a problem for those with mobility issues. The shuttle bus only runs at weekends.
It was very interesting seeing how people lived and worked there in the past.
David Smith — Google review
Had a brilliant time visiting New Lanark.
Lots of interesting information about New Lanark as well as wider issues such as history, society and the local area, presented in an easy and fun way to understand, there is even a small ride to show you around and explain points in a bite sized way.
Nice that the village was open to wander around and see how the rest of life was in the past.
Very clean, good condition buildings and friendly, enthusiastic staff.
Stewart Richardson — Google review
Great experience, superb reconstruction of the mill and the lives of the workers. Exhibitions are modern and relevant; there's even a ride to experience the life of a mill working child.
Nice cafe on site. The waterfall is worth the walk along the wooded path. Open houses are fascinating and very authentic.
You can spend several hours there, so well worth the entrance fee.
Michael Lees — Google review
The mill visitor experience was fascinating and well designed. I particularly enjoyed the chair ride with the ghosts of mill workers, and the roof garden. The café was lovely! Plus the workers' cottages and Robert Owen's house.
Kathryn McFarlane — Google review
Brilliant day out wandering around the mill and surrounding area. Walk up to view the falls(only about ten minutes walk) and then around the houses in the village area. We arrived early,so we drove down the hill to park and didn't have the long walk. There's a school house, owners house, and then the whole of the mill to view,so set aside a good couple of hours.
Lyn Bostock — Google review
Great for an energetic walk up to the Falls of Clyde and on to Bonnington Linn and back to New Lanark Mill.
Nice fresh light lunches available, the carrot and ginger soup was fab.
A visit to the Mill itself is very memorable with its amazing historical past 👍
david edwards — Google review
Amazing place.So much to see. What a fantastic job the Trust have made. Cafe is really good. Lots of walk and amazing views. Don't miss the ice cream shop.
sue snelling — Google review
Lovely place, we walked up along side the Clyde, lovely views of the falls then a light lunch in the hotel. Excellent staff very friendly and polite. Excellent food highly recommended the Korean cauliflower.
Nick Allen — Google review
Fascinating place - it really has to be seen to appreciate this Victorian landmark. I spent a happy few hours last month wandering around looking at the buildings and going to the falls of Clyde viewpoint.
P.S. Don't do what I did and walk from Lanark to New Lanark by the road, you can reach New Lanark from Lanark by a woodland trail (map attached) avoiding the road completely :)
Laura FF — Google review
Such a beautiful place worth stunning walks. It has a play park for kids and there's a cafe aswell. Certainly worth a visit. I haven't stayed in the hotel but have many friends that have and they rave about it.
The Wallace Monument is a heritage building that commemorates the life of Sir William Wallace. It is located on the Abbey Craig and features a tower with four levels, each containing different exhibits. The observation level at the top of the tower offers a panoramic view of Stirling. To reach it, you must climb 246 steps.
Majestic monument which is visible already from a distance, going by train approaching the city. The monument itself is an hour's distance from the station, I recommend to walk one way and return by bus. The entrance is quiet, as far as I know you can drive a car to a gate of a tower. Already from this place you can enjoy a beautiful view, it is even better on the very top, which is reached by winding rather narrow stairs. Limited number of people due to limited space, you have to wait when someone goes up or down. Several floors, each with a history of Scotland, the story of William Wallace, an animated history of the Battle of Stirling, the opportunity to create your own coat of arms and to buy souvenirs, is what awaits you after entering the tower. I recommend a visit.
Micha? Furman — Google review
Phenomenal view of Stirling. Must experience the climb to thr top. Simply take it one step at a time.
Wendy Lady — Google review
Fantastic monument. Been waiting 2 years to visit this place and it was worth it. Can also purchase tickets online. Very easy. The hike up the hill on foot is fun(for me) as there are boards with some fun reading material and education. The monument alone is worth the trip. The spiral stairs to the top is tight so be aware. Each floor(4) has its own theme as described in the website. Toilet is at the entrance. There is also a shuttle bus to take you to the top if needed. All in all, 100% worth it! Backstory: we stayed in Edinburgh and make a quick 57 min train ride to Stirling. An hour or so walk from the train station to the monument. You also can pass through the original site of the Battle of Stirling Bridge. That was amazing to see. Cheers!
Michael Frank — Google review
We went in the afternoon were maybe we should have gone in the morning with fresh legs. The car park was very busy but we did manage to find a space. At the bottom of the hill there is a gift shop, toilets and a cafeteria.
We used the free minibus to get up the hill, it has it’s own stop in the car park and pulls up outside the front entrance of the monument.
There’s another gift shop inside the monument.
When we went there was a guide outside giving an historical talk about Wallace and the monument, he was dressed in period costume and made the talk interesting. Photos were allowed when he finished his talk.
Great place to visit, more to do than we thought. Great views.
Dave Holland — Google review
A very nice monument with a lot of history attached. Give yourself at least 2 hours to see the monument. Some nice views from the walk-up the monument. The rooms are full of interesting facts and tell the history of Scotland. A free mini bus takes you from the car park to the gates of the monument. Or you can walk up the hill. It is quite steep in places and will take about 20 mins to walk . The views from the top are amazing and even more so as you go into the monument.
Peter Hobson — Google review
Great place to visit. Easy parking and either get the shuttle bus or walk to the Monument
The walk is steep but good exercise and some nice views. The Monument itself has three 'landings' to break the climb to the top where you can catch your breath and explore some of the history. The views from the top are magnificent and worth the effort
M Gallichan — Google review
A superb walk up to the monument through the woods, with sculptures and carvings along the way. For those who choose not to, or not able to, walk there is an excellent free shuttle bus from the extensive car parking area. There is a spiral stone staircase within the monument which would be hard to do for those with mobility issues, but is a good audio visual display of the upper chambers in the ground floor area of the monument for those who can't make the climb. The views from the top of the hill are fantastic. There are two very good gift shops, one at the parking area and one in the monument, with totally different things in each. There is also a very roomy cafe in the car parking area with some very tasty cakes.
Joy-Elizabeth Burniston — Google review
The monument is a great experience for children and adults alike: the building itself is incredibly impressive, the exhibition is spread over three rooms and is state of the art. There are special offers for children, designing your own coat of arms is simply fun. When climbing the monument, it can get very crowded on the stairs, and you should also be good on your feet. By the way, the scones at the café are really delicious!
Martin Schmidt — Google review
Fabulous place to visit, there's a shuttle bus to take you to the Monument, the walk up is interesting,,loads of wood carvings with interaction and stories. The Monument is a great experience and wonderful views at the top. A great attraction for tourists and a must for Scots. Try and catch the "reenactment of Wallace". The staff are friendly and helpful.
mark Gillan — Google review
Great day out with spectacular views and to learn a little about Scotlands history.
Parking area available at the bottom and the walk to the monument was not too bad , on average about 10 minutes and you don't have to be super fit .
The climb to the top of the monument is narrow, single file only, but you get to stop off at 3 different floors which provide information about the battle of Stirling Bridge etc including the spectacular views from the top.
In my opinion great value for money , a chance to learn about Scotland's heroes and well worth the day out.
Alex Li — Google review
Well worth the uphill hike. Narrow stairways were a bit scary inside, so not for those scared of heights or close spaces....
Make sure to stay for one of the live performances! Very fun.
Amiliah Goodrich — Google review
Location is beautiful, free shuttle to the top and down, it is a bit of a wait as the mini bus can only hold 8 people at a time. The walk down us beautiful. Nice shop and cafe on site. Entrance to the monument by is £11.50, which we decided not to pay. But walked around the monument and the view is beautiful.
Erika Mages — Google review
Plenty of steps to climb,246 to be exact.
Don't worry though there are rooms with exhibitions on the way up to grab a rest.
It is a spiral stone staircase and is the only way up and down the monument so can be a bit of a squeeze when you meet others.
Once at the top take in the views from every angle and make sure your camera has plenty charge for all the pictures lol.
Brian Wilson — Google review
Amazing site. Magnificent example of design and construction abilities. Very tall and slim building. More than 200 steps within a pretty narrow staircase. 3 Chambers full of extremely interesting exhibits. The most spectacular view from the top viewing floor which is the biggest surprise of this building design. True treasure worth visiting. Very cosy coffee shop at the bottom of the estate. Fast and reliable shuttle service to the top of the hill who require it. One of the best site in Scotland.
Bartosz Alichper — Google review
Awesome place to visit if you don't mind heights or are claustrophobic. The stairs inside are very narrow and as you ascend there are others descending. The displays are interesting and the staff are friendly and are happy to share stories of the monument. The views from the top are amazing. I was glad of the shuttle bus to and from the monument as it was very hot the day we visited and it was a wee trek on foot.
D B — Google review
Very interesting place to visit if you love Scottish history. You can catch the free mini bus to the top of the hill or walk. The climb up to the top of the monument is a bit demanding but there is a welcome rest on each floor and the view once you reach the top is worth it.
Tracey Neil — Google review
If you would like to see something other than castles, this is a great place. You could go to the top and see a beautiful view of Stirling. There are fun but educational games to play. Kids will love that, even us adults enjoyed playing.
Nathasha Wijesinghe — Google review
The monument is an incredible piece of architecture, the more you look the more details and patterns you spot on the exterior. Inside the monument itself is a vending machine and a couple of sofas for resting.
The stairs up to the "crown" are narrow, spiral in nature and honestly if you meet someone going in the opposite direction quite frightening! The views from the top however are breathtaking.
There are also three rooms with exhibitions, which are nice but nothing too special (designing your own coat of arms was cool though).
Although I doubt I'll climb that stairwell again , I am glad I saw the views and would to visit again just to enjoy the building itself
Also don't forget to check out the shop, some really nice items for sale.
Scott Cobb — Google review
Not for people who are afraid of heights.
You can walk up the hill or drive via bus.
Then you can climb up the stairs to the top of the monument for an incredible view over Stirling
Lukas Schuppel — Google review
Hill to walk up to national Wallace or catch a free shuttle bus. Had a toddler so we catch a bus. The way I see it is a beautiful woodland to walk up and down. The wait for the bus is believed to be every 20-30 minutes. Once I arrive there are tickets to attend. Once paid we went and started our first step. Straight up normal then it starts to twirl like a lighthouse. The first floor was a little disappointing, for a toddler however it is great for those who are interested in listening about the history. Up we go again to the next floor is all the important people of the history in Scotland. The next floor is the land history and then weapons include Robert the Bruce duplicate sword. Then finally the top floor is the outside views which was amazing but cold on the day we arrived. It also best comes on quiet time as the stairs are very tight in a two way system, stay on your right at all times. The prices are good value to visit especially under ages 5
Emma Gould — Google review
This tower can be seen from miles around. Visit via free shuttle mini bus to the top of the hill. Free short show/ explanation from a guy in costume outside the tower. That was very good. Then climb the steps up to the exhibition which is on 3 levels. I found it a bit scary meeting people coming down the same stone circular stairway but it was just wide enough. Many exhibits and a fab view from the top of the area where the battle took place which is now a rugby field.
Frances Bennett — Google review
Free to visit the monument, if you want a tour inside you need to book ahead.
It's a small hike up, that took me 20 minutes to go up. Beautiful walk, there are statues to see along the way and art. Beautiful peice of history.
Delise Lazarenko — Google review
Walked from the car park up to the Monument, there is also a shuttle bus, then climbed to the top of the Monument stopping off at each floor to view information about the history of the Battle of Stirling Bridge and interactive create your own family crest is fun, kids and adults alike seem to be enjoying it and you can take your photo next to your created family crest.
Views from top on clear day amazing and you can see Stirling Castle perched above the town on the opposite side of the valley.
Ian Gross — Google review
We just had the best time here. My 4 year old thought it was the best day ever. Please remember there is about a 15 minute walk from the car park to the monument so allow time for that if you have a booking. The different floors in the monument are really interactive and the view from the top was worth the 246 steps. We went to Stirling Castle shortly after our visit and made a day of it in Stirling. Followed by lunch at River House which I also recommend!
Amy Hopkins — Google review
The experience visiting the monument was, in all, satisfactory. It may have been a bit too expensive for what you get inside, but definitely the views from the crown at the top can't compare to any other ones (better than from the castle, I'd say).
I did my way up and down on foot, even though there is a free bus ride option. And I am glad of my choice, since it was very enjoyable, even for a not so warm day. There are different paths you can follow. I'd say that they could be better marked (poor signage, in my opinion).
Rubén Molina Fernández — Google review
Wallace monument was a fantastic experience. Took about 15 mins by foot to get to the base of monument from the parking lot. Pretty steep in some places but a great little hike. There's a shuttle van as well.
It was awesome to learn more of the history through videos and writings in the monument.
The view from the top was incredible. Especially after seeing and learning about the geography of the iconic battle in the tower itself, looking down from the tower was amazing. 360 views and exhilarating on a windy day.
Simon Cox — Google review
We were staying at the Gokden Lion hotel on King Street and could see the NWM in the distance so after a quick Google maps look we set off on foot , it took about 50 mins and then we arrived at the bottom car park / cafe and saw a courtesy bus to takeyou the last part of the way up the steep hill ..... we preceded on foot and it was a bit of a challenge at times as it is a bit steep at times so if you're unsure then catch the bus.
So now we are at the monument and what a sight it is , magnificent!
Tickets purchased and we're advised to stay to the right on the way up & down.
The initial steps upto the spiral staircase are wide enough but then it gets a bit narrower and steeper but we press on.
It is about 75 steps to the first of the floors / gallery's. All in a different theme with lots of information, well presented and very interesting.
So after this it's to the roof top 360degree viewing area. .Absolutely stunning views across Stirling and surrounding areas.
The architecture and stonemasons skills are outstanding and a fitting tribute the military commander.
A supetb visit and if I can give one tip it would be to arrive early ( we git there 10.15 ish and it was already getting busy and I can imagine it getting very busy later on which could make the spiral staircase a bit uncomfortable.
When visiting Stirling this is a must see.
Marek Lew — Google review
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Abbey Craig, Hillfoots Rd, Stirling FK9 5LF, United Kingdom
The imposing fortress of Stirling is one of Scotland's most popular tourist destinations. With its great hall, regimental museum and impressive views, the castle is a grand and memorable sight. It's best to visit in the afternoon when many tourists come on day trips.
Great castle so beautiful. The interior rooms are so bright and colourfully decorated the staff dress up and give you a very interactive experience and explain some of tapestries and castle features so wonderfully. Outside gardens are beautiful and as its spring they are full of bulbs.
Nicole McDonald — Google review
Brilliant! I loved the live talent. Also, I really enjoyed the kitchen scene built with lifelike mannequins. It makes it easier to imagine how things were at the time. I do enjoy houses that have furniture as opposed to those with empty rooms. The sunset from the castle was spectacular. I recommend the Explorer pass. I went to at least 4 or 5 castles, which well and truly covered the initial cost.
Nina Beilby — Google review
Sterling Castle is well worth the visit. Free tour included in your ticket, lasting approximately 55 minutes. Nice gift shop and cafe on site. It was nice to be able to explore both the outside and inside. Neat set of rooms that are focused on kids (educational and interesting and interactive).
Booked online in parking lot to save £2, but did not book in advance. Website will tell you how many tickets are left for the time you wish to visit, which is likely important if it's weekend and/or July/August
Meghan MacEachern Allen — Google review
We loved this castle. The gardens are beautiful. In the palace apartments there were people dressed in period costumes as nobleman, a musician and a security guard. The musician was playing the lute and was quite good. This really helped to bring the history to life. We were able to self guide through the buildings. It was a wonderful experience.
Sabiha Gokcen — Google review
Stirling castle is of great historical importance and well worth a visit. There is parking at the castle but can get busy. They usually have entertainment on for families to enjoy and there is a lot of focus on kids entertainment.
There are places to eat and there is wheelchair access to all ground level aspects of the castle along with certain areas with lifts.
Highly recommend a visit to the castle as there is something for everyone to either learn or enjoy.
Ahairy Haggis — Google review
Brilliant place to visit. Lots to see. Guides are very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. Spoke as we walked past asking if we were enjoying our day, had we any questions.The military museum was thought provoking. The rest of the rooms we beautifully restored. So much history within the walls. Ate in the cafe, food was good, but not cheap.
sue snelling — Google review
One of the best castles I've been to. Perfect balance of old buildings that have stood the test of time, blended with re-creations spread through the castle rooms. The free guided tours are very popular too. As for the views, it's easy to see why the location of the castle was so important.
Smica Hargrove — Google review
Very busy, and with poor crowd control in places, and the cafe had literally nothing for those of us with dietary needs. Still, their loss was the gain of the much nicer lovely old town cafe just down the road.
Advertised outside at £15 a ticket but £19 I think it was at the ticket office. Just glad we could use our English heritage membership as that's a lot of cash for a family otherwise!
In terms of the castle, there were interesting things to see, with mostly interesting exhibitions. The kitchen was particularly interesting, and the gardens were nice. Great views from the top!
Nick Young — Google review
Nice place for a day trip from Edinburgh. The town is lovely as well. I recommend bringing some picnic food and having lunch outside to break up exploring the castle.
You save a bit of money if you buy tickets in advance online.
Georgie Wilson — Google review
Lots if hills and stairs. Loved everything about the place. Gift shop and cafe. Staff is helpful and friendly and serious about story telling. Graveyard at bottom is amazing. Buy ticket online for 2p off and timed entry
Stacey Radford — Google review
Loved the interactive sessions inside the palace. Good music and explanations by the performers about the history of the 15th century castle. So different from the usual 'Buckingham type' palace where they charge you for every single thing.
Also, this place has more historical importance than Edinburgh castle and Mary Queen of Scots lived her childhood years here.
I highly recommend this place.
joslin tj — Google review
Top notch tourist attractions. Love this castle and truly lots to see. The view is worth th. The price alone. Price is high but it is worth it. A total national treasure, I loved my visit there in October. Joint Most beautiful and interesting setting in Scotland. It is tied with Edinburgh Castle.
Darren Findlay — Google review
A fantastic day out! We had a beautiful sunny morning (not all that common in Scotland) and a fantastic tour guide leading us through the Castle. Spent a few hours there as there was so much to experience.
Aubrey Brawley — Google review
An absolutely superb historical castle experience. The only complaint is the 4 hour limit we had on the car park.
The Royal Palace is amazing with the interactive guides and all the displays. The gardens are beautiful and the views of Stirling are breathtaking.
The gift shops are well stocked with a good variety of items although there is a lot of tourist stuff, and it’s on the expensive side.
The catering was a bit chaotic, but it was busy. The food was good but nothing special and as you would expect a bit pricey.
There’s ticket options of online booking in advance or pay at the gate. There’s an electronic ticket collection point at the entrance. We paid on the gate, it took about 15 minutes because the first ticket machine in the office didn’t work.
Overall,it’s a great place to visit, you know it’s going to be expensive, but with the car park time limit and almost £20 each to get in. Is that value for money??
We only viewed two thirds of the attractions due to the time limit, and then there’s the grounds outside the castle.
Dave Holland — Google review
We visited the castle for Unicorn Day and it did not disappoint! We started with a guided tour, which was about an hour. Our guide, Tricia, did an amazing job of leading us through the castle’s history and making the past feel more real. We spent some time after the tour looking through some of the other spaces. The setup in the historic kitchen is very nice.
As for the unicorns, they were adorable! I couldn’t ride on, for good reason, but we could get fairly close. All of the kids there were so excited. It was fun watching their faces light up. Wished we could’ve stayed longer.
Scott Blake — Google review
Amazing amount of information available here. A beautiful well looked after Castle. Very friendly and helpful staff, very informative and very interactive with visiting kids (not that we have any). Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders museum within is also very informative. The cafe could do with more hot choices on a winters day though.
Neil Mackie — Google review
This is a must see for everyone especially fans of outlander as this very famous castle was used as a filming location. Of course it has historical importance which can be seen by its magnificent architecture. What I really enjoyed were the chats with the actors in each area that were really well versed in the castle's history. The views are also wonderful. There are some small museums too with some interesting exhibitions. Definitely should be on your list. If you aren't renting a car, there are many bus companies that include Stirling castle.
Leipzig ?Scott? Englisch — Google review
Glad to be able to use our English Heritage membership for this great castle. The history is laid out beautifully for all and the number of different locations, displays and exhibits made it a great day out. And that was before descending into the town's other incredible buildings & architecture.
barry sage — Google review
Had a fantastic experience, lots to see and do and we easily spent over 3 hours and still didn't get round everything. Price was very reasonable considering. As well as all the castle grounds we explored the museum, the Tapestry exhibition and the much more. Well worth a visit.
ojsims38 — Google review
Worth a visit if you don't mind 1000's of people walking around. Go early. Lots of parking in the town and surrounding roads and inside the castle grounds. Great views from the walls. Able to walk all around the castle walls. Relatively young castle compared to others in Scotland. Worth a visit though. Stirling town is quite nice to walk around too.
M Spooner — Google review
When we stayed in Edinburgh, we rented a car and took a day trip to visit Stirling Castle. We did not buy tickets in advance, and had no problem getting any at the ticket booth. And it was not a long wait. We personally did have a limited time here, unfortunately. If you do go be sure you have enough time here and are not rushed. We were there for about an hour and we were able to get through most of what we wanted to. The view from here is absolutely beautiful! You can drive your car up and there is a parking lot (car park). You do have to pay to park though. Make sure you get there early enough to get parking because it filled up fast. They had bathrooms there that were clean. And of course there were gift shops, which are always fun to check out.
LeAnne DiCostanzo — Google review
Stirling Castle is a favorite of ours- I feel the site is very well balanced in terms of who it caters to and subject matter. Aside from having the best views, sweeping skies across all of the area- take your time inside its walls as well! Plenty for our 7-11yr old kids to read and interact with, and plenty for the adults as well. Older history of the castle, clans, lifestyles and battles can be learned- but also the military museum is here with more recent history, all included with your admission. Art and culture explained in great detail, style and flair, religion and of course drama- highly recommend a day trip to Stirling!
Heather Eshelby — Google review
We went to the castle on a weekend. The worry was that there wouldn’t be enough parking for our slot starting at 11:00 . We reached there and the drive was pretty good and found parking spots . It was very well managed.
The castle itself is amazing, we were there for nearly 3-4 hours and I couldn’t believe how many things were there to see inside the castle
From the wonderfully preserved rooms to all the exhibitions this was truly an amazing trip.
It’s a stunning castle with a lot to do and I would definitely recommend it to anyone wanting to go.
Ajay — Google review
I loved spending time at Stirling Castle. It really took me back in time and allowed me to better understand a bit better the roots of Scotland. It has plenty of parking spots (at a 4 pounds charge) and everybody in Castle’s crew were very polite and friendly. Ticket is 20 pounds and will give access to the full range experience within the castle (a must have). Prepare to spend at least 2 hours within.
Fabricio Sanchez — Google review
Buy tickets online and save a few quid. On street parking available with four hours free or can pay 4 pound to park on grounds. Castle is full of history and well maintained. Enjoyed our visit and in a few rooms they have people in character which is good giving a brief but detailed descriptions of the rooms and history of the castle. Good value for money you can have a guided tour but we just did it at our own pace.
J Lloyd — Google review
Lovely castle and worth the quick hop on a train from Edinburgh. There's a lot to see and explore plus you can eat at a Cafe in a Castle. Super fun experience after they've done an incredible job in repairing and bringing the castle back to what it looked like.
Jason Fair (Nomadic Nerd Project) — Google review
This was a fantastic part of my trip. So much information! I was told to book ahead, and I did. I went even earlier than planned. There are so many artifacts to look at. Beautiful walking areas, the stone castle is gorgeous. All the workers were fantastic and helpful, there are even free tours. They have it set up easy to follow, signs and directions. Good rest stops, signs easy to read to learn, audio is available. Because of the paths, bricks, etc wear good shoes. I think everyone who visits, should see this! Special and memorable!
Delise Lazarenko — Google review
My visit to Stirling Castle was truly enchanting! Stepping through its historic gates felt like journeying back in time. The stunning architecture, panoramic views, and rich heritage captivated my senses. A must-visit for anyone seeking a taste of Scotland's regal past and breathtaking beauty.
Kevin Kammesri — Google review
Interesting historic castle,crucially for the time period 1300 to 1600. Free 70 min tour is included in the ticket price and highly recommended.
The interior of the castle is nicely prepared. From the outside not so many nice photo locations (other than Edinburgh castle).
Recommended visit
Ralf Gosch — Google review
Very interesting and historic castle. It is definitely worth a visit and I can only recommend it to everybode who is in the area. For the parking, one ticket with audio guide I paid 26.50 pounds. I roamed around the castle and the audio guide gives plenty of information about all the kings and Queen Mary. The parking is huge and you can drive up the hill all the way to the castle.
Cheyenne Blatter — Google review
Awesome Castle with the best Scottish history behind it. Set atop a massive crag towering over Stirling the Castle has loads of interactive stuff for the kids. There are guides in every part of the castle and even my four year old was enthralled! Over a thousand years of history laid out!
Niall McClay — Google review
Husband and I visited during our Scotland castle tour and Stirling Castle does not disappoint! There is so much history here and it’s worth the stop.
We initially planned two hours to explore and ended up staying for three and a half hours! You do have to pay £4 for parking and it’s only good for four hours. Keep this in mind!
The staff is so kind and you can ask them any questions about the history of the castle. We spent quite a bit of time talking to them about unknown facts and really enjoyed asking questions.
Make sure you look for Mary Queen of Scot’s lookout. She was too short to see over the walls as a child so they cut a little hole for her!
This is a must visit and I highly recommend it! We got the Scotland Explorer Pass and this was included. You do have to book an entrance time, but it s very easy to do online.
Celtic Park, which is the largest football stadium in Scotland, is a must-see for anyone interested in football. The knowledgeable staff and beautiful surroundings make it an unforgettable experience.
We booked to take my 78 year old Dad on a tour of the stadium.
We were taken around by Brian - and definitely had our moneys worth - an hour long tour took 2 hours - he definitely knows his stuff and was super enthusiastic!
My Dad absolutely loved it!
His daughters and grand daughter - who, unfortunately for him, have no interest in football whatsoever- actually enjoyed it too!
Rebecca Davies — Google review
You get an excellent view from almost any seat. The standing section (ultras) create atmosphere even when the game is mediocre. Food isn’t great but disabled access is good and it’s easy to get by train or on foot. A fantastic stadium with lots of history. Well worth a tour
thefirstcut — Google review
Amazing ground, amazing stadium. Not the first stadium I’ve been to, but it’s certainly the best I’ve been to so far. Simply amazing. Would happily return without a second thought.
Adam LAKE — Google review
While in Glasgow, a visit to Celtic Park is an absolute must. The vibrant green hues that adorn the stadium are truly awe-inspiring and leave an unforgettable impression on all who visit. The atmosphere of the park is electric, and it's a great way to immerse oneself in the city's vibrant culture and history.
The Clinic Ara Damansara — Google review
Our first Away visit to Celtic Park for the first game after the prolonged winter break.
We got in OK, and of course we were impressed with the atmosphere that the stadium design gives. The enclosed feeling with the semi roof and the higher sections of the home stand all add to the atmosphere.
Unfortunately they still have a large section that has large pillars blocking any meaningful view of the other half of the pitch.
I understand they won't care too much from the Away fans (though they should, were paying good money regardless of the 'restricted view' reduction.), its the pillar at the other end of the stand that must restrict the home supporters who have to pay again good money that should have been reason to rectify.
Away supporters were given a small food counter with 3 staff. It's also cashless which for some supporters is still a burden.
Unfortunately Celtic Park doesn't allow supporters out for a smoke.
I know a majority of people would probably agree, regardless of your opinion it isn't a difficult thing to allow people to go outside for a smoke or vape.
Overall was disappointed with Celtic Park, sure on first impressions it's impressive, give it a few minutes and it starts to drop off, the longer your there the less impressive it becomes.
3/5
🖖
M G G — Google review
Did the tour with a meal at the end
Absolutely wonderful.
From the boardroom with the trophy cabinet through to the dressing room and down the tunnel out to pitch side
All the while listening to our guide and the history and stories
After the tour we were directed to one of the restaurants inside the stadium
A fantastic 3 course meal in comfy surroundings
All the staff so friendly
A must for all fans
Andrew Geddes — Google review
We visited with two of our grandsons and had a great time..Our guide Des was superb, his knowledge was amazing and kept his audience interested throughout the tour which lasted just over an hour..
Rick Irvine — Google review
Fantastic tour of Paradise! Tour guide Ben was very knowledgeable which made this visit extremely interesting and fun. He took us on a storytelling journey through the years from the very beginning to the present day. From the boardroom, through the famous tunnel and out into the impressive main stand overlooking the pitch. Amazing!!!
Susan Riddell — Google review
I've wanted to visit Celtic Park for over 15 years, and finally had an opportunity as part of our honeymoon trip to Scotland. While we weren't able to attend a game, we were given an incredible tour of the grounds. It started with a history lesson and a display of Celtic's incredible silverware collection. It progressed through the dressing room and eventually out onto the dugout section near the pitch. The whole journey was full of stories of past glories of the club and grounds, and was a very engrossing experience. I missed the name of our guide, but the bald gentleman with dark glasses who ran the 4:30pm tour on Friday 9.22.23 was a wellspring of information, emotion, and really brought the experience to life; he deserves to be recognized. I look forward to returning someday, hopefully to catch a game at this storied place.
Aaron Wiese — Google review
Had the privilege of getting this tour as a birthday present from my wife. Took my son, and he's was so excited. Michael our tour guide showed us the board room, changing room, pitch side. Was a great afternoon.
Kevin McCleave — Google review
Best stadium in Glasgow. Great fans unlike other stadiums I could mention. Always have a great night. Facilities are pretty good. Just be careful when ordering tickets if you're scared of heights.
David McClory — Google review
The stadium looks fantastic in every sense. The Celtic way entrance is befitting of the club's status as a world class club in every way. Fantastic photo opportunities abound for those special memories.
bill carrigan — Google review
I did the guided tour of Celtic Park and it was an absolutely incredible experience! Our tour guide, Martin I believe was amazing and his knowledge of the club was even better. He answered any and all questions and made everyone laugh as well. As a Canadian I highly recommend any foreigners/locals to go see this incredible stadium🙌🏼
Jake Mumford — Google review
Fantastic experience and tour. Meal was stunning. Tour guide very knowledgeable. The place definitely is Paradise. May this season be as good as last year. HAIL HAIL
rob c — Google review
I have been for a game and tour on a next day. Absolutely amazing. Tour person Dennis very nice guy, told very interesting stories and football games from the past. It actually felt like I was there during the game years ago. You was not rushed, you could take as many pictures as needed. They also assisted to find a brick of my father in law to save us looking and we were allowed to have as much time as needed. Very sensitive and respectful. Highly recommended
Bull Julia — Google review
Superb stadium to be at, bit annoying the roof pillars at some view but the crowd cheering up the club will make it all forget.
Better skip the coffee and take thee or a soda, it tastes like...... 🤣
Maurice Kempers — Google review
Well worth the visit and our guide Mick certainly knew his history. We were there as football supporters rather than Celtic supporters but great to hear about where the club came from and see the stadium.
Stephen Webb — Google review
Incredible Tour by Tom Kelly. Passionate, knowledgable, and a natural storyteller. You don’t even need to be a fan to enjoy this trip through history. Well done!
Trace — Google review
Had an awesome experience with a superb home win.
The fans were friendly and many families here too.
Would definitely re visit
Rafique Gardee — Google review
One of the best stadium tours I’ve experienced, tour guide was hilarious and had access to a lot of things other stadium tours don’t show, food was also incredible in No.7 Restaurant
Marco Perrozzi — Google review
A fantastic experience at Celtic Park for our first night game. Great atmosphere and easy enough to get to. Extremely busy though that's to be expected. 🍀
Andy Hoops. — Google review
Absolutely fabulous tour highly recommended. Staff fantastic and very good to the kids.lovely bar and good pints
Roy Coughlan — Google review
Did the tour, excellent guide - Manus. Knows his stuff, pitched it right. Great to see behind the scenes
Nestled in the heart of Kilmarnock, Dean Castle Country Park spans over 200 acres and offers something for everyone. Visitors can explore scenic trails winding through woodland, open farmland, and wetland areas. The park also features a 14th-century castle museum surrounded by beautifully restored landscapes designed in the early 1900s. With a superb program of events, art galleries, and exhibitions, this friendly tourist attraction is perfect for families.
What a beautiful place. Sadly, the kids park was out of bounds when we visited, but there was still plenty to keep us interested. I'm on crutches, and really had to walk a lot (too much actually) after parking the car. It would be useful if we could maybe hire disability scooters? The disabled toilet was impressive, with a hoist & shower, and changing table for larger kids/adults. The wee cafe is quite reasonably priced which we appreciated. We'd definitely recommend a visit, esp on a dry day! Take some bird seed, or grapes for ducks. ❤
Lindsey Harper — Google review
The car park is ok size but can get really busy at lunch time. The castle is closed for refurbishment but it is due to reopen on the 1 of April 2023. The paths round the park are well looked after. They are a bit muddy in places but that more to do with the weather. There is 3 different walking routes you can choose from. All are very easy with only minor hills to walk up. The play park is quite small and has the usual swings,shoots,one person trampoline etc. The rural life centre is beside the park and the toilets are in here as well. Also in the centre is information about how they farm the land and environmental issues. There is a few animals you can see from goats/pigs/sheep/deer's. There is a cafe across from the car park and the price's are quite reasonable. You can also find other toilets here.
John Rundell — Google review
Great day out for the family in a well maintained park with free entry to the castle.
Public toilets and a cafe are also on hand.
Lots to see and do including duck pond and farm zoo.
Good for dog walkers also
stephen kostric — Google review
Beautiful park and beautiful castle. Free to enter and loads to do. Great for all ages and nice for walk around. I also believe there park run in this place. Definitely recommended to visit if you are here for a quick trip and touring Scotland.
Rahman Amin — Google review
It was a fantastic sunny day and we thought we would go a walk to Dean Park. On arrival we went to the cafe for lunch and a drink which was excellent. We then left the cafe to go on our adventure, seeing the animals, playing in the park which was clean and tidy, having lots of fun in the process. Will definitely be back keep up the great work everyone. Thank you.
anna richmond — Google review
Stopped here for lunch on our way to Ayr.
Free parking.
Nice food and tea/ latte.
Toilets also.
Castle was really good and lots to explore.
Member of staff there was very friendly and told us lots of the castle's history.
The park itself is great and has lots of paths.
I highly recommend going here.
Stew Walker — Google review
We came to the park in June hoping to walk around and see the exterior of the building, as we'd read the castle was closed. So it was a nice surprise to find that we could go into the castle...for free! We made a donation though as it was such a great experience; learning about this history of the area, the families who lived here, seeing tapestries and war materials (armour, swords) from over the centuries and around the world with some recreated pieces too, you could go upstairs in the castle as well as the lower floor. A really interesting place with helpful room guide volunteers.
We walked around a little of the gardens and saw the deers.
An easy place to visit and park, very quiet on a week day, and all for free!
Highly recommended.
Tara Sanders — Google review
Lovely park, with castle, river, lake playgrounds, animal petting farm and nice walks. Really nice,would recommend
Stuart Wilson — Google review
We only visited here to break up a journey but looks like a fab place to go regularly. Loads of space, walks, a kids playground, pigs, ducks, deer and squirrels. Wish we had more time to explore. The castle itself was closed. I would love to see around it!
Louise McGann — Google review
The visit to this park was really worth it. Loved the environment though couldn’t do much as it was raining heavily which made the place wet and annoying. The animals were also nowhere to be found. I was only able to see some deers. Also wanted to visit the castle there but discovered it was undergoing renovations to be opened in the spring of 2023. So generally I didn’t have a good first experience not because the park isn’t great but possibly cuz of the time I visited. Would definitely go back during summer
Sandra Chioma-Wodu — Google review
Excellent and Free. Very well kept park/ grounds. Lovely walks. Good playpark and enjoyed seeing the deer and pigs. Castle really interesting. Staff friendly and helpful. Cafe good too. Easy parking.
Cath i — Google review
Great to get into the castle and explore this amazing venue. You get good hands on experiences as you can dress up, search for the hidden door and explore the musical Instruments that are there too. A great construction of the castle in Lego for the kids.
Pay a visit to the wee gift shop, beautiful stuff! 👍🏻😘 🏘️🏰
Jean Hamilton — Google review
We had a great night at the Starry nights illuminations.
When we arrived no queues to enter. Well marked trail.
Plenty of food options at kiosks and undercover seating.
Kids loved the fake snow, disco and the snow man. Park looking stunning. Carnival rides too.
Check out their website before arriving for parking options, as only blue badges in the venue car park. Photo s don't give a true reflection of how good it looks.
Kim Stevenson — Google review
We took my grandson to the winter wonderland event. It was good but not great to be honest. The main light show against the castle not on, some lights not working properly and the parking was a nightmare. You had to park in nearby neighbourhood which the residents must have hated.
Lesley Aitken — Google review
Stunning area. Whole family loved it. Tranquil setting, deers were very visitor friendly and tame. Superb cafe, good value too. Castle and grounds looked great. Playground for kids was really good. Recommended.
David F — Google review
Lovely place to visit, if its been raining, wear appropriate footwear. Castle 🏰 is beautiful, stary nights on Christmas time, amazing for children as santa 🤶 🧑🎄 ❤️ is their, lots of rides and amazing light shows, they can even have a wee dance off 😀 places to eat are expensive, bit Christmas happens only once 😆 🤣 Lovely for couples as the light shows are amazing.
Grinch is defenetly the favourite 😍 ✨️ 💕 he is a big softy at heart ❤️
Defenetly worth a visit, plenty of things to see.
Mary Miller — Google review
Visited during Christmas season at Starry Nights . Park was well organised and beautiful to walk through. Occasion was on the pricey side with purchasing extras but nobody seemed to mind as it was Christmas.
Christine Hughes — Google review
A really lovely place to visit when the sun is out. There are three different trails that you can follow or you can just go to visit the castle, rural life centre, and visitor centre (which are both free!).
The walks were different lengths and not too strenuous but very scenic. The castle is so marvellous and has many different sections that you can explore, such as the palace, the keep, etc. (It is hard to believe it is free entry!). The rural life centre has some deer, bunnies, and a pig, all of which were fun to see! On the farm trail you can see more animals, like sheep, goats and horses. The visitor centre has a nice little cafe with indoor and outdoor seating, and the prices are great. There are a good number of free toilets and bins around the park which many places lack, so I praise Dean Country Park for this!
The only downside to this visit was that the map and directions can be very confusing at times and I often got lost. I think the map could be a lot clearer and include smaller paths and bridges.
Overall, I would recommend this place to anyone, from couples to families with young children, there is fun to be had here for everyone! If you go in the spring, the lambs and ducklings will be out.