If you’re looking for some inspiration of things to do with the kids this Half Term, we’ve rounded up some ideas of things to do in and around the city, from visiting reopened museums to exploring outdoor attractions.
5. Toy exhibition, National Glass Centre
Artist Chad McCail’s Toy exhibition has also been extended at NGCA within National Glass Centre. Chad spent three years developing this new work specifically for the venue. The exhibition presents an enormous three-dimensional cityscape that fills the entire gallery and contains the buildings and institutions from our everyday lives: schools, factories, offices and workplaces, hospitals, military sites, and more. Entry is free. Photo: JPI Media
Washington Old Hall is to finally reopen more than a year after it last received visitors - and it has a new attraction. A new art installation brings together historical and mythical characters connected to the building including George Washington himself. Visitors will see a grand banquet table laden with food. Seated there are a group of notable characters associated with Washington Old Hall over its centuries of history. Alongside George Washington is the White Lady whose ghost is said to haunt the building, the Lady of Hertbern who may have lived on the site as early as the 13th Century and the Green Man, a mythological character usually associated with springtime and rebirth. For safety reasons the number of visitors allowed at any one time is limited and pre-booking is recommended. There is no longer a cafe, but plenty of places to eat nearby. The Friends of Washington Old Hall group will continue to open their gift shop. Photo: submitted
Visit Beamish, The Living Museum of the North this Half Term, May 29 to June 6 ,where there’ll be something to see and do every day at the museum. From a car rally, candle making and 1950s Coronation celebrations to live music, musket firing displays and medallion making, there’s plenty to get involved with. Throughout the local school holidays, as well as the Meet the Georgians event and the Eastern European Car Rally, Pockerley Waggonway will be running again and the Friends of Beamish will operate historic vehicles from the museum’s collections. Plus, visitors can see The Colliery Railway operating, take part in 1950s Coronation celebrations at the welfare hall and complete the fun family flower trail. Photo: submitted
Online bookings are open for Down at the Farm. There's plenty to do at the interactive farm whose attractions include donkeys, alpacas, emus and meerkats. Photo: JPI Media