Family Fun
Sometimes it’s a challenge to keep the juniors occupied. There’s that balance isn’t there between keeping them interested, keep yourselves interested and everybody enjoying themselves. It’s tricky. Hopefully the following suggestions will keep everyone happy, adults included.
Hands off our Romans
The opposite is true actually. There are places where hands-on is positively encouraged. Take Arbeia where children of all ages can get their hands dirty excavating in Time Quest (after goggling at the reconstructions). At nearby Segedunum (take the Metro between the two, it’s a lot more fun), the Roman Radio Show will take children round (including the Baths reconstruction – imagine the plastic ducks needed here!) and there’s an interactive virtual tour.
Over at the Roman Army Museum, Centurion Quintus Petronius will tell all about how to join the Roman Army and the Eagle Eye film soars skywards. Kids can become the Roman Army’s latest recruits with special family events at Corbridge, Chesters, Housesteads and Birdoswald.
Getting them outside
Whilst doing loads of walking might be an issue, there are lots of short options, perhaps with a focal point that catches the imagination. A bracing walk to Sycamore Gap and they’ll see not only the tallest Wall remains but also Kevin Costner’s tree from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Pop into the National Park Centre (crowned England’s best Tourist Information Centre in 2007) for a warm, welcome and some expert advice on what to do next. If your brood are very good at the ‘let’s be quiet’ game, they may get lucky and see a rare red squirrel. Or hire a bike, or even a pony if horseriding is your thing, and get some fresh air racing past those cheeks. The South Tyne Trail begins and ends in Haltwhistle, and is just one of the many do-in-a-day cycle trips.
Railway children
Train-mad boys will just love the Stephenson Railway Museum at North Shields. And a great day out would be riding on the Hadrian’s Wall Country Line or Settle-Carlisle line. It’s not Roman but no-one will mind at all.
Useful links
George Stephensons Birth Place
Visit Kielder Water and Forest Park
