September walk at Gibside

Beautiful day at Gibside today. We usually only get as far as the Strawberry Castle Fort as at toddler pace that can take up a few hours in itself. But today we came armed with the backpacks and set off to explore further afield. With the new path opened through the West Wood it was great to be able to continue on and the children enjoyed hunting out the carved wooden creatures in the forest. After a visit to the stables, where they milked Daisy and played in the discovery room we headed back where the favourite activity of the day was gathering acorns under the oak trees. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gibside/

Morpeth Steppy Stones

Park at High Stanners and follow the riverside walk round to the Steppy Stones. Great for picnics and fishing nets, as long as there hasn't been too much rain!

Belsay Hall walk

My daughter is convinced there are dinosaurs living in the grounds of Belsay Hall. When you arrive and see the grand hall and manicured lawn it all looks very formal, but as you walk through the gardens and follow the path through the old quarry to the hidden castle, it is like treking through a scene from Jurassic Park. The path winds its way through the rock face and everything seems bigger than normal, even for me, so it must be enormous for a child. There are cave-like hideaways, lots of hidden seats, giant leaves and centuries old trees - and there's a castle at the end of it to explore. The most stunning time to visit has to be when the rhododendrons are in full bloom, but any time has got something to offer. Check online and English Heritage often run events from jousting to theatre and singing. The empty shell of the old hall is also great for kids to explore - as they are exactly that - empty. Mine love tearing round the vast echoing rooms and I don't have to worry as there is nothing to break. Practicalities wise, the paths are all flat lose gravel and pushchair friendly. There is a tea room at the main entrance, with baby change facilities and plenty of scenic picnic spots either at the hall or at the castle. The walk from the house to the castle is just about 10 minutes adult pace - obviously a LOT longer toddler pace with so many distractions. There are only portaloos at the castle, and there was an ice cream stand when we were there. Prices: adult £7.70 child (5-15)£4.60 family (2 adults, 3 children) £20 If you join English Heritage after your visit, your entry is refunded. Membership is £47 for an adult or £82 for a couple.

Heighley Gate

What would I do without Heighley Gate, near Morpeth? A brilliant playground, two indoor soft plays as well as plants, fish and rabbits. And all free. Amazing. http://www.thegardencentregroup.co.uk/garden-centres/heighley-gate/Heighley-Gate-Nursery-and-Garden-Centre/2D

Knights and princesses at Alnwick Castle

Partly due to my three-year-old daughter's current obsession with Mike the Knight she was very excited about visiting Alnwick Castle. And we all had a brilliant time. The activities in the Knight's Quest were great fun and she loved getting dressed up in the costumes and having a go at the sword fighting. There was also some great spots inside the courtyard for our picnic. I thought the children (three and two) might have been too young to appreciate the inside of the castle, but the staff were so geared up for children and showed them how to look out for the little white owls hidden in the rooms, which they enjoyed tracking down. At the moment if you pay for a day, you can visit free for a year. Adults are £14 and children (5-16) are £7. A family ticket is £36. http://www.alnwickcastle.com/

Rosedale Abbey Campsite, North Yorkshire

So apparently the first mistake I made was thinking our camping trip was a "holiday". As I later discovered in my Art of Camping book, it should not be looked on as leisure, but a sport. I also learned that I was one of those categories of people you should not choose to take with you on a trip, a "fair weather camper." I was hopeful this was going to be more successful than last year's one night stay as the forecast at least promised dry weather in contrast to the deluge that washed us out last August. As we drove across a decidedly murky North Yorkshire Moors on route to our destination at Rosedale Abbey and lightning flashed across the gloomy sky it soon became clear this was not going to be the case. Driving into the campsite, barely visible through our window wipers going into overdrive, all I could think of was my nice warm dry house two hours drive away. As we discussed/argued over where to pitch our tent I could see the smirking expressions on our new neighbours' faces, smugly already under canvas, thinking, “ha ha this should be fun”. Anyway we launched ourselves into the downpour, kids and all, and by some miracle managed to put our new home up without any major disasters. Maybe I had just been emotionally broken down, but as the rain eased off and the sun came out, I hate to admit it but I started to almost enjoy myself and the girls couldn't have been happier diving in and out of the tent and running around with the other children on the site. My biggest fear before hand had been my two-year-old waking screaming in the night. There were a couple of whelps, but thankfully nothing too bad and whereas at home where the windows are plastered in blackout material they wake at 5.15am, out in the wild they somehow didn't wake until almost 6.30am. Don't get me wrong, I slept badly, woke with back ache and the shower under little more than a dribble didn't seem to do the trick, but somehow those few blissful moments of sipping wine under the stars, the sound of the stream at night next to the tent and the kids diving around on the grass without even whining for TV once seemed to make it all worthwhile. Nevertheless perhaps in the pursuit of balance and fairness, my next holiday review should, as a collegue advised, consist of hotels, indoor pools, posh suppers and in house-childminding. I think maybe that could be good for the soul too. As a campsite Rosedale Abbey must be about as perfect as you can get: stream, tarzies, village, pub, woods, walks, a playground and beautiful. We arrived the Wednesday before August bank holiday and while it was reasonably busy, there was plenty of spots to choose from. We were told however that the bank holiday weekend was fully booked. It is a large site, stretching back along the river. There are several tea rooms, a village shop and a pub yards from the site and a shop at the reception too. It was very family friendly, most people were there with children, but a really good atmosphere and nice and quiet at night. As mentioned on some review sites, the showers were a bit poor - hot but very weak pressure. The whole area was kept quite clean however. There is so much to do nearby -from steam train rides to moorland walks. My favourite childhood spot is the stepping stones at Lealholm, just about 20 minutes away.

Jedburgh abbey

Seaton Delaval Hall

Picnic, hay fight and statues

Druridge Bay

Two hours of summer on the beach before the rain came in

I have never seen a crowd at Druridge Bay. It is so vast that even in the height of summer it doesn't seem busy. At the main carpark at the Country Park there is a visitors centre a few minutes walk from the sand, with toilet and small cafe. There is also a walk around the lake. If you take the next (unsignposted) turnoff, heading north towards Warkworth, you can however park for free right by the beach, which is so handy for piling down onto the sand. http://www.visitnorthumberland.com/do/druridge-bay-country-park-p26011

Wallington Hall

After becoming accustomed to the gentle political correctness of cbeebies, my first Punch & Judy show since I was a kid myself came as a bit of a shock, especially against the sophisticated backdrop of Wallington Hall. But everyone loved it. It was one of several special events thrown on over the summer in the Best of British theme. With four children between my friend and I aged 7, 4, 3, and almost 2, Wallington was a great place for them all to let off steam and have the all important picnic. First we headed to the most recent addition, a train climbing frame, where they all enjoyed clambering about and there was some very imaginative role play going on with a group of boys shovelling coal into the engine. Then via some foraging and muddy puddles we moved onto the playpark, with swings, a slide a zip wire and much more. It was then time for Punch & Judy, where despite being a bit taken aback by the sight of punch battering a baby, all seemed to have a good time. After a picnic on the grass we then explored the grounds and the Olympic theme was a great idea. I couldn't believe how hard work sack racing was! The different activities including triple jumps, skittles and hoop throwing kept everyone entertained. We didn't have time to explore the house or extensive grounds, but from a previous visit I can tell you they are all worth the trip. One of the best things about Wallington with young children is that the main attractions are quite compact, it is just a few minutes to the play area or the house, with handy toilets and a cafe on hand. But if you want to extend your trip the gardens and lakes are also an option. It is also pushchair friendly. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wallington/

Gibside

Cragside

What is it about kids and puddles? Thankfully neither ended up face down in this one. I love Cragside, there is something about it that makes you feel like you have stepped into a self-contained world. There are several car parks around the vast grounds and this time we parked up by the playground. When the children were younger we used to stick them in the backpacks and it was a wonderful trek up from the house through the craggy forest. Now at three and a half and 21 months they like to walk (or scooter) so we drove up and Charlotte was able to scooter along the path by the lake, although you do have to watch out for oncoming cars. It is one way however, which makes it safer. There are also picnic benches and toilets by the playground. If you walk a bit further there are some fantastic picnic spots overlooking the lakes. The playpark is a good size, with a very big climbing/slide frame that is challenging for the older ones, yet still safe enough for my 21 month old to give it a fair old go and also a zip wire. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cragside/

Saltwell Park, Gateshead

Free to get in, takeaway lattes, toilets, perfect for scootering, dragon pedalos, a mini train, ducks, playgrounds, this must be the best park in the world

Warkworth Castle

making the most of our English Heritage cards. scramble on the ruins, explore the dark passageways or take a walk by the river. Perfect for picnics,but no cafe facilities on site.

Centre for Life

The Centre for Life has to be about the most child-friendly place in the universe. It is one giant playpark and once you have paid your annual membership - free! From babies, to toddlers to pre-schoolers to school children, it's just brilliant. The kids can run wild, they can't break anything, they can dress up, play in a toy kitchen that is better than my own real kitchen at home, watch a film in the planetarium, build towers, climb in car, and mums and dads can get a Starbucks coffee - and that is just a fraction of what's on offer. The under 7s area upstairs is the best I have ever seen in a North East venue. Instead of the usual soft play, there is a designer kitchen, shop with cash registers, a tree house for hiding in as well as a small soft play area, and activity tables from lego to drawing. My children's other highlights are the daily film showings, special short ones of about ten minutes shown for younger children, based on an educational theme and in a planetarium style cinema. Another winner for me is that there is a free picnic area, so you can bring your own food if you wish and are not forced to eat in the cafe. visit www.life.org.uk/ An adult annual pass is £24.95 including £2 gift aid and a child is £18.95 again including £2 gift aid. under 2s are free Admission for the day only is £9.95 for adults and £6.95 for children including gift aid. top tips - visit the children's planetarium show, the under 7s area and bring your own picnic. Only downside: during the week it can be very busy if school trips are in and sometimes certain parts are closed if an exhibition is being changes, so maybe ring ahead and check what's happening.

Tulips at Alnwick

A stroll by the Wansbeck in Morpeth

Cresswell beach

Alas poor Buzz, I knew him well