The Best Days Out from Cramlington

Cramlington is a good base for exploring south-east Northumberland and the North Tyneside coast. It has a landform sculpture and a country park on its edges, a Baroque country house a few miles east, and the beaches, lighthouses and priory ruins of the coast beyond that. Newcastle and Morpeth are both a short train ride away. This guide rounds up the best days out, starting close to home and working outwards.

Opening times, prices and seasonal closures change, so treat the details here as a guide and check each attraction's own website before you set off. Details were checked in November 2026.

Northumberlandia

Start on the doorstep. Northumberlandia, the Lady of the North, is a reclining figure shaped from earth on Blagdon Lane, about 34 metres high and 400 metres long. Northumberland Wildlife Trust looks after the site, which is open from dawn until dusk. There is no entry charge, though the Trust suggests a £2 donation for parking. There is a fully accessible loop around the figure, steeper paths up to her head, and a cafe at the visitor centre. Our guide to visiting Northumberlandia has the details.

Plessey Woods Country Park

Plessey Woods is a 100-acre country park run by Northumberland County Council on the River Blyth, off the A192 near Hartford Bridge. It has woodland and riverside walks, a play area by the entrance, climbing boulders, an orienteering route and a visitor centre cafe. Parking is free for the first hour and charged after that. It is an easy half-day, and our best walks in Cramlington guide has routes.

Seaton Delaval Hall

Seaton Delaval Hall, near Seaton Sluice, is the big heritage day out on Cramlington's doorstep. Historic England's listing records that the house was built between 1718 and 1729 by Sir John Vanbrugh for Admiral George Delaval, and it is listed at Grade I. Today it is cared for by the National Trust, with gardens and grounds to explore as well as the house.

Opening times and admission vary through the year and by season, so check the National Trust's website before you go. Without a car, the Arriva 57 runs from Cramlington through Seaton Delaval towards Whitley Bay; see our guide to getting around Cramlington without a car.

Best for:

The National Trust runs seasonal events at the hall, including at Christmas, and these often need booking ahead.

St Mary's Lighthouse, Whitley Bay

St Mary's Lighthouse stands on a small island at the north end of Whitley Bay. North Tyneside Council says it was built in 1898 and was in service until 1984, and you can climb its 137 steps for the view. The island is reached by a causeway that is only open at low tide, so check the council's safe crossing times before you set out. At the time of writing, admission is £7 for adults, £3.50 for seniors and children and £17 for a family. Around the island there is a nature reserve with rock pools, and pay and display parking on the mainland.

Our sister site Whitley Bay Live has a full guide to St Mary's Lighthouse and more things to do in Whitley Bay.

Tynemouth Priory and Castle

At the mouth of the Tyne, English Heritage's Tynemouth Priory and Castle combines the ruins of a medieval priory with a castle on the headland and underground gun batteries from its later life as a coastal defence. At the time of writing, English Heritage lists it as open at weekends from 10am to 4pm, with last entry at 3.15pm. Part of the priory church is closed for maintenance and admission is discounted while the work goes on. English Heritage also offers a discount to visitors who arrive by public transport or bike.

See Tynemouth Live's guide to Tynemouth Priory and Castle and its things to do in Tynemouth.

Blyth beach

Blyth is the nearest stretch of coast to Cramlington, and several of the X-route buses run between the two towns. South Beach has sand dunes, a promenade, colourful beach huts and a play area. Blyth Live's Blyth beach guide covers parking, facilities and the walk along the dunes, and its things to do in Blyth has more ideas.

Woodhorn Museum, Ashington

Woodhorn Museum, in the Queen Elizabeth II Country Park at Ashington (NE63 9YF), tells the story of Northumberland's coal mining communities. Its Ashington Group Gallery is devoted to the Pitmen Painters, the group of miners who became celebrated artists. North East Museums, which runs it for Northumberland County Council, says it opens Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm, and every day in the Northumberland school holidays. Under-18s go free and adults pay for admission. Much of the visit is indoors, which makes it a good choice for a wet day.

Morpeth

Morpeth, the county town, is under ten minutes away by train. In the medieval Chantry on Bridge Street, the Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum has a collection centred on Northumbrian smallpipes. North East Museums says it opens Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 5pm and is free to enter, and the town's tourist information centre is in the same building. Morpeth.net's guide to things to do in Morpeth has the rest.

Newcastle

Newcastle city centre is around a quarter of an hour away by train, which makes it an easy day out without the car. The city has museums, galleries, the Quayside and plenty of shopping. Newcastle City Live has guides to things to do in Newcastle city centre and family days out in Newcastle city centre.

A few more ideas

For more ideas across the region, from Durham to the Northumberland coast, browse our sister sites on North East Alive.

Making the most of it

Most of these days out pair well with time in Cramlington itself. Our things to do in Cramlington guide covers the town, and with children in tow, see our family activities in Cramlington guide. Trains from Cramlington station run roughly hourly towards Newcastle and Morpeth, so check times before you set off.

If you are new to the area, it is also worth knowing where the town's emergency hospital is and how it works. Our practical guide to Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital covers getting there, parking and visiting.

Know a great day out we have missed? Get in touch.