Families often tell us that it is difficult to find new, different or interesting places to go with a disabled child, espcially if there is an entry charge. Often it can be quite expensive for the whole family to visit somewhere and if you then have to leave early, for whatever reason, you certainly won't feel like you have got very good value for money.
We have pulled together some useful information about free places to visit as well as general guidance about visitor attractions in the region. If you have any useful suggestions yourself that are not included here, please let us know via email and we will share them.
Free places to visit:
- Herrington Country Park, Sunderland
- Marine Park, South Shields
- Chester le Street Park
- Tanfield Railway, Gateshead
- National Railway Museum Shildon
- Preston Park Museum & Grounds, Eaglescliffe, Stockton (an entry charge applies for the Museum)
- Stewart Park, Marton, Middlesbrough (includes Captain Cook Birthplace Museum, which there is a entry charge for)
- Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens
- Discovery Museum, Newcastle
- Great North Museum, Newcastle
- National Glass Centre, Sunderland
- North East Aircraft Museum, Sunderland
- Washington F Pit Museum, Sunderland
Lots of places will admit a carer of a disabled person in free – it is always worth asking if this is the case wherever your visit. The following are places we have contacted which confirmed that they allow a carer in free with a disabled child/person:
- Beamish Museum
- Alnwick Garden
- Washington Wildfowl Park
- Centre for Life
- National Trust
Beamish and Alnwick Gardens now also operate an offer where once you have paid your entry fee – your tickets are valid for 1 year.