An exciting update for the Easter holidays, is the addition of three new venues. On 1 April North East Museums extended its reach into Northumberland and now manages three venues on behalf of Northumberland County Council: Woodhorn Museum in Ashington, Hexham Old Gaol, and the Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum. This expansion enables North East Museums to connect with even more families across the region, enhancing its offer of affordable family activities during school holidays. The popular Ways to Play programme invites children to get active, creative, and imaginative with a variety of engaging, free experiences designed to make the school holidays memorable.
Highlights this Easter include a series of special workshops at the Great North Museum: Hancock inspired by Newcastle’s Puppetry Festival, eco-friendly family activities at Discovery Museum inspired by its Steam to Green exhibition, and the Easter Bunny will be visiting Woodhorn Museum.
With rising costs affecting many households, the opportunity for families to make savings on travel costs makes visiting museums and galleries more affordable. North East Museums’ venues are easily accessible via Metro, Bus or Shields Ferry. During school holidays children under 11 can travel free on Tyne and Wear Metro, the Shields Ferry and buses when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.
Ways to Play has won several awards, including the Best Arts and Business Partnership at the North East Culture Awards in 2022 and the Not-for-Profit Marketing Award at the North East Marketing Awards the same year. It was also shortlisted for Partnership of the Year at the Museum + Heritage Awards in 2023.
Click to view the Ways to Play webpage.