A Coast for All … Family Fun

Whether it’s searching for hidden glass treasure, a first time at birdwatching or a sunrise paddle board, Durham’s coastline is packed with family surprises.

The Durham Heritage Coast makes an excellent family escape.  Aside from miles of sandcastle-friendly beaches, water sports and nature, the Beamish Museum and Diggerland are a magnet for all ages but when school’s out, the seaside’s the biggest draw. 

The multi award-winning Seaham Harbour Marina is Durham's one and only marina. It’s home to a fantastic selection of local businesses, from souvenir shops and cafes serving delicious homemade cakes to water sports and restaurants.  Let the kids try Standup paddleboarding or kayaking, there are even sunrise paddle and breakfast or paddle and brunch packages by Adventure Access. 

On Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 August, the Seaham Food Festival returns.  Bring everyone for sensational street food, local produce, delicious desserts and refreshing drinks plus more than 100 independent stalls. There will also be a series of cookery demonstrations from a star-studded line-up of celebrity chefs, as well as a packed programme of family entertainment. 

For younger visitors new to birdwatching RSPB Saltholme is the perfect start. Family-friendly wetlands have a helpful visitor's centre and hides which let you get up close to water rails, avocet and terns, there’s a handy café and wild play area and discovery zone. There’s even a walled garden designed by Chris Beardshaw. 

What is more fun than finding your own precious jewel? Seaham is a global hot spot for sea glass collecting, attracting visitors from across the world.  Get everyone involved in a personal treasure hunt of brilliantly coloured glass to make their own jewellery. 

Seaham and nearby Sunderland were home to many bottleworks and glass making factories during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. The port boasted the largest glass bottle works in Britain – The Londonderry Bottleworks, operating from the 1850s to 1921. 

The bottleworks would dump large amounts of waste glass straight into the North Sea and that’s where Seaham’s sea glass story began! With each new tide, you’re certain to find colourful little gems along Seaham’s shore, shaped and smoothed by the North Sea for over 100 years. Best of all, this treasure hunt’s free! 

To trace the area’s history, take everyone to The East Durham Heritage and Lifeboat Centre where the historic lifeboat The George Elmy is permanently on display, it gives and insight into the rich heritage of the area.   

Every family has a shopaholic! On the outskirts of Seaham you’ll find Dalton Park – the region’s biggest outlet shopping centre.  A haven for bargain lovers,  save up to 50% off high street prices with more than 60 shops selling over 200 brands, from high street favourites to designer labels. 

Perfect for when the heavens open, the shopping centre has a cinema and new magical wizard mini golf course – opened in 2024.  Challenge the kids to tame the power of the Basilisk and take on nine holes of magical mini golf. A must-try activity for all witches and wizards. 

If you’re heading to the Durham Heritage Coast this summer, download the new Explore SeaScapes Coastal App to learn more about this special stretch of coast. As you explore the coast the app will ping your phone at key locations, telling you interesting facts and points of interest, including the locations of wrecks and hidden heritage beneath the waves. Search 'Seascapes Coastal App' in your favourite app store and download for free today!

Peter Rabbit, water parks and non-stop entertainment, Blackpool is synonymous with seaside fun. While on the south coast Plymouth and Thanet are packed with events and attractions for every age.

Family holiday? Where else but Blackpool! This iconic seaside resort is synonymous with family fun and with an extended illuminations season and a growing line-up of summer events year-round entertainment, this is fast becoming the place to be for all seasons.  

Blackpool Tower is a familiar landmark to all and a must-see for everyone. Stashed with entertainment it’s home to Blackpool Tower Ballroom, The Blackpool Tower Eye, Blackpool Tower Circus, one of the world's longest running circuses, dino mini golf and the Blackpool Tower Dungeons.  

Attraction giant Merlin also runs attractions down the promenade including Sea LIFE Blackpool, Madame Tussauds Blackpool, Peter Rabbit Explore and Play and Gruffalo and Friends Clubhouse – buy a multi attraction ticket for the best deal. 

Here you’ll also find Showtown; the UK's first museum of fun and entertainment which opened in 2024, Blackpool Zoo, Pleasure Beach Resort and NickelodeonLand, Sandcastle Water Park, Blackpool Model Village, while the town's three piers all offer arcade and funfair style fun, and the Hole in Wand, for wizardly crazy golf. Access it all with a handy tram line down the front. 

Stop by the Comedy Carpet at the festival headland and grab those Instagram-worthy snaps in front of the Tower, visit the fabulous mirror ball - the world’s largest, which sits proudly at a huge 6m diameter on the resorts South Shore.  

In addition to a huge choice of eateries, the resort offers fantastic shows at the beautiful Blackpool Winter Gardens, the Blackpool Grand theatre as well as Blackpool Ice Arena, The Regent Cinema and more.  

From September to early January bring the kids to experience the world-famous Illuminations. October sees the brilliance of Lightpool take place at the resort, and the festive season kicks off in November with the fantastic Christmas By The Sea event.  

Other Events throughout the year include Showzam in February, Blackpool Dance Festival in May, Pride in June, the UK Capital of Dance and Blackpool Carnival in July, the Air Show, Rebellion Festival and the British Country Music Festival in August, and the World Fireworks Championships in September and October.  

If you’re planning a trip to Lancaster by public transport, you can easily reach Morecambe by bike, train or bus. This classic seaside resort offers great food, entertainment and places to stay; including the Midland, an iconic art deco hotel.  The resort is due to be the Eden Project’s second UK home in the next couple of years and there are plenty of great attractions to shout about.   

Happy Mount Park in the seaside resort is a gem of a park offering soft play and great outdoor play areas as well as a splash park for summer months.  Let the kids burn off energy at Soul Bowl which features bowling, arcades and Jump Rush for trampolines and assault course-style fun.  

Where to stay? Ribby Hall Holiday Village, Kirkham, is Lancs only five-star holiday village, set in 130 acres of lovely countryside.  Facilities include indoor swimming pool with racer slides and tropical themed splash zone, adults only swimming pool with sauna, steam room and hot tub, playground, indoor soft play areas, arcade and games room, woodland trail and top accommodation.  

Badminton, squash courts, archery range, boating lake, nine-hole golf course, adventure golf course, climbing wall, a huge programme of clubs and events plus the Wild Discovery mini zoo are also on-tap.  

Situated in a peaceful rural location, yet only 15 minutes from Blackpool, Stanley Villa Farm and Fishing is the perfect place to relax and unwind. You’ll find a wide range of glamping and camping pods, some with wood fired hot tubs, as well as bell tents 

Come for a stunning lakeside communal lodge, sunsets over the lake and the roaring campfires at night. Kids are invited to enjoy the large grassy play area and can join in with the daily animal feeds, meet the pygmy goats, sheep and chickens  

Newton Hall Holiday Park, Blackpool, Lancashire is set in picturesque Fylde countryside and plenty of entertainment including the Walterz Entertainment centre offering ten-pin bowling, AR darts, karaoke booths, shuffleboard and more. 

Choose from a range of holiday apartments, accessible holiday homes and static caravans while facilities include indoor heated swimming pool complex, children's fun club, fishing pond and large children's playground and nearby golf course.

On the south coast in Devon, Plymouth provides a perfect mix of top family attractions, a brilliant line-up of events and sandy beaches at Bovisand and Wembury, just a short drive from the city centre. 

The National Marine Aquarium is the largest in the UK, in addition to the 4,000 marine animals, experiences include shark feeding, snorkelling with sea life and sleeping with sharks. 

The Mayflower Museums charts the story of the Pilgrim Fathers and their journey across the Atlantic in 1620, The Box features a series of exhibitions and family-friendly events and for a great day out for everyone, swim at The Tinside Lido which offers superb views of the tip of Plymouth Hoe. 

A rolling programme of family events occurs throughout the year. In June alone, The Big Green Trails offer free activities across Plymouth 21 June, the Plymouth Boat Fest takes place 21 June, Caribbean Fun Day out 22 June with two weeks of Wimbledon screened in the city centre 30 June to 13 July. 

On the south east coast, Dreamland in Thanet is now open at weekends and school holidays until the summer season when it opens daily.  This year marks 105 years of Dreamland and 10 years since the theme park reopened. 

New for this year the classic log flume returns, all day wristbands will be available and in the Roller Room, a series of incredible new Free Roam VR Games can be booked in advance.  

For an open top bus ride, take the 69 from Ramsgate Boating Pool to Stone Bay Broadstairs. It runs to 21 September and daily in peak summer and is a great way to hop between the Isle’s towns. 

Get the kids outside! Coastal Explorer Packs are ideal for kids on the beach, hire from TICs, Active Coast offers surf and SUP lessons or cycle the Viking Coastal Trail. 

Rainy day adventures include the Shell Grotto, Margate Caves, Crab Museum, The Wonderworks, Ramsgate Tunnels, Powell-Cotton Museum and Quex Park Attractions. 

There’s no shortage of summer events, check out the Broadstairs Dickens Festival, 13 to 15 June, Pegwell Bay, Great British Beach Clean, 27 June, while Anniversary at The Wonderworks by Hornby Hobbies is free, 2-15 July. 

Festability 2025 is an open air, accessible live music festival at Quex Park, Birchington, 14 June while on  

29 June the Thanet Extravaganza, Manston, Classic Motor Show and Music Festival features music from East 17 and more.