www.itstheweekend.org
It's The Weekend is a guide of things to do and places top go. Cinema, Theatre, Shopping, Pampering. Treats, even places where kids and families can go for free!

County Durham Free Days Out

Egglestone Abbey, near Barnard Castle

Ruined 12th Century Premonstratensian abbey in a picturesque setting above the River Tees. 1½ miles (2.5km) south-east of Barnard Castle.Opening Hours: Daily 10am - 6pm
Admission free. Disabled Access: Limited wheelchair access (entrance via kissing gate).
Tel 0191 269 1200.

Bows Castle

The castle is thought to have been built by Alan, Earl of Richmond, soon after the Norman conquest of 1066 on the site of the old Roman fort, a date of 1087 indicating how strategic the location was to the Norman conquerors. It appears to have been involved in considerable conflict over the centuries with reports of it having been besieged as early as 1173 by King William of Scotland. It was apparently so badly damaged as to have required rebuilding in 1187. Around 1216 enemies of King John again besieged the castle, and again in 1322 in a regional feud between Henry Fitzhugh and the then Earl of Richmond. The castle keep we see now stands testimony to the choice of site and the quality of the 1087 construction and 1173 reconstruction.

Bowes is on the Roman road through Stainmore which led to Cataractonium on the other side of the pennines and it appears as though the castle was constructed on the foundations of the Lavatrae Roman Fort. The present ruins of the castle are fifty-three feet in height, the remains being of the keep, surrounded on two sides by the remains of an original inner moat. There are few remains of the original bailey wall but it is possible to climb up part of the inside of the keep itself.

Locomotion, The National Railway Museum at Shildon

Locomotion is the first national museum to be built in the North East. It combines the historic buildings and workshops of the Timothy Hackworth Museum with a new 557 sq metre (6,000 sq ft) building housing 60 vehicles from the National Collection, classrooms, conservation, workshops, cafe and shop on a one kilometre (1091 yards) long site which will also include public art, picnic facilities and play area.
Winter Season (4th January - 7th April)
Wednesday to Sunday 10am - 4pm (closed Monday/Tuesday)

Summer Season (8th April - 30th October) Daily 10am - 5pm

Locomotion will open by special arrangement outside these times for groups Locomotion, Shildon, County Durham, DL4 1PQ
Telephone (01388) 777999

Northumberland Free Days Out

Alfred East Gallery

The Alfred East Gallery is one of the County's two major public art galleries, housing important collections by Sir Alfred East and Thomas Cooper Gotch, some of which have recently gone on display in the new Permanent Collection Room.

With up to 20 different exhibitions each year there is always something new to be seen and enjoyed including ceramics, sculpture, photography, embroidery and paintings.

Admission is FREE.

Alfred East Gallery

Telephone: 01536 534274

Sheep Street Kettering NN16 0AN

Northampton Central Museum & Art Gallery

The Central Museum reflects Northampton's proud standing as Britain's boot and shoe capital by housing a collection of boots and shoes which is now the largest in the world.

Fascinating footwear worn throughout the ages is just one of the attractions in the museum which was recently extended with the addition of four new galleries.

Also on display:

* Northampton's History: objects, sound and film combined to tell the history of the town from the Stone Age to the present.
* Decorative arts - outstanding Oriental and British ceramics.
* The Art Gallery - a fine collection of Italian 15th-18th century paintings, and British art.
* Special temporary exhibitions.

Northampton Central Museum & Art Gallery
Guildhall Road
Northampton

Temple of Mithras Hadrians Wall

As well as the major forts and museums in the central sector of the Wall, it is worth mentioning a variety of other sites which feature a notable building or access to a particularly good stretch of Wall. At the unexcavated Brocolitia fort are the remains of a 3rd century temple to Mithras, a god popular with Roman soldiers. West of Housesteads fort is a well-preserved milecastle and Cuddy's Crag, a much photographed stretch of wall. Further west of here, past the spectacular cliffs and lake at Crag Lough, and just east of Once Brewed, is the equally well-preserved Castle Nick milecastle, nestling in a fold in the hills. Nearby is another fold containing the sycamore tree made famous by Kevin Costner in the film Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves. Further west, the Wall reaches its highest point over Winshields Crags, before reaching Cawfields milecastle. The nearby picnic site and car park are set in a former quarry which removed a good stretch of wall while showing off to good effect the underlying geology.
Open any reasonable time.

Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum

Set in a 13thC church building, this unusual museum specialises in the history and development of Northumbrian small pipes and their music.

Open all year, daily, Sundays 11 - 4 exept July 18th & September 5th, 1000-1700. Closed Easter (11,12 Apr), 25th - 28th Dec, 1 Jan.

The Chantry,
Bridge Street,
Morpeth,
Northumberland,
NE61 1PJ
o1670 500717

South West of England. Children go free.

Denham Country Park - Uxbridge
Rivers, woodlands and meadows.
www.buckscc.gov.uk/countryside/countryparks

Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre - Billericay, Essex
100 acre nature reserve on the shores of Hanningfield Reservoir
www.essexwt.org.uk

High Woods Country Park - Colchester, Essex
woodland, wetland, grassland, farmland - fishing and horse-riding trail.
www.visitweb.com/hwcp

Lee Valley Park - Waltham Abbey, Essex
Bird-watching, fishing and Walking.
www.leevalleypark.com

Weald Country Park - Brentwood
Deer Paddock, two lakes, walks and nature trails.
Tel: 01277 216297

The Bear Museum- Petersfield, Hampshire.
Antique teddy bears in Edwardian setting.
www.bearmuseum.co.uk

Fort Nelson - The Royal Armouries - Fareham, Hampshire
Victorian fort fully restored set in 19 acres. Live firing daily.
www.armouries.org.uk

Southampton Maritime Museum - Southampton
Medieval stone warehouse with exhibitions including Titanic and interactive displays.
www.southampton.gov.uk/leisure/heritage

The Needles Park, Totland Bay, Isle of Wight
Park with rides and attractions, chairlift to beach.
www.theneedles.co.uk

Capstone Farm Country Park, Gillinham, Kent
280 acres of meadows and woodlands with childrens' play areas.
01634 812196

Bank of England Museum, Threadneedle Street, London EC2
Museum within the Bank of England charting the history of money.
www.bankofengland.co.uk

Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, London SE1
Interactive, sights and smells of wartime in London.
www.iwm.org.uk

Livesey Museum for Children, Old Kent Road, London SE1
Interactive exhibitions for children up to 12
www.Liveseymuseum.org.uk

Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7
Interactive exhibitions from dinosaurs onwards. Some exhibitions have entrance fees.
www.nhm.ac.uk

Ragged School Museum, Copperfield Road, London E3
On the site of the original Dr. Barnardo's Ragged School. Dedicated to East End.
www.raggedschool.museum.org.uk

Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon London NW9
Museum of aviation, interactive areas. Flying through the ages.
www.rafmuseum.com

Science Museum, Exhibition Road, London SW7
Interactive exhibits from yesteryear to tomorrow's world.
www.sciencemuseum.org.uk

Stepping Stones Farm, Stepney High Street, London E1
Working farm, farming demonstrations, farm trail and play area.
www.stepneynews.com

Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1
National gallery of British art from 16th century to today.
www.tate.org.uk

Box Hill, Tadworth, Surrey KT20
Woodland and downs with marked trails and strolls.
01306 885502

CherryTree Farm, Lingfield, Surrey RH7
Stabling for rescue horses, donkeys, and ponies - guided tours.
www.ilph.org.uk

Harbour Park Family Amusement Park - Littlehampton, West Sussex
Traditional family amusement park and fairground - individual fees for rides.
01903 721200

Shpwreck Heritage Centre, Hastings, East Sussex TN34
Collection of historic treasures salvaged from shipwrecks.
01424 437452

Tilgate Park & Nature Reserve, Crawley, West Sussex RH10
Endangered species and breeds, wild and domestic animals.
www.crawley.gov.uk

[ kids go free - South West England ]