Whitehouse Farm Centre

You'll find a working farm mixed in with animal enclosures just outside Morpeth - the kind of place where kids can actually touch things rather than just gawping through glass. Whitehouse Farm Centre sits on proper farmland, so it feels less sterile than your typical zoo setup. The animals on display vary, but expect the usual suspects: alpacas, goats, rabbits, and whatever poultry they've got going that week. It's genuinely educational without being preachy about it.

Families with young children will get the most from a visit here. Under-tens tend to spend a solid two to three hours wandering round, especially if there's a chance to feed or handle the friendlier residents. Older kids might find it a bit basic unless they're genuinely into farm life or animal care. It's the sort of place that works brilliantly as a half-day activity rather than something to build your entire holiday around.

If you're staying at Tranwell Farm Holidays just down the road - and it's rated brilliantly, so you probably should be - Whitehouse Farm makes sense as a morning outing before lunch. The two complement each other nicely: one's a proper holiday park base, the other scratches the kids' animal-watching itch without demanding a full day's commitment. Check ahead for opening times and admission prices before you go - farm centres can be a bit variable about when they're actually open, especially outside school holidays.