With the summer holidays under way, families will be looking forward to enjoying days out and about across the region.
Those not planning a trip abroad or who are watching their finances as the cost of living bites can be sure of finding plenty of ways to fill that six-week break in the North East. We have a family guide to free things to do in the area and our museums, galleries and other visitor venues have been putting a lot of thought into planning school holiday programmes.
Among them is the National Trust which has drawn up a six-week schedule of entertainment that invites families to 'come out and play'. Visitors to its local properties will find a range of outdoor activities with value for money in mind.
