This is a five minute crossing of the River Tyne between North and South Shields which presents a panorama of cranes on the banks of the mighty Tyne. They stand like giant preying mantis etched on the western sky, looking bereft. The ships which were once their prey are gone, now made in warmer climes where the workers can be paid less. The lovely wee ferry provides a glimpse, an echo, of more heroic times when a worker took pride in wages earned by real skills.

And to the east lies the North Sea, as cold and uninviting as it sounds. Yet still the trawlers venture out of the mouth of the Tyne in search of the mighty cod, and Norway beckons, inviting the Geordie to embark on a yet more arduous ferry journey to frigid fjords where they can languish on the latitude of an Arctic circle.

Take the metro from the centre of Newcastle to North Shields then follow the Pedestrian Ferry signs to the River Tyne. Upon disembarking take the metro from South Shields back to Newcastle. The Day Saver ticket on the metro covers the cost of the ferry.

Children love this adventure, and a great pint of ale can be had at the Alum pub by the ferry at South Shields.

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A very good regional gallery & museum. A couple of very good Landseer's overlook the cafe's interior. Seeing the paintings by John Martin (a local) is worth the visit alone; also, a good walk around of Newcastle's history. Family friendly.

New Bridge Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8AG.
On the "Blue Carpet" at the bottom of John Dobson Street. Five minutes walk eastwards from Monument Metro.
Telephone: (0191) 232 7734

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For something a bit different on a weekend & only 20 minutes from the city.

Hop on the Metro & explore the weekly market housed in the Victorian railway station, lots of books, crafty stuff, and bric-a-brac to wade through, with a farmer's market once a month. Then potter through the town centre, check out the priory ruins, stroll on the sandy beach, watch the surfers, and then hop on the Metro at Cullercoats or Whitley Bay back to town.

Tynemouth Market, Tynemouth Metro Station

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The Metro is Tyne and Wear's version of the underground. I always find Metro is a quick and cheap way to get around Newcastle and also out to the coast and airport.

Get on for £1.60 umlimited travel in newcastle all day.

Stops throughout Newcastle and Tyne and Wear

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The Seven Stories is an ongoing project that preserves original manuscripts and artwork from renowned childrens' authors such as Allan and Janet Alberg, JK Rowling, Tony Ross, Michael Bond. This is a fun, interactive environment for children and adults that subtley encourages reading and learning through play.

Also there are regular events where authors and illustrators will visit, give a reading of their work and sign books for visitors too. The ground floor is also host to an excellent bookstore dedicated to the very best in children's literature.

Workshops are regularly available throughout the summer and the cafe is well worth a visit for a quick refuelling and a nice view of the river! Or if a big lunch is required pop along to the Cluny, where they do a mean handmade beef burger, with handcut chips and salad.

See www.sevenstories.org.uk for information about events, and detailed directions.

Seven Stories 30 Lime Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2PQ.

Close to Byker Metro Station, but if you are feeling energetic take a good walk along the Quayside or get off at the very last stop on the Q2 bus (Runs Haymarket-Quayside) and ask your driver for further directions.

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Beamish Open Air Museum, located between Newcastle and Durham, is a fantastic attraction – a full day out for families of all ages. Step back in time as you discover what life was like 100 or 200 years ago.

Restored trams and period double-decker buses take you around this vast site as you hop on and off to visit the different attractions. There is an early 20th century Town Street, complete with shops, pub, bank, houses, a Masonic Hall and even a sweet factory. Elsewhere there is a Colliery Village with a drift mine you can take a tour into. There is also the fantastic Pockerly Waggonway - where you can ride along behind replicas of three of the world’s most famous steam engines - Puffing Billy, Steam Elephant and George Stephenson's Locomotion 1.

Other attractions on site include Home Farm - a working farm with animals and Pockerley Manor a grand Georgian manor house set in beautiful Gardens. There is also a range of events that take place throughout the year which are included in the admission price.

Beamish Open Air Museum, County Durham, DH9 0RG
tel: 0191 370 4000;
www.beamish.org.uk

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A tree full of shoes. No, this hasn't been sanctioned by the powers that be - in fact, they've removed the shoes in the past. But still they keep appearing - and make for quite a surreal sight.

Armstrong Park, in Heaton. I'm not going to tell you exactly where as part of the fun of the shoe tree experience is finding it!

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