Summer Holiday Activities in Morpeth: The Complete Guide for Families
Holiday camps, farm days out, swimming, nature trails, and the library reading challenge -- everything you need to fill six weeks of summer in Morpeth.
Six weeks of summer holidays stretch ahead and you need a plan. Morpeth is surrounded by countryside, has a beautiful riverside park, excellent family attractions within easy reach, and enough indoor options for the inevitable rainy days. Here is your complete guide to keeping children entertained from mid-July to early September.
Holiday Camps and Clubs
Several providers run holiday activity programmes in the Morpeth area during the summer.
Morpeth Sports and Leisure Centre on Gas House Lane runs holiday activity camps for children aged 5 to 12, with a mix of team games, swimming, arts and crafts, and bouldering wall sessions. They also offer holiday intensive swimming courses for children looking to progress between lesson stages.
Check Active Northumberland for additional holiday programmes at venues across the county, and keep an eye on local Facebook groups for smaller, independent camps offering sports, drama, and multi-activity weeks in the Morpeth area.
Best for: Holiday camps fill up quickly, particularly the first and last weeks. Book as early as possible.
Free Outdoor Activities
Carlisle Park is Morpeth's jewel -- a stunning riverside park with a large playground, bowling green, tennis courts, a paddling pool that opens in warm weather, and woodland walks along the River Wansbeck. It regularly wins Green Flag awards and could easily fill a whole morning or afternoon.
The riverside footpath from Carlisle Park extends in both directions along the Wansbeck, offering gentle walks suitable for younger children and buggies. Our walks guide has more routes, including the path to Mitford and the trail through Bluebell Woods.
For nature, the Northumberland Wildlife Trust manages several reserves within easy reach of Morpeth. Plessey Woods Country Park, about 10 minutes south, has riverside trails, a visitor centre, and regular family wildlife events during the holidays.
Best for: See our full guides to playgrounds, walks, and free things to do in Morpeth.
Swimming
Morpeth Sports and Leisure Centre has a six-lane 25-metre pool with a spectator gallery, a learner pool, and spa facilities. Family swim sessions run throughout the holidays, and holiday intensive courses are available. The centre also has a two-storey castle-themed soft play area for children up to 10 years old.
See our full swimming guide for all the options.
The Summer Reading Challenge
Northumberland libraries run the national Summer Reading Challenge every year, and 2026's theme is Read to the Beat, exploring the connection between stories and music. Children aged 4 to 11 sign up at their local library, read six books over the summer, and collect rewards along the way. It is completely free.
Morpeth Library on Gas House Lane runs free holiday activities alongside the reading challenge, including craft sessions and story time.
Day Trips Within Easy Reach
Morpeth is perfectly placed for day trips into the Northumberland countryside.
Whitehouse Farm is just a few minutes' drive from Morpeth and is one of the best family days out in the county. Animal encounters (including meerkats and lemurs), bird of prey displays, a toboggan slide, trampolines, go-karts, and soft play -- you can easily spend a full day here.
Northumberland Zoo near Felton has over 80 species including snow leopards, meerkats, and goats. There are daily feeding talks, a large outdoor adventure playground, and Bear Falls soft play for rainy days.
Druridge Bay Country Park is about 20 minutes east and has a large lake, sandy beach, visitor centre, and nature trails. It is free to visit and great for a summer picnic.
The Northumberland coast is easily accessible -- beaches at Druridge, Cresswell, and Amble are all within 30 minutes.
Rainy Day Backup
When the weather turns, our rainy day guide covers soft play, swimming, the leisure centre, the library, and indoor activities without leaving Morpeth.
Summer Events
Specific summer events -- from Morpeth Fair Day to family fun days and outdoor performances -- will be listed on our events calendar as dates are confirmed. Keep checking back throughout the summer for the latest listings.