Shiremoor Adventure Playground

There's a proper old-school feel to Shiremoor Adventure Playground that you don't get at the sanitised, rubberised parks that have sprung up everywhere. The equipment here - climbing frames, swings, slides - has that weathered authenticity that somehow makes it more fun for kids than anything chrome and new. It's the kind of place where children actually use their imagination rather than following a predetermined play experience.

Located just outside Whitley Bay in Tyne and Wear, it's handy if you're staying at one of the nearby parks like Parkdean Resorts Whitley Bay or Old Hartley. The playground won't eat up your whole afternoon - budget ninety minutes to two hours maximum - but it's ideal as a half-hour break during a longer coastal walk or a quick stop if the weather's decent and the kids need to burn off energy.

Families with primary school-aged children will get the most out of it. Toddlers might find some of the equipment a bit ambitious, and teenagers will be bored within twenty minutes. The playground works best as part of a wider beach day rather than a destination in itself. Free entry is a bonus - there's no charge to let them loose on the frames and slides.

Timing-wise, summer holidays are rammed with local families, so go mid-week or early morning if you want space. Winter's quieter but windy, and you'll want dry ground underfoot. It's not going to blow your mind, but for what it is - a functional, accessible bit of outdoor play space - it does the job well enough.