Accessible half-term things to do in Newcastle (October half-term 2026)
Most Newcastle schools are off from Monday 26 to Friday 30 October 2026, so this guide covers the weekends either side too, from 24 October to 1 November. Newcastle has a good spread of SEND and quiet sessions this half-term, from a weekly quiet hour at City Library to a relaxed early opening at the Great North Museum: Hancock, plus inclusive swims and a quiet stay and play on both Sundays. Most of them need booking, and places are small, so book early.
Top picks
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Relaxed Early Opening at the Great North Museum: Hancock
9am to 10am · Great North Museum: Hancock, Barras Bridge, Newcastle · Free
- Relaxed session
- Quiet session
An hour in the museum before it opens to everyone else, for visitors with autism, learning disabilities, sensory or communication needs, or anyone who prefers it quieter. Book in advance. You can also sign up at the Welcome Desk for a free 15-minute planetarium show. Questions: 0191 208 6765.
Apple Calendar (Relaxed Early Opening at the Great North Museum: Hancock; also works with Outlook) Google Calendar (Relaxed Early Opening at the Great North Museum: Hancock, opens in a new tab)
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Quiet Stay and Play at the Tim Lamb Centre
10am to 12pm · Tim Lamb Centre, Rising Sun Country Park, Benton · £4 per child, with a £20 yearly family membership
- SEND session
- Quiet session
- Sensory room
A quiet session for disabled children and young people, with the centre's soft play, sensory room, trampoline hall and outdoor play garden. Places are limited and must be booked: call 0191 266 5233 or email info@pathways4all.co.uk. Children must be supervised throughout.
Apple Calendar (Quiet Stay and Play at the Tim Lamb Centre; also works with Outlook) Google Calendar (Quiet Stay and Play at the Tim Lamb Centre, opens in a new tab)
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Quiet Hour at City Library
10am to 11am · City Library, Level 3, New Bridge Street West, Newcastle · Free
- Quiet session
Every Saturday morning, visitors with autism or sensory needs can use Level 3 of the library during a quiet hour. Listed on the Newcastle SEND Local Offer.
Apple Calendar (Quiet Hour at City Library; also works with Outlook) Google Calendar (Quiet Hour at City Library, opens in a new tab)
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Relaxed Mouse Tales with early museum entry
9am to 10.20am · Great North Museum: Hancock, Barras Bridge, Newcastle · Free · Best for children learning at age 7 or under
- Relaxed session
Explore the museum from 9am, then a relaxed story, songs and play at 9.45am, with a museum object to hold. For families who need a quieter space or find sitting still or big groups hard. Places are small and must be booked, and a visual story is on the museum's website. If you can't come, email learning@greatnorthmuseum.org.uk so someone on the waiting list can go.
Apple Calendar (Relaxed Mouse Tales with early museum entry; also works with Outlook) Google Calendar (Relaxed Mouse Tales with early museum entry, opens in a new tab)
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Inclusive Swim at East End Pool
12pm to 1pm · East End Swimming Pool, Hadrian Square, Byker · Small charge
- SEND session
- Wheelchair accessible
A swim session for people with disabilities, with parents and carers welcome. The pool is wheelchair accessible and has a poolside hoist. Book through Better, or call 0191 260 0507.
Apple Calendar (Inclusive Swim at East End Pool; also works with Outlook) Google Calendar (Inclusive Swim at East End Pool, opens in a new tab)
On all week
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Harvest Quest at Gibside
Every day through half-term · 10am to 4pm · Gibside, near Rowlands Gill, Gateshead · Included with admission · Under 8s
A self-led outdoor trail from the orchard around the Walled Garden, with apple facts and puzzles. No booking needed. National Trust listings give slightly different end dates, but it runs throughout half-term. Paths are outdoors, so check the weather and the estate's access information.
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Day by day
Saturday 24 October
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Quiet Hour at City Library
10am to 11am · City Library, Level 3, New Bridge Street West, Newcastle · Free
- Quiet session
Every Saturday morning, visitors with autism or sensory needs can use Level 3 of the library during a quiet hour. Listed on the Newcastle SEND Local Offer.
Apple Calendar (Quiet Hour at City Library; also works with Outlook) Google Calendar (Quiet Hour at City Library, opens in a new tab)
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Autumn sensory bottle workshop at the Alan Shearer Centre
11am to 12pm · The Alan Shearer Centre, West Denton Close, Newcastle · Free
- SEND session
- Wheelchair accessible
Make your own autumn sensory bottle. For children and adults with disabilities and their families. You must ring to book on 0191 267 8118 (or email reception@alanshearercentre.org.uk), and early booking is advised. The centre and grounds are fully wheelchair accessible.
Apple Calendar (Autumn sensory bottle workshop at the Alan Shearer Centre; also works with Outlook) Google Calendar (Autumn sensory bottle workshop at the Alan Shearer Centre, opens in a new tab)
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Sunday 25 October
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Quiet Stay and Play at the Tim Lamb Centre
10am to 12pm · Tim Lamb Centre, Rising Sun Country Park, Benton · £4 per child, with a £20 yearly family membership
- SEND session
- Quiet session
- Sensory room
A quiet session for disabled children and young people, with the centre's soft play, sensory room, trampoline hall and outdoor play garden. Places are limited and must be booked: call 0191 266 5233 or email info@pathways4all.co.uk. Children must be supervised throughout.
Apple Calendar (Quiet Stay and Play at the Tim Lamb Centre; also works with Outlook) Google Calendar (Quiet Stay and Play at the Tim Lamb Centre, opens in a new tab)
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-
Inclusive Swim at East End Pool
12pm to 1pm · East End Swimming Pool, Hadrian Square, Byker · Small charge
- SEND session
- Wheelchair accessible
A swim session for people with disabilities, with parents and carers welcome. The pool is wheelchair accessible and has a poolside hoist. Book through Better, or call 0191 260 0507.
Apple Calendar (Inclusive Swim at East End Pool; also works with Outlook) Google Calendar (Inclusive Swim at East End Pool, opens in a new tab)
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Tuesday 27 October
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Relaxed Early Opening at the Great North Museum: Hancock
9am to 10am · Great North Museum: Hancock, Barras Bridge, Newcastle · Free
- Relaxed session
- Quiet session
An hour in the museum before it opens to everyone else, for visitors with autism, learning disabilities, sensory or communication needs, or anyone who prefers it quieter. Book in advance. You can also sign up at the Welcome Desk for a free 15-minute planetarium show. Questions: 0191 208 6765.
Apple Calendar (Relaxed Early Opening at the Great North Museum: Hancock; also works with Outlook) Google Calendar (Relaxed Early Opening at the Great North Museum: Hancock, opens in a new tab)
Been to this? Tell other families
-
Relaxed Mouse Tales with early museum entry
9am to 10.20am · Great North Museum: Hancock, Barras Bridge, Newcastle · Free · Best for children learning at age 7 or under
- Relaxed session
Explore the museum from 9am, then a relaxed story, songs and play at 9.45am, with a museum object to hold. For families who need a quieter space or find sitting still or big groups hard. Places are small and must be booked, and a visual story is on the museum's website. If you can't come, email learning@greatnorthmuseum.org.uk so someone on the waiting list can go.
Apple Calendar (Relaxed Mouse Tales with early museum entry; also works with Outlook) Google Calendar (Relaxed Mouse Tales with early museum entry, opens in a new tab)
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Thursday 29 October
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Time Travel Club Halloween crafts at the Discovery Museum
10am to 12.30pm and 1pm to 3.30pm · Discovery Museum, Blandford Square, Newcastle · Free · 6+
Drop in to look at spooky documents from The National Archives and make a Halloween bookmark, in the Play + Invent area on floor 2. For access questions, call 0191 232 6789.
Apple Calendar (Time Travel Club Halloween crafts at the Discovery Museum; also works with Outlook) Google Calendar (Time Travel Club Halloween crafts at the Discovery Museum, opens in a new tab)
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Saturday 31 October
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Northern Ballet's Cinderella, audio described with a touch tour
2.30pm (touch tour 12.15pm to 1.30pm) · Newcastle Theatre Royal · See the venue's website
Cinderella runs from 28 to 31 October, and the Saturday matinee is audio described, with a touch tour beforehand. Book through the Newcastle Theatre access line on 0191 594 6619.
Apple Calendar (Northern Ballet's Cinderella, audio described with a touch tour; also works with Outlook) Google Calendar (Northern Ballet's Cinderella, audio described with a touch tour, opens in a new tab)
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Accessible places to go any day
These businesses are listed on Buzzbo with their access details.
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The Glasshouse ICM
Gold memberListed on BuzzboEvent Venue · Newcastle upon Tyne
- Step-free access
The Glasshouse International Centre for Music in Gateshead stands as a world-renowned venue, celebrated not only for its incredible array of musical performances but also for its profound commitment t…
Tips for a calmer half-term in Newcastle
- Book the small sessions first. The Hancock's relaxed opening and Mouse Tales, the Tim Lamb Centre's quiet stay and play and the Alan Shearer Centre workshop all have limited places.
- Use the visual story. The Great North Museum: Hancock has a visual story on its website to help children know what to expect before a relaxed session.
- Travel free with under-11s. During school holidays, up to three children aged 11 and under travel free on the Metro, the Shields Ferry and buses with a paying adult.
- Check the SEND Local Offer. Children and Families Newcastle lists SEND and inclusive sessions week by week, including regular quiet hours, inclusive swims and SEN sports.
Running an accessible event?
If you run a relaxed, sensory-friendly or SEND event, list it on Buzzbo for free and it appears in this guide automatically. Gold members are featured at the top.
Frequently asked questions
When is October half-term 2026 in Newcastle?
Most Newcastle schools are off from Monday 26 to Friday 30 October 2026. Academies and free schools can set their own dates, so check with your child's school.
Are there relaxed museum sessions in Newcastle this half-term?
Yes. The Great North Museum: Hancock has a free Relaxed Early Opening from 9am to 10am on Tuesday 27 October 2026, and Relaxed Mouse Tales for younger children the same morning. Both need booking.
Is there a SEND swim in Newcastle this half-term?
East End Pool runs an Inclusive Swim for people with disabilities on Sundays 25 October and 1 November 2026, from 12pm to 1pm, with a poolside hoist.
Is there an audio described show in Newcastle this half-term?
Northern Ballet's Cinderella at Newcastle Theatre Royal is audio described at 2.30pm on Saturday 31 October 2026, with a touch tour from 12.15pm. Book on 0191 594 6619.