Summer Holiday Activities in Jesmond: The Complete Guide for Families

Six weeks of summer holidays can feel like a marathon without a plan. Jesmond is brilliantly placed for keeping children entertained -- there are holiday camps on your doorstep, one of the best urban green spaces in the North East running through the middle of the area, free museums a short walk away, and beaches reachable by Metro. Here is your complete guide.

Holiday Camps and Clubs

Several providers run summer camps in and around Jesmond, covering everything from multi-sport to drama.

Sport Schools operates at Jesmond Park Academy with multi-sport courses for ages 5 to 14. Activities include team games, trampolining, gymnastics, and outdoor sports. Day bookings and weekly bookings are both available.

Epic Camps runs at West Jesmond Primary School, offering eight weeks of holiday childcare for ages 3 to 13 with sports, arts and crafts, drama, and team challenges. Flexible booking by the day or week.

Chimney Sweep Theatre Company is based near Jesmond Dene and runs themed weeks of dance, drama, singing, and script work. Their full summer 2026 programme is available to book now -- a strong option for children who prefer performing arts to sport.

The Northumberland Club on North Jesmond Avenue runs tennis and multi-sport holiday camps, making use of their courts and sports facilities.

Best for: Holiday camps fill up quickly, especially the first and last weeks of the holidays. Book early.

Free Outdoor Activities

Jesmond's greatest asset is Jesmond Dene, a wooded river valley stretching from South Gosforth down to the Ouseburn. In summer it is perfect for exploring -- there are waterfalls, stepping stones, bridges, and Ouseburn Farm at the bottom where children can meet goats, pigs, chickens, and rabbits for free.

Armstrong Bridge and Paddy Freeman's Park are within easy walking distance, with playgrounds, a lake, free tennis courts, and space to run. Exhibition Park has a splash pad that operates in warm weather, a large playground, and is home to the Centre for Life, which runs family science events throughout the summer.

For cycling, the Jesmond Dene Road path connects through to the coast, and the Town Moor offers wide open space for kite flying and wildlife spotting.

Best for: See our full guides to playgrounds, walks, and free things to do in Jesmond.

Swimming

Jesmond Pool on St Georges Terrace has a 25-metre pool and runs family swim sessions throughout the holidays. Holiday intensive swimming courses are available during selected weeks, helping children progress between lesson stages.

See our full swimming guide for all the options in the area.

The Summer Reading Challenge

Newcastle's 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.

Jesmond Library on St Georges Terrace is the most convenient branch. Beyond the reading challenge, the library hosts free holiday activities including craft sessions and story time.

Day Trips Within Easy Reach

Jesmond's central location and Metro access make day trips straightforward. Whitley Bay beach is a direct Metro ride away. The Great North Museum on the edge of Jesmond is free and has dinosaurs, a planetarium, and ancient Egyptian galleries. The Discovery Museum and Seven Stories (the national centre for children's books) are both in the Ouseburn Valley, a short walk or cycle from Jesmond.

Further afield, Whitehouse Farm near Morpeth is a brilliant family farm with animal encounters, a toboggan slide, trampolines, and go-karts. Alnwick Castle runs broomstick flying and archery sessions through the summer.

Free Holiday Activities for Eligible Families

Newcastle City Council's Best Summer Ever programme provides free holiday activities and meals across over 140 venues in the city for children eligible for free school meals. Activities include sports, arts and crafts, cookery, dance, nature trails, and more. Check the council website for details and booking.

Rainy Day Backup

You will need indoor options at some point. Our rainy day guide covers soft play, museums, the library, swimming, and cinema -- all within easy reach of Jesmond.

Summer Events

Specific summer events will be listed on our events calendar as dates are confirmed. Keep checking back throughout the summer for the latest listings.