- Play Hard
- 28th Aug 2026
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The ultimate North East summer days out that’ll end with ice cream
Sunny days in the North East call for one thing: an ice cream to finish them off.
We’ve picked out the ultimate 10 summer days out, all ending with a scoop, a cone or a gelato pot in hand, from coastal walks and beach days to city ambles and island adventures.
Whether you’re heading up the Northumberland coast, exploring Durham’s cobbled streets or pottering around Newcastle’s Ouseburn, there’s a treat waiting at the end of each one. Grab your walking shoes, or your paddleboard, and get planning.
OUSEBURN PUB CRAWL THAT ENDS AT DI MEO’S
Call this the grown-up ice cream crawl. Start at The Ship Inn and work your way through Ouseburn’s best-loved pubs, taking in the Cluny and Lock Up (maybe for a spritz on the rooftop) as you go. Finish at Di Meo’s and swap your pint for a scoop of their small-batch gelato, churned on site every day with flavours running from pistachio to lemon drizzle cake.
HULNE PARK WALK AND ICE CREAM FROM THE ALNWICK ICE CREAM PARLOUR
If you fancy working up an appetite first, Hulne Park in Alnwick is the spot. Wander the peaceful woodland trails and keep an eye out for deer as you go, before heading into the town centre for a scoop from The Alnwick Ice Cream Parlour. Turkish delight and toffee popcorn are regulars on the counter, and dogs are welcome inside.
Hulne Park image credit: Alnmouth Cottages
DRURIDGE BAY BEACH DAY ENDING AT CRESSWELL ICES
For a slower beach day, head up to Druridge Bay to paddle, walk the dunes or just sit in the sun, before stopping at Cresswell Ices. It’s been serving homemade dairy vanilla and other flavours from the same seafront spot for close to a century, with views out to Coquet Island from the counter.
JESMOND DENE AND PETS’ CORNER WITH AN ICE CREAM PICNIC
For a low-cost family day out, the walking trails through Jesmond Dene and a stop at Pets’ Corner to see the resident goats, rabbits and other animals will keep children and adults happy for an afternoon. If the ice cream van happens to be parked up nearby, round things off with a 99 and plenty of raspberry sauce, though it’s worth having a backup plan since it isn’t always there.
AMBLE HARBOUR VILLAGE MOOCH WITH A CONE FROM SPURRELI
Amble has become one of Northumberland’s most popular seaside spots for a reason. Spend an afternoon browsing the independent shops and craft stalls at Amble Harbour Village, then head along to Spurreli, a long-running local favourite known for artisan ice cream made with milk and cream from a Hexham farm. Sea buckthorn is the flavour regulars keep coming back for.
EXPLORE DURHAM AND STOP FOR GELATO AT BELLI E BRUTTI
A day out in Durham is always an easy sell. Browse the independent shops, admire Durham Cathedral and wander along the riverside, before finishing with authentic Italian gelato from Belli e Brutti. The gelato is imported directly from Turin, with pistachio and Oreo cream among the most popular flavours on the counter.
SOUTH SHIELDS SEAFRONT WALK AND ICE CREAM AT MINCHELLA’S
If you want to blow away the cobwebs with some coastal air, a walk along South Shields seafront will do the job, whether you stick to the promenade or drop down onto the sand. Stop off at Minchella & Co, a family-run ice cream parlour that’s been part of the town since 1942, for a classic flavour or a knickerbocker glory.
SURF OR PADDLEBOARD AT SALTBURN BEACH AND A VISIT TO SURF’S UP
For the watersports crowd, Saltburn is the spot. Have a go at paddleboarding or watch the surfers from the pier, then finish your day with a scoop from Surf’s Up, an ice cream parlour and coffee shop right on the seafront, with a view over the water while you eat.
DISCOVER HOLY ISLAND AND THE OAT KITCHEN
An island adventure off the Northumberland coast makes for a proper free day out. Time your crossing over the causeway carefully, explore the priory, castle and village shops, then cool down with gelato from The Oat Kitchen. It’s all vegan, made with oat milk, and served in recyclable tins you can bring back and refill.
CRASTER TO DUNSTANBURGH CASTLE WALK AND ICE CREAM BY THE HARBOUR
One of Northumberland’s most iconic coastal walks, the route from Craster to Dunstanburgh Castle has dramatic sea views, castle ruins and plenty of fresh air, making it a proper reward-yourself sort of walk. Finish at The Jolly Fisherman, where a few scoops of luxury ice cream or sorbet with homemade sauce make the perfect end to the day.
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