Mondays with the Grandkids – A Family Day Out at Ormesby Hall near Middlesbrough
This past Monday, 18 August, we decided on a little adventure to Ormesby Hall near Middlesbrough (TS3 0SR). Our grandchildren live in the south of County Durham, near Darlington, so many of our outings take us across the border into North Yorkshire and Teesside as well as around Durham itself.
Ormesby Hall, a Georgian mansion in Middlesbrough managed by the National Trust, with landscaped gardens, historic rooms and family-friendly walks.
Ormesby Hall – A National Trust Family Day Out
Ormesby Hall is a National Trust property and turned out to be an excellent day out, even with the rain pouring down. For families looking for things to do with toddlers near Middlesbrough or Darlington, it really ticks a lot of boxes.
The staff at Ormesby had organised indoor circus skills under a marquee, and there were family trails and outdoor games once the weather cleared. We had packed a picnic, which we enjoyed in the gardens, but there is also a good café with plenty of seating. The Georgian mansion itself is well worth exploring, not so vast as to be intimidating, but grand enough to spark the imagination. The friendly volunteers were full of stories about the family who lived there, making it easy to picture what life must have been like.
If you enjoy historic houses, you might also like some of the ideas on our Things to do in Durham City page.
Highlights for Young Children
For our two-year-old, the star of the day was undoubtedly the model railway at Ormesby Hall. We had to coax him away when it was time to leave, which prompted a few tears, always a sign of a successful outing. There is also a second-hand bookshop on site, which is a lovely bonus for grandparents and parents alike.
Spending time outdoors is always a winner with little ones, and our Walks around Durham guide has some easy routes for younger legs.
Practical Information for Visitors
We spent about five hours there in total, and the time flew by. Before you go, check the Ormesby Hall National Trust website for up-to-date details on opening times, ticket prices, and special events.
Location: Ormesby Hall, Ladgate Lane, Middlesbrough, TS3 0SR.
For ideas that are a little further afield, take a look at our Days out from Durham suggestions.
Final Thoughts
We will take a short break ourselves, so our next Monday outing will be on 8 September, but if you’re looking for somewhere to keep little ones entertained (and grandparents happy too), Ormesby Hall is well worth adding to your list.
Geoff has been a Durham Pointer for X years. Geoff’s Jaunts track his adventures with his wife and young grandchildren, as they constantly look for activities to keep the little people busy:
“We are grandparents in our early seventies, reasonably active, and blessed with four grandchildren. Three are school age and busy during term time, but on Mondays we look after the youngest, a lively two-year-old boy. Mondays can sometimes be tricky, as many attractions are closed, but we have learned to find plenty to do in County Durham, Teesside and North Yorkshire whatever the weather. It does not always go smoothly, but he is wonderfully forgiving.”
