Wet Wednesday morning, dry Thursday, showery Friday. Do the coast on Thursday.
Rain overnight, heavy in places into Wednesday morning, clearing east by midday to a mostly dry afternoon with a few showers later. Thursday looks largely dry and sunny before clouding over. Friday turns breezy with showers, heavy at times, and Saturday starts dry and cloudy with rain arriving later. Temperatures around average for the time of year.
Sunset 6.47pm on Wednesday in Alnwick, about 6.37pm by Sunday. Full forecast (Met Office)
Hello, and welcome to the first Bairns & Beaches to land in inboxes. We're a North East family who holiday in Northumberland as often as we can, and this is the guide we always wanted: what's on this week, checked, with one proper day out and a link to the organiser for everything.
1.3 miles (2km) each way along the coast, about 2.6 miles there and back
About 2 hours with small legs, plus as long as you like in the castle
Start: Craster car park, Craster NE66 3TW
Thursday is the dry, bright day of the week, and this is the walk to spend it on: a flat grassy path along the shore from the kipper smokehouse village to a ruin that keeps getting bigger as you walk. The castle is open daily from 10am (last entry 4pm), and English Heritage and National Trust members get in free.
There's no parking at the castle, and the Craster car park machines take coins, so bring some. The path crosses farmland with sheep and cattle, so dogs stay on leads, and it's exposed, so take a coat even on a sunny day. Pushchairs will manage the path, but there are steps and uneven ground inside the castle.
The Alnwick Garden, Alnwick Normal day tickets; up to four under 16s free with each paying adult, All ages
The garden turns 25 this week, and Thursday is the quieter daytime start before the evening shows begin on Friday. Pairs nicely with the dry weather. Details and booking
Chillingham Wild Cattle Park, Chillingham £12 adults, £10 concessions, £5 under 16s, under 5s free, £30 family, All ages
A warden walks you out to the herd of wild white cattle that has lived in this park for centuries. Ring ahead or book online to be sure of a place on a tour. Details and booking
Daily to 1 Nov; first train from Heatherslaw 11am, last 3.30pm
Heatherslaw, near Ford and Etal Return £12.50 adults, £6 children 2 to 16, £34 family of four; under 2s and dogs free, All ages
The little narrow gauge railway runs along the River Till to Etal, and each train waits long enough for a walk up to Etal Castle. Five weeks left before the winter break. Details and booking
Fri 2 to Sun 4 Oct, 10am to 8.15pm; evening entry from 5pm
The Alnwick Garden, Alnwick Evening-only tickets £10; up to four under 16s free with each paying adult, All ages
Rides, games, bubble shows and live music by day, then fire jugglers and a finale on the Grand Cascade with lights, lasers and fireworks. Saturday evening may be the wet one, so Friday or Sunday could be the better bet. Details and booking
Sat 3 Oct (10K and gravel duathlon) and Sun 4 Oct (marathon, half and junior races)
Kielder Waterside, Kielder See the event site for spectator information, All ages
A mostly off-road marathon right round Kielder Water, with the half marathon and junior races on Sunday morning (cheer loudest for the juniors). Roads round the reservoir get busy, so check the event's travel advice before you set off. Details and booking
Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, Belsay Normal Belsay admission; English Heritage members free, All ages
Artist Dan Gough's 400 ceramic squirrels, made in response to the red squirrel's decline, settle into Belsay's East Quarry Meadow. Count them if you want a quiet ten minutes. Details and booking
Sat 3 and Sun 4 Oct, then more dates through October
Brocksbushes Farm, near Corbridge £3.50 per person aged 3 and over, family ticket £12 for up to five, All ages
The first weekend of the pumpkin fields, with a prize hunt, carving tent and marshmallows. Tickets must be booked online before you go. Details and booking
Alnwick Castle, Alnwick Included with castle admission, All ages
The Newcastle Garrison fires a replica Napoleonic cannon on the Gun Terrace every hour, weather permitting. Warn anyone who jumps at bangs. Details and booking
Studios and spaces across Berwick-upon-Tweed Free, All ages
The second weekend of Berwick's first open studios, with artists and makers opening their doors around the town. Pick up a map at the visitor centre. Details and booking
Queen's Hall Arts Centre, Hexham From £13, All ages
Magic tricks mixed with science experiments, promising mystery and a lot of mess. A good Sunday afternoon plan if the weather turns. Details and booking
Sat 24 Oct to Sun 1 Nov for most Northumberland council schools
Across the county
Halloween trails and pumpkin fields all land at once, and the clocks go back on Sun 25 Oct. Check your own school's dates, as some set their own. Details and booking
Book ahead
Tip. Going to Holy Island for the Re-Breathe arts festival, which runs until Sunday? The causeway floods twice a day. Check the council's safe crossing times before you set off; our crossing-times page has them for every day to the end of April.