The North East of England comprises the counties of Northumberland, County Durham, Tyne and Wear, and the Tees Valley. While the region is in general hilly and sparsely populated, it has pockets of more diverse landscapes that include maritime cliffs, extensive moorlands, saltmarshes, estuaries, bogs, hay meadows, and even alpine areas.
England’s North East is filled with both natural beauty and cultural marvels. In Durham, one of the region’s three true cities, you can visit the majestic Durham Cathedral. If you’re looking for a more cosmopolitan experience, Newcastle’s art museums and architectural marvels might be more to your liking.
While North East England is filled with great places, the true charm lies in how quiet the area is. So few tourists – and even many English natives – know how beautiful and welcoming the region is.
While the best-known areas, like Hadrian’s Wall, tend to see more visitors, vast areas of the North East see few crowds.
Cuisine varies depending on where you are in the North East, with fresh fish being more common in coastal areas, while larger towns and the cities will have chain restaurants, as well as Italian, Indian, and French restaurants.
The people of this beautiful region pride themselves on what they argue is the best traditional English fish and chips–no matter where you are in the region, you’re sure to find both fish and chip shops and pubs.
The North East is a region of great contrast with hidden gems. We’ve assembled a list of our favorite places to visit in the region, and that includes some truly hidden gems and some popular tourist spots.
Region In Focus: North East
1. Newcastle Upon Tyne
As the most populous city in the North East, Newcastle Upon Tyne (or just Newcastle) is a university city that sits on the River Tyne. Along with its twin city, Gateshead, it was a major shipbuilding and manufacturing hub throughout the industrial revolution.
The city continues to be a centre of business, arts, and sciences. The city is well-known for it’s signature Gateshead Millennium Bridge, which has a unique tilting aperture.
Newcastle is also home to remains of the Castle Keep, its namesake. Parts of this keep were built in the 13th century, while the original castle was built by Robert Curthose, the son of William the Conqueror.
Visitors should also check out Central Arcade, a beautifully preserved Victorian shopping arcade, and St. Nicholas Cathedral is always worth a visit.
2. Beamish
Beamish is a small village within Hell Hole Wood, and is home to Beamish Museum, an open-air facility that replicates a northern town throughout the 20th century. The museum features 1820s Pockerly, with gardens, the old hall, a waggonway, and even a Medieval church from Eston.
Other featured sections of the open-air museum include a 1900s town, pit village, colliery, and a 1940s farm. Each section is painstakingly detailed, with knowledgable staff and demonstrations.
Beamish’s open-air museum is one of the can’t-miss locations in the North East, and promises a day filled with history, fun, and family.
3. The Angel of the North
The Angel of the North is just a short drive from Newcastle, and is a 20 metre high steel structure with an impressive 54 metre wingspan. The imposing sculpture dwarfs everything else in the landscape, and was designed by celebrated artist Antony Gormley.
4. Durham
Durham is a historic city that sits on the River Wear to the west of Sunderland. The city is well-known for its Norman Cathedral and 11th century castle, which were both designated World Heritage sites by UNESCO in 1986.
Durham’s castle has housed Durham University since 1832, and contains the oldest student accommodations in the world.
Visitors to Durham can relax on a riverside walk or cruise, shop in the city-centre, or visit historic landmarks.
5. Lindisfarne, The Holy Island
The Holy Island of Lindisfarne is a tidal island off the northeast coast of England, and has a recorded history from the 6th century onwards. Lindisfarne was an important centre of Celtic Christianity under Saints Aidan of Lindisfarne, Cuthbert. Eadfrith of Lindisfarne, and Eadberht of Lindisfarne.
While the island fell out of use during Viking invasions and the Norman conquest, a priory was established on the island.
The ruins of Lindisfarne Priory include the famous ‘rainbow bridge’ that spirals skyward along the ghost of a long-crumbled tower.
Lindisfarne is also home to Lindisfarne Castle, which was built to defend the harbour during skirmishes with Scotland. The castle was restored by Edward Lutyens in modern times, turning it into a