Where to Visit

North East England is a fantastic place to visit, rich in industrial heritage, proud of its past with exciting and inspiring attractions, from castles, to shopping, from stunning beaches to Harry Potter, you’ll want to return again and again.

Durham City

• Durham City is only 20 minutes drive and is home to the historic Cathedral and Castle World Heritage Site. The Cathedral built in 1093 is a must see on a visit to Durham. It boasts stunning Romanesque architecture and you can climb the 325 steps of the central tower to get an exceptional view of Durham City. For Harry Potter fans, Durham Cathedral was also used for filming in The Philosophers Stone and Chamber of Secrets.
• If you are looking for a day of culture, Durham University Oriental Museum is worthy of a visit. The museum contains art and archaeological finds from North Africa and Asia; perfect for those with an interest in history.
• Durham University Botanic Garden is a worthwhile attraction throughout the year as the views change through the seasons. There are both outdoor and indoor spaces to enjoy and it is set in 18 acres of parkland just minutes from the City Centre.
• Durham Market consists of an indoor market in Market Hall which is home to 40 independent traders, a weekly outdoor market (Saturdays) which takes over Durham Market Place, and a monthly Farmers’ and Producers’ Market.
• If you are looking for a more leisurely day, Durham is home to an Odeon Luxe Cinema. This is a cinema where all seats recline and there is a range of hot and cold food as well as a selection of wines and beers to enjoy alongside your movie.

Seaham and Durham Heritage Coast

• Seaham is a harbour town situated on Durham’s Heritage Coast just 15 mins drive and is home to a number of shops, cafes and beaches to enjoy.
• Seaham is also one end of the Durham Heritage Coast Walk which spans 11 miles south to Crimdon. Starting in Seaham, the walk takes you out and along the clifftop through Nose’s point, and passes through Hawthorn Dene, passing Beacon Hill and Easington Colliery. The route then dips down into Castle Eden Dene and onto Blackhall and past the smuggler’s caves of Blackhall Rocks, before ending at Crimdon.
• Nose’s Point, just south of Seaham town is a double Site of Special Scientific Interest for both geology and ecology and has stunning cliff top views of the North Sea.
• The beaches of Seaham are world-famous for collecting sea glass. Seaham was once home to The Londonderry Bottleworks, which was the largest bottle works in Britain. The bottleworks would dump waste glass straight into the North Sea, which many years later has given rise to the abundance of sea glass found on the local beaches.
• Another attraction of Seaham is a sculpture of a WW1 soldier designed by local artist Ray Lonsdale and called 1101 to reflect the first minute of peace. Locally known as ‘Tommy’ this sculpture is a must see on a visit to Seaham.
• Seaham is also home to Seaham Marina Activity Centre which includes activities such as stand up paddle boarding, cycling and climbing.
• Travel inland and you’ll find Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Centre. This is the largest Outlet Shopping Centre in the North East with over 60 shops, and is also home to a Cineworld Cinema and a number of restaurants (fast-food and dine in) and cafes. (10 mins drive)

Durham Dales

• The Durham Dales form part of the North Pennines which is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It takes just under an hour to reach this beautiful area of the North East and with many things to do and see in the area, it is worth a visit.
• Hamsterley Forest is formed of 2000 hectares of scenic woodland situated between the Wear and Tees valleys. The opportunities for outdoor activities here are extensive, with walking and cycling routes to suit all fitness levels. For the more daring cyclists the Forest is also home to a number of orange graded routes waiting to be tackled. For younger guests, Hamsterley also has trails consisting of a number of play areas. (45 mins drive)
• High Force is a truly impressive waterfall where the River Tees crashes 21 meters into the pool below. Surrounding High Force there is a woodland walk which you will pass through to be greeted by the astounding sight of the falls. (1 hr 10 mins drive)
• Bowes Museum, houses collections of fashion, photography and fine art across 3 floors of an impressive French Style building. During your visit, be sure not to miss the 18th Century silver swan automaton which only plays once a day at 2pm. The museum is set in 22 acres of parkland including gardens and a woodland walk for visitors to enjoy. (55 mins drive)
• Raby Castle was built in the 14th Century. The interior of the Castle has beautiful halls and chambers to explore and houses art collections and dramatic architecture. The outside of the Castle offers opportunities to enjoy the 200-acre Deer Park, the 18th Century Walled Gardens and for younger guests, to explore the Woodland Play Area. (45 mins drive)
• Killhope Lead Mining Museum has much to offer, including guided tours down the mine, the working water wheel, exhibitions and workshops. Killhope Woodland Walks are a lovely extension of a day out at Killhope. With long and short routes, you can take in the scenic woodland and stop in one of the hides to observe the wildlife, including the colony of red squirrels. (1 hr 15 mins drive)

Durham Vale

• Beamish Museum is a living museum that brings history to life right before your eyes. With buildings that where brought brick by brick and rebuilt and costumed individuals bringing the place to life, Beamish offers you a chance to walk through the region’s rich history from 1820’s 1900’s and 1940’s. (30 mins drive)
• Kynren-An Epic Tale of England, is a stunning performance of English history played out across as 7.5-acre outdoor stage. The performance is set to a exhilarating soundtrack, with 29 dramatic scenes featuring thrilling fights and stunts involving both man and horse. This experience was named as one of the ‘Top 5 performances to see in the UK’ by Trip advisor. Kynren will return to 11Arches Park in Bishop Auckland in the Summer of 2021, with performances every Saturday from 7th August to 11th September. (35 mins drive)
• Locomotion is a must see for any train enthusiasts. Locomotion allows you to see the highlights of the national collection of railway vehicles while being situated in the world’s first railway town; Shildon. (35 mins drive)

Northumberland

• Drive North into Northumberland, you’ll find Hadrian’s Wall which stretches 73 miles across the country and was build under Emperor Hadrian in AD122. It was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and offers a range of Roman forts and museums to explore. The wall also has a number of walking routes for all fitness levels which take you through the stunning scenery of the Northumbrian countryside. (1 hr drive)
• Alnwick Castle and Gardens. As well as enjoying the stunning architecture of the Castle and its interiors, there are regular events at the castle that include archery, jousts and jester shows. The grounds of the Castle may look familiar to any Harry Potter fans as they were used as filming locations for The Philosophers Stone and Chamber of Secrets. The Gardens boasts a variety of exotic plants, trees and flowers spread across spectacular landscapes. The Gardens is also home to the Poison Garden which houses a selection of some of the world’s most deadly plants. (1 hr 10 mins drive)
• Situated on the North-East coast is the stunning Bamburgh Castle which has been a feature of the North East Coastline for 1400 years and is one of the largest inhabited castles in the country. The castle interior houses the state rooms, the King’s Hall and the armoury to name just a few. It is also home to an archaeological museum which features finds from Bamburgh, as Bamburgh Castle is considered on of the most important Anglo-Saxon archaeological sites in the world. (1 hr 30 mins drive)

Newcastle / Gateshead

• Newcastle & Gateshead are linked at the Quayside by 7 iconic bridges to form an eclectic visitor destination on both sides of the river. Set to a backdrop of magnificent architecture, Newcastle offers a range of opportunities, from enjoying the local nightlife and dining in wonderful restaurants, to taking advantage of the various theatre, comedy and live music performances on offer. (30 mins drive)
• Newcastle and Gateshead are also home to a number of museums including The Discovery Museum, The Great North Museum: Hancock and the Life Science Centre, as well as art galleries such as the Laing Art Gallery and the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art.
• Every Sunday the Newcastle Quayside is the home to the Quayside Market, which plays host to a number of local traders selling handcrafted goods and local products. You will also find an assortment of food trucks and stalls selling a variety of foods to enjoy.
• If you are in the mood for some retail therapy, the Metrocentre has over 300 high street shops waiting to be explored. The Metrocentre also houses a number of restaurants in the food court and throughout and is home to an Odeon IMAX Cinema. (35 mins drive)

Tyne and Wear

• Washington Wetland Centre is a 105 acre safe haven for a wide variety of wildlife, from flamingos to otters. (20 mins drive)
• Washington Old Hall is a small 13th Century Manor house which is the ancestral home of George Washington, the first President of the USA. (20 mins drive)

Teeside and North Yorkshire

• Saltholme is an RSPB nature reserve in Stockton-on-Tees. It is a family-friendly wetland which is perfect for any budding birdwatchers or as a peaceful family day out. (25 mins drive)
• Saltburn-by-the-Sea is a beautiful seaside town in North Yorkshire, which provides visitors with a wonderful seaside experience while showcasing its Victorian architecture. From the award-winning beach to being home to the last remaining pier in Yorkshire, this quaint town is certainly worth a visit. (45 mins drive)