North East England surprises almost everyone who visits. Newcastle is one of the liveliest cities in the country, Durham has one of Europe’s great cathedrals, and further north the Northumberland coast hides wide sandy beaches watched over by castles.
Why visit North East England
For history on a grand scale without the crowds: two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Durham Castle and Cathedral and Hadrian’s Wall, a wild coastline, dark skies in Northumberland and some of the friendliest people in England.
Top places to visit in North East England
Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead
The famous Tyne bridges, the quayside, the Baltic contemporary art centre, grand Georgian streets and a legendary nightlife.
Durham
A small, hilly city where the Norman cathedral and castle stand together on a loop of the River Wear – one of the finest views in England.
Hadrian’s Wall
The Roman frontier built across northern England in the 2nd century, with forts such as Housesteads and Vindolanda and a long-distance footpath along its line.
The Northumberland coast
Bamburgh Castle above its beach, Alnwick Castle and gardens, and Lindisfarne (Holy Island), reached by a causeway that floods at high tide.
Best time to visit North East England
May to September is best for walking the Wall and enjoying the beaches. Newcastle and Durham are year-round destinations, with Christmas markets in December. Always check the tide tables before crossing to Holy Island.
Getting around North East England
Newcastle has an airport and is about three hours from London by train; Durham is just 15 minutes further south. The Tyne and Wear Metro links Newcastle with the coast. A car or local buses help for Hadrian’s Wall and Northumberland.
What to eat in North East England
A stottie cake (a flat, chewy bread) filled with ham and pease pudding, Craster kippers from the Northumberland coast, and a pint in one of Newcastle’s historic pubs.
North East England FAQ
How long should I spend in the North East?
Three or four days for Newcastle, Durham and a day on Hadrian’s Wall; add two days for the Northumberland coast.
Can you walk the whole of Hadrian’s Wall?
Yes. The Hadrian’s Wall Path runs about 84 miles (135 km) from coast to coast and usually takes six or seven days.
