The North East is one of those parts of Britain that doesn’t always get the spotlight it deserves. It’s rarely the first name on a tourist’s itinerary, and when it is mentioned, it’s usually followed by phrases like “gritty charm” or “unexpected beauty,” which is British code for “we didn’t think it would be this nice.”
But let me tell you, it is this nice.
This is a land of big skies and bigger personalities, of industrial history and staggering coastlines, of ruined abbeys, windswept moors, and a footballing passion so fierce it could power a small village. The North East is a place where past and present live side by side, not always peacefully, but with a sort of affectionate bickering that’s very much part of the charm.
The cities, character in every cobble
You’ll find cities like Newcastle, which somehow manages to be both grand and scrappy, elegant and unapologetically rowdy. It has the architectural confidence of a city that once ran the industrial world, and the nightlife of one that doesn’t really remember it. The bridges are a thing of wonder, the people will talk to you like you’ve known them since primary school, and there’s always something happening, even if no one’s entirely sure what it is.
Then there’s Durham, which is basically what happens if you drop a cathedral the size of an aircraft hangar onto a picturesque medieval town and then wrap the whole thing in a river for extra drama. It’s got a university older than most countries and cobbled streets that could qualify as extreme sports.
The countryside, castles, coast, and quiet roads
Venture further out and you’ll hit the wilds of Northumberland, which is England’s least populated county and seems to take that as a point of pride. You can drive for miles and see nothing but sheep, stone walls, and the occasional castle, of which there are roughly 700 (this may be a slight exaggeration, but not by much). Bamburgh Castle, perched heroically on the coast, looks like it was designed by someone who wanted to win an argument about who had the best castle and was willing to go all in.
The coast, drama on every tide
And the coastline! If you haven’t stood on a beach in Tynemouth, fish and chips in hand, watching the North Sea hurl itself dramatically against the rocks, then frankly you haven’t lived. The sea here is enthusiastic. It doesn’t lap, it attacks. But the views are worth it, and the chips are usually excellent.
The moors and the wall
The North York Moors sneak into this region too, like a sheepish cousin invited to the party at the last minute. Vast, heather-clad and oddly calming, they’re the perfect antidote to city life, assuming you enjoy being slightly lost and entirely windswept.
And let’s not forget Hadrian’s Wall, which is one of the greatest ancient structures in Britain, built by the Romans as a sort of giant “do not disturb” sign. You can walk along bits of it and imagine legions of soldiers squinting into the northern mist, wondering if they’d upset someone in Rome to end up stationed here.
The spirit, proud, generous and gloriously grounded
The North East is proud, funny, resilient and more generous than it has any obligation to be. The accents are musical, the welcome is genuine, and the scenery, once you’re out in it, will knock your socks off (and possibly your boots, depending on the wind). It’s a place where history isn’t tucked away in museums but sprawled out all over the landscape, and where every town seems to come with a story and a favourite pub.
So yes, gritty, definitely. But also glorious.
Come curious. Leave with stories. And maybe a mild sunburn from a day you didn’t expect to be sunny.
12 must-do things in the North East of England
The North East of England is a place where castles loom over beaches, rivers curve through cathedral cities, and Roman walls still defy the centuries. It’s got a character all its own: proud, hearty, sometimes windswept, always unforgettable. Here are twelve things you simply must do when you’re up this way.
1. Explore Durham Cathedral and Castle
Durham Cathedral isn’t just another grand church, it’s the sort of place that makes your jaw drop before you’ve even made it inside. Its Romanesque bulk dominates the skyline, perched high above the River Wear, while the castle next door has been housing students for centuries. Wander through the cloisters (you might recognise them from the Harry Potter films), then meander down cobbled lanes into the historic heart of the city.
2. Walk along Hadrian’s Wall
Romans were many things, but they weren’t shy of a building project. Hadrian’s Wall once stretched coast to coast, a mighty statement of imperial power. Today, crumbled but still magnificent, it snakes through wild moorland and farmland, dotted with forts and milecastles. A walk here feels like a time machine with better boots. Don’t miss Housesteads or Vindolanda, where you’ll find the ghosts of garrisons past and the occasional archaeologist still digging away.
3. Discover Newcastle upon Tyne’s Quayside
If you think of Newcastle only in terms of football and nightlife, you’re missing out. The Quayside is the city at its most stylish: a sweep of bridges arcing across the Tyne, the Gateshead Millennium Bridge tilting gracefully like a giant eyelid, and a parade of pubs, restaurants, and galleries. It’s buzzy, it’s bold, and it’s the perfect spot for a riverside wander (with a pint never too far away).
4. Tour Alnwick Castle and Gardens
Alnwick Castle manages to look both ancient and cinematic, which is probably why it doubled as Hogwarts. Inside, it’s all opulent staterooms and noble history; outside, it’s surrounded by the Alnwick Garden, where you can stroll through floral displays, treehouses, and the somewhat terrifying Poison Garden. A family day out here feels like stepping into both a history book and a fantasy novel at once.
5. Hike in Northumberland National Park
England’s least-visited national park is also one of its most spectacular. Northumberland National Park is a land of rolling hills, heather moors, and riverside glens where sheep often outnumber people by a considerable margin. Come for the solitude, stay for the stars: this is one of Europe’s darkest skies, a certified International Dark Sky Park. Bring a flask, a blanket, and marvel at the Milky Way overhead.
6. Stroll through Durham’s historic old town
Back in Durham, away from the cathedral, the old town feels like a living diorama of English history. Cobbled streets twist around medieval buildings, independent shops tempt you with books and antiques, and the River Wear makes for peaceful riverside walks. It’s compact, but crammed with charm.
7. Visit Bamburgh Castle and Beach
Bamburgh Castle is the stuff of postcards: a colossal fortress perched on a rocky outcrop, overlooking a sweeping beach of golden sand. Stand on the dunes and you’ll see why it’s been fought over for centuries — it looks invincible. Then kick off your shoes and walk the beach, one of the most glorious in the country, with views that stretch to Lindisfarne and the Farne Islands.
8. Experience the Holy Island of Lindisfarne
A tidal island that disappears twice a day beneath the sea might sound inconvenient, but Lindisfarne makes up for it with atmosphere in spades. Cross at low tide (check the times unless you want an unscheduled swim) and you’ll find a windswept priory, a castle perched on a crag, and wildlife-rich dunes. It was here, in the 8th century, that monks produced the Lindisfarne Gospels, one of the most beautiful manuscripts in history. Not bad for a tiny island.
9. Admire art at the Baltic Centre and Sage Gateshead
On the south bank of the Tyne, Gateshead flaunts two icons of modern culture: the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, housed in a converted flour mill, and the Sage Gateshead, a curvaceous concert hall that gleams like a silver shell. Inside, you’ll find cutting-edge exhibitions and world-class performances; outside, you’ll find locals still debating whether the architecture is genius or eyesore. Either way, it’s unmissable.
10. Wander around the Beamish Open Air Museum
Beamish is like no other museum. Instead of peering at objects in glass cases, you wander through recreated towns, pit villages, and farms from the 1820s to the 1940s, all bustling with costumed guides who cheerfully stay in character. Hop on a tram, buy a ration-era sweet, or watch the blacksmith hammering away. It’s educational, yes, but also tremendous fun.
11. Take a boat trip to the Farne Islands
The Farne Islands are a naturalist’s dream: a scatter of rocky islets teeming with seabirds, puffins galore, and a colony of grey seals that sunbathe like holidaymakers on the rocks. Boat trips from Seahouses get you close to the action, and if you’re lucky, you’ll spot dolphins cutting through the waves alongside. Just don’t wear your best hat – the birds overhead have poor aim.
12. Marvel at High Force Waterfall in Teesdale
Deep in the Durham Dales, the River Tees throws itself off a cliff in spectacular style, creating High Force, one of England’s most impressive waterfalls. The water plunges 21 metres into a dark, dramatic gorge, the air filled with spray and thunder. It’s a reminder that the North East isn’t just castles and coast, it has wild, elemental beauty too.
The final word
The North East doesn’t shout about itself, but maybe it doesn’t need to. With landscapes that veer from moors to beaches, history that stretches back to Rome and beyond, and people who are as warm as the tea is strong, it’s a region that rewards exploration at every turn. Do all twelve of these and you’ll leave with wind in your hair, stories to tell, and probably a craving for another stottie cake.
