North East England Sightseeing & Activities Guide

set on a rocky promontory next to the Castle, one of the great Norman buildings of Europe, boasting a magnificent rose window

dating back to the fourteenth century and closely associated with many historical events. Now best known as one of the locations for the Harry Potter films

a living working experience of life as it was in the early 1800s and 1900s complete with shops, pubs and horse drawn carriages and trams

a wealth of architectural history, with buildings dating from the 14C and a superb 30-acre garden famed for its rhododendrons and unique quarry garden

celebrates the history of a long lost industry and the stories of the everyday people involved in mining

the first house in the world to be lit by hydroelectricity crammed full of ingenious gadgets – most of them still working and with one of the largest rock gardens in Europe

an open air attraction offering animal interaction and outdoor play in the countryside with a wide variety of animals for llamas to racoons

offering unrivalled close ups of thousands of puffins, Arctic terns and guillemots (May to July) and seal pups in the autumn. Charges apply including members

the most remarkable Roman remains in the country, a real insight into Roman military life and discover the past behind the archaeological remains

an historic park in the heart of suburban Newcastle. It is a peaceful haven for residents, visitors and wildlife alike

Kielder Castle is the visitor centre for Britain's biggest forest with over 250 square miles to explore with exhibitions about forestry and conservation

explore the rich seam of local railway history and discover how the railways have changed all our lives, with a model railway to please all enthusiasts

come and meet the animals at this working farm with a variety of play areas for children, inside and out

surrounded by 250 acres of park and farmland with year round seasonal walks and a colourful Victorian formal garden accompanying the mansion

a fine Palladian Country House with Chippendale and Trotter furniture and a changing exhibition of local artists' work surrounded by lovely grounds

a treasure trove of objets' d'art including the famous silver swan automaton surrounded by luxurious gardens and parklands with children's play area

visit an authentic 18th century seaport and the spectacular HMS Trincomalee. See how tradesmen like tailors, printers and instrument makers earned a wage

the house, home of the quirky Museum of Curiosities, is surrounded by an informal landscape of lawns, lakes, woodland, parkland and farmland

facilities include children and teenage play area, boating lake, roller skating rink, visitor centre and cafe, fishing platforms and sports facilities

a friendly welcome and a superb layout awaits. Set in mature parkland, open grassland and gorse with panoramic views out to the sea which is five miles away. Gents par 70 and ladies par 73 course

telling the story of one of the world’s greatest navigators and mariners through themed display galleries, associated activities and events and a lively education programme

a sensational survivor of ‘the wildwood’ that once covered much of Britain, where post-glacial melt waters have carved out some spectacular limestone cliffs and gorges

former home of Earl Grey, with woodland walks through the arboretum, best known for their spring bulbs and don't miss a cup of Earl Grey tea in the café

set in stunning landscape and famous for its iconic working water wheel, offering an insight to lead mining history, with scenic walks and amazing wildlife

set in a magical landscape, an exciting garden created by the Duchess of Northumberland containing a 120 water jet Grand Cascade

medieval Manor House which was the ancestral home of George Washington, with a tranquil garden and a 'nuttery' - a haven for wildlife

housed in a 1950s grain warehouse, presenting the experience of contemporary art, with no permanent collection and so offering a constantly changing programme of exhibitions and events

continually inhabited for over 1,000 years and perched on a basalt outcrop of the very edge of the North Sea, commanding stunning views of the Farne and Holy Islands with a unique collection of artefacts, objets d'art and ceramics

originally rich merchants' houses & shops, 3 rooms are open to the public. Exhibitions about the history include the elopement of Bessie Surtees, an 18C love story

set across 11 acres, the visitor can discover the incredible world of Anglo-Saxon Northumbria and the extraordinary life of Bede - the father of English history with plenty of interactive displays and a rare breed farm with rescued animals

North East Englands premier aircraft museum with a restoration workshop which is open to visitors

first lighthouse to be powered by electricity with a real flavour of a working lighthouse, surrounded by wildflower meadows and great wildlife viewing

Whitehouse Farm is a 40 acre farm centre that has been entertaining and educating people of all ages since 1997

the Barracks & Elizabethan Fortifications, The Clock Block, Gymnasium Gallery, By Beat of Drum & Kings Own Scottish Borders Regimental Museum are all great museums in 1 location. Berwick Barracks were completed in 1721

built out of a former quarry over the last 25 years, visited by thousands of visitors a year. From ferns, shrubs, perennials and grasses to The National Collection of Centaurea. There is plenty to inspire gardeners and visitors alike

country park set in 120 acres with a network of paths leading through wetland and wildflower meadows

ten pin bowling and electronic games. This venue can be booked for a birthday celebration.

with excavated remains and stunning reconstructions of original buildings and roman artefacts combine to give a unique insight the Romans in Britain during the second to fifth Century

arts centre hosting a range of interesting shows, films, plays, exhibitions and groups for the local community. Features a bar area and venue exhibition rooms

vibrant and exciting focus for arts, offering a theatre, gallery, artists' studios, recording studio, licensed bar, rehearsal rooms and function rooms. Offers a year round programme of arts activities

the official residence of the Bishop of Durham and the country residence of the Bishops since Norman times. The chapel is thought to be the largest private chapel in Europe

presenting this history of Alnwick and District, holding a variety of workshops and exhibitions throughout the year

overlooking the River Tees and dating back to the 14th Century and lived in by Richard lll

set on the north side of the River Blyth with a picnic area and children's play area, as well as pleasant horse and nature trails. The park covers 57 hectares of woodland and grassland.

preserving and displaying the heritage of the North Tyne and Redewater area of Northumberland with relics and photographs covering all aspects of local history and traditions in the area

the remains of a medieval castle crucial to Anglo-Scottish warfare, superseded by the most complete and breathtakingly impressive bastioned town defences in England

take a trip to the Farne Islands & observe the grey seal colonies. All-day bird watching is available during the breeding season

the largest Roman fort in County Durham. A small part has been excavated and is open to visit. Explore the remains of a Roman bath house with its amazing under floor heating system

introducing the birdlife of Northumberland and the North East. Tours with friendly guides who share their knowledge of local birds with infectious enthusiasm

this fortified farmhouse with thick stone walls, of a type distinctive to the troubled 16th-century Anglo-Scottish borders with the living quarters only accessible at first-floor level

exciting wildlife attraction designed to inspire deeper understanding and appreciation of the natural world. At the heart of the visit there are giant ocean tanks with spectacular underwater walkthrough tunnels

massive ruins of Henry II's 12th-century tower keep, set within the earthworks of a Roman fort guarding the strategic Stainmore Pass over the Pennines

designed by George Stephenson, the only preserved standard gauge rope-hauled railway in the world featuring two steam engines, diesel locomotives, colliery wagons and an exhibition

located in a Methodist chapel, the centre contains a selection of natural history displays covering a range of topics, including geology, archaeology, vegetation & wildlife

now used for University accommodation, however visitors can still tour round the Norman castle

a rare example of an 18th Century landscape garden, a tree lined avenue, pockets of peaceful woodland and adventure play areas

set in the beautiful rolling hills of County Durham, a mixed farm of 290 hectares - a great day out for children who can see and touch animals at close quarters