The Best North East England Attractions & Activities

Alnwick Castle in Northumberland is a grand medieval fortress, home to the Percy family for over 700 years. Known as a filming site for "Harry Potter", it features opulent staterooms, gardens, and history blending Norman origins with modern heritage.

Durham Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a masterpiece of Norman architecture towering over the River Wear. Renowned for its soaring nave, intricate stonework and medieval stained glass, it remains a centre of worship and a symbol of Durham.

Beamish Museum in County Durham is an open-air museum bringing the North East’s past to life. Explore recreated towns, farms, and pit villages, ride vintage trams, and meet costumed guides for an immersive journey through history.

The Alnwick Garden in Northumberland is a striking contemporary garden featuring a grand cascading fountain, enchanting rose and ornamental gardens, a bamboo labyrinth, and the famous Poison Garden. It also hosts the world’s largest treehouse restaurant.

The National Museum of the Royal Navy recreates an 18th-century seaport. Centred on the HMS Trincomalee, it offers immersive exhibits, historic ships, and lively displays bringing Britain’s naval past vividly to life.

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

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

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

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

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

Auckland Palace in County Durham, once home to the Prince Bishops of Durham, is a beautifully restored residence. Its grand rooms, chapel and gardens tell stories of power, faith and centuries of northern heritage.

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

Bamburgh Castle towers over the Northumberland coast, dramatically set on a volcanic outcrop above sandy beaches. With royal history, striking architecture, and sweeping sea views, it’s one of England’s most iconic coastal fortresses.

Barnard Castle, a striking riverside ruin in County Durham, was founded in the 12th century. Its towering walls and great hall overlook the River Tees, offering history, dramatic views and a glimpse into medieval fortress life.