With its rolling countryside, historic towns and distinct local cultures, North East England is a compelling and beautiful region. Bordered by Cumbria, Yorkshire, Scotland and the North Sea, the region is made up of the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham, Northumberland, and a sliver of North Yorkshire.
Over its tumultuous history, England’s northeast served as the northern frontier of the Roman Empire, was the cradle of Christianity in Britain, suffered Viking raids, and played a key role in the Industrial Revolution. This rich history shows itself in everything from place names and dialect words to imposing castles and serene churches.
North East England is also famous for its wild and varied landscapes, from the wind-lashed coastline to the undulating Cheviot Hills. For outdoor enthusiasts, the region’s wide open spaces provide irresistible hiking and cycling opportunities, not to mention surfing, wild swimming and coasteering.
With so much to see and do it’s hard to narrow it down, but here’s our list of nine of the prettiest spots in North East England.
Over its tumultuous history, England’s northeast served as the northern frontier of the Roman Empire, was the cradle of Christianity in Britain, suffered Viking raids, and played a key role in the Industrial Revolution. This rich history shows itself in everything from place names and dialect words to imposing castles and serene churches.
North East England is also famous for its wild and varied landscapes, from the wind-lashed coastline to the undulating Cheviot Hills. For outdoor enthusiasts, the region’s wide open spaces provide irresistible hiking and cycling opportunities, not to mention surfing, wild swimming and coasteering.
With so much to see and do it’s hard to narrow it down, but here’s our list of nine of the prettiest spots in North East England.
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View BookDurham Cathedral and Castle
In the heart of the historic city, Durham’s cathedral and castle are a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The streets around the spectacular Medieval buildings are some of the prettiest in North East England, lined with buildings of honey-hued stone and dotted with green spaces.
The cathedral and castle are up on Island Hill, above the winding River Wear, where they stand serene above the rest of the city. After exploring these historic sights, it’s worth wandering through the rest of the city to explore its scenic parks, fascinating museums and cosy tea shops.
The cathedral and castle are up on Island Hill, above the winding River Wear, where they stand serene above the rest of the city. After exploring these historic sights, it’s worth wandering through the rest of the city to explore its scenic parks, fascinating museums and cosy tea shops.
Northumberland National Park
In the southwestern part of Northumberland National Park you can follow a section of Hadrian’s Wall, Britain’s most substantial and important Roman remains, through fields and forests. Completed around AD 122, this wall marked the northern reaches of the Roman Empire. Today it sits several miles south of the border with Scotland, with the wilds of Northumberland National Park stretching between them.
In the park’s northern reaches are the Cheviot Hills, the highest point in North East England. With their steep slopes, deep valleys and thundering waterfalls, the Cheviots feel truly wild and remote. This part of the park contains some of its most rugged and challenging walking routes, though trails and cycle routes criss-cross the whole. Rock climbing, trail running and horse riding are also popular ways to explore this vast, barely populated landscape.
In the park’s northern reaches are the Cheviot Hills, the highest point in North East England. With their steep slopes, deep valleys and thundering waterfalls, the Cheviots feel truly wild and remote. This part of the park contains some of its most rugged and challenging walking routes, though trails and cycle routes criss-cross the whole. Rock climbing, trail running and horse riding are also popular ways to explore this vast, barely populated landscape.
Newcastle Quayside
Facing each other over the River Tyne, the cities of Newcastle and Gateshead share important industrial heritage, fascinating historic buildings and impressive modern architecture. A walk along the river is one of the best ways to get a glimpse at the results of this heady mix. Crossing the river are several bridges, including the iconic Tyne Bridge, built in 1928, and the futuristic Millennium Bridge, built in 2001.
The standout buildings on the south side of the river are Sage Gateshead, an undulating glass-and-steel concert venue, and the BALTIC Centre, which exhibits contemporary art in a beautifully restored grain warehouse. Head to the roof for views over North East England’s biggest city, especially lovely when the bridges are lit up after dark, reflections shimmering in the Tyne.
The standout buildings on the south side of the river are Sage Gateshead, an undulating glass-and-steel concert venue, and the BALTIC Centre, which exhibits contemporary art in a beautifully restored grain warehouse. Head to the roof for views over North East England’s biggest city, especially lovely when the bridges are lit up after dark, reflections shimmering in the Tyne.
North Pennines
The rolling landscapes of the North Pennines unfold over around 770 square miles. Exploring them by car is the best way to see as much as possible, but heading out on foot or by bike gets you closer to the area’s tiny villages, windswept moors and gently flowing streams.
August is one of the best times to visit, when the moorland is dyed purple by the blooming heather. At any time of year, it’s worth a stop at the small towns of Hexham and Corbridge to the north, near Hadrian’s Wall. Their picture-postcard historic centres and scenic locations make them ideal places to while away an afternoon.
August is one of the best times to visit, when the moorland is dyed purple by the blooming heather. At any time of year, it’s worth a stop at the small towns of Hexham and Corbridge to the north, near Hadrian’s Wall. Their picture-postcard historic centres and scenic locations make them ideal places to while away an afternoon.
Durham Heritage Coast
For keen walkers, there’s little better way to spend a day in the North East of England than tackling the walking route along Durham Heritage Coast. This stretch of North Sea coastline takes in a procession of jaw-dropping views and scenic stops, all the more impressive as much of it used to be heavily industrialized.
Along the way you can see the lively harbourside town of Seaham, or the rocky beach by the former coal-mining town of Horden. You can explore caves, sea stacks and rock pools at Nose’s Point and Blackhall, or wander the beaches of Easington, Dawdon, Seaham and Crimdon. And at spots including Crimdon, Denemouth and Hawthorn, your route will take you past soaring viaducts, picturesque reminders of the region’s important industrial heritage.
Along the way you can see the lively harbourside town of Seaham, or the rocky beach by the former coal-mining town of Horden. You can explore caves, sea stacks and rock pools at Nose’s Point and Blackhall, or wander the beaches of Easington, Dawdon, Seaham and Crimdon. And at spots including Crimdon, Denemouth and Hawthorn, your route will take you past soaring viaducts, picturesque reminders of the region’s important industrial heritage.
Bamburgh Castle
Dominating this stretch of the Northumberland coast for the last 1400 years, Bamburgh Castle stands proud above rugged dunes and a long swathe of sandy beach. The imposing red sandstone structure was restored around the turn of the 20th century, but contains art and artefacts dating back much earlier.
The windswept beach below the castle is ideal for blustery walks, rock pooling and surfing. Across the water, you can see the rocky Farne Islands, a protected site for seabirds and grey seals.
The windswept beach below the castle is ideal for blustery walks, rock pooling and surfing. Across the water, you can see the rocky Farne Islands, a protected site for seabirds and grey seals.
Holy Island of Lindisfarne
Twice a day, the causeway to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne is submerged below the North Sea tides, cutting it off from the mainland. Connected or not, the island retains a slightly otherworldly air, its history woven into its narrow streets and rugged coastline.
Lindisfarne was the heart of Christianity in Anglo-Saxon Britain, until Viking raids forced the monks to flee in the 9th century. In the 11th century a priory was built here; its delicate arches are still standing, but much of the stone was used to build Lindisfarne Castle around 1550. The atmospheric castle still crowns the island today, converted by Edwin Lutyens from an austere fort into a comfortable holiday home in the early 20th century.
Lindisfarne was the heart of Christianity in Anglo-Saxon Britain, until Viking raids forced the monks to flee in the 9th century. In the 11th century a priory was built here; its delicate arches are still standing, but much of the stone was used to build Lindisfarne Castle around 1550. The atmospheric castle still crowns the island today, converted by Edwin Lutyens from an austere fort into a comfortable holiday home in the early 20th century.
Kielder Water and Forest Park
Home to both England’s largest forest and Europe’s largest man-made lake, Kielder is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. As well as a 26-mile accessible trail around the lake and various woodland paths for hiking and cycling, there are opportunities to get out onto the water and try activities like windsurfing, canoeing and fishing.
The tranquil park is also excellent for wildlife spotting, with successful campaigns to encourage red squirrels and ospreys.
As beautiful as Kielder is, perhaps the most awe-inspiring view is above it. With its extremely low levels of light pollution, the park is one of the best places in Europe for stargazing, which you can enjoy from Kielder Observatory – or wherever you pitch your tent.
The tranquil park is also excellent for wildlife spotting, with successful campaigns to encourage red squirrels and ospreys.
As beautiful as Kielder is, perhaps the most awe-inspiring view is above it. With its extremely low levels of light pollution, the park is one of the best places in Europe for stargazing, which you can enjoy from Kielder Observatory – or wherever you pitch your tent.
Alnwick Castle
Given its long history of skirmishes with the Scots (among others), it’s unsurprising that this region has England’s highest concentration of strongholds and castles. Alnwick stands out among them, as the country’s second-largest inhabited castle and also – having appeared in films and series including Harry Potter and Downton Abbey – one of its most instantly recognizable.
The austere Medieval castle is set in elegant grounds landscaped by Capability Brown, perfect for strolling and taking in the artfully arranged picturesque scenes. Beyond the estate, the market town of Alnwick is also worth stopping at. Cosy Barter Books is one of the quirkiest and most charming second-hand bookshops in the country, while Alnwick Garden is a peaceful place to spend an afternoon… so long as you keep your wits about you in the Poison Garden.
The austere Medieval castle is set in elegant grounds landscaped by Capability Brown, perfect for strolling and taking in the artfully arranged picturesque scenes. Beyond the estate, the market town of Alnwick is also worth stopping at. Cosy Barter Books is one of the quirkiest and most charming second-hand bookshops in the country, while Alnwick Garden is a peaceful place to spend an afternoon… so long as you keep your wits about you in the Poison Garden.
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