Discovering Northumberland & North East England

Newcastle has a lot to see and do. The Castle Keep and West Walls date back to the 13th century. Walk along the Quayside for restaurants, bars and shops. The historic city center Grainger Town is filled with neoclassical architecture.

For a bit of nature, visit the public park Jesmond Dene. This wooded valley is a popular walking spot along the Ouseburn River.

The Angel of the North is a giant modern sculpture overlooking the countryside. It’s one of the world's largest public artworks at nearly 70 feet tall and a wingspan over 175 feet.

Museums and art galleries are also very popular in the area. The Great North Museum is a free museum focusing on natural history and ancient civilizations. There are rotating interactive exhibits at the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art. The Centre For Life houses the Life Science Centre, the first in Europe to get a license for stem cell research on human embryos.

Just a short metro ride from Newcastle, Tynemouth is a charming seaside town. Enjoy fish and chips and visit the Tynemouth Castle and Priory.

Whitley Bay is another quaint seaside town just north of Tynemouth. Visit the amusement arcade near the sea, relax on and build sand castles on Long Sands Beach and visit St Mary’s Lighthouse (complete with a nature reserve and wetland habitat).

Dating to almost 2,000 years ago, Segedunum was a Roman fort used for 300 years. Today you can explore the ruins and visit the onsite museum.

The Theatre Royal is the third home of the Royal Shakespeare Company, after London and Stratford-upon-Avon. The company will do several performances in the fall, but the theatre presents hundreds of performances each year.

Day trips

Hike along Hadrian’s Wall, following the Hadrian’s Wall Path. It’s a long-distance footpath that covers over 80 miles.

Bamburgh Castle is a beautiful castle along the coastline with a storied past.

The tidal island of Holy Island and Lindisfarne Castle are must-visits. You can wander the quaint village and stroll rocky paths along the island.

Durham is a charming town just south of Newcastle, home to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle.

To the south of Newcastle, you’ll find the seaside town Whitby. The ruins of Whitby Abbey were famously featured in Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

Northumberland National Park covers a large portion of the area, stretching to the Scottish border. Among its features and sites are Kielder Forest (the largest manmade forest in Europe), much of the Cheviot Hills and the Sycamore Gap.

While Edinburgh is best reserved for a weekend or its own trip, it’s possible to visit in a day. Take the train early in the morning and back that evening. You can see Edinburgh Castle, Calton Hill, Arthur’s Seat and the Royal Mile.

Pub crawl through the Bigg Market, Quayside and Central Station areas. If nightlife is more your speed, Newcastle is known for it across England. Head to the Central and Geiranger Town areas, or head to the Pink Triangle for LGBTQ+ nightlife.

• Blackfriars Restaurant: Enjoy traditional British food (some inspired by medieval times) and locally sourced ingredients at this upscale restaurant in a 13th-century monk’s refectory.

• Jesmond Dene House: Housed in a boutique hotel of the same name, this restaurant offers seasonal cuisine, afternoon tea and Sunday brunch.

• SIX Rooftop: Rooftop restaurant and bar at the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art with modern British food and views across the city.

• Persia Restaurant: For relaxed, unpretentious Persian food that is delicious and authentic.

• Fuego: A contemporary Mediterranean restaurant serving up tapas, pizzas and more.

• Fat Hippo: This gastropub serves up comfort food like burgers in a relaxed, casual setting.

• The French Quarter: A cozy, Parisian-style wine bar with small dishes to share.

• My Delhi Newcastle: Serving up Indian-style street food in a lively, vibrant environment.