With a rich industrial heritage, miles of unspoilt coastline, sites of historical significance, and characterful cities and charming towns, the North East is the perfect place for a short break or staycation.
Alnwick Castle and Alnwick Garden
40 minutes north of Newcastle, Alnwick Castle was founded in the 12th century and along with the adjacent Alnwick Garden makes a wonderful day out in the North East.
Home to the Duke of Northumberland, Alnwick Castle and its stately home are the second largest inhabited after Windsor, and the grand buildings have featured in everything from Harry Potter to Downton Abbey and Robin Hood. Sumptuous staterooms, an opulent dining room, a cavernous cellar and collections and exhibitions to browse await the 800,000 visitors per year to this pair of attractions.
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- Step back in time and immerse yourself in the history of Alnwick Castle
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- Enjoy a meal in the magical setting of The Treehouse Restaurant at Alnwick Garden
Alnwick Gardens features a rose garden with over 3,000 blooms to sniff, a stunning water cascade, an enormous tree house with restaurant, the world’s largest Taihaku cherry orchard and guided tours of the poison garden – the “deadliest garden in the world”.
Durham Cathedral and Castle
Durham is a special place to visit. With its cathedral and castle listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, picturesque riverside walks, museums, and unique shops, you can spend the day exploring its ancient streets before spending the evening in one of the city’s intimate eateries before taking in a show at the Gala theatre.
Craster to Dunstanburgh Castle
A walk from the village of Craster to Dunstanburgh Castle is one of the most beautiful on the north east coast. The four mile stroll takes in stunning views of the Northumberland coastline, with access to stony beaches along the way before the imposing ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle come into view.
Get your hiking boots on and make the beautiful walk from Craster to Dunstanburgh Castle
Craster has a picturesque harbour, a smokehouse harking back to the days when 2,000 herring a day were gutted here to supply Europe with kippers, and a pub, cafes and restaurant in which to refuel. Dunstanburgh Castle is a 14th-century fortification which steadily became more ruinous from the 1500s onwards. It makes for a brutal yet beautiful site on a rocky outcrop which once defended Northumberland from raiding Scots.
