Places to visit in Northumbria
Northumbria
Alnwick Castle
Alnwick
Tel: 01665 510777
www.alnwickcastle.com
Home of the Percy's, Dukes of Northumberland, since 1309, this imposing medieval fortress has magnificent 19th century interiors in the Italian Renaissance style.
Alnwick Garden
Alnwick
Tel: 01665 511350
www.alnwickgarden.com
New 12-acre garden with fabulous water feature, rose garden, ornamental garden, woodland park and viewpoint.
Baltic - The Centre for Contemporary Art
Quayside, Gateshead
Tel: 0191 478 1810
www.balticmill.com
A major international centre for contemporary art in a converted warehouse, with a constantly changing programme of exhibitions and events.
Bamburgh Castle
Bamburgh
Tel: 01668 214515
www.bamburghcastle.com
Magnificent coastal castle completely restored in 1900. Collections of china, porcelain, furniture, paintings, arms and armour.
Beamish - The North of England Open Air Museum
Beamish
Tel: 0191 370 4000
www.beamish.org.uk
Visit the town, colliery village, working farm, Pockerley Manor and 1825 railway, recreating life in the North East in the early 1800s and 1900s.
Bede's World
Church Bank, Jarrow
Tel: 0191 489 2106
www.bedesworld.co.uk
Discover the exciting world of the Venerable Bede, early medieval Europe's greatest scholar. Church, monastic site, museum with exhibitions and recreated Anglo-Saxon farm.
Belsay Hall, Castle & Gardens (English Heritage)
Belsay, Newcastle upon Tyne
Tel: 01661 881636
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Home of the Middleton family for 600 years. 14th century castle, ruined 17th century manor house and neo-classical hall, set in 30 acres of landscaped gardens and winter garden.
Blue Reef Aquarium
Grand Parade, Tynemouth
Tel: 0191 258 1031
www.bluereefaquarium.co.uk
More than 30 living displays exploring the drama of the North Sea and the dazzling beauty of a spectacular coral reef with its own underwater tunnel.
Bowes Museum
Barnard Castle
Tel: 01833 690606
www.bowesmuseum.org.uk
French style chateau, housing art collections of national importance and archaeology of south west Durham.
Centre For Life
Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne
Tel: 0191 243 8210
www.centre-for-life.co.uk
Meet your 4 billion year old family, explore what makes us all different, test your brain power and enjoy the thrill of the crazy motion ride.
Cherryburn: Thomas Bewick Birthplace Museum (National Trust)
Station Bank, Stocksfield
Tel: 01661 843276
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Birthplace cottage (1700) and farmyard. Printing house using original printing blocks. Introductory exhibition of the life, work and countryside.
Chillingham Castle
Chillingham, Wooler
Tel: 01668 215359
www.chillingham-castle.com
Medieval fortress with Tudor additions, torture chamber, shop, dungeon, tearoom, woodland walks, furnished rooms and topiary garden.
Cragside House, Gardens & Estate (National Trust)
Rothbury, Morpeth
Tel: 01669 620333
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Built in 1864-84 for Tyneside industrialist Lord Armstrong, Cragside was the first house to be lit by electricity generated by water power.
Discovery Museum
Blandford Square, Newcastle upon Tyne
Tel: 0191 232 6789
www.twmuseums.org.uk
Discovery Museum offers a wide variety of experiences for all the family to enjoy. Explore the Newcastle Story, Live Wires, Science Maze and Fashion Works.
Dustanburgh Castle (English Heritage)
Craster, Alnwick
Tel: 01665 576231
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Romantic ruins of extensive 14th century castle in dramatic coastal situation on 100ft cliffs. Built by Thomas, Earl of Lancaster. Remains include gatehouse and curtain wall.
Durham Castle
Palace Green, Durham
Tel: 0191 374 3863
www.durhamcastle.com
Castle founded in 1072, Norman chapel dating from 1080. Kitchens and great hall dated 1499 and 1284 respectively. Fine example of motte-and-bailey castle.
Durham Cathedral
The College, Durham
Tel: 0191 386 4266
www.durhamcathedral.co.uk
Durham Cathedral is thought by many to be the finest example of Norman church architecture in England. Contains the tombs of St Cuthbert and The Venerable Bede.
Hall Hill Farm
Lanchester, Durham
Tel: 01388 730300
www.hallhillfarm.co.uk
Family fun set in attractive countryside with an opportunity to see and touch the animals at close quarters. Farm trailer ride, riverside walk, teashop and play area.
Hartlepool Historic Quay
Maritime Avenue, Hartlepool
Tel: 01429 860006
www.destinationhartlepool.com
Hartlepool Historic Quay is an exciting reconstruction of a seaport of the 1800s with buildings and lively quayside, authentically reconstructed.
Housteads Roman Fort (Vercovicium), Hadrian's Wall (National Trust)
Haydon Bridge, Hexham
Tel: 01434 344363
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Best preserved and most impressive of the Roman forts. Vercovicium was a 5-acre fort for an extensive 800 civil settlement. Only example of a Roman hospital.
Killhope, The North of England Lead Mining Museum
Cowshill, Bishop Auckland
Tel: 01388 537505
www.durham.gov.uk/killhope
Most complete lead mining site in Great Britain. Mine tours available, 34-ft diameter waterwheel, reconstruction of Victorian machinery, miners lodging and woodland walks.
Lindisfarne Castle (National Trust)
Holy Island, Berwick-upon-Tweed
Tel: 01289 389244
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
The castle was built in 1550 and restored and converted into a private home for Edward Hudson by the architect Sir Edward Lutyens in 1903.
National Glass Centre
Liberty Way, Sunderland
Tel: 0191 515 5555
www.nationalglasscentre.com
A unique visitor attraction presenting the best in contemporary glass. Master craftspeople will demonstrate glass-making techniques. Classes and workshops available.
Nature's World at The Botanic Gardens Centre
Ladgate Lane, Middlesborough
Tel: 01642 594895
www.naturesworld.org.uk
Demonstration gardens, wildlife pond, white garden, environmental exhibition hall, shop, tearoom and River Tees model. Hydroponicum and Eco centre now open.
Raby Castle
Staindrop, Darlington
Tel: 01833 660202
www.rabycastle.com
The medieval castle, home of Lord Barnard's family since 1626, includes a 200-acre deer park, walled gardens, carriage collection, adventure playground, shop and tearoom.
St. Nicholas Cathedral
St Nicholas Street, Newcastle upon Tyne
Tel: 0191 232 1939
www.newcastle-ang-cathedral-stnicholas.org.uk
13th century and 14th century church, added to in 18th-20th centuries. Famous lantern tower, pre-reformation font and font cover, 15th century stained glass roundel in the side chapel.
Wallington House, Walled Garden & amp; Grounds (National Trust)
Wallington, Morpeth
Tel: 01670 773600
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Escape to the beautiful walled gardens and its conservatory or enjoy a walk in the woods or along by the river. Bring the family to one of the many events at Wallington.
Washington Old Hall (National Trust)
The Avenue, Washington
Tel: 0191 416 6879
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
From 1183 to 1399 the home of George Washington's direct ancestors, remaining in the family until 1613. The manor, from which the family took its name, was restored in 1936.
Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Washington
District 15, Washington
Tel: 0191 416 5454
www.wwt.org.uk
Collection of 1,000 wildfowl of 85 varieties. Viewing gallery, picnic areas, hides and winter wild bird-feeding station, flamingos and wild grey heron. Waterside café.