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The Region

Freedom
on a grand scale
Kick off your shoes and feel the sand between your toes. Tip back your head and breathe in the scent of heather-covered hills or a secret bluebell wood. Explore a haunted castle or a Heritage Coastline, poised between soaring cliffs and open skies. Try your luck at a country fair. Feel blessed wherever you go.

A world of welcome... to a region of glorious contrasts

North East England stretches from the breathtaking Cheviot Hills in England’s Border Country down to the stunning Tees Valley in the south. Easy to reach and explore, its compact nature means you can enjoy more experiences in every day of your stay, yet each part retains its own unique landscape and character. From the undiscovered beaches and uplands of Northumberland to the vibrant cities of NewcastleGateshead and Sunderland, the historic landmarks of County Durham and the peaceful countryside of Tees Valley, all are united by a passion for enjoying life here in all its guises. Passionate people, passionate places. We look forward to welcoming you.

Thought-provoking.
Pulse-quickening
Mouth-watering.
From West End shows to world-class music, international art to local farmers’ markets and fine dining to designer shopping, there’s always something great to do, see and look forward to.

You set the pace

Relax and unwind on wide, golden beaches or an indulgent spa break; immerse yourself in the silence of our forests, and discover the space to be yourself. We have two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty to explore.

Reliving history

North East England has a fascinating history and, with a wealth of castles, museums and historic re-enactments to visit, it’s easy to relive it for yourself. We have two World Heritage Sites in Hadrian’s Wall and Durham Cathedral and Castle, and the twin Anglo-Saxon monastery of Wearmouth-Jarrow, is to be the UK’s nomination for World Heritage Site status in 2009.

Exciting Times
Whose footsteps will you wander in, over our hills and around our harbours? The mighty legions’; saints’ and seafarers’; riotous reivers’ and revolutionary inventors’? Come and hear their stories, visit their homes and try their lives for size.

Indulge body and soul

NewcastleGateshead, Sunderland, Durham and Middlesbrough all offer fantastic shopping, and when you’ve worked up an appetite, our restaurants seduce the senses with new and original twists on the quality dining experience. You’ll find year-round drama, music and dance not only in our cities but also in local playhouses. Our market towns are real treasure troves too – try Yarm for its designer boutiques and Hexham or Corbridge for original art and crafts, and it’s impossible to resist the lure of superb local produce served by friendly locals in our restaurants, tea rooms and coffee shops. Locals to the North East are famous for their hospitality and you can expect a warm welcome wherever you wander.