North East

Get lost in characterful houses and their glorious gardens, discover atmospheric woodland and rugged coastlines and explore the gems of a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Places to visit

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A family sitting by a tree watching open air theatre

Special events this summer in the North East 

Make the most of the summer weather and extra hours of daylight to enjoy some alfresco entertainment at our places. Pack a picnic hamper and bring along your family and friends to enjoy theatre, film and music in the open-air settings of your favourite places.

See what's happening this summer

Play out this summer

A girl does a cartwheel at Gibside

Summer fun in the North East 

Make the most of long summer days and play out in the North East this summer. Here’s a round-up of great days out for all the family.

Three children looking down from a wooden tower.

Play areas in the North East  

Find the perfect place to play out this summer. From trains and forts to natural play areas, mazes and low ropes, the North East has got them all.

A group enjoy a picnic at Gibside

Perfect picnic spots in the North East 

Make the most of the summer sun and find the perfect place to put down your picnic blanket. Whether you're looking for a spot on the beach, some woodland shade or somewhere with a view, there's plenty of special places to chose from in the North East.

Young girl paints at Ormesby Hall

Rainy day adventures in the North East 

Stuck for something to do on a rainy day? In the North East there's lots of activities to try, houses to explore and ways to have fun - even if the sun isn't shining. Here's our top pick of wet weather adventures.

Runners at Souter Lighthouse Play Video
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Get active outdoors in the North East

Stretch your legs, get your heart pumping and enjoy a healthy dose of fresh air with outdoor activities in the North East.

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Couple walking on the cliff tops along the Durham Coast

Walking in the North East  

Discover more about the places we look after on one of our walks. Follow in the footsteps of the Romans, uncover hidden wildlife havens and discover a view to take your breath away.

Visitors walking in the garden at Wallington

Gardens to visit in the North East 

A hidden garden, a nuttery busy with wildlife, or the colours and scents of an amazing rose display - find a summer garden to explore in the North East.

Family rockpooling at Souter Lighthouse

Coming up in the North East  

Whatever the weather there's always lots to do, indoors and out, at special places in the North East.

Find out what's on this month

Places to visit

Women in the central hall at Wallington

Art and exhibitions in the North East 

Look out for new art and exhibitions inspired by special places across the North East. Discover hidden histories and untold stories from the past, explore personal connections to the landscape and see your favourite places in a new light.

Visitors below the house at Cragside

Houses, castles and buildings in the North East 

Windswept coastal castles, a Victorian home packed with modern inventions or the humble birthplaces of some of the North East's most celebrated figures.

Two ladies looking at alpacas in a field at Cherryburn

Hidden gems in the North East 

Looking for somewhere a bit different to explore? If you're searching for that perfect spot to sit back and take in a view, or just fancy downing your picnic blanket in a relaxed setting, we've got lots of hidden gems to discover.

Stories from the places we care for

Artist Marcus Coates sits surrounded by the birds

Conference for the Birds at Cherryburn 

Take a seat and sit amongst the birds at Cherryburn in Northumberland. 'Conference for the Birds', a new installation by Artist Marcus Coates, celebrates the lives of birds Thomas Bewick depicted in his wood drawings.

Puffins sitting on a rock on the Farne Islands

Farne Island puffins to be monitored annually  

The National Trust is changing its five-yearly puffin census on the Farne Islands to an annual count amid fears climate change is having an adverse effect on sources of food and puffin numbers.

Visitors walking on the beach at Seahouses

First There is a Mountain at Seahouses  

Katie Paterson’s national artwork ‘First There is a Mountain’ is visiting Seahouses on 4 August and you are invited to help sculpt St Aidan’s beach into thousands of mountains of sand to form micro-geologies.

Holidays in the North East

The exterior of Lookout Cottage, Alnwick, Northumberland

Holiday cottages in Northumberland  

Conquer the countryside, trek Hadrian's Wall or gaze upon rare seabirds on the Farne Islands when you visit Northumberland. But first find your perfect base from our top cottages list.

The exterior of Cragside Bunkhouse, Northumberland

Bothies and bunkhouses in Yorkshire and the North East  

Take a look at our large group accommodation in Northumberland and the Yorkshire Dales. The ideal holiday spot for walkers, cyclists and wildlife spotters alike

Woman volunteering in the kitchen at Wallington

Volunteering in the North East  

It's the skills, time and passion of our volunteers that make our places special. Whether you're looking to help in the great outdoors, work with the public or get up close and personal with our houses, we’ve plenty of opportunities to get involved at places you love in the North East.

Find out more

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