North East

Plan a cycling adventure, stretch your legs on a family walk or simply pack a picnic and enjoy the sights and sounds of spring. There's so much to enjoy together in the North East at springtime.

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.

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

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.

The votes are in and we can excitedly announce that the Gertrude Jekyll Garden at Lindisfarne Castle and Hadrian's Wall have been voted two of the UK's favourite places by readers of BBC Countryfile magazine.

Throughout May of last year, rangers on the Farne Islands checked hundreds of puffin burrows across eight islands. The final total reveals that puffin numbers are up by 9 per cent on the previous count in 2013. Despite initial predictions that the colony was in decline, rangers found the hardy birds had taken to 'island hopping' in search of better burrows. Keeping a close eye on the numbers, rangers will switch from five-yearly to annual puffin counts.

Atlantic grey seal pup numbers at one of the largest colonies in England have reached a record high thanks to a good supply of food and lack of predators.