National Trust in the North East

Explore dramatic coastlines, peaceful woodlands, historic houses, vibrant gardens, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site – all waiting to be discovered in the North East.

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Cragside House on a spring day. The House is surrounded by green trees and there are some flowers appearing in the Rock Garden that surrounded it.

Place

Cragside

Britain's original smart home which sits at the heart of a grand fantasy garden.

Two visitors walking in the garden by the chapel at Gibside

Place

Gibside

A Georgian landscape garden forged in an industrial past.

The Lower Terrace in Wallington's Walled Garden

Place

Wallington

Discover Wallington, where a historical house meets rolling hills, woodlands and a walled garden.

South lawn at Seaton Delaval Hall in the spring sunshine

Place

Seaton Delaval Hall

A place of great theatricality, drama and mischief

Two children running in the Ormesby Hall garden

Place

Ormesby Hall

Home to the Pennyman family for over 400 years, Ormesby Hall, garden and parkland is a green oasis on the edge of the North York Moors National Park.

The red and white striped tower of Souter Lighthouse and surrounding white buildings in sunshine against a clear blue sky

Place

Souter Lighthouse and The Leas

A historic lighthouse overlooking nature-rich clifftop grasslands, coastal park and rugged coastline.

View of a sunny garden with flower borders, in front of a stone manor house

Place

Crook Hall Gardens

Characterful gardens on the edge of Durham city, set against the backdrop of a medieval hall.

A sunrise photograph of Lindisfarne from Holy Island harbour with a silhouetted figure and a bench in the foreground

Place

Lindisfarne Castle

A castle (that’s not a castle), on an island (that’s not an island).

Purple flowers and white daisies in the foreground with a lawn and Cherryburn museum behind. The sky is blue and the sun is shining.

Place

Cherryburn

Cottage and farmhouse, the birthplace of Thomas Bewick

A view over grassland with low-lying ruins in the middle distance and foreground with blue skies above

Place

Hadrian's Wall and Housesteads Fort

Roman wall running through an often wild landscape

A view of Washington Old Hall on a sunny day, with neatly trimmed hedges visible in front of the hall and a border of orange flowers

Place

Washington Old Hall

Manor house associated with the family of George Washington, first president of the USA

Puffins at Farne Islands, Northumberland

Place

Farne Islands

National Nature Reserve (NNR) and Site of Special Scientific Interest ( SSSI). Home to an internationally significant breeding colony of seabirds and Atlantic grey seals.

Visitors enjoying the paintings in the Central Hall at Wallington

Historic houses and iconic buildings in the North East

Laburnum arch at Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland

Dog-friendly places in the North East

Visitors admiring the view on their walk along the footpath at Hadrian's Wall and Housesteads Fort, Northumberland

Coast and beaches in the North East

A table full of different types of sponge cake sliced and presented on cake stands ready to eat

Places to eat in the North East

Den building area at Cragside, Northumberland

Fun-filled family days out in the North East

Looking for unforgettable family adventures in the North East? Whether you're planning a weekend escape or a last-minute day trip, we’ve got you covered. Discover scenic walks, hands-on activities, exciting events, and brilliant ideas for rainy days. From the best play parks to hidden gems perfect for curious kids, explore our top family-friendly places and start planning your next great day out with the National Trust.

Summer of play at Standen illustration of children playing

Summer of Play in the North East

Ready for a fun-filled summer? Take part in Summer of Play, sponsored by Starling Bank, and create memories with the whole family. However you choose to play, your adventure starts today.

A family in the South East Gardens at Seaton Delaval Hall Northumberland in late summer

Upcoming events in the North East

There’s always something happening at National Trust places across the North East. Join us for guided nature walks, outdoor theatre, family trails, craft workshops, storytelling sessions, and historical tours—all set in stunning coastlines, gardens, and countryside. Whether you're looking for a fun day out with the kids or a relaxing escape with friends, discover events that bring the North East’s landscapes and stories to life.

Artist Liz Gre with Lindisfarne Castle in the background.

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Liz Gre at Lindisfarne Castle

Discover Embodied Cacophonies by Liz Gre- a light, sound and sculptural installation that explores the elemental nature of Holy Island and the cacophonies that surround us. The sculpture draws inspiration from weathered raw materials and the elemental nature of Holy Island – such as water, wind, limestone & the stars.

Master wood engraver Chris Daunt working

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Chris Daunt at Cherryburn

The Art and Craft of Wood Engraving is a new exhibition by master engraver Chris Daunt, displaying a cross-section of Chris' work, produced across decades of wood engraving. All of Chris' engravings are hand printed on a beautiful 19th century Albion Press in limited editions.

Visitors discover New Borders by Chantal Herbert & Dami Fawehinmi, winners of the NE Emerging Artist Award I Seaton Delaval Hall I Northumberland

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The North East Emerging Artist Award

Established in 2021, the award is inspired by Seaton Delaval Hall’s long-standing tradition of supporting the arts and encouraging emerging talent. It is open to artists from all artforms who are in or from the North East and aims is to showcase site-specific contemporary art in a historic context. See 2025's winners' exhibition from Jordan Edge, Phoebe Scott and Lucy Waters 6 September - 19 October this year.

Travel by train, bus, bike, on foot (or even online via our puffin cam) for a sustainable day out in the North East

Two visitors explore the cycle trails on bikes at Kingston Lacy, Dorset

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Places you can visit in the North East without a car

Whether you’re looking to travel by train, bus, bike or foot, there are many places in the North East that you can visit without a car - here's the info to help you plan a car-free day out.

Puffins on the clifftops on the Farne Islands, Northumberland

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Puffin webcam: Watch Farne Islands seabirds live

Get closer to the puffins in our care on the Farne Islands with our new live webcam. Watch the action from beside their burrows and spot other seabirds as the breeding season unfolds off the coast of Northumberland.

From coastguard lookouts and fishermen's cottages to somewhere cosy inland, with an open fire you and your dog can warm yourselves in front of after a long walk, there are some unforgettable places to stay in the North East.

The area surrounding Lookout Cottage, Northumberland

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Northumberland and the North East

Discover our places to stay across Northumberland. Whether you're a nature lover searching for somewhere you can spot coastal wildlife, or a history fan looking to explore Roman ruins, these cottages are the perfect base for your adventures.

A staff member in a room with a stone fireplace and antique wooden chairs, talks to a family, who are holding clipboards with activity sheets

Volunteering in the North East

Join the volunteers who help look after the many interesting places in the North East, and ensure visitors have a great day there – from Cragside to Souter Lighthouse and Seaton Delaval Hall.

West End Refugee Service (WERS) volunteering with rangers at Wallington, Northumberland

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Supporter groups in the North East

Find out about supporter groups based in the North East. You can support the places you love by volunteering or enjoying a programme of trips and talks.

See all events

Event

Nature walk with Ranger Jason

Durham Coast, Seaham, County Durham

Learn about nature on the Durham coast with Ranger Jason.

Event

North East in Blossom 2025: Blooming Sounds exhibition

Washington Old Hall, Washington, Tyne & Wear

Listen to nature soundscapes recorded in Washington by local primary school pupils, and see a showcase of the project the pupils took part in from start to finish.

Event

Cycle hire at Wallington

Wallington, near Morpeth, Northumberland

Hire a bike and explore the Dragon cycle trail at Wallington from Saturday 5 April.

Event

Free activities every day at Gibside: Summer of Play

Gibside, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear

A Summer of adventure is waiting at Gibside! Let imaginations soar, feet run wild, and creativity come to life at the Play Paradise.

Event

Family yoga with Kalma Life: Gibside Summer of Play

Gibside, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear

Relax, breathe, and enjoy nature while finding your balance.

Event

Delaval Discoveries: Potted History Talk

Seaton Delaval Hall, Seaton Sluice, Northumberland

Join our expert guides daily for an introduction to the gay Delavals, the most notorious of Georgian partygoers and pranksters and discover the story behind Sir John Vanbrugh's 300 year old masterpiece.