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North East

Lose yourself in the North East's characterful houses and their glorious gardens, discover atmospheric woodland and rugged coastlines and explore other gems including a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Places to visit

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Top places to visit in the North East

A family of four, 3 adults and a child, are walking between the trees at Cragside.  It's autumn, and the leaves on the trees are turning and the ferns lining the path are orange. The sunlight is warm and golden.
Place
Place

Cragside 

Explore this huge landscaped garden, designed for beauty and function, this winter.

Morpeth, Northumberland

Partially open today
Gibside Chapel covered in a blanket of winter snow
Place
Place

Gibside 

A Georgian landscape garden forged in an industrial past.

Gateshead, Tyne & Wear

Fully open today
A family exploring the garden in autumn at Wallington, Northumberland
Place
Place

Wallington 

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

near Morpeth, Northumberland

Fully open today
The North Front of Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland
Place
Place

Seaton Delaval Hall 

A place of great theatricality, drama and mischief

Seaton Sluice, Northumberland

Fully open today
Far view of the Ormesby Hall, the mid-c18th Palladian house in Yorkshire. Autumn trees frame the house.
Place
Place

Ormesby Hall 

Home to the Pennyman family, Ormesby Hall, garden and parkland is a green oasis in the heart of industrial Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire

Closed now
The white walled entrance and red and white striped tower of Souter Lighthouse lit by winter sun, with a glimpse of dark blue sea behind
Place
Place

Souter Lighthouse and The Leas 

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

Whitburn, Tyne & Wear

Closed now
A brick path between low hedges and topiary coated in light frost with bare winter trees in the distance
Place
Place

Crook Hall Gardens 

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

Durham

Closed now
Lindisfarne Castle seen from the sea, with the remains of wooden posts rising from the sea visible
Place
Place

Lindisfarne Castle 

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

Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland

Partially open today
Cherryburn Farmhouse in the snow
Place
Place

Cherryburn 

Cottage and farmhouse, the birthplace of Thomas Bewick

Stocksfield, Northumberland

Closed now
Hadrian's Wall and Housesteads Roman Fort with snow-dusted hills behind
Place
Place

Hadrian's Wall and Housesteads Fort 

Roman wall running through an often wild landscape

Hexham, Northumberland

Partially open today
A view of Washington Old Hall and part of its formal garden under a covering of snow, surrounded by bare snow-covered trees. The light is soft and rosy under pink tinged clouds, giving the sandstone of the buildings and garden walls a warm glow. The scene is like a Christmas card.
Place
Place

Washington Old Hall 

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

Washington, Tyne & Wear

Closed now

Festive days out in the North East

A bauble and lights on a Christmas tree at Wallington Northumberland

Christmas in the North East 

Whether you’re looking for some festive fun or want to blow away the cobwebs on a winter walk, we've plenty of places in the North East for you to enjoy.

Visitors taking a photo in front of the Christmas tree at Wallington in Northumberland

Christmas events and activities 

Spend time together this festive season with some fantastic activities and events across the North East. From craft activities including wreath making and clay bauble making to live music and family Christmas trails, lights and the chance to meet Father Christmas. We've got your Christmas season covered.

Art in the North East

Artist Paul Rooney at Lindisfarne Castle for "Song; After Nature"
Article
Article

Paul Rooney returns to Lindisfarne Castle with Song (After Nature) 

Paul Rooney's immersive sound piece "Song: After Nature" is back for second year. Key items of the castles collection have been brought back to weave a tale of excess and unsustainability.

Outdoor activities in the North East

Cycling at Wallington, Northumberland in November
Activity
Activity

Outdoor activities at Wallington 

Reconnect with nature at Wallington and explore miles of footpaths along rivers and through woodland, bring your bikes and try the cycling trail and spot wildlife including red squirrels and otters.

A view along rugged grass-topped cliffs, with Souter Lighthouse in the distance. A rock archway stands in rough sea off the headland.
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Article

Outdoor activities at Souter Lighthouse and The Leas 

Whether you want to walk, run or cycle, the green open space at Souter Lighthouse and The Leas provides the perfect base for getting outdoors.

Places to stay in the North East

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.

Puffins on the Farne Islands, Northumberland
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Article

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.

Get involved

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.

National Trust staff talking to volunteers before beginning work on Brean Down, North Somerset
Article
Article

Supporter groups in the North East 

Meet like-minded individuals in the North East by joining a supporter group near you. Enjoy a programme of talks and trips while supporting special places.

Upcoming events

Event

Robin's Winter Trail 

Seaton Delaval Hall, Seaton Sluice, Northumberland

Take part in a festive robin trail this winter, explore the Hall's gardens and grounds and follow Robin's story.

Event summary

on
7 Dec 2023 to 7 Jan 2024
at
10:00 to 15:00
+ 23 other dates or times
Event

Wander along the woodland fairy trail at Gibside this Christmas 

Gibside, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear

Can you find out about the lives of the woodland fairies at Gibside?

Event summary

on
7 Dec 2023 to 8 Jan 2024
at
10:00 to 16:00
+ 32 other dates or times
Event

See Gibside Chapel decorated with yuletide charm this Christmas 

Gibside, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear

Gibside's Chapel will be sparkling with festive light, garlands and more.

Event summary

on
7 Dec 2023 to 2 Jan 2024
at
10:00 to 16:00
+ 26 other dates or times
Event

Story Chair at Gibside 

Gibside, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear

Visit the 'Story Chair' at Gibside, a creative collaboration with Northumbria University and women involved in the criminal justice system.

Event summary

on
7 Dec 2023 to 31 Jan 2024
at
10:00 to 16:00
+ 53 other dates or times
Event

Christmas at Cragside | Mischievous Mice 

Cragside, Morpeth, Northumberland

Some of Cragside's mice helpers are causing mayhem around the visitor centre and we need help to find them.

Event summary

on
7 Dec 2023 to 1 Jan 2024
at
11:00 to 15:00
+ 25 other dates or times
Event

Christmas at Cragside | Merry Maze 

Cragside, Morpeth, Northumberland

Follow the twists and turns of the Merry Maze on the lawn next to Tumbleton Lake.

Event summary

on
7 Dec 2023 to 1 Jan 2024
at
11:00 to 15:00
+ 25 other dates or times
Event

Christmas at Cragside | Wish upon a star 

Cragside, Morpeth, Northumberland

Help us decorate a wish tree in the Stables at the visitor centre.

Event summary

on
7 Dec 2023 to 1 Jan 2024
at
11:00 to 15:00
+ 25 other dates or times
Event

School Christmas trail 

Gibside, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear

Celebrate the festive season with your classroom on this Christmas journey around Gibside and bring your teaching outdoors.

Event summary

on
7 Dec to 22 Dec 2023
at
12:45 to 14:30
+ 22 other dates or times
Visitors at the Christmas market at Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire

Where will you visit next?

Discover lots of gardens, historic houses, days out at the coast and more.