Skip to content

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

0

Top places to visit in the North East

A couple walking over the Iron Bridge at Cragside Northumberland. The House can be seen in the background of the photo, sitting at the top of a craggy Rock Garden. It's spring day. The sky is blue. The man is wearing a red jacket. The lady is wearing a blue coat.
Place
Place

Cragside 

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

Morpeth, Northumberland

Fully open today
A chapel with big white columns in the middle of orange leaved oak trees
Place
Place

Gibside 

A Georgian landscape garden forged in an industrial past.

Gateshead, Tyne & Wear

Fully open today
Dog walking 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 central block of the north front of Seaton Delaval Hall
Place
Place

Seaton Delaval Hall 

A place of great theatricality, drama and mischief

Seaton Sluice, Northumberland

Fully open today
Ormesby Hall garden in autumn
Place
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.

Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire

Fully open today
The red and white striped tower and white buildings of Souter Lighthouse with its square white Foghorn House topped with two large black horns in the foreground.
Place
Place

Souter Lighthouse and The Leas 

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

Whitburn, Tyne & Wear

Fully open today
Plants, flowers and shrubs show early autumn colours in Crook Hall Gardens. A vine climbing above a window in the hall behind has bright red leaves.
Place
Place

Crook Hall Gardens 

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

Durham

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

Lindisfarne Castle 

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

Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland

Fully open today
Thomas Bewick's farmhouse and garden at Cherryburn, Northumberland
Place
Place

Cherryburn 

Cottage and farmhouse, the birthplace of Thomas Bewick

Stocksfield, Northumberland

Fully open today
Hadrian's Wall in autumn
Place
Place

Hadrian's Wall and Housesteads Fort 

Roman wall running through an often wild landscape

Hexham, Northumberland

Fully open today
Exterior of the hall in autumn at Washington Old Hall, Tyne & Wear
Place
Place

Washington Old Hall 

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

Washington, Tyne & Wear

Fully open today
Grey seals on the Farne Islands, Northumberland
Place
Place

Farne Islands 

National Nature Reserve home to an internationally important breeding colony of thousands of seabirds and grey seals.

Northumberland

Partially open today

Things to see and do with the family in the North East

Two children peeking out of a wooden play area. One has green frog dungarees on.

Family-friendly places in the North East 

As well as lots of fun family adventures and events to be had this autumn in the North East, there’s plenty of play areas, wildlife to spot and things to do when it rains. Plan your adventures now.

Children playing in October half term in autumn at Seaton Delaval Hall Northumberland

What's on in October half term 

Discover events and activities for families during the October half term holidays.

Art in the North East

Sycamore Tree in a dip in Hadrian's Wall
Article
Article

Heartwood 

Artist Shona Branigan's commemorative artworks created from a disc of the trunk of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree.Heartwood captures the essence of the tree and the impression it left on those who connected with it.

Artist Liz Gre with Lindisfarne Castle in the background.
Article
Article

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
Article
Article

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.

Visit National Trust places in the North East without a car

Travel by train, bus, bike or on foot for a sustainable day out in the North East

Family cycling at Wallington
Article
Article

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.

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
Article
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

Earth Photo Exhibition 2024 at Wallington 

Wallington, near Morpeth, Northumberland

This Autumn, Wallington is hosting the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) and Parker Harris Earth Photo Exhibition 2024.

Event summary

on
4 Oct to 3 Nov 2024
at
10:00 to 17:00
+ 30 other dates or times
Event

A Darkroom discovery: celebrating photography 

Ormesby Hall, Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire

An exciting new discovery at Ormesby Hall! Recent research has revealed that Ormesby Hall once had its very own darkroom.

Event summary

on
4 Oct to 21 Oct 2024
at
10:30 to 16:00
+ 17 other dates or times
Event

Garden tours: horticulture 

Crook Hall Gardens, Durham

Join our gardening guru volunteers for a tour.

Event summary

on
4 Oct to 1 Nov 2024
at
11:00 to 12:30
+ 9 other dates or times
Event

History talk - an introduction to the history of Gibside 

Gibside, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear

Get a taste for the history of Gibside with a Guided Walk volunteer.

Event summary

on
4 Oct to 22 Dec 2024
at
11:30 to 12:00
+ 57 other dates or times
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.

Event summary

on
4 Oct to 3 Nov 2024
at
12:30 to 13:00
+ 30 other dates or times
Event

History walk - the story of Gibside 

Gibside, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear

Dive into the history of Gibside and take a walk with a Guided Walk volunteer around the 18th century landscape garden.

Event summary

on
4 Oct to 22 Dec 2024
at
13:00 to 14:30
+ 57 other dates or times
Event

ParkPlay 

Souter Lighthouse and The Leas, Whitburn, Tyne & Wear

Free fun and games to get families outdoors and playing together every Saturday. Everyone's invited!

Event summary

on
5 Oct to 21 Dec 2024
at
10:00 to 12:00
+ 11 other dates or times
Event

Murder Mystery Night at Ormesby Hall – Murder is Frightful: SOLD OUT 

Ormesby Hall, Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire

On Saturday 5 October, in partnership with Tall Tales Mysteries, Ormesby Hall plays host to 'Murder is Frightful'.

Event summary

on
5 Oct 2024
at
19:00 to 22:00
A group of four women along a path, in the background, down a hill is a reservoir

Where will you visit next?

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