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.

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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

Cragside

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

A chapel with big white columns in the middle of orange leaved oak trees

Place

Gibside

A Georgian landscape garden forged in an industrial past.

Visitors enjoying the paintings in the Central Hall at Wallington

Place

Wallington

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

The central block of the north front of Seaton Delaval Hall

Place

Seaton Delaval Hall

A place of great theatricality, drama and mischief

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 and white buildings of Souter Lighthouse with its square white Foghorn House topped with two large black horns in the foreground.

Place

Souter Lighthouse and The Leas

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

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

Crook Hall Gardens

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

View of the castle from the walled garden with pink and yellow flowers in the foreground at Lindisfarne Castle, Northumberland

Place

Lindisfarne Castle

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

Thomas Bewick's farmhouse and garden at Cherryburn, Northumberland

Place

Cherryburn

Cottage and farmhouse, the birthplace of Thomas Bewick

Place

Hadrian's Wall and Housesteads Fort

Roman wall running through an often wild landscape

Exterior of the hall in autumn at Washington Old Hall, Tyne & Wear

Place

Washington Old Hall

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

Visitors walking in autumn near St Cuthbert's Chapel on Inner Farne, on the Farne Islands, Northumberland

Place

Farne Islands

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

Crook Hall ablaze with colour in the Autumn time

Houses and buildings in the North East

The walled garden at Wallington, Northumberland

Dog-friendly places in the North East

Visitors walking at Hadrian's Wall and Housesteads Fort, Northumberland

Coast and beaches in the North East

Visitors having lunch in the café at Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland

Places to eat 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.

This annual festival invites you to discover the heritage on your doorstep, or step behind the scenes to places typically not open. Running 6 - 15 September in 2024, see a selection of top places to visit and things to do. Offers and days differ, so check carefully before visiting.

The exterior of Rothley Lakehouse, Northumberland

Heritage Open Days at Wallington

During the Heritage Open Days festival, visit Wallington's Rothley Lakehouse. Hear all about the role it has played in the Estate's history, from its past a hunting lodge to its present day status as a holiday cottage.

Visitors walking with their dog in the summer at Gibside, Tyne & Wear

Escape into nature at Gibside

An escape into nature on the edge of Newcastle offering scenic walking paths, historic ruins, wildlife spotting opportunities, and family-friendly activities. Enjoy special talks, tours and activities, including a wander around the rarely-opened Chapel crypt.

George Stephenson's Birthplace

Uncover the life of world-famous railway engineer George Stephenson in the cottage where he was born.

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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North East Emerging Artist Award at Seaton Delaval Hall

Discover this years winners of the North East Emerging Artist Award as they display their work at Seaton Delaval Hall. Come and see Rachel Blackwell: Flight of the Pipistrelles, Jacob Goff: Many Hands and Wambui Hardcastle: Time Flies in the Blink of an Eye.

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.

A family rounds a bend amongst the trees on the Dragon Cycle Trail at Wallington, Northumberland, as they pedal towards the camera

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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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.

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

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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.

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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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.

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

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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.

See all events

Event

Moth mornings at Wallington

Wallington, near Morpeth, Northumberland

Discover the fascinating world of moths.

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

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

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.