The land of the Prince Bishops

Places to visit

Durham Cathedral (a World Heritage Site), containing the tombs of St. Bede and St. Cuthbert.

Durham Castle

The University Botanical Gardens

Durham Light Infantry Museum

The Oriental Museum

Jarrow

The home of the Venerable Bede, and the Jarrow March

Places to visit

St. Paul's church and monastery

Bede's World.

Gateshead

On the South bank of the River Tyne opposite Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the riverfront at Gateshead has improved immensely in recent years, the Hilton Group has built an hotel there as part of this prestigious development.

Places to visit

The Metro Centre, the largest retail development in Europe.

The Millennium Bridge latest of the Tyne's bridges.

The Baltic Art Centre , former flour mill.

The Sage Music Centre, home of the Northern Sinfonia.

Saltwell Park, restored to Victorian splendour.

The Angel of the North, Anthony Gormley's world famous sculpture on the A1.

The Tanfield Railway and the Causey Arch, the world's first railway bridge, Tanfield near Gateshead.

Stretching from Bowness-in-Solway to Wallsend, this is a World Heritage Site.

Places to visit

Housesteads Fort

Newcastle-upon-Tyne

The regional capital of the North-East opposite Gateshead on the North Bank of the Tyne, the city has a wealth of history and culture to offer the visitor

Places to visit

Blackfriars, the history and site of the thirteenth century friary.

The castle keep, the twelfth century heart of Newcastle.

Discovery Museum, the region's biggest and best free museum.

Eldon Square

Jesmond Dene, Lord Armstrong's former Victorian home is now a public park and amenity.

Trinity House the sixteenth century organisation dedicated to the welfare of the seafaring community.

The Centre for Life, fully interactive modern science experience.

Theatre Royal, Grey Street. Newcastle's premiere theatre.

Hancock Museum, rich in Egyptology.

Eldon Square shopping centre.

Beamish, County Durham

Visit The North of England Open Air Museum.

Sedgefield, County Durham

Visit Hardwick Hall and Country Park free parking, picnic areas, pond dipping, follies, nature trails, children's play area.

Rapidly redeveloping town on the opposite bank of the Tyne.

Places to visit

The Fish Quay, for freshly caught fish of course. and for the Window on the World Festival each May Bank Holiday.

The Royal Quays, outlet shopping centre.

Wet 'n' Wild, adventure water park.

The Stephenson Railway Museum.

Sunderland

The North-East's second city at the mouth of the River Wear, and the home of glass making.

Places to visit

The Bridges shopping centre.

Monkwearmouth Station Museum, a former railway station now a museum.

St. Peter's church, Monkwearmouth, founded by Benedict Biscop, and the first education for the Venerable Bede.

The National Glassworks Centre dedicated to the history and craft of making glass.

The Stadium of Light, home of Sunderland AFC.

Mowbray Park and Winter Gardens

Tynemouth

Lies across the harbour on the opposite bank of the Tyne, the Haven encapsulates the ruins of Tynemouth Castle and Priory.

Places to visit

Tynemouth Metro station plays host to a very interesting flea market every Saturday.

The Blue Reef Aquarium, for all undersea life.