Local Attractions

What to see & do in County Durham & Northumberland Enjoy walking & cycling in the North Pennines & North Yorkshire Many historic castles, museums & churches to visit

• This is an excellent area for walking and cycling - Hamsterley Forest, where cycle hire is available and Durham's disused railway tracks are within easy reach and cover many miles - routes can be provided.
• An abundance of footpaths and bridleways are available to explore where rare birds and plants can be seen.
• Historic castles, Museums and Churches give an insight into the History of Northumbria.
• Idealy located for day trips to Newcastle, Durham City and the Coast.
• There are many sporting events within easy reach - County Cricket at Chester-le-Street; Horse racing at Newcastle, Sedgefield and Hexham; Athletics at Gateshead.
• The area offers many excellent country pubs for eating out.

Places to Visit

• Historic Castles and Churches - Raby Castle, Barnard Castle, Durham Cathedral.
• Museums - Bowes Museum, Beamish Open Air Museum, The North of England Lead Mining Museum at Killhope; Harperley Prisoner of War Camp; Preston Hall Museum; Life Science Centre
• The Coast - Hartlepool Historic Quay; Saltburn Smugglers Heritage Centre; Holy Island and the Farne Islands ; Coast of Northumberland
• Market towns - Barnard Castle, Hexham, Alston
• Wildlife and Nature - Wildfowl and Wetland Trust; Nature's World at the Botanic Centre; Otter Trust's North Pennines Reserve; Northumberland National Park and Blue Reef Aquarium
• Shopping - Gateshead Metro Centre, Durham City, and Newcastle.
• The Arts - Baltic -The Centre for Contemporary Art; Gateshead Angel of the North; Train Sculpture;
• Keilder Castle Forest Park Centre - fishing, boating, riding, water sports with rare birds, deer and red squirrels.
• Hadrian's Wall - Vindolanda, Housesteads and Chesters
• Fun for the family - Diggerland, Metroland, Teeside White Water Course