Coastline & Countryside
NewcastleGateshead is situated 20 minutes (by car or Metro) from the most popular beaches, all blue flag, at Tynemouth and Whitley Bay. However, don't forget to try some more secluded spots such as the wonderfully safe beaches around Alnmouth and Bamburgh to the north, or surfing on the beaches at South Shields and Sunderland, a short drive to the south.
Northumberland is a walker's paradise. Walking Hadrian's Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is fascinating from both an historical and rurally aesthetic point of view, as well as a great way to sample the typical warmth of the North Eastern people. If you'd prefer a slightly steeper challenge, the Cheviots to the north and Roseberry Topping to the south offer unprecedented views which make the ascent all the more worthwhile.
Cyclists are equally well catered for. The C2C cycle route, which starts in Whitehaven, Cumbria and ends in either Sunderland or Tynemouth, attracts visitors from across the country and offers a challenging journey for cyclists of most abilities.
If your idea of leisure involves less of the lycra and more in the way of coffee shops and cobbled streets, look west to the market town of Hexham and the nearby village of Corbridge. Between them they offer a wealth of quirky boutiques, bakeries, farm shops, and cafes by the dozen.
Heading north, Alnwick is another fine market town with the added benefit of Alnwick Castle and The Alnwick Garden, both major attractions in their own right. If you visit the town, don't forget to call into Barter Books, a vast secondhand bookshop occupying the old train station, where you will easily lose an hour browsing the packed shelves. Hexham and Alnwick were recently voted England's Favourite Market Town and The Best Place to Live in the UK, respectively, by Country Life magazine.
The city of Durham boasts the beautiful cathedral which must be one of Britain's best recognised landmarks and is a UNESCO World Heritage site - it is just a 12 minute train journey from NewcastleGateshead. Alongside the must-do items of Durham Castle and Cathedral, your itinerary should spare time for wandering the city's pretty cobbled streets and visiting one of the many traditional pubs for a pint of real ale. Further afield in County Durham, the Bowes Museum and Beamish Open Air Museum are must see attractions.