Your top ten North East attractions

May 22 2009 The Journal

PLACES to go, things to see - there is no shortage of choice in the North East. Guided by your nominations in our online poll, we have picked a selection of 10 of the best here (although we cheated when it came to castles).

We've tried to include a few well known and some not so well known places that you really must see for yourselves.

Take a woodland walk along this delightful valley and enjoy the peace and quiet of this seemingly unspoilt spot.

The drive to Rothbury is glorious and there are many walks that take you out of the town and up on to the Simonside hills.

There are walks along the length of the Wall, but the most dramatic come in its middle section, where the Wall is best preserved.

A riverside and woodland walk in unspoilt countryside alongside the River Allen in the North Pennines Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty.

The route takes you along rural stretches of the River Tees to High Force, England's largest waterfall.

Starting in picturesque Craster it is just over a mile along the coast to the dramatic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle.

Take a walk down the cobbled streets of this World Heritage Site to the banks of the River Wear, and take in views of the cathedral and castle.

Commanding dramatic views of the Tees Valley and beyond, Roseberry Topping guarantees a memorable walk.

With a variety of woodland, farmland and railway viaducts, the Derwent Valley commands scenic views of Newcastle and Gateshead.

A walk around Holy Island gives you a chance to see where the Lindisfarne Gospels were written and is great for birdwatchers.

The dramatic, spectacular vista to Bamburgh Castle is, for many, the finest in the country.

Bridges new and old, the Sage Gateshead, the Baltic, the sweeping bend of the river.

More than half a million visitors a year flock to admire the stunning skyline containing the finest Norman buildings in the country.

The limestone cliff formation known as Marsden Rock off the coast at South Shields is among the most thrilling stretches of coastline in the region.

This unspoilt valley, not far from Wooler, is perhaps the finest in the Cheviots; quiet and beautiful and peace echoes through it.

A 20-metre slab of steel sitting on former pitland doesn't sound promising, but the Angel of the North is the new landmark of the region.

Tynemouth Priory is an evocative sight on the region's coast. Perched at the mouth of the river, it's a romantic spot, steeped in history.

The hushed serenity of Kielder Water is a piece of man-made heaven in north Northumberland.

Beamish, the open-air museum in Stanley, County Durham, is one of the hidden gems of the North East.

A visit to see the wild cattle at Chillingham, in north Northumberland, is like no other experience.

2,000 flowers and plants in Sunderland's Winter Gardens combine to make a spectacular showcase of natural beauty in the heart of the city.

The Bowes Museum is housed in a magnificent 19th Century building in the pretty Teesdale market town of Barnard Castle.

Newcastle is home to a number of fabulous museums, including the Great North Museum.

The Alnwick Garden bills itself as the most exciting contemporary garden on Earth.

Stockton's Infinity Bridge links a waterfront development with Thornaby and Durham University's Queen's campus.

Occupying a spectacular position on the coastline between Craster and Embleton, Dunstanburgh is the largest ruined castle in Northumberland.

The castle towers high above the River Coquet in Warkworth, south of Alnwick in Northumberland.

Prudhoe Castle might not be quite on the tourist trail but it proved popular with our readers.

As well as the medieval castle and Greek Revival villa, there are also some 30 acres of stunning grounds to enjoy at Belsay.

One mile north east of Corbridge, Aydon is one of the finest and most unaltered examples in of an English manor house.

This glorious medieval castle is instantly recognisable to as the setting for hit films such as Harry Potter and Elizabeth.

Founded by St Aidan in AD635, the site is best known for its connection with St Cuthbert, who lived and died there.

Durham Cathedral

Durham Cathedral is one of the finest examples of Norman architecture in Europe and lies at the heart of the city of Durham World Heritage Site. Attend one of the daily services, climb the 217ft tower to enjoy magnificent views of the region, or simply marvel at the wondrous nature of this colossal building.

Beamish Open Air Museum

Beamish, the open-air museum in Stanley, County Durham, is one of the hidden gems of the North East. It provides a fascinating insight into what life was like in the region at two key points in its modern history – 1825 and 1913. As well as its famous trams and industrial machinery, you
can also enjoy 300 acres of beautiful countryside.

Chillingham cattle

A visit to see the wild cattle at Chillingham, in north Northumberland, is like no other experience. About 80 of these amazing beasts live in the enclosed parkland. Visitors are escorted by a knowledgeable warden who is passionate about the care of the cattle that have no interference from man apart from winter feeding. The herd's survival over many centuries is proof positive that Mother Nature knows best.

Hadrian’s Wall

Arguably the North’s most famous – and certainly oldest – attraction, Hadrian’s Wall, still attracts lures tens of thousands of visitors to the region every year. You can explore some of its better or lesser known spots, but the Housesteads and Vindolanda Roman forts are among the most popular.

Sunderland Winter Gardens

The 2,000 flowers and plants in Sunderland’s Winter Gardens combine to make a spectacular showcase of the world’s natural beauty in the heart of the city. There’s also a museum chronicling the history of the city and an art gallery featuring works by LS Lowry.

Bowes Museum

The Bowes Museum is housed in a magnificent 19th Century building in the pretty Teesdale market town of Barnard Castle. Set up by local businessman John Bowes in the mid-19th Century, it houses internationally significant collections of fine and decorative arts.

Great North Museum

Newcastle is home to a number of fabulous museums, including the Great North Museum, which opens this week. Formerly the Hancock Museum, it has undergone a £26m overhaul and will now boast an interactive model of Hadrian’s Wall and a lifesize T rex dinosaur skeleton.

The Alnwick Garden

The Alnwick Garden bills itself as the most exciting contemporary garden on Earth and is a remarkable transformation from the derelict site which lay in the grounds of the town’s famous castle just a decade ago. Children love this vibrant place, with its many water features, its poison garden and its fabulous treehouse. Go and enjoy what the Duchess of Northumberland has created.

Angel of the North

Probably the best-known piece of public art created in a generation, the Angel of the North is now synonymous with the region, having stood aloft over Gateshead for more than a decade now. Antony Gormley’s statue measures 66ft tall by 178ft wide and is the easiest of our selected attractions to enjoy – even if you don’t leave your car as you pass it on the A1.

Infinity Bridge

It doesn't take long to establish yourself as a landmark in the North East, as the Angel of the North has proved. Stockton's Infinity Bridge has proved an even quicker hit, gathering the most votes in our online survey despite officially opening only last week. The £15m bridge links a waterfront development with Thornaby and Durham University’s Queen’s campus – and reflected in the water, it forms the mathematical symbol for infinity. Spectacular.