Discover the North Pernnines

Weardale

Weardale is a peaceful, unspoilt valley in the heart of County Durham, carved by the River Wear as it winds through the North Pennines National Landscape and UNESCO Global Geopark. Rolling moorland, dramatic fells, and traditional stone-built villages give the dale a timeless character, while its rich lead-mining heritage lives on at award-winning attractions.

Walkers and cyclists are drawn to its network of trails and the famous Weardale Way, birdwatchers to its rare upland wildlife, and stargazers to some of the darkest, clearest night skies in England. Whether you're after quiet countryside walks, a spot of local history, or simply a place to slow down and breathe, Weardale offers a genuine escape to one of England's most tranquil corners.

Historic cathedral towers over lush greenery by the river.

Durham

Durham is built around a dramatic river bend, where the Cathedral and Castle have crowned the skyline since Norman times. Cobbled lanes, centuries-old college buildings, and a thriving mix of independent shops and cafés give the city an atmosphere that feels both scholarly and welcoming. Highlights include crossing Prebends Bridge for the classic view back at the Cathedral, wandering Palace Green, and, if visiting in winter, catching the Lumiere festival that transforms the streets with light art. Compact enough to explore on foot yet rich in things to see, Durham makes for a memorable day out close to home. .

Night view of a brightly lit arched bridge over a river.

Newcastle

Newcastle is a bold, energetic city built along the banks of the River Tyne, where seven bridges from the graceful Tyne Bridge to the tilting Gateshead Millennium Bridge link it to neighbouring Gateshead.

Once an industrial powerhouse, the Quayside has been transformed into a buzzing hub of bars, restaurants, and Sunday markets, while venues like BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and The Glasshouse keep the city's cultural scene thriving.

Add in a famous nightlife, Newcastle Castle's medieval keep, and easy access to Hadrian's Wall and the coast, and Newcastle makes for an exciting day (or night) out, just a short journey from home.

Northumberland

Northumberland is England's northernmost county, a land of golden beaches, ancient fortresses, and vast open skies. Its coastline is dotted with over 70 castle sites from the fairy-tale ramparts of Bamburgh to the wild ruins of Dunstanburgh, while the Farne Islands offer boat trips to see puffins and seals in their thousands.

Inland, Hadrian's Wall traces the old Roman frontier, and Northumberland National Park is one of the best places in England to see a truly dark, star-filled sky. Whether it's a pilgrimage to Holy Island, a windswept coastal walk, or simply a slower pace of life, Northumberland offers a genuine sense of escape. .

North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire's coast and moors offer a dramatic change of scenery, from heather-clad hills to historic seaside towns.

Whitby is famed for its gothic abbey ruins overlooking a working harbour, its links to Captain Cook and Bram Stoker's Dracula, and its cobbled streets full of fish and chip shops and jet jewellers.

A short drive along the coast brings you to Saltburn-by-the-Sea, a charming Victorian resort with a working cliff lift and a long sandy beach, while inland the North York Moors National Park unfolds into sweeping heather moorland, quiet villages, and the heritage steam railway linking Pickering to Whitby.

Together they make for a brilliant day trip, blending coastline, history, and wide-open countryside.

The Lake District

The Lake District is England's largest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famed for its glittering lakes, dramatic fells, and quiet valleys. Windermere and Ullswater draw boat trips and lakeside walks, while Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain, tempts serious hikers alongside hundreds of other named peaks.

The landscape has long inspired great writers and artists, from Wordsworth's daffodils to Beatrix Potter's storybook cottages, and today it remains a magnet for wild swimmers, cyclists, and wildlife spotters hoping to catch sight of red squirrels or red deer. With cosy villages, traditional pubs, and endless trails to explore, the Lake District is a classic choice for a proper countryside getaway.