Things to do
Activities
Places to Eat
We’ve put together a little guide to some of our favourite places in the North East to help you make the most of your visit, especially if you’re staying for a little longer.
Below you’ll find some of our recommendations for places to visit, eat and drink, along with a few other spots we think are worth the trip if you fancy venturing a little further afield.
Beamish is a huge open-air museum where you can wander through different periods of North East history, complete with old shops, houses, trams and a vintage fish and chips.
Right in the heart of Durham, the Cathedral is incredibly beautiful and well worth seeing.
The Hancock is Newcastle’s natural history museum, with everything from dinosaurs and ancient Egypt to fossils, wildlife and loads of slightly weird old artefacts. It’s free to visit and easy to get to from the city centre.
The Life Science Centre is an interactive science museum packed with hands-on exhibits, experiments and a planetarium. It’s great fun if you’re into science (or just like pressing buttons and seeing what happens) and there’s usually something new going on.
Grainger Market is an old covered market packed with independent food stalls, little shops and plenty of places to grab something to eat. It’s great for a wander, especially around lunchtime.
BALTIC is a huge contemporary art gallery inside an old converted flour mill, with regularly changing exhibitions that can be slightly bizarre. It’s free to visit and has some of the best views along the Quayside.
Genuinely one of the best farm shops we’ve ever been to, with loads of great local produce, baked goods and an excellent pudding counter. Chris will happily go out of his way for one of their Ploughman’s pork pies alone (which is probably as strong a recommendation as we can give).
High Force is a large waterfall in the North Pennines, surrounded by some lovely countryside. There's a short woodland walk down to the falls, and plenty of other walking routes nearby if you fancy exploring Teesdale. There's a small admission fee for the main viewing area.
A little independent coffee spot serving some seriously good speciality coffee. Perfect for a quick caffeine fix or a slower morning with a pastry.
The Botanist has an amazing view overlooking Grey’s Monument and is a great spot for food and drinks. We’re big fans of their hanging kebabs, and they do some pretty good cocktails too.
On Newcastle’s Quayside, Babucho is a great spot for a meal, with a cosy, lively atmosphere and a menu full of Italian-inspired dishes.
A quirky little restaurant in Durham with a cosy, slightly theatrical atmosphere and loads of character. They serve a mix of Asian-inspired dishes and some good cocktails, making it a great spot for a slightly different evening meal if you’re exploring the Durham.
Right at Beamish Hall itself, The Stables is probably the easiest option if you're staying at the venue and fancy grabbing some good pub food without going anywhere.
Places to Drink
Places further astray
If you fancy some cocktails without spending a fortune, Jalou is a great shout. They do loads of fun, themed cocktails that are a bit more interesting than your usual drinks, and the prices are pretty reasonable too.
Tokyo is a Japanese themed cocktail bar in Newcastle with a cool, laid-back atmosphere and a rooftop terrace. It's a great spot for a few drinks, especially if you fancy something strong.
Right inside Newcastle Central Station, The Centurion is an old bar with loads of character. It’s worth popping in just to see the interior, but it’s also a great spot to grab a drink before catching your train or heading out into the city.
Kynren is a huge outdoor live-action show in Bishop Auckland that brings 2,000 years of British history to life, complete with hundreds of performers, horses, fire and special effects.
A little further afield, Alnwick Castle and Gardens are well worth a visit if you have the time. The gardens have some lovely walks, impressive water features and an unusual Poison Garden.
Holy Island (Lindisfarne) is a tidal island off the Northumberland coast, with a historic priory, castle and some lovely coastal walks. Just make sure to check the tide times before you go, as the causeway is completely cut off at high tide.
Bamburgh Castle is a huge historic castle overlooking the Northumberland coast, with some incredible views out to sea and a sandy beach just below it. It's a bit of a drive from the venue, but well worth a visit if you're exploring the coast, and the village itself is a nice spot to stop for lunch or a wander.
