A Guide to the North East
Monday 13th April, 2020 by Host & Stay
The North East of England is diverse and exciting. With so many different landscapes, you won’t tire of discovering new places. Explore lively city centres, trendy suburbs and seaside towns. The North East really does have somewhere to suit everyone!
Whether you’re travelling with friends, family or alone, you’re guaranteed to find the place for you in the North East. Not sure where is best suited to you? Our guide to the North East will soon help you decide.
The Hustle and Bustle of Newcastle City Centre
Voted the best place to visit in 2018, Newcastle upon Tyne is one of the most iconic cities in Britain. Its compact city centre helps solidify its place as a prominent social hub bursting with art, culture and entertainment.
If you’re looking for retail therapy, Newcastle City Centre is like no other. Head to intu Eldon Square and you’ll find a huge indoor shopping centre jam packed with high street favourites and large department stores. Walk over to Northumberland Street, a major shopping street within the city centre, to discover more stores including the famous Fenwick Newcastle.
Newcastle City Centre comes alive at night time. It’s nightlife scene is famous and it’s easy to see why! Bars, pubs and clubs are all within easy walk of each other and they all offer something different. If you want tasty cocktails head to The Botanist or Nancy’s Bordello. Prefer a laid back vibe with live music? Then the STACK is for you. Want to go out out? Just head to Collingwood Street and you’ll find an array of late night bars and clubs there.
The city centre is also packed with must-see visitor attractions. Amazing concerts and shows take place at Utilita Arena and you’ll catch cool bands performing live at the O2 Academy or Newcastle University Students’ Union. Home to Newcastle United FC, St James’ Park is a huge stadium with an electric atmosphere.
One of our favourite places is the Life Science Centre just down from the train station. This amazing interactive museum opened 20 years ago and celebrates the advancements of life sciences. Perfect for the whole family, you’re guaranteed to have fun during your visit.
The Historic City of Durham
Named as ‘One of the Best Cities to Visit in 2020’ by The Independent, Durham is a beautiful and charming area within the North East. If you’ve been, it’s easy to see why it has been given such a glowing review.
Known as the ‘perfect little city’, Durham has the best mix of everything and it all blends seamlessly. It retains its medieval heritage but it also has a modern and vibrant twist. It boasts lush green landscapes but it also has busy cobbled streets. Somehow, the city manages to be completely bold but also quiet.
Durham has plenty of history within its walls. One of the most spectacular historic sites is Durham Cathedral. Constructed between 1903 and 1133, this towering building is a shining example of Norman architecture. The cathedral is now the oldest surviving building with a stone vaulted ceiling of such a large scale. For unrivalled views of the city and the countryside, we’d recommend climbing the Tower’s 325 steps.
A personal favourite for all of the family is Beamish. Set within 300 acres of stunning Durham countryside, this open air, living museum allows you to experience what life was like in the North East back in the 1820s, 1910s and 1940s. Hugely popular with everyone, Beamish has a 1900s town, 1900s pit village, 1940s farm, Edwardian train station and much more. We love it!
The Surprising North East Coastline
The North East is known for many things but the stunning coastline can often be overlooked.
One of the best spots in the North East for a mile long beach of golden sands is Tynemouth. This charming village is home to fabulous attractions, great shopping and most importantly a gorgeous beach! Tynemouth has strong maritime history connections as the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade was the first of its kind in the world and its brilliant story is told at the museum there. Take a long walk along the promenade and you’ll arrive at the historic North Shields Fish Quay. If you’re looking for a tasty meal, we’d recommend Riley’s Fish Shack!
The seaside town of Whitley Bay has a beautiful, rocky coast. For the best views, visit the 19th century St Mary’s Lighthouse which is just off the coast. The town has an up and coming feel with quaint cafes, quirky miro-pubs and independent shops. Whitley Bay is also home to one of the most iconic venues in the North East. Known as Spanish City, the domed building is brimming with restaurants, cafes and bars.
Now that you know all about the North East, you’ll need somewhere to stay!
Stay at the Victorian Corner House for a truly luxurious stay. Just five minutes from Newcastle City Centre, this contemporary North East holiday home is packed with style!
Stay at The Barrington @ 52 Old Elvet in the heart of Durham. Perfect for group getaways or couples retreats, 52 Old Elvet is a striking building which is home to 11 premium apartments.
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