10 Traveler Resources in North East England That You Shouldn't Miss

The Mansion House is a unique historic venue available to hire for a variety of special occasions. Built in Jesmond in 1887,this unique setting is an ideal venue for private events, whether you are planning a business meeting for a small number of people, or a lavish wedding celebration. Add your name to a guest list that has included royalty, heads of state and peers of the realm. The Mansion House is the official residence of the Lord Mayor of Newcastle upon Tyne and is available for private hire. We can help you to plan weddings, birthday celebrations, Christmas parties, business functions and more. Please contact us to discuss your individual requirements we are always happy to talk you through your event and perhaps we can give you some ideas to make it a memorable occasion. The Mansion House is conveniently located in Jesmond, a leafy suburb close to central Newcastle. It is easily reached by road and is also close to bus routes and Jesmond Metro station.

Reached between the tides via a short causeway, St. Mary's has all the fascination of a miniature, part-time island. The Lighthouse, completed in 1898 on a hazardous coast for shipping, remained operational until 1984 when it was superseded by modern navigational techniques. Since then the Lighthouse and former keepers' cottages have been operated as a visitor centre by North Tyneside Council. The surrounding Nature Reserve contains an area of rockpools, clifftop grassland, a beach and newly created wetland habitats.Wherever possible we are open seven days a week between May and September, and during weekends and school holidays in the winter. However, it is not possible for us to open on some days because of tidal conditions. The stated opening times can also be subject to variations on occasion due to weather affecting the times of the tide.

Following new advice in response to the COVID 19 pandemic and in line with other cultural organisations, we have taken the difficult decision to close all of our museums and galleries and the archives from 5pm on Wednesday 18 March. This is provisionally until 1 May 2020 but we will be reviewing the situation and updating if anything changes. Please sign up to our emails at mustseemuseums.org.uk and check our social media channels and website so we can keep you up to date with what’s going on. Thank you for your support and understanding at this challenging time. Stay well and we look forward to welcoming you back in due course.

Acres of accessible countryside, miles of quiet rural roads, an abundance of wildlife and one of the best places in the UK to enjoy the night sky are just some of the reasons why you should make the North Pennines AONB a place to discover and explore. Situated amidst stunning woodland in Teesdale, next to Low and High Force waterfalls, and surrounded by rolling fields boasting some of the best hay meadows in England, Bowlees Visitor Centre has all you need to make your visit to the North Pennines a memorable one. Outdoor enthusiasts can make the most of the vast expanse of unspoilt land and sky by exploring on foot or wheels, or by simply sitting back and soaking up the scenery. We have booklets for self-guided walks, bike rides and nature-spotting, so you can explore at your leisure. At Bowlees Visitor Centre, children can get to grips with nature through a range of hands-on events - inside and out - that focus on learning, living and most importantly, laughing.

Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre reopened to the public on Saturday 24th June 2017 following a 2 year closure for the creation of an exciting new visitor centre. The new eco-friendly, straw bale building has been largely constructed by a dedicated team of volunteers. The centre includes a 2km circular walk, wildlife watching hides, cafe, toilets, disabled access paths around almost half of the reserve and baby changing facilities. There is also a classroom that can be hired for private use for events, meetings and educational visits. An exclusive wildlife area can be accessed from the classroom for use by school groups.

Low Barns is a valuable wetland reserve and one of County Durham’s most important wildlife sites, located adjacent to the River Wear. The reserve has become important for wildlife due to the wide range of habitats including wet woodland, grassland, open water and river side, which are home to many different types of birds, mammals, plants and insects. However, Low Barns has not always been a haven for local wildlife. Originally farmland, the site underwent sand and gravel extraction until 1964 when the area was given to Durham Wildlife Trust and restored as a nature reserve. In 2003 a redundant sewage treatment works on the site was replaced with a new reed bed habitat and a boardwalk which enabled public access with minimal disturbance to wildlife. The site’s flat terrain and large accessible bird hides make it an ideal place to visit for everyone. For upcoming events check our website. Parking is free for DWT members and £2.50 for non-members.