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Let us bowl you over!
Click on the dots below to discover the region’s amazing experiences…
The Great Yorkshire Show
9 - 11 July
The Great Yorkshire Show is an iconic three-day event and one of the biggest agricultural events in the English calendar. Every year, more than 130,000 visitors and over 8,500 animals converge on the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate to compete, socialise and celebrate. This magnificent event is a celebration of food, countryside and agriculture with something for everyone of every age while keeping farming at its heart.
Swaledale Festival
25 May - 08 June
This is one of North Yorkshire’s best music festivals. This year’s stellar line-up includes violinist Tasmin Little, baritone Roderick Williams, the Armonico Consort performing Purcell’s beautiful Dido & Aeneas, Kathryn Tickell’s new supergroup ‘The Darkening’, the Villiers String Quartet, and the Esbjerg Ensemble from Denmark. The incomparable Paco Peña, Antonio Forcione, Craig Ogden and Manus Noble will thrill not only fellow guitarists but the rest of us too. The festival is also delighted to welcome the current BBC Young Musician of the Year - pianist Lauren Zhang, as well as former winners Jennifer Pike and Sheku Kanneh-Mason.
60s Fest – North Yorkshire Moors Railway
13 - 14 July
Join the NYMR for 60s Fest where you will get the chance to head back in time to the swinging sixties with events up and down the railway. Visit Levisham Station and experience The Vox Beatles tribute band, with hit songs from the Cavern Club & Hamburg early days, Beatlemania, Sgt Pepper/Magical Mystery Tour, White Album & Rooftop eras. Visit Goathland Station, once known as Aidensfield of Heartbeat fame, with classic cars and live music. What’s more, Pickering will also have live music, displays and an evening show dubbed 'The Big Night Out', which will be hosted by the fantastic Minster FM.
Explore the North York Moors
Picturesque, tranquil, wonderful, the North York Moors are a breath of fresh air. Comprising over 1,400 miles of natural beauty, this enchanting region is home to heather moorland, pine forests, rolling hills and shimmering coastline, not to mention badgers, roe deer and hawks. Look closer and you'll discover historic abbeys, castles and priories, traditional pubs and 'hidden' villages and hamlets. Walking, cycling and horse riding could have been invented for the North York Moors. Pull on your walking boots and you can explore breath-taking coastal paths, steep-sloped valleys and fragrant pine forests in the same day.
Fall in love in York
Renowned for its exquisite architecture, Gothic cathedral and tangle of quaint cobbled streets, historic York is the setting for a perfect romantic retreat. But as old meets new, the city also has many surprises in store as vibrant cafés, colourful street entertainers and boutique shopping lie waiting to be discovered.
Cycling in the Yorkshire Dales
With an incredibly diverse landscape where stunning scenery, fascinating history, fantastic local food and homely hospitality are waiting around every corner, the Yorkshire Dales is a perfect cycling destination. With the nation’s new found love of cycling at all levels, and investment in riding infrastructure everywhere there’s never been a better time to visit either. Begin your ideal biking holiday by exploring iconic routes around the breathtakingly diverse landscape, history and proudly local hospitality of the magnificent Dales.
Windermere Jetty Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories
The most significant heritage attraction to open in the North of England in 2019. This £20million development is home to a unique collection, bringing to life the tales of the steam launches, sailing yachts, motor boats and record-breaking speed boats, as well as the people who built them. With a live conservation workshop, creative learning space, café and heritage boats trips there is something to delight all ages and interests.
Carlisle
Visit the historic Border city with a wealth of fascinating things to see and do including Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery, Carlisle Castle , the cathedral, independent coffee shops, restaurants and bars a plenty, riverside walks and wildlife of Talkin Tarn Country Park a short drive from the city centre.
Hadrian’s Wall
Follow the route of the wall from east coast to west coast. This spectacular World Heritage Site, marching 73 miles from sea to sea across some of the wildest and most dramatic country in England, provides plenty of places to explore. Discover the Birdoswald, the place to see the longest surviving stretch of Hadrian’s Wall and extensive remains of a Roman Fort, explore Lanercost Priory a beautiful and now tranquil 14th century priory, close to Hadrian’s Wall.
Great North Swim
7 - 9 June
Hosted at Brockhole on Windermere, it’s a fantastic weekend of open water swimming in the stunning Lake District. With distances to suit all levels and abilities you can enjoy a weekend in the great outdoors with friends and family. Take your pick from 250 metres, 1/2 a mile, 1 mile, 2 miles, 5k or a 10k
Cumberland Show
15 June
A celebration of all things farming and a fun day out for all ages. See farm animals of all shapes and sizes, enjoy local food and clothing stalls.
Ullswater Steamers 160th Anniversary
11 - 16 July
The world’s largest heritage fleet celebrates 160 years since the first boat took to the water with a Victorian Themed weekend (11-14 July), enjoy a spectacular mass flotilla of boats (16 July), or group walks in the stunning Ullswater Valley with the heritage cruises connecting the most famous and spectacular routes in the Lake District including the 20 miles waymarked footpath ‘Ullswater Way’. Options to do combined tours with nearby historic homes including Dalemain Mansion and Lowther Castle.
White water rafting at Tees Barrage, Stockton
Take to the water and explore the River Tees that winds its way through Tees Valley on kayak, canoe, paddle board, power boat or raft. Get the blood pumping by taking on the Olympic standard white water rafting course or scale the UK’s biggest sky trail high ropes adventure course – Air Trail.
Catch a wave at Saltburn
The picturesque town of Saltburn with its beautiful coastline and Victorian charm is the perfect spot to catch some waves. On or off the board there is lots to explore here too. You can take a ride on the oldest water balanced cliff tramway in Britain that is still in operation, stroll along the long stretching pleasure pier, spend your pennies in the seaside arcades and of course no trip to the beach is complete without sampling some deliciously fresh fish and chips.
Orange Pip food market, Middlesbrough
April - September (the last Saturday of every month)
If you are lucky enough to be visiting during Orange Pip season you can sample some of the region’s best street food at the artisan food festival Orange Pip Market in Middlesbrough.
National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool
Embark on a fascinating journey through time, set in an authentically-created historic quayside of the 1800s. Experience Fighting Ships, a powerful insight into the tough lives of sailors from around the time of Admiral Lord Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar. Learn how they were press ganged and see what life was like on board HMS Trincomalee – the oldest warship in Europe still afloat. Feel the firepower of guns from the era, with live demonstrations and re-enactments taking place around the quayside.
The Hullabaloo, Darlington
The Hullabaloo, is the only dedicated children’s theatre north of London. Set within a purpose built venue for young people and families The Hullabaloo houses world-class shows and play installations, a family friendly cafe and lots more.
Hartlepool Waterfront Festival
20 - 21 July
The theme for this year's Hartlepool Waterfront Festival is ‘Harbour of Refuge’. In the Victorian Era, a ‘Harbour of Refuge’ was the name of a safe haven for ships seeking free shelter from stormy seas. The founder of the town, Ralph Ward Jackson, spent most of his life raising money to build a Harbour of Refuge in Hartlepool. Sadly, the Harbour was never built. But now, for 2019, the time has come where we will complete what he started.
Stockton International Riverside Festival
1 - 4 August
SIRF19 will take place from Thursday 1 to Sunday 4 August 2019 and will once again see performers from across the globe head to Stockton-on-Tees. There'll be a packed programme of shows across four fantastic days, there'll be something for everyone to enjoy, from large scale performances to intimate shows, fun and quirky family shows to surprising and immersive evening shows - don't miss it!
The Alnwick Garden
The Alnwick Garden is one of the world’s most ambitious new gardens. The Duchess of Northumberland’s vision for a forgotten plot is now a truly 21st century experience full of imagination, inspiration and fun. Designed by Jacques and Peter Wirtz, The Garden is a wonderful combination of spaces, themes, quirkiness and play.
Kielder Water & Forest Park
Kielder Water & Forest Park brings you nature on a grander scale. The views are bigger, the night sky brighter, the sports wilder and the smiles wider. We’re home to the biggest man-made lake in Northern Europe and, at over 250 square miles, the largest working forest in England.
Ford & Etal
One of the main attractions is Heatherslaw Light Railway - the most northerly steam railway in England. The 15" gauge railway pulled by steam locomotive "Bunty" travels along the banks of the River Till between Heatherslaw Station and Etal Castle, a return journey of 6.4km. A choice of fully enclosed or partly glazed coaches ensures you'll remain dry, even on the wettest days!
Northumberland National Park
We are home to England’s cleanest rivers, clearest air and darkest skies. Delve into our Roman past by visiting Hadrian’s Wall or soak up the stunning scenery and solitude of the Cheviot Hills. Relax in picturesque valleys, visit spectacular waterfalls and woodland or walk through stunning moorland and beautiful hay meadows.
Vindolanda
Vindolanda lies just to the south of the curtain wall of Hadrian's Wall and has a very different ‘feel’ to other sites along the Wall. It lies upon the first Roman frontier in the north – The Stanegate Road and in a stunning landscape which lets your imagination really connect with its past.
Kielder Observatory – Weekend Late Night Event
Each weekend from 01 Janaury - 30 November
Join us for a special evening of talks and all your astronomy questions will be answered, then if the skies are clear we’ll be taking a good look at the beautiful sights of the cosmos, if not we have the technology to bring it alive.
Alnwick Castle 'On Location' Tour
May - October
Hear behind-the-scenes filming anecdotes as an entertaining costumed guide provides you with an engaging tour of the cinematic locations which have graced our walls.
Bamburgh Castle 'Dave the Moneyer'
29 June - 30 August
Dave sets up his Anglo-Saxon camp along with a forge and a workshop so he makes, mends and sells his goods. His methods date back to Anglo-Saxon time and whilst he is with us you can strike your own mint.
Mouth of the Tyne Festival
11 - 14 July
The Mouth of the Tyne Festival returns this July featuring live music concerts, world-class street theatre and special one-off performances in Tynemouth and Whitley Bay. The popular event has grown into one of the region’s favourite summer festivals, attracting around 100,000 people. Brits Critics’ Choice Winner Sam Fender, English-Italian singer-songwriter Jack Savoretti, 80s icon Rick Astley and Legendary Scottish duo The Proclaimers will all headline shows at the stunning Tynemouth Priory and Castle. The festival, now in its 15th year, takes place in Tynemouth and features spectacular outdoor concerts, free world-class street entertainment, a jazz stage, children’s pageant, activities in Tynemouth Station and much more. The festival is supported by Engie and Port of Tyne.
British Seaside Experience
Enjoy a great British seaside experience in the resort town of South Shields. Enjoy seaside fun at the fun fair or just simply take in the beautiful views of sandy beaches, gorgeous parks and soaring cliffs.
Fish & Chips
Sample some of the best fish and chips around – the award-winning Colmans Fish and Chips is a particular favourite – or enjoy a delicious ice cream from Minchella’s, both of whom can be found on South Shields’ popular seafront.
Colmans Seafood Temple > | Minchella >
The Word
Explore the great exhibits or take in one of the events at The Word, National Centre for the Written Word
Souter Lighthouse
Visit Souter Lighthouse and take in the beautiful views of Marsden Bay. A lift takes you down to the beach and Marsden Grotto, a unique restaurant/bar built into the caves.
Arbeia
See some of the finest Roman reconstructions in Britain at Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort.
South Tyneside Festival
14 July - 4 August
A summer long festival of free live music and family entertainment at South Shields Seafront. Highlights include a spectacular Summer Parade on Saturday 6 July and open-air concerts with big name stars mid July – early August.
The Word
A new exhibition will be announced soon and will open end June.
Penshaw Monument
Take a trip to the top of one of the North East best-loved landmarks, Penshaw Monument. Head up the secret passage hidden within one of the pillars and stand on the top of this 70ft high monument to take in the fantastic views.
A day at the seaside
Sunderland is a city by the sea, and proud of it. With miles of sandy beaches, lots of cafes, bars and restaurants, accommodation options for all budgets, plus lots of great visitor attractions, where better for a visit?
Washington Old Hall
Washington, in Sunderland, is the ancestral home of George Washington, the first president of the United States of America. Step back in time and visit Washington Old Hall, his ancestral family home.
Sunderland Airshow
26 - 28 July
This fantastic family event returns for it’s 31st year, with dazzling arial displays and lots of fun on the ground too.
Sunderland Food and Drink Festival
21 - 23 June
Our first city centre food festival features demonstrations from celebrity chefs plus lots of tasty treats to try.
Let’s Rock the North East
Outdoor concert at Herrington Country Park on 8 June, featuring a fantastic line up of 80s artists.
Visit the not-so-new castle of Newcastle
Open 7-days per week, visit our family-friendly historic attraction to reveal the story of how Newcastle began, the reason the city got its name and to walk in the steps of the people who lived and died in the shadow of Newcastle Castle.
Tuck in to street food underneath the Tyne Bridge
From Spring through till late Autumn it is a space at which you can kick back and sample the finest independent street food alongside freshly brewed beers, small batch spirits, wines and cocktails.
Take a rooftop tour of Newcastle United’s St James’ Park
Soak in St. James' Park and the city's stunning horizon from one of the UK and Ireland's only stadium Rooftop Tours. You'll be accompanied by an experienced Rooftop Tour guide, ascending to a walkway 150ft above the ground to take in panoramic views of Tyneside and its landmarks.
Stobart Rail & Civils Northumberland Plate Day
29 June
The Northumberland Plate Festival concludes with the Northumberland Plate Day featuring Madness Live After Racing. This is the most famous race meeting of the year at Newcastle, featuring the Northumberland Plate, a two mile heritage handicap worth £150,000, making it the richest two mile handicap in Europe.
Tyne Bridges & Quayside by Kayak
29 June - 13 July
An unforgettable adventure in the heart of Newcastle and Gateshead. Join us on a kayak tour of the Quayside and seven bridges. Our professional river guides will show you the city from a whole new perspective as you paddle one of our premium sit-on kayaks along the River Tyne.
Discover the Durham Heritage Coast
Explore the colourful and dramatic landscape of Durham’s Heritage Coast with its beaches, rugged cliffs and imposing headlands. A truly stunning location, the Heritage Coast is recognised internationally for its rare plants and wildlife, having won the UK Landscape Award.
Take a Step Back in Time
Experience a real sense of your past at Beamish, and discover what life was like in North East England in the 1820s,1910s and 1940s. Beamish is a living, working museum, set in 300 acres of beautiful Durham countryside. Costumed folk bring to life the Town, Pit Village, Home Farm and Pockerley Old Hall. Experience firsthand how the Industrial Revolution transformed agricultural life in the region. The buildings you see at Beamish are not replicas, but have been brought, brick by brick, from around the region and rebuilt to give visitors a real sense of history.
Unique views of a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Durham Cathedral has been a place of worship, welcome and hospitality for almost a millennium, inspiring all who come. Built in 1093 to house the Shrine of St Cuthbert, Durham Cathedral is renowned for its magnificent Romanesque architecture and spectacular location at the heart of the Durham World Heritage Site. It is also the resting place of the Venerable Bede.
Walking in the Durham Dales
The Durham Dales, incorporating Teesdale and Weardale is a peaceful and tranquil landscape of moors and hills, valleys and meandering rivers, dotted with picturesque villages and market towns. Part of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and UNESCO Global Geopark, this special place has inspired artists and writers through the ages.
Treasure troves of the Durham Dales
Uncover history at Raby Castle. Built by the mighty Nevills in the 14th Century, and home to Lord Barnard’s family since 1626, you’ll be fascinated as knowledgeable and friendly Guides help bring history to life with guided tours of the halls and chambers which house fabulous interiors, art collections and dramatic architecture. Outdoors, enjoy a stroll and spot wildlife in the deer park, relax in the walled gardens, discover the Carriage Collection or explore the Woodland Play Area. A visit to the Tearoom and a browse around the gift shop all combine for a memorable day out.
Full steam ahead
At Locomotion you can see highlights of the national collection of railway vehicles in the world’s first railway town. The town of Shildon has had an exciting story to tell since the earliest days of the rail industry, making it the perfect place to explore the rich seam of local railway history and discover how the railways have changed all our lives.
Durham Brass Festival
12 - 21 July
Brass, Durham’s liveliest festival, is back for 2019 with 10 days of outstanding performances across County Durham.
As well as international street bands from Spain and Germany, we will be using cutting-edge technology to involve performers in Denmark, Norway and beyond in unique live performances with bands here in Durham. We also have a choir from Texas joining with our own Festival Chorus for a performance of Verdi’s magnificent Requiem in Durham Cathedral.
One of our main themes for 2019 is Brass and Health. We are taking music into care homes and hosting a ‘Healthy Brass’ day which will feature talks and workshops on how brass players can maintain good mental and physical health.
Durham Cathedral: The Vikings in Northumbria
11 June - 28 September
This exhibition in Open Treasure, Durham Cathedral's award-winning museum experience, traces the history of Vikings in North East England. It tells the story of the devastating raids on Lindisfarne in 793 AD, and how the Community of St Cuthbert searched for a safe home for their saint after leaving Lindisfarne in 875 AD. We also examine how, over a period of over 200 years, the Vikings invaders and later settlers shaped the political and cultural landscape of Northumbria through raids, trade and conquest.
ICC Cricket World Cup Fanzone in Durham City
28 - 30 June
Excitment builds as we look forward to the Fanzone experience held at Millennium Place and Market Place locations in Durham City.
Kynren - An Epic Tale of England
Watch legends come to life in a thrilling tale told on an epic scale - 2,000 years in the making. Kynren - an epic tale of England is a multi-award-winning live action outdoor theatre spectacular set in the grounds of Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland which takes you on a spellbinding voyage through history as seen through the eyes of Arthur, the son of a mining family.
