Surrounded by the glories of the Northumberland countryside, you’ll warm to Slaley with its welcoming local pub, Corbridge with its quaint shops and Saxon origins and the 18th century surroundings of Blanchland. Head north to explore the fascinating World Heritage Site at Hadrian’s Wall, or travel on to the hills and forests of the Northumberland National Park.

Discover the majesty of Northumbria’s castles and the spirituality of Lindisfarne Priory on Holy Island – or indulge your taste for the good things in life at Newscastle’s MetroCentre, Europe’s largest retail complex.

To the south lie the cathedral city of Durham and the unique pleasures of Beamish Open Air Museum – where you can experience life a century ago by travelling between a recreated town and a colliery village on a vintage tram.