The Northeast
We’ve compiled the best of the best in The Northeast - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Bamburgh Castle
You'll see Bamburgh Castle long before you reach it: a solid, weather-beaten, clifftop fortress that dominates the coastal view for miles around. A fortification of some kind has stood here since the 6th century, but the Norman castle was damaged during the 15th century, and the central tower is all that remains intact. Much of the structure—the home of the Armstrong family since 1894—was restored during the 18th and 19th centuries. The interior is mostly late Victorian (most impressively, the Great Hall), although a few rooms, such as the small but alarmingly well-stocked armory, have a more authentically medieval feel; look out for the devil-horned helmet. The breathtaking view across the sweeping sands of Bamburgh beach and the North Sea beyond is worth the steep climb up from the main road; bring a picnic if the weather's good (or order to-go sandwiches at the café).
Off B1340, Bamburgh, Northumberland, NE69 7DF, England01668-214208Sight Details
Rate Includes: £14.10; £4 parking -
2. Raby Castle
The stone battlements and turrets of moated Raby Castle, once the seat of the powerful Nevills and currently the home of the 11th Baron Barnard, stand amid a 200-acre deer park and ornamental gardens. Charles Nevill supported Mary, Queen of Scots in the 1569 uprising against Elizabeth I; when the Rising of the North failed, the estate was confiscated. Dating mostly from the 14th century (using stone plundered from Barnard Castle) and renovated in the 18th and 19th centuries, the luxuriously furnished castle has displays of art and other treasures. Rooms in wonderfully elaborate Gothic Revival, Regency, and Victorian styles are open for public viewing, as are the 18th century Walled Gardens and the Coach House, home to a collection of coaches and carriages dating back to the Georgian era. Note that there may be a little disruption as the site is currently undergoing a restoration project, which will see heritage buildings turned into event spaces, restaurants, and shops as well as the creation of a new walled garden. The castle is seven miles southwest of Bishop Auckland.
Off A688, Staindrop, Durham, DL2 3AH, England01833-660202Sight Details
Rate Includes: £13; park and gardens only £8, Closed Nov.–Feb., Mon., and Tues. -
3. Alnwick Castle
Sometimes called the "Windsor of the North," the imposing Alnwick Castle will likely provoke cries of "Hogwarts!" from younger visitors as it comes into view over the hill; the grounds appear as the exterior of the famous School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the Harry Potter movies. Older visitors might also recognize it as Brancaster Castle from the TV series Downton Abbey. In reality, the castle is the ancestral home to the dukes of Northumberland, whose family, the Percys, dominated in the Northeast for centuries. While the exterior is all imposing turrets and towers, the Italianate interiors are lavish and stately. Family photos and other knickknacks scattered around the state rooms are a subtle but pointed reminder that this is a family home, rather than a museum. Highlights include the extraordinary gun room, lined with hundreds of antique pistols arranged in swirling patterns; the formal dining room, its table set as if guests are due at any minute; and the magnificent galleried library, containing 14,000 books in floor-to-ceiling cases. There's plenty here for kids, too. Join a free film tour to hear fascinating anecdotes from the filming of the first two Harry Potter films (as well as Transformers: The Last Knight, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and many more). There are also Potter–themed events on certain dates, including broomstick lessons on the exact spot used in the movie (check the website for the schedule). Elsewhere, Dragon Quest is a labyrinth designed to teach a bit of medieval history; there's have-a-go archery (weather permitting); and there are regular special events, from alchemy and wand-making to bird of prey displays and longbow demonstrations. For the best views of the castle's dramatic exterior, follow the 20-minute Capability Brown Walk along the River Aln. Tickets are valid for one year, so you can come back if you don't see everything in a day. Keep in mind that many castle events are canceled in inclement weather (which isn't uncommon).
View Tours and ActivitiesOff B6431, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1NQ, England01665-511100Sight Details
Rate Includes: £19.50, Closed Nov.–Mar. -
4. Auckland Castle
Arguably the greatest of the prince-bishops of Durham's properties is this Episcopal palace, which you enter through an elaborate stone arch. Much of what's on view today dates from the 16th century, although the limestone-and-marble chapel, with its dazzling stained-glass windows, was built in 1665 from the ruins of a 12th-century hall. The extraordinary paintings of Jacob and his 12 sons, by the 17th-century Spanish artist Francisco de Zurbarán, hang in the Long Dining Room. There are also informative videos and immersive projections throughout the property covering everything from the history of the prince-bishops to the bitter miners' strike of 1892. Starting in 2023, the castle will also be home to a Faith Museum, documenting 5,000 years of religious belief in Britain.
Off Market Pl., Bishop Auckland, Durham, DL14 7NR, England01388-743750Sight Details
Rate Includes: £14, Closed Jan.–mid-Feb., Mon., and Tues. -
5. Barnard Castle
The substantial ruins of Barnard Castle, which gave the town its name, cling to an aerie overlooking the River Tees. From the outside, it looks satisfyingly complete from the right angle; inside it's rather more ruined, though there are still plenty of interesting sights to see. Climb to the top of the cylindrical, 13th-century tower for stunning river views; stroll around the remains of the Great Hall, once the castle's communal dining hub; and learn about the Victorian hermit who squatted here and charged locals an entrance fee. When in the Inner Courtyard, keep an eye out for the figure of a carved boar above the oriel window—it was the family emblem of King Richard III (1452–85), placed there during his reign in honor of the elevated status he bestowed upon the castle.
Scar Top, Barnard Castle, Durham, DL12 8PR, England01833-638212Sight Details
Rate Includes: £7, Closed weekdays Nov.–Mar. -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. Dunstanburgh Castle
Perched romantically on a cliff 100 feet above the shore, these castle ruins can be reached along a windy, mile-long coastal footpath that heads north from the tiny fishing village of Craster. Built in 1316 as a defense against the Scots, and later enlarged by John of Gaunt, the powerful Duke of Lancaster who virtually ruled England in the late 14th century, the castle is known to many from the popular paintings by 19th-century artist J. M. W. Turner. The castle is a signposted 1.2-mile walk from the nearest parking lot in Craster. While Dunstanburgh is run by English Heritage, it's owned by the National Trust, so membership with either organization will get you in for free.
Dunstanburgh Rd., Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 3TT, England01665-576231Sight Details
Rate Includes: £6, Closed weekdays Nov.–Mar. -
7. Durham Castle
Facing the cathedral across Palace Green, Durham's stately, manorlike castle commands a strategic position above the River Wear. For almost 800 years the castle was the home of the enormously powerful prince-bishops; from here they ruled large tracts of the countryside and acted as the main line of defense against Scottish raiders from the north. Henry VIII was the first to curtail the bishops' autonomy, although it wasn't until the 19th century that they finally had their powers annulled. At that point, the castle was given over to the University of Durham, the third oldest university in England after Oxford and Cambridge (albeit more than 600 years younger; it was founded in 1832). The castle interior, including the Great Hall with its stunning stained glass window and wooden beam ceiling, can only be seen on a 45-minute guided tour. These are usually available four times a day (afternoons only during the academic term) but are not held when the building is hired out for private events, so it's best to check the website or call ahead. During university vacation times, the castle also offers bed-and-breakfast accommodations in the state rooms for around £200 per night; call or check the website for details.
View Tours and ActivitiesPalace Green, Durham, Durham, DH1 3RW, England0191-334–2932Sight Details
Rate Includes: £5 -
8. Lindisfarne Castle
Reached during low tide via a causeway from the mainland, this castle appears to grow out of the rocky pinnacle on which it was built 400 years ago, looking for all the world like a fairy-tale illustration. In 1903, architect Sir Edwin Lutyens converted the former Tudor fort into a private home that retains the original's ancient features. Across several fields from the castle is a walled garden designed by Gertrude Jekyll. Opening times are notoriously changeable—especially on Monday outside midsummer—and are always dependant on weather and tides, so it's best to call ahead.
Off Marygate, Lindisfarne, Northumberland, TD15 2SH, England01289-389244Sight Details
Rate Includes: £8.50, Closed Nov.–mid-Feb. -
9. Newcastle Castle
Overlooking the Tyne River, the remains of the Norman castle recall the city's earlier status as a defensive stronghold. Built in 1080, this was the "new castle" that gave the city its name. The gatehouse and stone keep are all that remain; although the effect is somewhat diminished by the railroad viaduct that thoughtlessly separates the two. The "black gate" remains the point of entry, with a small exhibition on the surrounding area of Castle Garth, but the most interesting sights—including the impressive Great Hall, the vaulted dungeon, and the rooftop views—are in the keep.
Castle Garth, Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1RQ, England0191-230–6300Sight Details
Rate Includes: £9.25, Closed Tues. and Wed.
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