Days Out Attractions & Buildings

Alderman Fenwick's House

Newcastle

TThis house is one of the most important mercantile town houses in any city in the north of England. With medieval origins, it occupies two burgage plots on the main route to the North and seems to have been substantially built in the mid-17th century. The oak stair, rising into the lantern tower to give access to the roof - a close relative of the famous ‘black staircase’ in Durham Castle - and the ceiling of the ‘Great Room’ are of this period.

Alnwick

Alnwick

One of Alnwick’s most stunning attractions is Alnwick Garden. This exciting venue features the Grand Cascade as its centrepiece, creating a series of spellbinding water displays. The Rose and Ornamental Gardens mix European garden design and superb planting but that’s just the beginning. Attractions include the incredible Tree House (at 6,000sq feet, one of the largest in the world), the Labyrinth, the Serpent Garden and the Poison Garden where a mix of the unique and beautiful create an enchanted landscape where the imagination runs riot and the senses are stirred. Another of the area’s famous landmarks is Alnwick Castle, the film location for Harry Potter’s Hogwarts School in the first two films and the Cate Blanchett film ‘Elizabeth’. This incredible medieval building now houses world class restaurant The Sanctuary which has established itself as ‘the’ place for a unique dining experience. Northumberland is famed for its castles and as well as Alnwick Castle there are four others located nearby. As well as all this regal activity there’s the fascinating Bailiffgate Museum and the legendary Barter Books, described by the New Statesman as ‘The British Library of second-hand bookshops’. There’s so much going on in and around Alnwick you may need a sabbatical rather than a day trip.

Alnwick Castle

Alnwick

Open: Apr-Oct 11am-6pm daily. Grounds open 10am-6pm. Adult £14.50, conc. £12.00, children £7.30, under-4s free, family ticket £37

Alnwick Masonic Lodge

Alnwick, Northumberland

The Masonic Lodge is steeped in history and is the perfect setting for this exclusive evening of nostalgia.This event is by kind permission of the Alnwick Masonic Lodges

Angel Of The North

Gateshead

One of the most stunning pieces of sculpture in the country, the fantastic ‘Angel’ created by Anthony Gormley OBE, and built from 200 tonnes of steel, stands 20m high and is seen by 33 million people per year.

Arbeia Roman Fort and Museum

South Shields

Open: 10.00am-5pm Mon-Fri, 11am-4.15pm Sat, 2pm-5pm Sunday. Free. One of the few sites where you can actually watch excavations in progress throughout the summer months. There is a fine reconstruction (full size) of the fort's West Gate, and on some of the special event days you can sample Roman food or watch re-enactments of training.

Aydon Castle

Corbridge, Northumberland

Tucked away just one mile from the village of Corbridge and almost completely intact, Aydon Castle is one of the finest and most unaltered examples of a 13th century English manor house.

Bailiffgate Museum

Alnwick, Northumberland

Bailiffgate Museum and Gallery is located at the heart of Alnwick old town, close to the Bailiffgate entrance to Alnwick Castle. There is 4-hour parking on the street outside, and we are also close to town car parks and the bus station. The nearest rail station -Alnmouth- is 4 miles away. Opening times are 10am - 4pm, Tuesday to Sunday all year*, plus Bank Holiday Mondays. *Except for Xmas/New Year maintenance.

Bamburgh

Bamburgh is the ancient capital of Northumbria and is well known for the imposing figure of its castle, which stands on the cliff edge overlooking the Farne Islands. A truly magnificent sight, this colossus towers above the lovely village of Bamburgh on a basalt crag. The castle houses a fine collection of artefacts and is surrounded by wonderful sandy beaches that attract hundreds of campers to the area each year. Notable Bamburgh characters include Grace Darling, the local girl who, along with her father, rescued shipwrecked sailors in a small open boat at the height of a storm in 1838. The Grace Darling Museum commemorates her achievement.

Bamburgh Castle

Bamburgh

Open: Late Feb- Oct 10am-5pm daily. Nov – Feb 11am- 4.30m weekends only. Adult £9.00, Senior £8.00, Child £4, Children under 5s free, family £22 (2 adults and 3 children). Bamburgh Castle stands on the cliff edge overlooking the Farne Islands. A truly magnificent sight, this colossus towers above the lovely village of Bamburgh on a basalt crag. The castle houses a fine collection of artefacts and is surrounded by wonderful sandy beaches that attract hundreds of campers to the area each year.

Bardon Mill

Bardon Mill is one of a collection of pretty hamlets situated almost exactly halfway between Newcastle and Carlisle. There’s a lot to see and do in the area, which is best known for its proximity to the Roman Wall. The fascinating Vindolanda Roman Fort site is just up the road and recent excavations have uncovered numerous buildings and some of the most unusual and well-preserved artifacts from the Roman world. After visiting the site itself head for the Roman Army Museum where you can view Roman boots, shoes, armour, jewellery and coins. Green fingered visitors to Bardon Mill should pop into the Errington Reay Pottery, a family run operation, which was established in 1878 and continues to produce quality earthenware pots with a uniquely textured finish. Once you’ve selected a few pots for the garden you should visit the Bowes Hotel next door for a drink or two and perhaps one of their reasonably priced meals. There’s plenty of accommodation to suit all pockets around Bardon Mill but for those on a tight budget Once Brewed Youth Hostel is just the ticket. This purpose built centre is well-placed for easy access to all Bardon Mill and the surrounding area has to entertain visitors.

Barnard Castle

County Durham

Open: Apr-Sept 10am-6pm daily, Oct-Mar 10am-4pm weekends only Adults £4.50, conc. £4.10, children £2.70 A picturesque ruined castle overlooking the Tees and reputed to have inspired Sir Walter Scott to paint; worth taking a look at, especially if you’re visiting either the Bowes Museum a mere 15 minutes’ walk away or the surrounding market town. Brown’s Rowing Boats & Prince Bishop River Cruiser.

Barnard Castle

Teesdale

The historic market town of Barnard Castle was built in the imposing shadow of Bernard Balliol’s castle which is not to be confused with Bowes Castle, a Norman Keep situated in nearby Bowes and dating from 1087. Other town attractions include the picturesque ruins of Egglestone Abbey, the dramatic nearby spectacle of High Force Waterfall and the extraordinary Bowes Museum. Housed in a replica 18th century French chateau, the museum has a magnificent collection of European art, design artefacts, and even a two-headed calf. It also has the country’s finest collection of Sevres porcelain. The highlight though must be the beautiful silver swan automaton, which performs twice daily - check with the museum for exact times. And if this isn’t enough you could visit Barnard Castle on a Wednesday and catch the market itself.