Northumberland and the north east remains unspoilt - from miles of golden beach, acres of mountains to bustling towns. Best of both worlds.

Antony Gormley's massive landmark, the Angel of the North welcomes you with open arms, or wings, to the north east.

Come by car: motorway via A1/A1M, A69 and A66 connect to the M6. For a rough guide about 4.30mins from London or Cardiff or Norwich. 2.40 mins from Edinburgh, Liverpool and Manchester.

Come by rail: A good jumping-off spot with very easy access to Newcastle, Durham and Darlington. Rail links:

Great North Eastern Railways - 0845 722 5225

National Rail Enquiries - 0845 748 4950

Virgin Trains - 0845 722 2333

Rail Rovers, Hop on and off... Northern Rail the local service - 0834 700 0125

The Metro for Tyne & Wear - 0191 203 3333

Come by coach:

National Express - 0870 580 8080

Come by ferry: You can arrive from Holland, Sweden, Norway via North Shields Int Ferry Terminal. To get you here you'll need:

DFDS Seaways - 0870 533 3000

FjordLine - 0191 296 1313

Come by air: Two airports to service this area! For more info see their sites:

Newcastle International Airport - 0870 122 1488

Bellair Car Port at Newcastle Airport Tel: 0191 286 9888

Durham Tees Valley Airport - 01325 332 811

Good local information for Tynedale & District

Hadrian's Wall

Hadrian's Wall  Another excellent site for Hadrian's wall with lots of interesting and useful information

Holy Island - Lindisfarne

Hexham
Population: 11,300. Hexham Abbey at the heart of the town dates back to the 7th century and its Saxon crypt may still be seen. Other historic buildings include the Old Gaol, the oldest purpose-built gaol (jail) in England which now houses the Border History Museum. In the 17th century Hexham was one of England's leading centres for leatherwork, especially leather gloves.

The Alnwick Garden is truly magical. So clever and unique. An interactive garden! So unusual. Be inspired. Web

Bamburgh Castle
Stunning coastal castle on the site from which Angle Kings once ruled Northumbria. The present 11th century castle was a Norman stronghold which survived many sieges. During the Wars of the Roses it was the first castle in England to succumb to gunfire when it fell to the artillery of Edward IV.  The castle was restored in the late 19th century by Lord Armstrong and now houses an excellent collection of arms and artwork as well as a tea room and gift shop. Superb coastal views overlook mile upon mile of silver sands towards the Farne Islands. Sir Thomas Mallory (d 1471), the author of "Le Morte D'Arthur" (one of the first histories of King Arthur), believed that Bamburgh Castle was the most likely site of Lancelot's castle "The Joyous Gard". Open: Daily, 17 March - 31 October, 2002 from 11am - 5pm. Adults £4.50 (2002). Tel: +44 (0)1668 214515. Partially accessible to visitors in wheelchairs.
 

Lindisfarne Castle (National Trust) Holy Island.  "Perched atop a rocky crag and accessible over a causeway at low tide only, the castle presents an exciting and alluring aspect." Open around 16 Mar - 3 Nov: except Friday (open Good Friday). Adults: around £5.50  Tel: +44 (0)1289 389244. Don't forget to visit the Priory while in the village.

Lindisfarne:  National Trust on Lindisfarne 

Flodden (1513)
As part of the "Auld Alliance" with France, King James IV of Scotland agreed to attack England to divert some of Henry VIII troops away from their French campaign. But the English army defeated the Scots on 9 September 1513 at Flodden in the last and most bloody battle to be fought in Northumberland. Not only was the Scots king slain but also were most of the Scottish nobility. It was thus one of the key turning points towards the ending of Scotland as a separate nation state. A monument was erected in 1910 and a small car park and interpretation panels have also been provided on a minor road, signposted from the A697 north of Wooler, via the village of Branxton. Many Scots still regard the battlefield as sacred ground which should be treated with the utmost respect.

Durham

Durham Castle: Durham Castle was the official seat of the Prince Bishops until 1830. Originally a 'motte and bailey' Norman castle it was considerably extended and improved into a lavish residence. The Great Hall on the North side of the building was built around (1153-1195) followed by the building of the Great Hall on the West side by Bishop Anthony Bek (1283-1311). The Castle transferred to Durham University, in 1836 and is still owned by the University, England's third oldest after Oxford and Cambridge.

Beamish a wonderful open air museum, set in over 300 acres of beautiful countryside, vividly recreates life in the North of England in the early 1800s and 1900s.  'Living' history for all ages.
Beamish is in County Durham some 12 miles north west of Durham and 8 miles south west of Newcastle upon Tyne. Web

Bits & bobs:

Northumberland has it's fair share of ghosts - here's a few to look out for (if you dare!)...

These grizzly tales are thanks to  Web

Chillingham: Britain's most haunted castle
There can be few buildings in Britain with more ghosts than Chillingham Castle - at least two of which, the Radiant Boy and the Grey Lady, are based on historic facts. The Radiant Boy is said to come from the fireplace in the Pink Bedroom at the castle, often in a blue flash which people mistake for an electrical fault. Years ago, when the fireplace was being enlarged, the bones of a young boy were discovered there. The Grey Lady is said to be the ghost of the wife of Lord Grey. He ran away with her sister and in despair she killed herself. Her ghost is believed to still walk the castle corridors looking for her husband's return. There are frequent ghost watches organised at the castle, especially at Halloween. Few people go more than once!

Just a quick mention since Chillingham is on the menu - have you heard about the Chillingham Wild Cattle? They are the only cattle in the world that have remained pure. Still roaming wild at Chillingham you can see them but only accompanied by a warden. Watch out for the signs from the A1 and A697 roads. Phone 01668 215250

Alnwick: The Dirty Bottles
Over 200 years ago, the owner of the "Cross Keys" pub in Alnwick suffered a heart attack as he changed the display of bottles in the window and cursed the bottles as he died. A few years later, the bottles were moved again only for the same fate to befall the person concerned. They have remained there ever since, untouched and covered in dust and cobwebs!

Elsdon: Winter's Gibbet
The grim outline of a gibbet (hangman's tower) is an eerie sight on a wild moorland road towards Cambo, above the village of Elsdon, near Otterburn. A wooden replica of a severed head still swings from the gibbet, as a grisly reminder of the fate of William Winter, hanged in 1791 for the murder of an old woman from Elsdon. Winter's body originally hung on the gibbet until it rotted away, months afterwards.

Did you see The Angel of the North? It was designed by Antony Gormley from Gateshead Council. It weighs 200 tons and is 20m high with a wing span of 54m! Can't miss it as you come into Newcastle from Gateshead.