Known as England’s Border Country it has more castles than any other county and many fine houses and estates; close links with early Christianity are present in the ancient abbeys and other important sites such as Holy Island (Lindisfarne).

But it isn’t all history. Newcastle and the whole of Tyneside is just 30 minutes away. Here you’ll find all the shopping and nightlife you could wish for. And a visit to the North East isn’t complete without a day spent at the famous MetroCentre, one of Europe’s largest indoor shopping and leisure complexes.
If outdoor activities are your main interest, these abound on the doorstep. Whether it’s golf, horse-riding or fishing, the area offers some of the finest facilities to be found anywhere in Europe. More