If you’re looking for things to do in the North East then this is the perfect compilation for you.

In the North East we sometimes forget how lucky we are to have cities like Newcastle on our doorstep, as well as rolling countryside and stunning historic buildings, so here is our round up of tourism hotspots in the North East!

Looking for tourist locations and things to do in Durham? Our recent blog is filled with ideas for just the Durham region alone!

Hadrian’s Wall

Address: Buddle Street, Wallsend, Tyne and Wear, NE28 6HR

Sprawling 73 miles from Wallsend to Solway Firth in the West of the country, Hadrian’s Wall was built in 117AD and continues to have visitors flock to it today. The impressive structure was built by three legions of infantrymen from the British army, to separate Roman and Barbarian territories and, it is said to have taken six years for 15,000 men to complete. For some 300 years it was an active military line and visitors today can still patrol the wall. Housesteads is one of the wall’s best-preserved forts, with the foundations of a hospital, barracks and flushing toilets still visible.

URL: http://hadrianswallcountry.co.uk/

Grainger Market

Address: Grainger Street, Newcastle, NE1 5JQ

Newcastle’s Grainger Market continues to run 52 weeks a year, with over 100 businesses, from local, independent traders to big name shops, offering choice and variety to visitors old and new. First opening in 1835, the market was originally divided into a butchers and a vegetable market. It now has 14 entranceways and celebrated its 175th birthday with a week of Victorian-themed activities, in 2010.

URL: http://www.graingermarket.org.uk/

intu Metrocentre

Address: Gateshead, NE11 9YG

The intu Metrocentre has long been recognised as the shopping hub of the North East, with an incredible 340+ shops, occupying over 2,000.000sq ft. and 10,000 car parking spaces. It officially opened in October 1986 and is the largest shopping and leisure centre in the UK.

Popular shops in the intu Metrocentre include: Apple Store, Boux Avenue, Cath Kidston, Disney Store, Footasylum, H&M, Primark, Hotel Chocolate, HMV, Jacamo, Kurt Geiger, Laura Ashley, Lego, New Look, Pandora, Paperchase and Primark.

Popular bars and restaurants in the intu Metrocentre include: Bella Italia, Chiquito, Coast to Coast, Ed’s Easy Diner, Five Guys, Pizza Express and Wagamama.

URL: http://intu.co.uk/metrocentre

Roseberry Topping

Address: Newton-under-Roseberry, North Yorkshire, TS9 6QR

One of the most loved landmarks in the Tees Valley area, Roseberry Topping is far from being the biggest hill you’ll ever see, but Northerners love going up it and visiting the surrounding area. The jagged shape is a result of a geological fault and mining collapse in 1912 and the half-cone summit and jagged cliff stands at 1,049 ft. (320m) high.

URL: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/roseberry-topping

Life Science Centre

Address: Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4EP

Fun and educational for all of the family, the Life Science Centre is just one of many museums in the city of Newcastle and, of course, the North East. Latest exhibits include the Brain Zone and ‘Animal Inside Out: A Body World’s Production’.

URL: http://www.life.org.uk/

Yorkshire Dales

Address: Yoredale, Bainbridge, Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 3EL

An upland area of the Pennines in Northern England, the Yorkshire Dales is an historic county of Yorkshire, with most of it in the Yorkshire Dales National Park (created in 1954). Towns and villages include Ripon, Grassington, Reeth, Leyburn and Richmond. Perfect for summer strolls, picnics and exploring the animals and plantlife in our region.

URL: http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/

Football Stadiums

Addresses:

The Sunderland Stadium of Light, Sunderland, SR5 1SU

Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, TS3 6RS

The North East is a heartland of football fanatics, with newly-promoted Middlesbrough FC joining Sunderland AFC in the Premiership in the forthcoming season. Recently relegated Championship-side Newcastle FC are looking to get straight back up to the Premiership, with their legions of fans supporting the team at St James’ Park.

All three stadiums offer various opportunities to visit, including some great VIP packages for football fans across the region.

URLs:

Sunderland AFC: http://www.safc.com/the-club/stadium

Middlesbrough FC: http://www.mfc.co.uk/club/riverside-stadium/directions-and-parking.aspx

Beaches and the Seaside

The North East is lucky to have a number of beaches along its coastline, including Roker Beach, Seaton Carew and Redcar. All popular for various reasons, with Redcar seafront recently undergoing a multi-million pound renovation scheme, including Redcar Beacon, the ‘vertical pier’ and brand new sea defences, seating areas and features. There is of course, the always-popular seaside towns of Whitby and Scarborough further down our Northern coastline.

• If you would like transport to your next night out in the North East please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Stanley Travel on 01207 230 000.