Alnwick Castle - Northumberland: Image courtesy Wikipedia/Tagishsimon

NORTH EAST ENGLAND

Allen Banks & Staward Gorge
Bardon Mill, Hexham, Northumberland
Tel: (01434) 344 218

Extensive area of hill and river scenery with waymarked walks through ornamental and ancient woodland. Remains of medieval pele tower spectacularly sited within Staward Wood.

Cherryburn
Station Bank, Mickley nr Stocksfield, Northumberland
Tel: (01661) 843 276

The birthplace of Thomas Bewick, Northumbria’s greatest artist, wood-engraver and naturalist. The 19th century farmhouse houses a small exhibition on Bewick’s life and works.

Cragside House, Garden & Estate
Rothby, Morpeth, Northumberland
Tel: (01669) 620 333 / 620 150

This Victorian mansion was the first house in the world to be lit by hydro-electricity.

Farne Islands
Northumberland
Tel: (01665) 721 099

The islands provide a summer home for many different species of seabirds, including puffin, kittiwake, eider duck, guillemot, fulmar, tern and a large colony of grey seals. Only Inner Farne and Staple Islands can be visited. Note: NT members to pay boat charges leaving from Seahouses harbour.

George Stephenson’s Birthplace
Wylam, Northumberland
Tel: (01661) 853 457

A small stone tenement built c.1760 to accommodate mining families. The furnishings reflect the year of George Stephenson’s birth here in 1781: the room in which the whole family lived is open to visitors.

Gibside
Burnopfield, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Gateshead
Tel: (01207) 541 820

One of the finest 18th century designed landscapes in the north of England – 143ha of grounds includes many walks in woodland.

Lindisfarne Castle
Holy Island, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland
Tel: (01289) 389 244

Built in 1550 to protect Holy Island harbour from attack, the castle was restored and converted into a private house by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1903.

Ormesby Hall
Ormesby, Middlesbrough
Tel: (01642) 324 188

A mid-18th century Palladian mansion with fine plasterwork and carved woodwork. Includes a Victorian laundry and kitchen with scullery and game larder. A large model railway exhibition is also on display.

Souter Lighthouse
Coast Road, Whitburn, Sunderland, South Tyneside
Tel: (0191) 529 3161

This shore-based lighthouse, the first to be powered by alternating electric current, was opened in 1871.

Wallington
Cambo, Morpeth, Northumberland
Tel: (01670) 773 600 / 773 967 (info line)

The family home of the Trevelyans, built of Northumberland stone. Rooms range from mid-Georgian to the Victorian nursery, and the Central Hall with paintings by William Bell Scott.

Washington Old Hall
The Avenue, Washington Village, Sunderland
Tel: (0191) 416 6879

The home of George Washington’s direct ancestors from 1183–1288, remaining in the family until 1613.