News Article

Darlington Railway Centre and Museum, North Road Station, Darlington.  Find our about the region’s railway history, and see Stephenson’s original Locomotion.  Check out the Stockton & Darlington Coach dating from the 1840s and discover who sat on the roof and why! 
(The seat provided on the roof was for the guard or brake man. The brake is operated by means of a man's weight being applied via the stirrup on the brake lever system. Luggage was carried on the roof and covered with tarpaulins.)

Find out how to look after the environment at Nature's World at the Botanic Centre in Middlesbrough, complete with demonstration gardens, wildlife pond, white garden, shop, tearoom & unique River Tees model.

Explore the Summerhill Visitor Centre, Hartlepool. Summerhill is a 100-acre Country Park on the western edge of Hartlepool that has been transformed for conservation and outdoor sports.

The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle a world-class visitor attraction and centre for major exhibitions. Anyone who remembers Felix the Cat from the comic strip can find a model of Felix in the ‘Toy Collection’.  Felix is the one who is standing upright on his back legs, balanced by long tail with white glass eyes (one missing), black button nose whiskers of horsehair.

Hamsterley Forest is the largest forest in County Durham, is one of the areas most popular visitor attractions. It has something for everyone-there are several large car parks and picnic areas, a play park long with the shop and tearoom. There are several walks and cycle routes in the forest ranging from the one and a half mile easy access footpath to the seven mile black cycle route and downhill descent course for the more adventurous. For those with an interest in wildlife there is plenty to see all year round with information available in the Visitor Centre. Hamsterley contains what is reputed to be England's highest beech wood at 350m and has a flower meadow lower in the valley designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI).

Take the kids for a fun packed visit to Mister Twister's Wacky World of Fun, Consett. Exciting indoor play and party centre with 10,000 sq ft of family fun. Soft play climbing frame, inflatable temple, under 5s plays village, activity, games rooms and much more.

Enjoy a family visit to Druridge Bay Country Park in Northumberland complete with Visitor Centre 3 miles of beach and sand dunes, walks, water sports, picnic areas, natural history and bird watching

Indulge in some local history at Dunstanburgh Castle, Craster, Alnwick, Northumberland. The castle’s history includes political crisis, Anglo-Scottish conflict, rebellion and execution!!
(Note Dunstanburgh Castle was built at a time of political crisis and Anglo-Scottish conflict, when relations soured between King Edward II and his nephew, Thomas Earl of Lancaster, who built the castle. The fallout from their quarrel led eventually to rebellion and the capture and execution of Thomas in 1322. By the 16th century, Dunstanburgh had fallen into decay. It had been built on the grandest possible scale and had reflected the lavish tastes of the earl, but was then left to ruin, perceived to be of no further use.)

Take in the region’s Roman history at Corbridge Roman Site, Corbridge, Northumberland, use the audio tour to guide you round the site which played a vital role in the Roman conquest of Northern Britain.

At Path Head Water Mill, Summerhill, Blaydon-on-Tyne you will find an 18th Century restored working watermill with visitor centre, coffee shop, sun clock, flywheel and crankshaft. Willow house, picnic area, sensory and aquatic gardens. Renewable energy.

Enjoy more of the region’s Roman history at Segedunum (Wallsend) Roman Fort, Baths and Museum.  Explore buildings, excavated ruins, see original remains of wall, fascinating displays and exciting computer interactives.  See the only stone toilet seat from Roman Britain

North East Aircraft Museum, Old Washington Road, Sunderland.  The museum has a collection of aircraft and aero engines also World War II exhibits. Vulcan bomber and over 30 aircraft under cover

Further information

For further information on the region and opening times of all the attractions listed call 08701 601 781 or log onto www.visitnortheastengland.co.uk call into your local Tourist Information Centre.
North Road Station,
Darlington, DL3 6ST
T: (01325) 460532
W: http://www.drcm.org.uk

Ladgate Lane, Acklam,
Middlesbrough, Cleveland, TS5 7YN
T: (01642) 594895
F: (01642) 591224
W: http://www.naturesworld.org.uk 
E: mail@naturesworld.org.uk

Summerhill Lane,
Hartlepool, Cleveland, TS25 4LL
T: (01429) 284584
F: (01429) 284585
E: summerhill@hartlepool.gov.uk

Newgate,
Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 8NP
T: (01833) 690606
F: (01833) 637163
W: http://www.bowesmuseum.org.uk
E: info@bowesmuseum.org.uk

Forest Enterprise, Redford,
Hamsterley Forest, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL13 3NL
T: (01388) 488312
F: (01388) 488581
W: http://www.forestry.gov.uk 
E: robin.lofthouse@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

Unit 40, No1 Industrial Estate, Medomsley Road,
Consett, County Durham, DH8 6TW
T: (01207) 500007
F: (01207) 693999
W: http://www.mistertwisters.co.uk 
E: fun@mistertwisters.co.uk

Red Row,
Druridge Bay, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 5BX
T: (01670) 760968
F: (01670) 761357
W: http://www.northumberland.gov.uk 
E: druridgebay@northumberland.gov.uk

Craster, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 3TT
T: (01665) 576231
W: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk 
E: customers@english-heritage.org.uk

Corbridge, Northumberland, NE45 5NT
T: (01434) 632349
W: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk 
E: customers@english-heritage.org.uk

Summerhill,
Blaydon-on-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE21 4SP
T: (0191) 414 6288
W: http://www.gatesheadmill.co.uk 
E: pathheadmill@aol.com

Buddle Street,
Wallsend, Tyne and Wear, NE28 6HR
T: (0191) 295 5757
F: (0191) 295 5858
W: http://www.twmuseums.org.uk/segedunum 
E: geoff.woodward@twmuseums.org.uk

Old Washington Road,
Sunderland, SR5 3HZ
T: (0191) 519 0662
W: http://www.neam.co.uk