Culture

The region abounds with some of the finest culture and heritage to be found anywhere.

There are two World Heritage Sites – Durham Cathedral and Castle, and Hadrian’s Wall - as well as 22 medieval castles and a host of world-class museums.

Holy Island was one of the cradles of Christianity in Northern Europe during the seventh century. The ruins of Lindisfarne Priory can still be seen on the island off the Northumberland coast.

The iconic Sage Gateshead building is one of the finest music and conference centres in the world. This is located on the famous Newcastle Gateshead Quayside, close to the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art and the award-winning ‘Blinking Eye’ Millennium Bridge.

The world’s first passenger railway was created in North East England and ran between Stockton and Darlington. The locomotive for this was built by locally born George Stephenson.

Furthermore, North East England is a region that knows how to relax and have fun, with Newcastle having a worldwide reputation for its lively nightlife.

A range of musical and folk festivals are held in various parts of the region throughout the year. One of the most colourful is Stockton Riverside Festival in Tees Valley, which attracts performers and visitors from both home and overseas.