Church Point

Alnwick Castle is the seat of the Duke of Northumberland and has been home to the Percy family since 1307. It began as a Norman stronghold and grew into a major fortress on the Anglo-Scottish border. Inside the keep, the State Rooms include the Library, Drawing Room, Saloon, Dining Room and China Gallery. You can also walk the battlements and see the Victorian Great Kitchen.

Tip: Broomstick Training needs a time-slot ticket, and Alnwick Castle tickets don't include The Alnwick Garden, which has its own website.

Warkworth Castle is a ruined medieval castle in Northumberland, sitting in a loop of the River Coquet less than a mile from the coast. It was long the residence of the powerful Percy family, and the imposing keep was added in the late 14th century. English Heritage has cared for the site since 1984.

Tip: To visit the Hermitage, go to the castle first to secure your place, as tickets are limited and only sold on the day. Dogs are not allowed at the Hermitage.

Washington Old Hall is a stone manor house in the heart of Washington village, cared for by the National Trust. It includes parts of the medieval home of George Washington's direct ancestors, and the family took its surname from here. The ground floor shows a 17th-century home, with carved oak furniture and a collection of Delft ware.

Tip: Free parking is available on The Avenue, right beside the property.

Seaton Delaval Hall is a Grade I listed National Trust house on the Northumberland coast, between Seaton Sluice and Seaton Delaval. Sir John Vanbrugh designed it in the English Baroque style. It was the last country house he designed, and it is regarded as one of his finest.

Tip: Walk east across the park to the mausoleum, about half a mile from the hall.

Beamish is a living, open-air museum on a 350-acre site in County Durham, telling the story of everyday life in the North East. Original, moved and replica buildings are staffed by costumed engagers, with live demonstrations and hands-on activities. Trams and buses carry you between the different areas.

Tip: Book your pass online before you visit for faster entry, and download the map to your phone or pick one up at the Entrance Building.

The Great North Museum: Hancock in Newcastle upon Tyne is a natural history and ancient civilisations museum in a refurbished Victorian building. Entry is free, though donations are welcome, and the planetarium is an extra paid attraction.

Tip: For a quieter visit, go after 2.30pm on weekdays or on Sundays.

The Glasshouse International Centre for Music is a curved glass and stainless steel building on the Gateshead bank of the Tyne, designed by Foster + Partners. It opened in 2004 as Sage Gateshead and was renamed in September 2023. Inside are three performance spaces, including a 1,700-seat hall and Sage Two, possibly the world's only ten-sided performance space. It is also home to Royal Northern Sinfonia.

Tip: If driving, put NE8 2BA into your map app to reach the car park. The venue is up a hill, about a 10-minute walk from Gateshead Metro station.

Hylton Castle is a distinctive, highly decorative gatehouse-tower in Sunderland, built by the wealthy Sir William Hylton shortly before 1400. It originally held four floors of self-contained family accommodation, and its entrance front displays royal and family heraldry, including Richard II's white hart badge.

Tip: Car parking is available at the site.