Hexham and the Tyne valley (for Hadrian's Wall)
Hexham has the most of our homes in the region. The town is built round a large medieval abbey and a market place, with trains to Newcastle in about 35 minutes. Housesteads, the best-preserved fort on Hadrian's Wall, and Vindolanda, where the Roman writing tablets were found, are around 20 to 25 minutes west. Kielder Water and its dark-sky observatory are about an hour north.
Best for: Roman forts, Wall walks and an abbey town base
Not for you if: You want the sea: the coast is over an hour away, and Hexham is firmly inland.
Barnard Castle and Teesdale
Barnard Castle is a stone market town on the Tees, with a ruined castle above the river and the Bowes Museum, a French-style chateau holding a large art collection and a silver swan automaton. Upper Teesdale is around half an hour away, where High Force and Low Force pour over the Whin Sill. Raby Castle is about 20 minutes east. Darlington station is roughly half an hour's drive.
Best for: Waterfall walks, a big museum and quiet market town life
Not for you if: You want a lively evening scene: Barnard Castle is small and quiet after six.
Alnwick and Amble (Northumberland coast)
Alnwick Castle, used in the early Harry Potter films, sits beside the Alnwick Garden, and Barter Books fills the old railway station. Amble, around 15 minutes south, is a harbour town where boats run out to Coquet Island in spring and summer to see puffins and terns from the water. Warkworth Castle is a mile up the River Coquet. Alnmouth station, on the main line, is between the two.
Best for: Families who want a castle, beaches and puffin boat trips
Not for you if: You want warm sea swimming: the North Sea stays cold well into summer.
Berwick upon Tweed and the north Northumberland coast
Berwick sits at the mouth of the Tweed, a few miles from the Scottish border, and its Elizabethan ramparts make a walk of around an hour and a half round the town. Holy Island, with Lindisfarne Priory and castle, is about 20 minutes south over a tidal causeway, so check the safe crossing times. Bamburgh Castle and its long beach are around half an hour away. LNER trains stop here on the way to Edinburgh.
Best for: Holy Island, Bamburgh and long empty beaches
Not for you if: You dislike planning round tides: the Holy Island causeway floods twice a day.
Newcastle and Durham
Newcastle's Quayside has the Tyne bridges, the Baltic gallery in a converted flour mill and the Sage music hall across the river in Gateshead. The Angel of the North is a short drive south. Durham, about 15 minutes away by train, has a Norman cathedral and castle on a wooded loop of the River Wear, listed together as a World Heritage Site.
Best for: A city break with a cathedral day trip
Not for you if: You want countryside outside the door: these are town homes, and parking can be tight.
