Visiting the North East? Here are 7 sights to see in your hire car

Howay! Are you planning a trip to the North East? Good choice! Here are 7 fun things to do in Newcastle, Northumberland and The North East.

2. Northumberland Coast Area of Natural Beauty



Fancy a breath of fresh sea air? Make sure to pay a visit to the Northumberland Coast Area of Natural Beauty. You get it all: wide sandy beaches, majestic seascapes, historic castles and offshore islands full of wildlife.

Cocklawburn Beach may have a bit of an odd name, but it makes for a lovely day out. This dog-friendly beach is very pretty, and the perfect place for birdwatchers, surfers, and bodyboarders. It's great for rock pooling, too.

3. Farne Islands

"P-p-p-p-pick up a…"

Oops. Sorry – wrong bird. But if you want to catch cute little puffins in their natural habitat, the Farne Islands have your name all over them.

To get to the Farne Islands, you need to drive to and catch a boat from Seahouses Harbour, from which you can watch seals and seabirds. You might even spot pods of dolphins and elusive Minke whales – if you're lucky!

The best time to visit if you want to see the resident puffins is between May and June, as sightings are guaranteed due to their very good numbers at this time. They arrive on the islands in late March/early April, and they all leave the islands for life out at sea by the first week in August.

Even if you go outside of puffin season, you'll have the chance to see thousands of seabirds, dolphins, and seals popping their curious little heads up out of the water. You'll also see beautiful views of the mainland and get to explore St Cuthbert's Chapel.

4. Heatherslaw Light Railway

Choo-choo! This ridiculously small but charming train is due to leave the station and take you on a countryside adventure. It's a great activity for the little ones – seeing who can spot the most birds of prey, hares, bulls, sheep, pheasants, ducks, and other wildlife.

The train runs between Heatherslaw Station and Etal Station from the late morning to the afternoon. Just be sure to check the timetable online as it runs seasonally and can be closed on certain days.

5. Newcastle City Centre

What's a trip to the North East without a visit to the Toon? Give Newcastle city centre a visit for a fun-packed few days – it's a great place to put down roots for a week and drive to other destinations from.

There really is something for everyone in "the jewel of the North East". It's home to thriving foodie and cultural scenes, especially the rejuvenated Quayside area. Check out Simla restaurant for some seriously delicious Indian food.

You won't have to look too hard for cool bars or nightlife. Popular party areas include Central Station, Collingwood Street, Osbourne Street and Neville Street.

You can also:

• Stroll along the River Tyne to see the city's seven famous bridges
• Visit the Sunday Quayside Market
• Muse about contemporary art at the Baltic Centre
• Explore industrial Ouseburn Valley
• Visit Newcastle Castle



6. Whitley Bay Beach

Want to include a trip to the beach in your Geordie holiday? Pretty Whitley Bay is around a 23-minute drive from Newcastle City Centre.

If you time it right with the weather, you can get your sunnies on and enjoy a day on the two-mile-long golden sand beach, with the greenery of the Links on the foreshore. It's the perfect day out for people who love chilling on the beach, as well as those who like to mooch around a seaside town – keep an eye out for all the independent shops.

Whitley Bay Beach is also the venue for an annual sandcastle competition at the end of July, so make sure you pack your bucket and spade.

7. Hadrian's Wall

Everyone loves a long old wall. Check out the Northumberland section of Hadrian's 73-mile-long stone wall that winds across the UK. This engineering marvel, left over from the Roman Empire, is perhaps the most significant pile of stones in the UK.

You can find it in the Tyne Valley, following it through the charming towns of Haltwhistle and Hexam to see the scenery that inspired stories like Game of Thrones.

One cool place to visit along Hadrian's Wall is the Roman Vindolanda in Hexam. This is one of Europe's most important archaeological sites, and it still has live excavations taking place every year.