The North East is rich in stunning scenery, contemporary culture and historical sites, and offers the very best in sports and entertainment.
With a lower cost of living compared to other parts of the UK, living in the region gives you greater opportunity to live life to the full and do what you enjoy most.
And there’s plenty on offer.
The outdoors
With its dramatic and varied landscapes, when you live in the North East, you’re never far away from your next outdoor adventure.
Our coastline is home to some of the country’s best beaches. From the rugged, picturesque beaches of Northumberland to the golden, family-friendly beaches of South Shields, they offer a huge variety of activities for all ages. For activity lovers there’s canoeing, kayaking and surfing to try, or for thrill seekers a trip to Ocean Beach Pleasure Park makes the perfect day out.
Inland you can take a walk in the peaceful moors of the Durham Dales, discovering winding rivers and hidden villages. Or a trip to Northumberland National Park and one of Europe’s greatest monuments, Hadrian’s Wall, is one of the region’s highlights.
Events
From music festivals to sporting events, there’s always a lot going on in the region.
Every year, over 40,000 people take part in the Great North Run. Now one of the world’s largest running events, the race sees participants run 13.1 miles from Tyne Bridge to the South Shields coast, amid roaring cheers from the crowds.
And festival season is never a quiet affair. From Newcastle’s This is Tomorrow festival, to The Hardwick Live festival in County Durham, you’ll find numerous music events taking place across the region.
Shopping
If you’re after a spot of retail therapy, you’re spoilt for choice. For a full day out, The Metrocentre in Gateshead, one of the largest shopping centres in Europe, boasts over 330 shops, a cinema complex and a food hall. You’ll also find a wide range of shops in Newcastle’s Eldon Square and The Bridges shopping centre in Sunderland.
Or if you prefer something a bit more low key, head to the market towns of Alnwick or Stanhope where you can take your time exploring the many independent boutiques and antique shops.
Sport
We’re a region with a proud sporting tradition, and we’re passionate about supporting sport - whether it’s professional or at grassroots level.
With Newcastle United and Sunderland Football Club flying the flag for football, the Newcastle Falcons leading the charge in the region’s rugby and Durham Cricket batting for the North East, there’s a lot for sports-loving spectators to enjoy.
And there are also lots of opportunities to get involved yourself. Home to some stunning golf courses and benefitting from a wide variety of well-established sports clubs across the region, the North East is a great place to get out and get active.
Art & Culture
With over 70 castles in the North East, the region is steeped in medieval history.
In Northumberland, you’ll find the spectacular Bamburgh Castle which spans nine acres above the region’s coastline, providing magnificent views for visitors. Or for film lovers, a trip to Alnwick Castle is a must, having featured in a number of classic films, including Harry Potter and Downton Abbey.
With Newcastle’s popular Laing Gallery and County Durham’s world famous Beamish open air museum, amongst many others, the region is also home to a wide variety of galleries, museums and National Trust stately homes – so you’re never short of a spot of culture.
The outdoors
With its dramatic and varied landscapes, when you live in the North East, you’re never far away from your next outdoor adventure.
Our coastline is home to some of the country’s best beaches. From the rugged, picturesque beaches of Northumberland to the golden, family-friendly beaches of South Shields, they offer a huge variety of activities for all ages. For activity lovers there’s canoeing, kayaking and surfing to try, or for thrill seekers a trip to Ocean Beach Pleasure Park makes the perfect day out.
Inland you can take a walk in the peaceful moors of the Durham Dales, discovering winding rivers and hidden villages. Or a trip to Northumberland National Park and one of Europe’s greatest monuments, Hadrian’s Wall, is one of the region’s highlights.
Events
From music festivals to sporting events, there’s always a lot going on in the region.
Every year, over 40,000 people take part in the Great North Run. Now one of the world’s largest running events, the race sees participants run 13.1 miles from Tyne Bridge to the South Shields coast, amid roaring cheers from the crowds.
And festival season is never a quiet affair. From Newcastle’s This is Tomorrow festival, to The Hardwick Live festival in County Durham, you’ll find numerous music events taking place across the region.
Shopping
If you’re after a spot of retail therapy, you’re spoilt for choice. For a full day out, The Metrocentre in Gateshead, one of the largest shopping centres in Europe, boasts over 330 shops, a cinema complex and a food hall. You’ll also find a wide range of shops in Newcastle’s Eldon Square and The Bridges shopping centre in Sunderland.
Or if you prefer something a bit more low key, head to the market towns of Alnwick or Stanhope where you can take your time exploring the many independent boutiques and antique shops.
Sport
We’re a region with a proud sporting tradition, and we’re passionate about supporting sport - whether it’s professional or at grassroots level.
With Newcastle United and Sunderland Football Club flying the flag for football, the Newcastle Falcons leading the charge in the region’s rugby and Durham Cricket batting for the North East, there’s a lot for sports-loving spectators to enjoy.
And there are also lots of opportunities to get involved yourself. Home to some stunning golf courses and benefitting from a wide variety of well-established sports clubs across the region, the North East is a great place to get out and get active.
Art & Culture
With over 70 castles in the North East, the region is steeped in medieval history.
In Northumberland, you’ll find the spectacular Bamburgh Castle which spans nine acres above the region’s coastline, providing magnificent views for visitors. Or for film lovers, a trip to Alnwick Castle is a must, having featured in a number of classic films, including Harry Potter and Downton Abbey.
With Newcastle’s popular Laing Gallery and County Durham’s world famous Beamish open air museum, amongst many others, the region is also home to a wide variety of galleries, museums and National Trust stately homes – so you’re never short of a spot of culture.
Header footage credit: Visit County Durham