NewcastleGateshead, Sunderland, North Tyneside & South Tyneside

This is the cosmopolitan and transport-hub of the region where group accommodation is plentiful for all price ranges and audiences. Here you'll find contemporary art and architecture, historic buildings and iconic monuments and discover the UK's biggest public art programme. From Anthony Gormley's spectacular Angel of the North, the famous river bridges and the glazed curves of the Sir Norman Foster designed Sage Gateshead to air festivals in Sunderland and international exhibitions at The BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, the Biscuit Factory in Newcastle or in the new Theatre-in-the-Round and artist studios and galleries in the Lower Ouseburn area of Newcastle.

Roman and early Christian connections are very evident with Roman remains at Arbeia and Segedunum and highly significant Christianity sites at St Paul's Church and Monastery, at Bede's World, Jarrow and St Peter's Church, Wearmouth. More recent local history can be found at the Winter Gardens in Sunderland and the Discovery Museum in Newcastle & evolution at the Life Science Centre.

Shoppers are spoilt for choice especially in Grey Street and Granger Town in Newcastle and The Bridges Centre in Sunderland. For pure relaxation there are the beaches and seafront in Tynemouth, Whitley Bay, South Shields and Seaburn, and urban parks oases in Newcastle - Jesmond and Leazes, Saltwell Park in Gateshead and Mowbray Park in Sunderland. And refreshments? Well there is the renowned café culture, tea rooms, gastro pubs many stylish international restaurants dotted around Newcastle as well as classic and contemporary delights right across the area.