38 Best Sights in The Northeast, England

Bringing science to life with hundreds of kid-oriented exhibits divided into themed "zones" that highlight everything from research on genes to travel to Mars, this is one of Newcastle's best family attractions. Highlights include the "Space Zone," which shows how space technology is now a part of people's everyday lives, and the extra-interactive "Experiment Zone," which is full of hands-on scientific gizmos and fun experiments that make science learning feel more like a trip to the playground. There's also a giant 3-D replica of the earth with detailed NASA imagery, a regular 360-degree alien-hunting planetarium show, and a whole host of seasonal events and activities, as well as an ice-skating rink in winter. Visiting as a family? Opt for a family ticket, from £22.50 for one adult and one child to £47.50 for two adults and three children.

Reached during low tide via a causeway from the mainland, this castle appears to grow out of the rocky pinnacle on which it was built 400 years ago, looking for all the world like a fairy-tale illustration. In 1903, architect Sir Edwin Lutyens converted the former Tudor fort into a private home that retains the original's ancient features. Across several fields from the castle is a walled garden designed by Gertrude Jekyll. Opening times are notoriously changeable—especially on Monday outside midsummer—and are always dependant on weather and tides, so it's best to call ahead.

Overlooking the Tyne River, the remains of the Norman castle recall the city's earlier status as a defensive stronghold. Built in 1080, this was the "new castle" that gave the city its name. The gatehouse and stone keep are all that remain; although the effect is somewhat diminished by the railroad viaduct that thoughtlessly separates the two. The "black gate" remains the point of entry, with a small exhibition on the surrounding area of Castle Garth, but the most interesting sights—including the impressive Great Hall, the vaulted dungeon, and the rooftop views—are in the keep.

England's oldest purpose-built prison, dating from 1330, Hexham's Old Gaol houses fascinating exhibits about the history of the borderlands, including tales of the terrifying "reivers" and their bloodthirsty raids into Northumberland from Scotland during the 16th and 17th centuries. Photographs, weapons, and a reconstructed house interior give a full account of what the region was like in medieval times. A glass elevator takes you up and down four floors, including to the dungeon.

A 15-minute walk from the cathedral, this Durham University–owned museum displays fine art and craftwork from all parts of Asia and the Middle East. Galleries are ordered by culture, including Ancient Egypt, Japan, China, and Korea. Among the highlights are some exquisite Qing dynasty jade and lacquer ornaments, ancient tapestries and embroideries from the Himalayas, and a collection of Japanese woodblock prints from the Edo period.

Delightful views are the reward of a short stroll along the River Wear's leafy banks, especially as you cross this 17th-century stone footbridge, reached from the southern end of Palace Green. J. M. W. Turner adored the view from here and painted a celebrated scene of Durham from the bridge.

At the garrison fort of Carvoran, this museum makes an excellent introduction to Hadrian's Wall. Full-size models and excavations bring this remote outpost of the empire to life, with a host of historic artifacts including authentic Roman graffiti adorning the walls of an excavated barracks. There's also a flashy 3-D film that puts it all into historical context. Opposite the museum, at Walltown Crags on the Pennine Way (one of Britain's long-distance national hiking trails), are 400 yards of the best-preserved section of the wall. The museum is one mile northeast of Greenhead.

For a good introduction to Britain's Roman history, dip into this museum. It includes the remains of the substantial Roman fort of Segedunum, built around AD 125, as well as the easternmost section of the original Hadrian's Wall (there's a reason this part of town is called Wallsend) and a reconstructed Roman bath complex. Start your tour at the (unfortunately rather ugly) observation tower for a good overview of the site, as well as an exhibition on local shipbuilding, before heading down to ground level. The collection of artifacts covers the whole 300-year period of Roman occupation in the region, and it includes pieces of weaponry, armor, and a Roman stone toilet—the only one surviving in the country.