Whittle Dene Reservoir House

Washington Old Hall is a stone manor house in the heart of Washington village, cared for by the National Trust. It includes parts of the medieval home of George Washington's direct ancestors, and the family took its surname from here. The ground floor shows a 17th-century home, with carved oak furniture and a collection of Delft ware.

Tip: Free parking is available on The Avenue, right beside the property.

Beamish is a living, open-air museum on a 350-acre site in County Durham, telling the story of everyday life in the North East. Original, moved and replica buildings are staffed by costumed engagers, with live demonstrations and hands-on activities. Trams and buses carry you between the different areas.

Tip: Book your pass online before you visit for faster entry, and download the map to your phone or pick one up at the Entrance Building.

Prudhoe Castle is a ruined medieval castle on the south bank of the River Tyne in Northumberland, now looked after by English Heritage. It sits on a ridge above the river and guarded an important crossing. You approach past a mill pond, through the 14th-century barbican and over the inner ditch to the formidable gatehouse.

Tip: Check the English Heritage website before you go, as access to the inner ward and chapel is limited to certain days. There is free parking a short walk from the entrance, along a slope with cobbles and loose gravel.

Aydon Castle is a fortified medieval manor house near Corbridge in Northumberland, and is thought to be one of the least-altered examples in England. Begun in the late 13th century, it was progressively turned into a miniature castle as Anglo-Scottish border warfare grew fiercer, and was attacked at least three times by Scots raiders.

Tip: English Heritage lists it as closed for winter, so check it has reopened before you travel.

The Great North Museum: Hancock in Newcastle upon Tyne is a natural history and ancient civilisations museum in a refurbished Victorian building. Entry is free, though donations are welcome, and the planetarium is an extra paid attraction.

Tip: For a quieter visit, go after 2.30pm on weekdays or on Sundays.

Hall Hill Farm is an award-winning farm attraction near Tow Law in County Durham. It has been open to the public since 1981 and is still a working farm, run by the family who have farmed here since 1925. The land covers 290 hectares of grassland, woodland and crops, and the farm is home to over a thousand sheep.

Tip: Tickets can be bought in advance online, and the farm can be phoned on 01388 731333 for help with pre-booking.

The Glasshouse International Centre for Music is a curved glass and stainless steel building on the Gateshead bank of the Tyne, designed by Foster + Partners. It opened in 2004 as Sage Gateshead and was renamed in September 2023. Inside are three performance spaces, including a 1,700-seat hall and Sage Two, possibly the world's only ten-sided performance space. It is also home to Royal Northern Sinfonia.

Tip: If driving, put NE8 2BA into your map app to reach the car park. The venue is up a hill, about a 10-minute walk from Gateshead Metro station.

Gibside is a National Trust estate in the valley of the River Derwent, the surviving part of a Georgian landscaped park created under Sir George Bowes. Miles of peaceful walking trails run through woodland and past historic buildings, including the Palladian chapel at the end of the Avenue, the orangery and the ruined shell of Gibside Hall.

Tip: Car parking is free, and you can get 25% off admission by showing a valid bus ticket.