The Christmas holidays are the perfect time to slow down, get outside and see somewhere new. And you don't need to travel far to do it. Beyond the well-known castles and city centres, the North East is full of quiet fishing villages, hidden waterfalls, secret tunnels and wild stretches of coast that most visitors never find.

Whether you're planning a family adventure, a romantic winter walk or a peaceful day out with the dog, this guide shares the North East's best hidden gems to enjoy over the festive break, with what to do, how to get there and the best days to go.

When are the Christmas holidays in 2026?

 

Most North East schools finish on Friday 18 December 2026 and return on Monday 4 January 2027, giving families two full weeks off. Academies and independent schools can set their own dates, so check with your child's school.

The bank holidays fall on Friday 25 December (Christmas Day), Monday 28 December (the substitute day for Boxing Day) and Friday 1 January 2027 (New Year's Day). If you work Monday to Friday, booking just three days of leave on 29, 30 and 31 December gives you ten days off in a row.

When is the best time to explore the North East's hidden gems?

• The week before Christmas: Once schools break up on 18 December, weekdays are perfect for family adventures while the big attractions are busy with festive crowds.

• Christmas Day and Boxing Day: Most indoor attractions close, but coastal paths, woodland walks and beaches are open as always. A Boxing Day walk is a North East tradition.

• 27 to 31 December: The quiet days between Christmas and New Year are ideal for exploring. Roads are calmer, and you'll often have beaches and trails almost to yourself.

• New Year's Day: Start the year with a bracing coastal walk to blow away the cobwebs.

• Time of day: In late December the sun sets at around half past three, so start walks in the morning and plan to finish in daylight.

How do you get to the North East?

• By train: LNER runs from London King's Cross to Newcastle in around three hours, stopping at Darlington, Durham, Alnmouth and Berwick-upon-Tweed. From Edinburgh, Newcastle is about an hour and a half away. CrossCountry and TransPennine Express connect the region with Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool.

• By car: The A1(M) and A1 run the length of the region, the A19 serves Teesside and the coast, and the A69 links Newcastle with Hexham and Carlisle.

• By air: Newcastle International Airport is around 25 minutes from the city centre by Metro, and Teesside International Airport serves the south of the region.

• Getting around: Many hidden gems are rural, so a car gives you the most freedom. The Tyne and Wear Metro reaches the coast at Tynemouth, Cullercoats and Whitley Bay. Public transport runs a reduced service over the holidays, with none on Christmas Day.

Hidden gems to explore on the Northumberland coast

1. Low Newton-by-the-Sea 

Perfect for: Couples, families and dog walkers

Tucked into the curve of Embleton Bay, Low Newton-by-the-Sea is a tiny fishing village built around a square of whitewashed cottages that opens straight onto the beach. It's one of the most peaceful spots on the whole Northumberland coast.

What to do:

• Walk along the sands of Embleton Bay towards the dramatic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, or follow the 6-mile circular coastal route

• Look out for wading birds at Newton Pool Nature Reserve behind the dunes

• Warm up at The Ship Inn, which overlooks the village square and brews its own beer

• Carry on to Craster to try its famous smoked kippers

How to get there: Low Newton is off the B1339, around 20 minutes from Alnwick and an hour and a quarter from Newcastle. Park at the car park above the village (NE66 3EH) and walk down.

Best time to go: A crisp, clear morning between Christmas and New Year, with lunch at the pub afterwards.

2. Warkworth and Amble 

Perfect for: Couples and families

Warkworth is a pretty village on a loop of the River Coquet, with a medieval castle at the top of its main street and a stone bridge at the bottom. Just down the river, Amble is a working harbour town with a relaxed, friendly feel.

What to do:

• Walk the riverside path below Warkworth Castle and through the village

• Stroll along the coast from Warkworth to Amble on the long, sandy beach

• Wander around Amble Harbour and its seafood cafés

• Look out to sea towards Coquet Island, home to a historic lighthouse

How to get there: Both are just off the A1068, around 45 minutes from Newcastle. Alnmouth station is the closest on the East Coast Main Line.

Best time to go: Boxing Day or New Year's Day for a festive beach walk between the two.

3. Berwick-upon-Tweed

Perfect for: History lovers, couples and families with older children

England's most northerly town is wrapped in a complete circuit of Elizabethan ramparts, and walking them is one of the best free days out in the North East.

What to do:

• Walk the circuit of the town walls, with views over the Tweed estuary and the North Sea

• See the three bridges across the Tweed, including the striking Royal Border Bridge

• Cross the river to the sandy beach and promenade at Spittal

Berwick is on the East Coast Main Line, around 45 minutes from Newcastle and 45 minutes from Edinburgh. By car, it's just off the A1.H Berwick is on the East Coast Main Line, around 45 minutes from Newcastle and 45 minutes from Edinburgh. By car, it's just off the A1.

Best time to go: A sunny winter morning, when the light over the estuary is at its best.

Hidden gems to explore in the Northumberland countryside

1. Hareshaw Linn

Perfect for: Families with older children and keen walkers

Hareshaw Linn is a beautiful hidden waterfall in a wooded valley just outside the village of Bellingham. A 3-mile circular walk follows Hareshaw Burn through ancient woodland, crossing a series of pretty footbridges, before arriving at the falls.

What to do: Follow the burn upstream to the waterfall and back, then warm up with a hot drink in Bellingham.

How to get there: Bellingham is around an hour's drive from Newcastle, north of Hexham. There's a small car park near the start of the walk, which can fill up quickly, so arrive early.

Best time to go: After a spell of rain, when the falls are at their most dramatic. Wear sturdy boots, as paths can be muddy and icy, and there are a couple of steep sections.

2. Allen Banks and Staward Gorge

Perfect for: Families, nature lovers and dog walkers

Cared for by the National Trust, Allen Banks and Staward Gorge is one of the largest areas of ancient woodland in Northumberland. Paths follow the River Allen through a deep gorge, with suspension bridges, viewpoints and the ruins of a medieval pele tower hidden among the trees.

What to do: Choose from several waymarked woodland walks, from a gentle riverside stroll to a longer trail up to the remains of Staward Pele.

How to get there: Allen Banks is near Bardon Mill, just off the A69, around 45 minutes from Newcastle. Bardon Mill station on the Tyne Valley line is about a mile away.

Best time to go: Any dry winter morning. The bare trees open up views you'll miss in summer.

3. Blanchland

Perfect for: Couples

Blanchland is one of the most beautiful villages in England, built from honey-coloured stone around the remains of a 12th-century abbey. Set deep in the North Pennines, it feels wonderfully peaceful in winter.

What to do:

• Wander around the village square and the abbey church

• Walk beside the River Derwent or onto the surrounding moors

• Enjoy lunch or a festive drink by the fire at the historic Lord Crewe Arms

• Visit Derwent Reservoir nearby for a lakeside walk

How to get there: Blanchland is around 45 minutes from Newcastle and 30 minutes from Hexham by car. The moorland roads can be icy, so check the forecast before you travel.

Best time to go: A frosty weekday, when the village feels like a Christmas card.

4. Hadrian's Wall

Perfect for: Couples, families with older children and walkers

Winter is the quietest time of year on Hadrian's Wall. The stretches around Steel Rigg, close to Winshields Crag, the highest point on the Wall, and Walltown Crags follow the Wall over dramatic crags with sweeping views across Northumberland National Park.

What to do: Follow the Hadrian's Wall Path between Steel Rigg and nearby crags for a short but spectacular walk, or visit Walltown Crags for one of the best-preserved sections of the Wall.

How to get there: Both are off the B6318, around an hour from Newcastle. Haltwhistle and Bardon Mill stations on the Tyne Valley line are the closest.

Best time to go: A clear, calm day. Exposed sections can be cold and windy, so wrap up well.

Hidden gems to explore in Tyne and Wear

1. Victoria Tunnel

Perfect for: Families with children aged 7 and over, history lovers and groups of friends

Beneath the streets of Newcastle runs the Victoria Tunnel, a 19th-century wagonway built to carry coal to the Tyne, later used as an air raid shelter during the Second World War. Guided tours led by the Ouseburn Trust take you underground to hear the stories of the people who sheltered there.

What to do:

• Book a 75-minute introductory tour or a two-hour tour that goes deeper underground

• Spend the rest of the day in the Ouseburn Valley, with its city farm, independent cafés, music venues and Seven Stories, the National Centre for Children's Books

How to get there: The tunnel entrance is in the Ouseburn Valley, a short walk or bus ride from Newcastle city centre.

Best time to go: Any day the tours run. It's a brilliant option for wet or wintry weather. Tours aren't suitable for children under 7, and booking ahead is essential.

2. Gibside 

Perfect for: Families and dog walkers

Hidden in the Derwent Valley near Rowlands Gill, Gibside is a sweeping Georgian landscape cared for by the National Trust. You'll find the ruins of Gibside Hall, a Palladian chapel and the towering Column to Liberty, linked by around 15 miles of woodland paths.

What to do:

• Follow one of four walking trails, from just over 2 miles to around 5.5 miles

• Let the dog run in the safe off-lead area

• From November 2026 to January 2027, enjoy festive woodland lights and visits from Father Christmas

How to get there: Gibside is around 25 minutes from Newcastle by car, with free parking on site.

Best time to go: A weekday morning between Christmas and New Year, when the paths are quiet.

3. The Leas and Souter Lighthouse

Perfect for: Families, couples and dog walkers

Beteen South Shields and Whitburn, The Leas is a stretch of open clifftop grassland with some of the most dramatic coastal views in the region. At one end stands the red-and-white Souter Lighthouse, the first lighthouse in the world designed to be powered by electricity.

What to do:

• Walk the clifftops above Marsden Bay and see the sea stack of Marsden Rock

• Watch seabirds and passing ships along the coast

• Visit Souter Lighthouse, checking National Trust opening times before you go

How to get there: The Leas runs along the A183 coast road, around 30 minutes from Newcastle. Buses run along the coast road from South Shields and Sunderland.

Best time to go: Boxing Day or New Year's Day for a classic festive coastal walk.

4. Cullercoats

Perfect for: Couples and families

Sandwiched between Tynemouth and Whitley Bay, Cullercoats is a small, sheltered bay with colourful fishing cobles, golden sand and a long artistic history. It's often overlooked by visitors heading for its bigger neighbours.

What to do: Paddle or rock pool in the bay, then walk the coastal path north to St Mary's Lighthouse or south to Tynemouth Priory.

How to get there: Cullercoats has its own Metro station, around 25 minutes from Newcastle city centre.

Best time to go: An early morning, when the low winter sun lights up the bay.

Hidden gems to explore in County Durham

1. Gibson's Cave and Low Force

Perfect for: Families and walkers

In Upper Teesdale, Bowlees Visitor Centre is the starting point for some of the most magical short walks in the North Pennines. A gentle path leads through woodland to Summerhill Force, a waterfall that tumbles over the mouth of Gibson's Cave. Nearby, Low Force is a series of falls on the River Tees, crossed by the Wynch Bridge, a historic suspension bridge.

What to do:

• Walk the short woodland trail from Bowlees to Gibson's Cave

• Cross the Wynch Bridge and follow the Pennine Way beside the River Tees to Low Force

• Continue upstream to High Force if you have the time and daylight

How to get there: Bowlees is on the B6277, around 20 minutes from Barnard Castle and an hour and a quarter from Newcastle. Check opening times for the visitor centre and café before you go.

Best time to go: A cold, bright day after rain, when the falls are full. Paths can be slippery, so wear good boots.

2. Bishop Auckland 

Perfect for: Couples, culture lovers and families

Bishop Auckland has quietly become one of the most exciting cultural destinations in the North. The Auckland Project has transformed the town with world-class galleries and the restored Auckland Castle, the historic home of the Prince Bishops of Durham.

What to do:

• See works by El Greco and Velázquez at the Spanish Gallery

• Visit the Mining Art Gallery, which tells the story of the region's mining communities through the work of artists such as Norman Cornish

• Tour Auckland Castle and walk in the surrounding deer park

How to get there: Bishop Auckland is around 25 minutes from Durham and 20 minutes from Darlington by car, and it has its own railway station on the line from Darlington.

Best time to go: A wet or wintry day, when the galleries make a perfect indoor escape. Check opening days over the festive period before you travel.

3. Finchale Priory

Perfect for: Couples, families and dog walkers

On a peaceful bend of the River Wear, a few miles north of Durham, the ruins of Finchale Priory are one of County Durham's best-kept secrets. The 13th-century priory sits in open meadow beside the river, surrounded by woodland.

What to do: Explore the ruins, then follow the riverside paths through the woods.

How to get there: Finchale Priory is around 15 minutes' drive from Durham city centre.

Best time to go: A misty winter morning, when the ruins are at their most atmospheric.

Hidden gems to explore in Teesside

1. Saltburn-by-the-Sea 

Perfect for: Couples, families and dog walkers

Saltburn-by-the-Sea is a Victorian seaside town with real character. Its pier is the last surviving pleasure pier on the North East coast, and the town sits between a wide sandy beach and wooded valley gardens.

What to do:

• Walk along the pier and watch the surfers in the bay

• Follow the woodland paths through Saltburn Valley Gardens

• Climb onto Huntcliff for views along the coast

• Warm up in one of the independent cafés in the Victorian streets above the beach

How to get there: Saltburn is around 30 minutes from Middlesbrough by train or car.

Best time to go: A bright winter afternoon, when the low sun lights up the cliffs.

2. Roseberry Topping

Perfect for: Families with older children and walkers

With its distinctive half-cone summit, Roseberry Topping is one of the most recognisable hills in the North. The climb is short but steep, and the summit gives you sweeping views across Teesside and the North York Moors.

What to do: Climb to the summit, then follow the moorland path to the Captain Cook Monument on Easby Moor, or head down to the village of Great Ayton for lunch.

How to get there: Roseberry Topping is near Newton under Roseberry, around 20 minutes from Middlesbrough. There's a car park at the foot of the hill.

Best time to go: A clear New Year's Day, when the views stretch for miles.

Places to consider in North East England for

• Families with young children: Cullercoats, Gibside, the Gibson's Cave walk and Saltburn

• Families with older children: The Victoria Tunnel, Hareshaw Linn, Roseberry Topping and Hadrian's Wall

• Couples: Low Newton-by-the-Sea, Blanchland, Finchale Priory and Bishop Auckland's galleries

• Dog walkers: Embleton Bay, Allen Banks, Gibside and The Leas

• Rainy days: The Victoria Tunnel and the Auckland Project galleries

A 3-day perfect itinerary around North East England

• Day one, the coast: Walk from Low Newton-by-the-Sea to Dunstanburgh Castle, enjoy lunch at The Ship Inn, then finish with kippers in Craster.

• Day two, the countryside: Explore Allen Banks in the morning, then drive across the moors to Blanchland for a fireside lunch.

• Day three, the city and the coast: Take a Victoria Tunnel tour in Newcastle, then hop on the Metro to Cullercoats for a sunset walk along the bay.

What should you know before you go?

• Check opening times: Many smaller attractions and cafés change their hours over Christmas and New Year.

• Plan around daylight: Start walks early and aim to finish before dark, especially in rural areas.

• Dress for the weather: Bring waterproofs, warm layers and sturdy boots for muddy or icy paths.

• Check road conditions: Moorland and country roads can be icy in December, so check the forecast before you set off.

• Know the tides: Check tide times before walking on beaches or rocky shores.

• Book ahead: Guided tours such as the Victoria Tunnel can sell out over the holidays.

Are you thinking about moving to the North East?

Exploring the North East's hidden corners often leaves people wondering what it would be like to live here. With its quiet villages, friendly market towns, beautiful coastline and vibrant cities, the region offers a quality of life that's hard to match.

If you're planning a move, Hoults can help. Our trained team handles house removals across Tyne and Wear, Northumberland, County Durham and Teesside, from coastal cottages to city homes. We also offer secure storage and specialist handling for pianos, antiques and fine art.

Frequently asked questions

1. What are the best hidden gems in North East England?

Low Newton-by-the-Sea, Hareshaw Linn, Allen Banks, Blanchland, the Victoria Tunnel, Gibson's Cave and Finchale Priory are some of the North East's best-kept secrets.

2. What can you do in the North East over the Christmas holidays?

You can enjoy coastal walks, woodland trails, hidden waterfalls, underground tunnel tours, historic villages and world-class galleries, with many outdoor spots open every day of the holidays.

3. Where can you go for a Boxing Day walk in the North East?

Embleton Bay, the beach between Warkworth and Amble, The Leas at South Shields, Cullercoats and Saltburn are all perfect for a festive coastal walk.

4. What are the best rainy day hidden gems in the North East?

The Victoria Tunnel in Newcastle and the Spanish Gallery and Mining Art Gallery in Bishop Auckland are ideal on a wet or wintry day.

5. When do the 2026 Christmas holidays start?

Most North East schools break up on Friday 18 December 2026 and return on Monday 4 January 2027.

6. Can Hoults help me move to the North East?

Yes. We provide full removals, storage and specialist handling across the North East.