Skip to content

County Durham

Best places in Northern England to visit

Northern England is full of beautiful and fun filled places to visit. Our North East parks offer a fantastic mix of countryside to explore and coastal towns to discover nearby.

Bamburgh

Not only do we think Bamburgh is one of the best places in Northern England to visit, but it was also voted the best seaside destination in the UK in 2021. Perfect for a day out when holidaying at our Riverside Leisure Park. Just under half an hour’s drive from the park, you can explore the famous castle, beach and walking trails along the coastline.

Bamburgh Castle at sunset

Bamburgh Castle

Alnwick Castle

Alnwick is another town within easy reach of Riverside that’s well worth a visit. Alnwick castle is famed for being a filming location for some of the Harry Potter films, and a tour of the beautiful grounds makes for a great day out for film and history fans alike.

Alnwick Castle

Alnwick Castle

Alnwick Gardens

Whilst in the area, Alnwick Gardens is perfect for the whole family to enjoy. There are beautiful gardens to explore, including a Fairy Tale Garden which kids will love. Enjoy a meal in the Treehouse Restaurant, a magical setting for a bite to eat, nestled in the treetops.

Alnwick Gardens

Alnwick Gardens

Beamish Museum

Beamish Museum is another fantastic day out in the north east within driving distance of Heather View. Step back in time and explore this world famous open air museum which tells the story of life in the 1820s, 1900s, 1940s and 1950s.

inside Beamish Museum

Beamish Museum

Durham Cathedral

Durham is just over half an hour’s drive from Heather View, and is a great day out for shopping, exploring Durham Cathedral and grabbing a bite to eat. It’s right on the river so it’s a really scenic and picturesque city to take in.

Durham Cathedral birds eye view

Durham Cathedral

Seahouses

For something a bit different on your holiday at Riverside, why not take a boat trip from the cute market town of Seahouses where you can spot an array of seabirds and seals. Seahouses itself offers gift shops and some fantastic seafood to sample!

Seahouses

Seahouses Village

Bowes Museum

The Bowes Museum is not far from Heather View and the town of Barnard Castle. There’s plenty of renowned art to admire, as well as a café and play area so the whole family can enjoy a day out. If you’ve time, pop to Barnard Castle after your visit and take in the castle around which the town grew.

Bowes Museum outside

Bowes Museum

Related Articles

Verdant Leisure

Hogmanay 2025: The Best Celebrations in Scotland

Discover the best Hogmanay events across Scotland with our helpful guide. Enjoy a 2 or 3 night stay with Verdant Leisure for the festive season.

Read more

Verdant Leisure

How to Celebrate St Andrew's Day 2025 - Scotland Events & Stays

St Andrew’s Day is a celebration of Scottish culture, traditional food and music. With so many events taking place across the country, from ceilidhs to arts and crafts sessions, it’s the perfect time to escape to Scotland, embrace the celebrations and discover more about the wonderful culture. 

Read more
Binoculars icon