The North East is a rural region. Northumberland, for example, is one of the largest and most sparsely populated counties in England. It is sometimes referred to as England's last wilderness because it is regarded one of the wildest and least-spoilt of the English counties. The Northumberland National Park is windswept and wild, providing plenty of opportunity for walking, hiking, riding and animal-watching.

To many visitors, the coast is the region's most attractive features, especially the long sandy beaches. The 40-mile stretch of coast from Amble to Berwick-upon-Tweed makes up the North East's Heritage Coast and features some outstanding scenery.

There are probably more castles and battlefield sites here than anywhere else in the country, testifying to the long and bloody struggle with the Scots. The most interesting and well-known relic is Hadrian's Wall, built in AD122. Now officially recognised as a World Heritage Site, the remains of the central section of the Wall are still visible along the whinstone cliff on which it was built. There are also many forts, museums, temples and other remains from throughout history.

Northumberland in particular still contains many reminders of some of the country's most important historical periods, from the prehistoric period, through to Roman, Anglo-Saxon and the mediaeval times. The county is still fiercely proud of its unique identity and has its own flag, its own tartan and its own dialect.

The region also celebrates its industrial and railway heritage. County Durham boasts the world's oldest existing railway originally opened in 1725.

Picturesque Durham straddles a bluff surrounded on three sides by the River Wear and is dominated by the massive Norman cathedral. The Norman castle and the cathedral, dating from 1072, form a World Heritage Site.