North East

The North East of England offers visitors chance to experience a wide range of museum attractions which reflect on the region's proud history and galleries which showcase a wide range of historical and modern art and design.

The region covers a wide area, encompassing Northumberland, Newcastle and Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, County Durham, and the Tees Valley. A key feature of many of the region's museums is that it preserves and pays tribute to the county's past and its links with nearby regions. In Northumberland, expect to find attractions such as a military museum located in unique coastal defence buildings, a legion of Roman museums and even the smallest museum in the country.

One of the most unusual museums is the Bagpipe Museum in Morpeth Chantry, a space celebrating the history of Northumbrian bagpipes which are very different to the

Scottish variety. Aviation enthusiasts will love Bamburgh Castle's Armstrong and Aviation Museum, whilst the award-winning Woodhorn celebrates Northumberland's proud mining heritage.

In amongst the illuminated footbridges rejuvenated quaysides and Newcastle and Gateshead is home to several world-class cultural attractions such as the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, The Laing Art Gallery and The Biscuit Factory, the UK's biggest

commercial gallery. There are also many smaller and public galleries who welcome well-known and emerging contemporary artists and display sought-after classical pieces.

Many of County Durham's museum attractions provide chance to experience a real sense of the past.