Middlesbrough Town Hall

Playing host to the worlds biggest and best, from comedy to music, drama and conferences.

The Common Room of the Great North

A unique heritage venue in the centre of Newcastle, available to hire for events.

The Borders Distillery

The Borders Distillery

A distillery and shop on the Scottish Borders.

Sereniti Salt Retreat

Dedicated to restoring optimum health and wellbeing for each individual client.

Hancock Gallery

Offering an extensive range of contemporary artwork for sale from celebrated local and international artists.

Little Swimming Co

A unique company delivering swimming lessons for children within a bespoke customised facility.

Dalton Park

Dalton Park is the biggest outlet shopping destination in the North East, with over 65 stores selling 200 different brands and designer labels.

Published 26.05.2022

3 North East artists and makers you can find at The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle upon Tyne

Becky Hardy

Bradley Gardens

Cafe, homeware shop, fashion boutique and garden store all situated in a gorgeous walled garden.

Flight Sim Centre

Flight Sim Centre is Europe’s largest flight simulator – where you can ‘pilot’ everything from the Boeing 737s, to Cherokees, Spitfires and helicopters.

The Biscuit Factory

Perched at the top of the Ouseburn valley, The Biscuit Factory is the UK’s largest independent commercial art gallery. Set in a former Victorian warehouse the gallery showcases original, contemporary art, craft and design from makers across the region and beyond.

Thorp Perrow Arboretum

A fantastic spot for a day out.

The Bowes Museum

With treasures at every turn, this museum, parkland and formal gardens has something for everyone.

The Fifth Point Diving Centre

Dip your toe into scuba diving, snorkel with the seals at the Farne Islands, or join an army of eco-warriors on a beach clean.

Gorilla Bar & Bowling

Brand-new Gorilla Bar & Bowling offers a fully licensed bar, darts, pool, Gorilla-pong, table tennis and live sport.

Published 20.05.2022

Woodland walks, seaside strolls and rural routes — 9 of our leading dog walks in the North East

The perfect walkie spots for your four-legged friends — that our HLN’s hounds, Henry and Remy, have tried and tested for themselves.

High Life North

Middlesbrough Theatre

Middlesbrough Theatre is an intimate and popular 484-seat venue.

Live Theatre

Live Theatre world class plays and discovers, nurtures and develops emerging theatre makers.

Gosforth Civic Theatre

Gosforth Civic Theatre is an arts venue, café and community hub in Gosforth.

South Shields Surf CIC

Surf and paddle board lessons, equipment hire and environmental education and rock pooling sessions.

Princess Alexandra Auditorium

A stunning venue on the Yarm School site hosting an exciting calendar of community events.

Triple A Food Tours

Award winning food tour business offering bespoke food tours within Newcastle, Northumberland and Durham. Enjoy sampling food and drinks from some of the best independent eateries from around the North East.

Darlington Hippodrome

Theatre from 1907, hosting plays, opera, comedy, music, dance and pantomime, local and touring.

Published 19.05.2022

5 cultural hotspots in the Tees Valley

There’s way more to enjoy in the Tees Valley than Middlesbrough Football Club… here’s the cultural ‘boro squad that’s always firing on all cylinders.

High Life North

Friarage Theatre

A stunning venue on the Yarm School site hosting an exciting calendar of community events.

Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art

An international art gallery and museum.

Interior view of Wild and Free Gallery in Whitley Bay. Contemporary art and prints line the walls and shelving. A glass display cabinet displays some smaller sculptures. A colourful bouquet of yellow and orange sunflowers have been placed in a vase on the end of a shelf.

Wild and Free Gallery

Contemporary art gallery in Whitley Bay owned and run by local artist Gail Curry.

The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre

The perfect place to start exploring Northumberland National Park, and a fantastic location to connect with nature and the National Park’s unique and special landscapes.

Theatre Royal

Newcastle Theatre Royal is a pioneer of arts and culture in the North East.

Silverkupe

A small, independent boutique jewellery studio based in the Ouseburn Valley.

Cowell’s Garden Centre

An independent garden centre selling horticultural products, compost plants and seeds.

Published 13.05.2022

We explore the Hidden Harmonies in the latest exhibition at The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle

Becky Hardy
Exterior of Elvet and Bailey on a sunny day. Colourful umbrellas have been hung above the street, adding a joyful feeling to the whole scene.

Elvet & Bailey

A space showcasing the best local, independent businesses, makers and artists with a mission of bringing local back to the high street.

Female climber climbing up an overhanging wall

Friction Bouldering

Gateshead’s first dedicated bouldering gym features climbing walls, a yoga studio, gym areas and more.

Exterior of The Barn at Beal beneath a blue summer sky. A cyclist rides past the traditional dry stone wall, which has a sign for The Barn at Beal

The Barn at Beal

Homely restaurant, coffee shop and bar nestled in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Overland Adventures

Ready to grab your coat and walking boots and head into Northumberland for an adventure? Upgrade your adventure with a Landrover rental from Overland Adventures, with a roof tent and all the kit you'll need for a few days in the wild.

Riddell Estate

Elegant country estate offering luxury accommodation, outdoor activities and stunning views of the Scottish Borders landscape.

People gather around a sculpture of an iron men. They lean over canvases and draw it. This is one of the art workshops at Newcastle Arts Centre.

Newcastle Arts Centre

Barter Books Alnwick

Barter Books

A rambling, quirky secondhand bookstore, with open fires, armchairs, model trains and a simple café.

Published 13.05.2022

7 reasons to visit High Force Hotel and Waterfall, County Durham

Becky Hardy
Alnwick Castle

Alnwick Castle

The iconic Alnwick Castle is a Northumberland filming location for Harry Potter, Downton Abbey and more.

Bailiffgate Museum

A community-run museum and gallery dedicated to the history of Alnwick and its surrounding area.

The Georgian Theatre

Stockton-on-Tees' longest running music venue, playing host to touring bands as well as continuing to nurture the abundance of local talent in Teesside.

Gallagher & Turner

Gallagher & Turner is a modern & contemporary art gallery and specialist picture framer based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Point Blank Shooting

A state-of-the-art simulation shooting range and the ultimate, competitive socialising experience!

The Aviary Gallery

“By art lovers, for art lovers”.

The Escape Key

Step into the past in these premium quality handcrafted escape rooms based on Newcastle's rich history.

Published 29.04.2022

May’s walk of the month: Bardon Mill to Haydon Bridge

Is that summertime we can spot on the horizon? Longer, warmer days can only mean one thing – more adventures to be had!

High Life North
Alnwick Garden

The Alnwick Garden

The brainchild of The Duchess of Northumberland, The Alnwick Garden is a multi-award winning visitor attraction.

Alphabetti Theatre

A small independent theatre in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Jam Jar Cinema

Jam Jar Cinema & Lounge Bar shows the best of Indy, British and Hollywood releases in their luxurious screening room.

corbridge roman town high life north

Corbridge Roman Town

Preserved ruins of a Roman garrison located on Hadrian's wall, plus a museum of excavated artefacts.

Victoria Tunnel Tours

Take a tour through the Victoria Tunnel; a preserved 19th-century waggonway under Newcastle, stretching from the Town Moor to the Tyne river.

Riley’s Fish Shack

A fish bar and grill based on King Edward's Bay, Tynemouth, serving local, seasonal fish and seafood.

Thornton Hall Gardens

A working farm that has three walled gardens that opens for the public only a few days each year.

Published 21.04.2022

Adrenaline junkies, listen up! Here are 3 things to do in and around Newcastle that’ll bring out your sense of adventure

From taking to the skies at Europe’s largest flight simulator to riding some waves in the North Sea, here are the activities that’ll give you a day to remember.

Rachael Nichol

Theatre Hullabaloo

A pioneering organisation that's all about making, touring & promoting theatre for young audiences, aged 0 – 16 years old.

The Forum Music Centre

Venue for new bands, a music education centre and recording facilities, plus comedy and film clubs.

Eden Flight Training

A range of flight training courses, from pleasure flights to full pilot qualifications with our experienced flight instructors.

Darlington Market

A local market offering a range of local, good quality, good value produce and items.

Head of Steam, Darlington Railway Museum

Head of Steam is a railway museum located on the 1825 route of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, which was the world's first steam-powered passenger railway.

Create and Paint

A creative studio, gift shop and café located in Darlington's bustling town centre.

Croft Circuit

Motor racing circuit offering driving experiences. Choose by make of car, price and experience type.

Published 21.04.2022

11 creative workshops and craft courses at The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle, this summer

From throwing clay at the potter’s wheel to carving your own linoprint and crafting with other sewing señoritas, spark your creative flair with The Biscuit Factory’s programme of adult craft courses.

Becky Hardy

Locomotion

Railway museum in Shildon, where you can have a fun family day out in the birthplace of the railways.

HWKRMRKT

Container settlement hosting fantastic street food and delicious drinks every Friday to Sunday at By The River Brew Co.

Sage Gateshead

A concert venue and centre for musical education.

BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art

Vast converted mill with minimalist interiors, hosting temporary shows by contemporary artists.

The Cluny

Iconic Newcastle music venue, bar and kitchen.

Ouseburn Farm

Community farm in the heart of Ouseburn.

Tynemouth Aquarium

Enjoy close encounters with hundreds of incredible creatures from around the world.

Published 20.04.2022

Bowl, bars and bites – 6 new openings in and around Newcastle this April

From a revamped bowling alley and the North East’s biggest beer garden to… open-air hot tub cinema nights?! Here are the newest bars, restaurants, cafés and attractions right now…

Rachael Nichol

Lost World Adventure Golf

In a land that time forgot, amongst giant spitting dinosaurs come and test your skills on our award winning tropically landscaped adventure golf course.

Tynemouth Surf Co.

An established Surf Shop and Surf School that has been running from Tynemouth Longsands Beach since 1995.

Keel Row Books

The longest established antiquarian and second-hand bookshop in the North East of England.

Interesting Books and Zines

Indie bookshop in Berwick-upon-Tweed specialising in books, art, magazines & zines from small press and independent publishers.

Old Low Light

A heritage centre opened in 2015, its development driven by local enthusiasts passionate about bringing stories of the past to life.

The Engine Room

A small, fully licensed underground arts and music venue.

Pop Recs

Pop Recs is a café, music and arts venue and community hub located in the heart of Sunderland.

Published 14.04.2022

23 music festivals in Newcastle, Sunderland, Durham, Middlesbrough and Northumberland you should book tickets for now

This Is Tomorrow may be cancelled, but there are still plenty of music festivals going ahead in the North East this summer – with some of the best line ups in the country.

Becky Hardy

Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens

A museum, art gallery, exhibition space and Winter Gardens combine to create a stunning visitor attraction in the heart of the city centre.

The Fire Station

Live music & performance venue in Sunderland city centre.

National Glass Centre

Cultural attraction and venue celebrating Sunderland’s glass making heritage and exploring the creative potential of this extraordinary material.

HLN Recommends

Published 04.05.2022

5 new openings in and around Newcastle that we’ll be visiting this month

High Life North
Published 06.04.2022

6 of the best bottomless brunch spots in the North East

Rachael Nichol
Published 17.02.2022

19 independent lunch spots in Newcastle, Jesmond, Heaton and Gosforth

High Life North