The region is generally hilly and sparsely populated in the North and West, and urban and arable in the East and South. The highest point in the region is The Cheviot, in the Cheviot Hills, at 815 metres (2,674 ft).

The region contains the urban centres of Tyneside, Wearside and Teesside, and is noted for the rich natural beauty of its coastline, Northumberland National Park, and the section of the Pennines that includes Teesdale and Weardale. Its historic importance is very visible by Northumberland’s ancient castles, the two World Heritage Sites of Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle, and Hadrian’s Wall. In fact, Roman archaeology can be found widely across the region and a special exhibition based around the Roman Fort of Segedunum at Wallsend and the other forts along Hadrian’s Wall are supplemented by the numerous artefacts that are displayed in the Great North Museum Hancock in Newcastle.

The arrival of the Vikings on 6 June 793 AD on the shores of Northeast England was an unprecedented attack that shocked the whole of Europe, a raiding party from Norway attacked the monastic settlement on Lindisfarne. British history changed forever that day and three hundred years of Viking raids, battles and settlement were to persist until William the Conqueror defeated King Harold at Hastings in 1066.

It all makes for one very special area to photograph.
Back to Top