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Discover the magic of England and escape into a fairy tale world where anything is possible.

Witches, wizards, villainous Vikings, heroic Roman Centurions and Cheshire Cats are some of the magical characters that call North East England home. In a land of magnificent medieval castles, dazzling cities and dramatic coastlines, the region has inspired many adventures. Discover the magic of a whimsical holiday, on a journey that you can't afford to miss.

For ideas on how to make your dreams come true in North East England, check out some of the region's highlight's in the below top ten:

Croft-on-Tees
For a great start to your magical adventure, visit the pretty village of Croft-on-Tees in the south of the region, where Lewis Carroll, Author of 'Alice in Wonderland' spent his childhood years. His father was a rector at the local church, where the carving of a smiling cat on the wall is thought to have inspired the famous Cheshire Cat. The cat is best viewed while seated in a pew, where the animal reveals a broad grin that disappears as soon as you stand up.

Sunderland
The links with Lewis Carroll continue in Sunderland, a modern city within easy reach of beautiful coast and countryside. It is thought that carpenters working at Sunderland's shipyards inspired Carroll's 'Walrus and the Carpenter,' commemorated with a walrus sculpture in Mowbray Park. Winner of Britain's Best Park 2008, ahead of London's Regent's Park, Mowbray is a green oasis in the city centre, beautifully restored to its former Victorian splendour. Sunderland is also the birthplace of Terry Deary, author of almost 200 books including children's favourite the 'Horrible Histories' series.

Durham
Not far from Sunderland is the historic city of Durham, you will find the impressive cathedral, which, together with the neighbouring castle, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Described by author Bill Bryson as "the best cathedral on planet earth," Durham Cathedral features in Anne Colledge's 'Falling into Fear', an engaging tale of a deaf girl who slips back in time to learn important lessons about life. This World Heritage Site is renowned for its architectural magnificence and internal artefacts, containing the remains of the Venerable Bede and St. Cuthbert who were founders of the Northumbrian Church and key figures in early Christianity.

Beamish Open Air Museum
The award winning Beamish Open Air Museum is nestled in a quiet County Durham valley. The open-air museum authentically recreates a town and village of North East England circa 1825 and 1913, with original houses, shops and buildings. The village school, working farm, grand house, railway and colliery village are vividly brought to life with costumed characters and authentic sounds and smells. You can hop aboard a tram, don a pit helmet and visit an underground drift mine, taste old-fashioned sweets in the confectioner's store and ride on an early steam train; discovering local history, culture and crafts from the knowledgeable and friendly staff.

Alnwick Castle
If you're a fan of Harry Potter you cannot go past Alnwick Castle, most famous for its role as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films. Owned by Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, this magnificent medieval castle boasts impressive architecture, stunning landscape, great children's activities and one of the finest privately owned art collections in Britain. The Alnwick Garden adjacent to the Castle, a vision of the Duchess of Northumberland, features spectacular water displays, wonderful gardens and one of the largest wooden tree house restaurants in the world, where visitors can stop for a meal and a play on the daring rope bridges. You can even dream up magic potions in the Poison Garden where Myths and legends are uncovered.

NewcastleGateshead
NewcastleGateshead, allows you to experience a vibrant city offering a unique blend of the modern and historic. This thriving hotbed of arts and culture features the Tyne Bridge (a mini replica of The Sydney Harbour Bridge), The Gateshead Millennium Bridge, the BALTIC Centre for Modern Art and The Sage Gateshead. Newcastle is also the birthplace of David Almond, author of 'Skellig', the popular story of a troubled young boy who finds comfort in friendship with a strange creature he discovers when his family moves house. The city's popular Theatre Royal has featured in Lorna Hill's much loved Sadler's Wells ballet series, which has a mixture of London and North East settings.

Hadrian's Wall
Travelling north you will find Hadrian's Wall, Britain's greatest Roman monument. Another UNESCO World Heritage site, the 70mile wall is the setting of children's stories that bring the region's fascinating Roman history to life, including Alice Leader's 'Power and Stone', which is set in 130 AD, just as work on the wall was nearing completion. Forts along the wall are a must-see, including Vindolanda which has fantastic finds from Roman civilisation including leather shoes and wooden writing tablets. In the summer you can see Archaeological digs being completed onsite and it is also a fantastic time for walking and cycling.

Blackfriars
When you get hungry, stop at Blackfriars - England's oldest purpose built restaurant. The 13th century monastery which was partly destroyed by Henry VIII in the dissolution of the monasteries is found right in the heart of Newcastle city centre, making it perfect pit stop to give you the energy to continue on your adventure.

Lindisfarne (Holy Island)
Northumberland-based children's author Rosalind Kerven was inspired by the magical island of Lindisfarne (Holy Island), the site of the first Viking attack on England in the 8th Century, which spurred her to write her highly-acclaimed series for seven to eleven year olds, Grim Gruesome Viking Villain. With high moors, bleak hills, sparkling rivers of salmon and the widest, whitest, emptiest beaches in the country, North Northumberland is an ideal place to unwind and has helped inspire work such as 'Glint', Ann Coburn's story of a mystical world of witches and were-creatures. The local legends, ruined castles and violent past of Berwick upon Tweed have often fired Coburn's imagination and the scenery is sure to inspire both young and older minds alike.

Seven Stories
To discover all of these stories and more, make your way to Seven Stories, the national centre for children's books. Tales are collected, celebrated and brought to life here through an exhibition, storytelling and crafts programme, designed to spark the imaginations of both children and adults. Within easy reach of Newcastle's iconic Quayside, Seven Stories is a must to complete your North East England adventure.

What you need to know about North East England: North East England With its historic treasures, natural beauty and cosmopolitan culture, North East England reveals 2,000 years of history through to cutting-edge art, chic restaurants and sumptuous stately homes. Home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites and England's tallest Waterfall, visitors can also experience the region's unforgettable scenery and undiscovered beaches. For more details, visit North East England. Lumley Castle Standing proud for more than 600 years, the magnificent spectacle of Lumley Castle dominates the County Durham landscape. Surrounded by beautiful parklands overlooking the River Wear and Durham County Cricket Ground, Lumley Castle is a magnificent monument to a bygone age of chivalry and honour. Lumley Castle Hotel has 73 bedrooms, including 14 new Courtyard bedrooms, each individually designed and decorated. Lumley Castle offers a choice of accommodation including; Courtyard and Castle single and double bedrooms as well as Four Poster Feature and Executive bedrooms. Lumley Castle Hotel is ideally situated for your stay in the North East of England being less than 20 minutes away by road from Newcastle upon Tyne and Durham. For more details, visit Lumley Castle. Langley Castle Built in 1350, during the reign of Edward III, the castle has retained its architectural integrity and is regarded as one of the few medieval fortified Castle Hotels in England. Set in its own ten acre woodland estate, the Castle's 7 feet thick walls provide a peaceful and tranquil refuge in which to escape from today's hustle and bustle to a bygone age, making it perfect for weddings or for a special break. The guest rooms are individual and unique all with private facilities, many with four-poster beds and feature bathrooms. For more details, visit Langley Castle. Matfen Hall Matfen Hall is a magnificent, privately owned, country house hotel set in the beautiful countryside in Northumberland close to Hadrians Wall, yet only thirteen miles from Newcastle International airport and eighteen miles from Newcastle upon Tyne's City Centre. Sir Hugh and Lady Blackett have carefully restored their family seat into one of the North East's leading venues for weddings, conferences, golf, spa and leisure breaks. Each of Matfen Hall's 53 bedrooms have their own charm and character combining modern facilities with traditional opulence. With a Two AA Rosette, 27 hole and 9 hole par 3 course, Golf academy, driving range, luxurious spa, award winning leisure facilities and more, Matfen Hall offers all you could ask for. For more details, visit Matfen Hall.

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