The North of England

Chester has a Roman amphitheatre, Roman gardens, and Roman walls which you can walk round the city.

Fancy that, you asked about the vets in Thirsk, they were very good, Alf Wight, aka James Herriot came out one evening to give my pony a jab for colic, I'd never seen such a big syringe!

There is a new museum dedicated to telling the history of religious faith in the UK in Bishop Auckland. It is situated in the Castle, that used to be the palace of the Archbishop of Durham.

It seems to have been well-received. Even the Guardian speaks well of it.

I live in Harrogate, a beautiful town in it's own right, but I agree that Ripon has a lot to offer with its cathedral and 'work houses" York, as you know, has a lot to offer, but so does Chester - there was a 'dig' there last tine I spent any time there - it might still be active. I agree, Durham is beautiful with its castles and cathedral side by side and the river too has a lot to offer. Good luck with your trip!

there is an outdoor show called Kynren during Aug/Sept each year. Near Bishop Auckland - it is very impressive - runs through the history of the UK. Can see examples of the show on YouTube.

In West Cumbria there's a great place if you're interested in the Romans -Senhouse Roman museum in Maryport

One of the absolute gems of Holy Island is the little Gertrude Jekyll walled garden. Full of plants that withstand the local conditions, it’s beautiful.

My old Dad was a Londoner from way back and he regarded anything north of Luton as ‘the north’. That would open up a good big area to explore ! Mum, on the other hand, was from Yorkshire and for her ‘the North’ was more Durham upwards.

I second Holy Island
Even the boat to Farne Islands if you can fit it all in 👍
Good luck

Hi Scotland is a must to see or the yorkshire dales for walking and the scenery

If you go to York, visit Jorvik, the viking experience. www.jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk/

Plus, of course, Holy Island, aka Lindisfarne, just off the Northumberland coast near Bamburgh. It is tidal so you can drive on and off the island, but must go with the tide time table. There is a ruined abbey, a restored castle and good pubs on the island

The Farne Islands have wonderful bird colonies. Get a boat from Seahouses. The Farne Islands is where Grace Darling made her heroic life saving effort. She is buried in Bamburgh churchyard.

Hardknot Roman fort in the Lake District.The north is so full of interest and beauty.

Sorry - I meant English Heritage for the forts!

Definitely join the national trust if you are coming to Northumberland and going to “do the wall”. Arbeia in South Shields is a fascinating Roman fort- some reconstructed barracks there too - it’s strange to find but it’s right in the middle of a housing estate (you’ll think you are lost!) it’s also free entry and better than many of the paid for forts. Segendunum in Wallsend, (just over or under the Tyne from Shields) is good, in another more industrial area. If you’re on public transport, get the train from Newcastle to Hexham (lots of places to stay there) and get the 122 (the date of the wall, so easy to remember) it’s a public bus that travels along the wall and has stops at all the major forts as well as the villages. Chesters is a big one, then Housteds (my favourite) Vindolanda isn’t far from Housteds but can easily take a full day In summer when it’s all fully open- lots going on there including digs each year and often some of the archeologists showing their finds. Loads of Roman remains all over this route - including little sections of the wall just sitting there at the road side- sometimes the road is actually built over the wall too.
Three miles east of Hexham there’s Corea - a fort just outside Corbridge ( Corbridge is a lovely small market town- check out the microbrewery in the old Pele tower behind the church!) The other historical thing around this area is the Reivers.. this was the “Wild West” equivalent in England- lawless lands, too far from London or Edinburgh, lands ruled by the local clans (known as surnames) where words such as bereaved - (what you were after the reivers had visited) blackmail or black rent (which you paid to avoid a reviving raid) Hot Trod (what you carried in order to legally cross the border in persuit of the other reivers) etc came from.
You might be sick of romans by the time you leave!
The countryside is also stunning- and then there’s the coast. Castles , Pele towers , bastlehouses, stunning golden sands… don’t forget Cragside first home lit by electricity… You can easily spend several weeks just exploring Northumberland. It’s quite a big country.

May I put in a word for Corbridge on Hadrian's Wall. It had a marvellous museum, when I was 15 many moons ago, and it must be much better now with all the research that has been done along the Wall.

Hadrians wall path a definite must so you can see the best of Northumberland & Cumbria landscape albeit Lakes .
We see a lot of hikers as path comes out into our village on Solway Burgh by Sands .It is steeped in historical facts & church is built on former Roman fort with built of H Wall stone , Edward 1st died on marsh & was laid in church prior to being taken up to London . Plus clay dabbins houses, in other parts of country called this type called cob , wattle & daub etc. They are now a rare building type.
Whatever you decide have an amazing time .

If you’re going to Liverpool Chester is a must ( only 20 odd miles away ) The Rows ( two tier shops ) are unique.

Well Jacky, that's quite a trek, and you've had lots of advice! York on its own is terrific, loads to do, and if you're going to Durham, DO - as several have said -- try the wonderful Beamish 'living' museum. Whitby is a pretty little place, but I wouldn't bother with vampires, just have a fish (super fresh!) and chip lunch and move on!

If you're getting up to the Hadrian's wall, I'd suggest Edinburgh, fantastic castle, the 'Mile', a 'Camera Obscura', and if you like a whisky, where better?!

Not only Roman history in Chester - the medieval rows are beautiful too. Or were when I lived in Chester and prob ably still are! And the Cathedral(s) - 900 year old St Werburgh's inside the walls and St John's, the original Cathedral outside the walls.

Have you thought about Haworth in West Yorkshire ? You can ride on the steam trains, visit the house where Jane Eyre was written, and the village itself set in the moors is a delight and very quaint. Also there is the Village of Saltaire which is a world heritage site .

I live near Whitby and you should at least go for fish and chips but as someone already mentioned Robin Hoods Bay or Staithes are also worth a visit. Definitely should visit Bamburgh Castle , it’s astonishing with a beach to die for . Also Cragside and Holy Island are our must sees when we are in Northumberland .

Me too mirren.

Seahouses sorry predictive again!

I live in the north and could reminisce vividly about all the good places to visit. I live near beamish which you would love. Hexham is a beautiful town as well. Hadrians wall is a must and of course seahorses is a beauty in itself near dunstanburgh castle. Visit Newcastle and see our beautiful glasshouse formally the sage Gateshead. I could go on….

I live in Northumberland and there are lots and lots of lovely places. Beautiful, beautiful scenery up to the Scottish border.
The Northumberland beaches are amazing. We think they're the best but we try to keep quiet about them ... don't want to get too busy.
Loads of history up here . Castles if you like but lots of lovely little market towns ...Morpeth , capital of Northumberland, Alnwick ,Rothbury, Hexham .
Honestly, be brave and cross the Tyne . Don't stop at York or even Durham.
The most Northern county in England is very special.
Every time I pass the " Northumberland " sign on the way north, my heart jumps for joy because I am home xxxxx