SOME of the North's most famous landmarks have been described as unmissable by travel experts.

Hadrian’s Wall has been named the UK’s fifth most incredible sight by travel media company Lonely Planet in a new ranked list of Britain's 500 most memorable, beautiful, surprising and compelling experiences.

In total, 16 North East sights and experiences feature in the travel hitlist– from contemplating 1,000 years of ecclesiastical history at Durham Cathedral, at number 21, to boarding Britain's oldest afloat fighting ship in Hartlepool, at 475. A short drive away– Windermere in the Lake District is ninth. Hadrian’s Wall is described as leaving an “unforgettable impression” and is beaten only by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, London’s British Museum, Giant’s Causeway and Bath’s Roman Baths.

Lonely Planet’s vice president of experience, Tom Hall, said: “Lonely Planet’s Ultimate United Kingdom Travelist brings together the UK’s most compelling sights and experiences, ranging from world-class museums and giant cathedrals to rollicking festivals, inky lochs and tiny pubs. We’re thrilled to name Hadrian’s Wall one of the UK’s very best sights - it’s a phenomenal feat of engineering and the sections that remain are a true testament to Roman ambition and tenacity."