Leisure

easyJet marks 25 years at Newcastle Airport after carrying 22m passengers, adding nine winter routes and supporting 1,200 North East jobs across 32 destinations

EasyJet marks 25 years at Newcastle Airport with nine new routes

Darlington’s people and traditions take centre stage at Hopetown

Darlington’s people and traditions take centre stage at Hopetown

New exhibition explores what belonging means in Darlington

Martin Kemp and American Pie star heading to Metrocentre lights switch-on this week

G Bolam Foods in Sedgefield has grown from a traditional butcher's shop into one of the North East's best-known food destinations over the last 35 years.

G Bolam Foods in Sedgefield has grown from a traditional butcher's shop into one of the North East's best-known food destinations over the last 35 years.

How a family butcher's shop became one of County Durham's best-known retailers

The Aviator opens in Thornaby

The Aviator opens in Thornaby

New £1.4m Teesside pub promises huge live sport screen and pints from £2.50

'Pay the £2 or don't go' - County Durham garden centre backed after reindeer fee row

Bittern at RSPB Saltholme

Bittern at RSPB Saltholme

Bamburgh Castle

North East nature reserve named among England's best visitor attractions

The Blades and Clough cup was held at the Riverside Stadium in memory of the two officers who lost their lives in the A66 crash

The Blades and Clough cup was held at the Riverside Stadium in memory of the two officers who lost their lives in the A66 crash

Memorial match for officers killed in A66 crash raises £10k at Riverside Stadium

Beedle’s Chippy, on Oaklea Terrace in Cockton Hill

Beedle’s Chippy, on Oaklea Terrace in Cockton Hill

Much-loved Bishop Auckland chippy on market after 35 years of family ownership

The Hat and Feathers in Seaham

The Hat and Feathers in Seaham

County Durham Wetherspoon to close after speculation online

Students taking part in the Middlesbrough Museums In Your Classroom showcase at Beech Grove Primary School

Students taking part in the Middlesbrough Museums In Your Classroom showcase at Beech Grove Primary School

Cultural attractions

Middlesbrough museum project shortlisted for North East Culture Award

Ethically sourced coffee at Off the Ground in Middlesbrough

Ethically sourced coffee at Off the Ground in Middlesbrough

The North East coffee shop where homemade food comes with a side of community spirit

Fireworks, music and family fun bring Stanley’s school communities together

Fireworks, music and family fun bring Stanley’s school communities together

Record crowd enjoys spectacular school fireworks show in County Durham town

Platform 2 Café in Darlington has announced a new festive attraction, The Platform Express, featuring Santa, elf workshops, storytime and Christmas treats.

Platform 2 Café in Darlington has announced a new festive attraction, The Platform Express, featuring Santa, elf workshops, storytime and Christmas treats.

Darlington café reveals festive Santa attraction with elf workshops and gifts

The Parkmore Hotel in Eaglescliffe

The Parkmore Hotel in Eaglescliffe

New restaurant set to open at popular hotel and spa after undergoing major renovation

George Richardson, owner of Richardson’s Garden Centre near Seaham, with some of the reindeer at the centre’s popular Christmas attraction

George Richardson, owner of Richardson’s Garden Centre near Seaham, with some of the reindeer at the centre’s popular Christmas attraction

Garden centre boss 'angered' by backlash over new £2 reindeer admission fee

There is some debate about the exact date of construction, but it is agreed that Old Shildon Working Men's Club is at least 130 years old.

There is some debate about the exact date of construction, but it is agreed that Old Shildon Working Men's Club is at least 130 years old.

County Durham social club transformed after 130-year-old venue was saved from closure

Mouhyedin Alkhalil who fled Syria in 2012

Mouhyedin Alkhalil who fled Syria in 2012

Falafel Fella who sought refuge in Darlington vows to help struggling families

Sugar Daddy Desserts in Stockton

Sugar Daddy Desserts in Stockton

Sugar Daddy dessert shop sold months after opening as owners release statement

Sadikur Khondokar, Foy Ahmed, Abdel Kibreha, Archie Hammond, Anais Garcha, Shuhel Ahmed, Shumed Siddique, Khloe Connor, Madhia Rahman, Holly Cheetham

Sadikur Khondokar, Foy Ahmed, Abdel Kibreha, Archie Hammond, Anais Garcha, Shuhel Ahmed, Shumed Siddique, Khloe Connor, Madhia Rahman, Holly Cheetham

Award-winning County Durham restaurant named best in region ahead of new expansion

The Wainstones Hotel and Restaurant

The Wainstones Hotel and Restaurant

North Yorkshire hotel lands TripAdvisor award following major refurbishment

Plans are being discussed to bring the climbing wall back into use at Teesdale Leisure Centre.

Plans are being discussed to bring the climbing wall back into use at Teesdale Leisure Centre.

Leisure centres

Hope for return of County Durham centre's climbing wall after years of campaigning

Restaurant Pine, located at Vallum Farm, earned the VERiFAIR Standard for its workplace culture and policies

Restaurant Pine, located at Vallum Farm, earned the VERiFAIR Standard for its workplace culture and policies

Michelin-starred Northumberland restaurant wins workplace award

L - R: Ripon Runners club members Ady Warner, Sarah Beldon, and Karen Lennox pictured with the club’s donation of running shoes

L - R: Ripon Runners club members Ady Warner, Sarah Beldon, and Karen Lennox pictured with the club’s donation of running shoes

Ripon Runners put best foot forward for shoe recycling drive

Alnwick Castle is set to host a two-day Christmas fair and a live festive concert later this month

Alnwick Castle is set to host a two-day Christmas fair and a live festive concert later this month

Christmas fair and festive concert coming to Alnwick Castle

Village Cakery owners outside the bakery's Fore Bondgate shop in Bishop Auckland, which has sold out across three County Durham locations.

Village Cakery owners outside the bakery's Fore Bondgate shop in Bishop Auckland, which has sold out across three County Durham locations.

The County Durham bakery selling out across the region as demand continues to grow

Martin Lewis has explained whether it is cheaper to leave your heating on all day or use it only when needed, and why homes prone to condensation may be different.

Martin Lewis has explained whether it is cheaper to leave your heating on all day or use it only when needed, and why homes prone to condensation may be different.

Should you leave your heating on all day? Martin Lewis has shared his verdict

Martin Lewis has explained whether it is cheaper to leave your heating on all day or use it only when needed, and why homes prone to condensation may be different.

Martin Lewis has explained whether it is cheaper to leave your heating on all day or use it only when needed, and why homes prone to condensation may be different.

Should you leave your heating on all day? Martin Lewis has shared his verdict

Tesco shoppers can save time using this hack.

Tesco shoppers can save time using this hack.

Money-saving expert shares Tesco shopping tip to cut down time browsing aisles

Shoppers will receive their 20p deposit back for returning empty bottles and cans.

Shoppers will receive their 20p deposit back for returning empty bottles and cans.

Morrisons, Tesco, and Asda shoppers set to be paid for returning plastic bottles

The Jolly Sailors, along St Ann's Staith, is reopening today

The Jolly Sailors, along St Ann's Staith, is reopening today

Historic Sam Smiths pub set to reopen in North Yorkshire after more than 3 years

Owner Shaun Corrigan outside The Farmers Arms in Scorton on the day the village pub reopened.

Owner Shaun Corrigan outside The Farmers Arms in Scorton on the day the village pub reopened.

New owner stunned by turnout as village pub reopens after ten months

Daniel and Agnieszka Maj opened Agnes Second Hand Darlington at 4 Stonebridge on Monday, October 26, selling a range of affordable, pre-loved clothing.

Daniel and Agnieszka Maj opened Agnes Second Hand Darlington at 4 Stonebridge on Monday, October 26, selling a range of affordable, pre-loved clothing.

Darlington couple open new second-hand clothes shop after 'spotting gap' in town

Overlooking The Leas and close to the finish line of the Great North Run, The Bamburgh is a familiar sight to thousands of runners and spectators every year.

Overlooking The Leas and close to the finish line of the Great North Run, The Bamburgh is a familiar sight to thousands of runners and spectators every year.

Landmark Great North Run pub reopens with new look after six-figure revamp

Shoppers browse festive window displays in Northallerton last year ahead of the town's late-night Christmas shopping event on November 13.

Shoppers browse festive window displays in Northallerton last year ahead of the town's late-night Christmas shopping event on November 13.

Christmas Shopping

Late-night Christmas shopping event to see stores, bars and cafés open until 8pm

From major celebrations in Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough to community events in villages and market towns, many switch-ons will feature fireworks, live entertainment, festive markets, Santa appearances and family activities.

From major celebrations in Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough to community events in villages and market towns, many switch-ons will feature fireworks, live entertainment, festive markets, Santa appearances and family activities.

Christmas lights switch-on

Christmas lights switch-ons 2026 - Full guide to events across the North East

Exploring the rooftops of Raby Castle

Exploring the rooftops of Raby Castle

Cultural attractions

The side of Raby Castle hardly anyone has seen over centuries

Gymskin will headline Sunderland's afternoon entertainment programme.

Gymskin will headline Sunderland's afternoon entertainment programme.

Viral TikTok star who revived Madonna hit confirmed for New Year's Eve event

Named after local mining heritage, beers including Pit Pony and Victoria Seam are helping put Spenside Stables Brewery on the map.

Named after local mining heritage, beers including Pit Pony and Victoria Seam are helping put Spenside Stables Brewery on the map.

The heritage-inspired beers brewed in North East's last pit pony stables

Indoor golf venue with ‘largest hitting screen in the North’ opens on Teesside

Vadah at the National Curry Awards 2026

Vadah at the National Curry Awards 2026

Award-winning Indian restaurant scoops national gong for third year in a row

Haughton le Skerne Remembrance display

Haughton le Skerne Remembrance display

Clubs and societies

In photos - Darlington knitters honour women in war with striking Remembrance display

The Brasserie at Acklam Hall and Vadah in Stockton

The Brasserie at Acklam Hall and Vadah in Stockton

Parmos, steak, and tapas on menu for less as popular restaurant week returns

The new Savers 'coming soon' to the Hillstreet shopping centre in Middlesbrough

The new Savers 'coming soon' to the Hillstreet shopping centre in Middlesbrough

Budget healthy and beauty chain to open new store in North East shopping centre

Teesside Park has announced its full festive celebration line-up, with live entertainment, Christmas markets and fan favourite characters across the park.

Teesside Park has announced its full festive celebration line-up, with live entertainment, Christmas markets and fan favourite characters across the park.

Christmas Markets

Teesside Park to kick off Christmas season with festive characters and live music

The nation's favourite bakery has teamed up with Hotel Gotham Newcastle to launch a permanent suite opening from Thursday, November 12.

The nation's favourite bakery has teamed up with Hotel Gotham Newcastle to launch a permanent suite opening from Thursday, November 12.

Greggs to open luxury Newcastle hotel suite with 'ring for sausage roll' room service

Delicious, Darlington

Delicious, Darlington

Search launched for best coffee shop in County Durham and Darlington

Edith and Raven Owen

Edith and Raven Owen

Can you visit Amanda Owen's Ravenseat Farm and famous Yorkshire Dales cream tea van?

Tourists can be fined for bad behaviour.

Tourists can be fined for bad behaviour.

Holiday Destinations

Spanish city cracks down on tourists with fines of up to €3000 for bad behaviour

The suite comes with special Greggs merch.

The suite comes with special Greggs merch.

You can now stay in a Greggs hotel suite where sausage rolls are on room service

Helmsley Castle

Helmsley Castle

The 'pretty' market town off the A170 with a ruined castle and hidden garden

Inside the 600-year-old County Durham hotel with links to Henry VIII

North East restaurant shuts weeks after opening as owners make 'heartbreaking' move

An Emirates Boeing 777 at Newcastle Airport.

An Emirates Boeing 777 at Newcastle Airport.

Emirates makes major change to Newcastle flights as passengers told to check bookings