United Kingdom North East England

Durham is a city in North East England. It is within the County Durham local government district, and is the county town of the larger ceremonial county. The city sits on the River Wear. Durham is well known for its Norman cathedral and 11th century castle, both designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986. The castle has been the home of Durham University since 1832. The whole of the centre of Durham is designated a conservation area. In addition to the Cathedral and Castle, Durham contains over 630 listed buildings, 569 of which are located within the city centre conservation area.

Newcastle upon Tyne, commonly known as Newcastle, is a city in Tyne and Wear, North East England, situated on the north bank of the River Tyne. The city grew up in the area that was the location of the Roman settlement called Pons Aelius, and it owes its name to the castle built in 1080, by Robert (II), Duke of Normandy, "Curthose", William the Conqueror's eldest son. Among its main icons are Newcastle Brown Ale, a leading brand of beer, Newcastle United F.C., a Premier League team, and the Tyne Bridge. It has hosted the world's most popular half marathon, the Great North Run, since it began in 1981.

Alnwick is a small market village in north Northumberland, England. According to Country Life magazine, "Alnwick is the most picturesque market town in Northumberland, and the best place to live in Britain." The town is situated largely on the south bank of the River Aln. The town dates back to approximately AD 600, and over the centuries has thrived as an agricultural centre; as the location of Alnwick Castle and home of what were in mediaeval times the most powerful northern barons, the Earls of Northumberland. The fabric of the town centre has changed relatively little and still retains much of its original character.

Bushmills owes its name to the River Bush and to a large watermill that was built there in the early 17C The village is best known as the location of the Old Bushmills Distillery, whose products include the Bushmills Original and Black Bush blends, as well as the 10-, 12-, 16-, and 21-year-old Bushmills Single Malts. To celebrate the 400th anniversary of distilling starting in the area the distillery released a unique whiskey called the "1608" which included crystal malt. The distillery draws its water, not from the River Bush itself, but from a tributary known as Saint Columbs Rill. The Giant's Causeway, which attracts over two million visitors per year, is located 2 miles north of the town.

Hexham is a prosperous market town and civil parish in Northumberland, England, located south of the River Tyne. Hexham's architectural landscape is dominated by Hexham Abbey. The current church largely dates from c.1170–1250, in the Early English Gothic style of architecture. The choir, north and south transepts and the cloisters, where canons studied and meditated, date from this period. The east end was rebuilt in 1860. The Abbey stands at the west end of the market place, which is home to the Shambles of a covered market, built in 1766

Portballintrae is a small seaside village in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is four miles east of Portrush and two miles west of the Giant's Causeway. It lies within the Causeway Coast and Glens District Council area. The ruins of Dunluce Castle sit on the edge of a cliff between Portballintrae and Portrush. The castle was the main stronghold of the MacDonnell chiefs of Antrim. The Giant's Causeway Tramway runs through the sand dunes above the largest beach in Portballintrae, commonly known as Runkerry Strand, and Bushfoot Golf Club. This railway, popular with tourists runs between The Giants Causeway and Bushmills.