Romantic North East England

Impress your loved one and evoke a spirit of ancient love by following in the footsteps of world famous heroes and heroines, with this bespoke trail that takes in the dramatic backdrops to their epic tales.

Bowes Museum (1), the world-famous palatial tribute symbolising the love of John & Josephine Bowes, is set in spectacular scenery in stunning Teesdale, home to the largest waterfall in the UK.

Brancepeth Castle has a chequered history. One of its many owners, Sir Henry Bellaysyse, had a daughter Bridget, who fell in love with Bonnie Bobby Shafto, the subject of a famous nursery rhyme. Bridget is said to have died two weeks after hearing that Bobby was to marry another.

Perched atop the cliffs to the north of Seaham (2) is the dramatic Seaham Hall where revolutionary aristocrat and poet Lord Byron married Annabelle Milbanke in 1815.

Spend a night at 600 year old Lumley Castle (3) overlooking the River Wear, the scene of the tragic tale of Lily of Lumley who is still said to haunt the castle corridors. 

A romantic meal for two on Newcastle’s Quayside is the perfect accompaniment to a visit to Bessie Surtees House (4), a rare example of Jacobean architecture and the scene of the elopement of Bessie Surtees and John Scott who later became Lord Chancellor of England.

At sunset, take a windswept stroll along Bamburgh beach and finish with a tour of Bamburgh Castle (5), once thought to be the home Tristan and Isolde after fleeing the court of Isolde’s Husband, King Mark of Cornwall. The castle is also reputed to be the ‘Joyous Guard’ fortress of Sir Lancelot & Lady Guinevere.