The North East places that make Lonely Planet's list of UK's must-see sights

Hadrian’s Wall has been highlighted as one of the UK’s most incredible sights by travel specialists Lonely Planet, with other sites across the North East also receiving richly deserved recognition.

Lonely Planet ranks the top 500 unmissable experiences and hidden gems across Britain, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands for the first time in its new Ultimate United Kingdom Travelist.

And it names Hadrian’s Wall as the UK’s fifth most incredible sight, saying that the “mighty Roman legacy” leaves an “unforgettable impression”.

Lynn Rylance, area manager at English Heritage for the North East and Cumbria, which includes Hadrian’s Wall, said: “We manage a number of stunning Roman attractions along Hadrian’s Wall and are thrilled that this wonderful part of the country has been recognised as a must-see by Lonely Planet.

“We run a range of fun events throughout the year as well as having new museums at Corbridge Roman Town and Birdoswald Roman Fort, so there is lots to see and do.”

Take a tour of the Farne Islands

First place in the list goes to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, followed by the British Museum, Giant’s Causeway and Bath’s Roman Baths.

In total, 16 sights and experiences in the North East feature in the list, from Durham Cathedral at number 21, to the Trincomalee, Britain’s oldest floating warship in Hartlepool at number 475.

Lonely Planet’s Tom Hall said: “Our 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.“

* Lonely Planet’s Ultimate United Kingdom Travelist is published at £19.99

Full list of North East entries by rank:

5: Retrace the Romans’ footsteps along Hadrian’s Wall

Hadrian's Wall, Northumberland (Matt Walker)

21: Contemplate 1,000 years of ecclesiastical history at Durham Cathedral

Durham Cathedral (PJ Swan Photography)

55: Be a pilgrim and take the causeway to otherworldly Lindisfarne

Lindisfarne (Ron Dobson)

86: Go puffin-spotting on the Farne Islands

Hundreds of puffins nest on the Farne Islands every year (Newcastle Chronicle)

117: Walk to the weatherbeaten ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle

Dunstanburgh Castle from Craster (Alan Leightley)

131: Tour a star of the silver screen: Alnwick Castle

Alnwick Castle (Alex Bell)

167: Delve into Newcastle’s underground history on a Victoria Tunnel tour

The Victoria tunnel (Newcastle Chronicle)

188: Muse on mind-bending works of modern art at BALTIC

The Baltic is lit up to mark the 125th anniversary of Newcastle United, December 2017 (Newcastle Chronicle)

235: Relive British history at Beamish Open Air Museum

Emily Hope at Beamish Museum (PR)

244: Be knocked out by the spread and scale of the Angel of the North

The Angel of the North (Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

260: Peel back layers of history at Bamburgh Castle

Bamburgh Castle (Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

262: Stargaze in Northumberland National Park

Stars in the Milky Way pictured in clear skies at the Kielder observatory (PA)

264: Step back into Saxon history at Escomb’s village church

Escomb church (Sheila Middleton)

419: Be awed by Hexham’s grand Augustinian abbey

Hexham Abbey in Hexham, Northumberland (Newcastle Chronicle)

441: Visit the Victorian wonderland of colourful Cragside

Cragside House near Rothbury (Newcastle Chronicle)

475: Board Britain’s oldest afloat fighting ship in Hartlepool

HMS Trincomalee (David McKnight, HMS Trincomalee/Chris Armstrong)