Some trips sparkle from the very start — and this one quite literally did. With Peggy packed and ready, we headed north-east for a journey that mixed windswept beaches, grand cathedrals, bustling city streets, and a few wonderfully quirky encounters along the way.
Seaham – Sea Glass Treasure Hunting
Our first stop was Seaham, a charming coastal town with a beach famous for its colourful sea glass. Once discarded by Victorian glass factories, these little gems have been tumbled smooth by the waves over decades. We spent hours combing the sand, pockets slowly filling with green, blue, and even rare red pieces — each one a tiny, polished piece of history.
ust along the coast, we visited Blast Beach, a wild, dramatic stretch of shoreline with a cinematic claim to fame — it was used as a filming location for Alien 3. Standing there, with the wind whipping in from the North Sea, it was easy to see why filmmakers chose it for an otherworldly backdrop.
A LiveWire Hiccup & a Helpful Hero
While riding around on our trusty LiveWire, the battery decided it had had enough and went completely flat. Luckily, a wonderfully helpful local garage came to the rescue. Within an hour, they’d sourced and delivered a charger right to us — proof that the North East isn’t just beautiful, it’s full of kind, can-do people.
Durham – to the Cathedral & Castle
From the coast, we took the LiveWire up into Durham, the ride giving us sweeping views of the city’s skyline. At the top, Durham Cathedral stood in all its Norman glory, its towers rising above the River Wear.
We climbed to the top of Durham Castle for a breathtaking panorama — the cathedral, the winding river, and the rooftops stretching into the distance. The only challenge? We were still in our motorbike gear, which made the climb a little warmer (and sweatier!) than expected.
we wandered along the riverside walk, where the cathedral’s reflection shimmered in the water and the air was filled with birdsong. We found a peaceful spot by the river to park Peggy for the night — the gentle sound of flowing water lulling us to sleep under the shadow of Durham’s ancient skyline.
Newcastle – Streets, Markets & Quayside Buzz
Next, Peggy rolled us into Newcastle, where Grey Street lived up to its reputation as one of the most beautiful streets in Britain — a graceful curve lined with grand Georgian buildings.
We wandered The Close, one of the city’s oldest areas, before diving into the famous Grainger Market, a lively maze of stalls selling everything from fresh produce to vintage treasures. Down on the Quayside, the Tyne Bridge framed the skyline, and street performers added to the buzz of the riverside.
The Hunt for Byker Grove
For a bit of nostalgia, we went in search of the filming location for the iconic TV show Byker Grove. The site is now a faith school, but standing just out side the fence and having a quick peek over. it was easy to imagine the theme tune playing and PJ and Duncan getting into mischief.
Hexham – Quirky Buildings & Quirkier Locals
Our final stop was Hexham, a market town with a rich history stretching back to the 7th century. At its heart stands Hexham Abbey, founded by St. Wilfrid in 674 AD, with its stunning stonework and medieval crypt still intact. The town grew around this religious centre, later becoming a hub for wool and leather trades. Here we admired an unusual building wrapped in scaffolding. A friendly local wandered over, eyeing the structure with a grin, and casually mentioned they’d love to climb it “just to see the view.” It was one of those small, unexpected moments that make a trip memorable.
Peggy’s verdict?
From the sparkle of Seaham’s sea glass to the grandeur of Durham, the energy of Newcastle, and the quirks of Hexham, this North East adventure was a perfect mix of history, scenery, and serendipity.
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