Living and Working in the North East

The North East of England is a region known for its rich history, stunning landscapes and vibrant culture. It encompasses three main ceremonial counties which are Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and County Durham.

The Tees Valley is not a county but a geographic and economic sub region in the North East that spans parts of two ceremonial counties, County Durham and North Yorkshire. The Tees Valley is centred around the River Tees and includes the following five local authority areas: Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton on Tees. The Tees Valley Combined Authority was established to promote economic growth and regional development and while Tees Valley is not a county in itself, it functions as a distinct administrative and cultural region within the broader context of the North East. Additionally, there are even areas of Cumbria that are sometimes associated with the region through shared landscapes and historic ties!

In Northumberland, key towns and cities include Alnwick, famous for Alnwick Castle and Gardens, a popular filming location. Berwick upon Tweed is a historic market town near the Scottish border, with Elizabethan walls and unique coastal charm. Hexham is a quaint town with a historic abbey and access to Hadrian’s Wall while Morpeth is a market town known for its charming shopping streets and lovely riverside setting.

In Tyne and Wear, Newcastle upon Tyne is a bustling major city, known for its iconic Tyne Bridge and vibrant culture. Sunderland is a coastal city with a rich industrial heritage, and home to beaches like Roker and Seaburn. The town of Gateshead is known for the Sage music venue, Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art and the Angel of the North, one of the most famous artworks in the region. Situated on a panoramic hilltop, the steel sculpture is 20 metres tall and 54 metres wide! South Shields is a coastal town with beautiful beaches and Roman history while nearby Whitley Bay is a seaside town with attractions such as St. Mary’s Lighthouse and the popular Spanish City Dome.

In County Durham, the city of Durham is renowned for its medieval architecture, UNESCO listed cathedral and castle and world class university. Positioned by the River Skerne, Darlington is a town known for its railway heritage as the birthplace of the railway. The Stockton to Darlington Railway, which opened in 1825, was the world’s first public railway to use steam locomotives.

In the Tees Valley, Middlesbrough is an industrial town with landmarks like the Transporter Bridge while only a few miles away, Stockton on Tees is known for its historic market and the Stockton International Riverside Festival. Hartlepool is a historic maritime town with a regenerated marina and nearby Yarm is a picturesque market town with cobbled streets and boutique shops.

The North East of England has a long and interesting history and was inhabited as far back as the Mesolithic period, later becoming a key frontier of the Roman Empire. Hadrian’s Wall was built around 122AD (now a UNESCO World heritage Site) that marked the northern boundary of Roman Britain. After the Roman withdrawal, the region became one of the most powerful kingdoms in England. Northumbria was a centre of Christianity but the Viking raids in the 8th and 9th centuries devastated many of the monasteries, including well known Lindisfarne. Fast forward to the Industrial Revolution and the North East had become a powerhouse, driven by its abundant coal reserves, ship building and ironworks.

The North East has a diverse and evolving economy, transitioning from its traditional industrial bases to new industries. Building on its industrial heritage, the North East remains a hub for manufacturing and engineering excellence with key areas in automotive manufacturing, aerospace and general engineering which includes both precision and fabrication.

The North East is at the forefront of the green energy revolution, capitalising on its coastal location and engineering expertise. The region hosts parts of the Dogger Bank Wind Farm, the world’s largest offshore wind project and port facilities in places like Blyth and Teeside are crucial for the construction and maintenance of offshore wind turbines. The region is developing a hydrogen economy with investments in clean hydrogen production and infrastructure while Sunderland’s Envision AESC plant, among other places, produces EV batteries, supporting the transition to greener transport.

A growing digital and tech sector is emerging in the North East supported by a highly skilled workforce and innovation hubs. Key areas include software development and IT services, digital health and cybersecurity and fintech - Newcastle is home to several startups and established companies in these sectors and the city’s Helix Campus, a major innovation district, fosters collaboration between universities, businesses and research institutes.

The North East has a strong presence in pharmaceuticals and life sciences, particularly in Tees Valley with many key companies in the area such as FujiFilm Diosynth Biotechnologies in Billingham, a leading manufacturer of biologics and gene therapies and GSK who operate significant facilities in the region.

The region’s strategic location with excellent connectivity to global markets, makes it a logistics hub with ports such as the Port of Tyne, Port of Sunderland and Teesport supporting international trade.

The region boasts several world class universities that contribute to the economy through research, innovation and skilled graduates. Key institutions include Newcastle University, Durham University and Teesside University.

As part of its levelling up agenda, the UK government has moved parts of its operations to the North East. The Treasury North Campus in Darlington now houses departments such as HM Treasury and the Department for International Trade. These relocations are expected to boost local employment and regional development.

Tourism is a growing contributor to the economy driven by the region’s rich history, natural beauty and cultural attractions. Visitors flock to the region for its diverse attractions, including vibrant cities and stunning countryside as well as the many events and festivals that are held like Newcastle's Science Festival, Lumiere Durham and the Durham Miners Gala. The region’s strong historical connections attract many history and archaeology enthusiasts while Newcastle remains a hub for music and theatre fans.

The North East can easily boast some of the UK’s most stunning and diverse scenery ranging from rugged coastlines and sandy beaches to rolling hills, tranquil valleys and dramatic historic landscapes. The Northumberland Coast is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and features Bamburgh, famous for its vast sandy beach with Bamburgh Castle as a dramatic backdrop. Holy Island of Lindisfarne is a tidal island offering stunning sea views and historic ruins while Druridge Bay is a seven mile expanse of golden sands and dunes.

Northumberland National Park features England’s least populated landscapes offering both beauty and solitude, ideal for dark sky star watching. In fact, the region is one of the best places in the UK for stargazing!

The North Pennines AONB and UNESCO Global Geopark, known as England’s Last Wilderness, the area includes moorlands, waterfalls like High Force in Teesdale and plenty of scenic villages.

There are several river valleys such as Wear Valley with serene landscapes with walking trails and connections to Durham’s heritage and The Tyne Valley, lush countryside surrounding the River Tyne with highlights like Hexham Abbey and Corbridge.

Kielder Water and Forest Park is the largest man made lake in northern Europe, surrounded by dense forests and trails. It is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and adventure seekers. Similarly, Hamsterley Forest, Durham’s largest plantation, offers visitors a beautiful and natural escape and one of the top visitor attractions in the region.

Living and working in the North East offers an exceptional quality of life with friendly communities and easy access to national parks, stunning coastlines and vibrant cities like Newcastle and Durham. The region can also boast a thriving economy with opportunities in cutting edge industries like renewable energy, digital technology and advanced manufacturing, making it an inspiring place to build a career.