North East England facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
North East England
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North East England, highlighted in red
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| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | England |
| Combined authority |
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| Districts |
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| Counties | |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3,350 sq mi (8,676 km2) |
| • Land | 3,313 sq mi (8,581 km2) |
| • Water | 7 sq mi (18 km2) |
| Area rank | 8th |
| Population
(2021)
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| • Total | 2,646,772 |
| • Rank | 9th |
| • Density | 800/sq mi (308/km2) |
| Ethnicity (2021) | |
| • Ethnic groups |
List
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| Religion (2021) | |
| • Religion |
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50.8% Christianity
40.0% no religion 2.7% Islam 0.4% Hinduism 0.3% Sikhism 0.3% Buddhism 0.2% Judaism 0.4% other 5.0% not stated |
| GSS code | E12000001 |
| ITL code | TLC |
| GVA | 2021 estimate |
| • Total | £56.5 billion |
| • Rank | 9th |
| • Per capita | £21,340 |
| • Rank | 9th |
| GDP (nominal) | 2021 estimate |
| • Total | £65.0 billion |
| • Rank | 9th |
| • Per capita | £24,575 |
| • Rank | 9th |
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North East England is one of the nine official regions of England. It's located in the northeastern part of the country. This region is known for its beautiful coastline, national parks, and important history. It includes areas like County Durham, Northumberland, and Tyne and Wear.
The largest cities and towns in the North East are Newcastle upon Tyne, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Gateshead, Darlington, Hartlepool and Durham.
Contents
History of North East England
The North East has a very long and interesting history. You can see this in its ancient castles and famous sites. Two of these, Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle, are World Heritage Sites. Another amazing historical site is Hadrian's Wall, which was once a border of the Roman Empire. You can find Roman artifacts all over the region. The Great North Museum Hancock in Newcastle displays many of these.
Early Christian Times
The area has a strong religious past. Important works like the Lindisfarne Gospels and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle show this. Famous saints like Cuthbert (634–687 AD), Bede (673–735 AD), and Hilda of Whitby (614–680 AD) were very important in the early church. They are linked to monasteries on Lindisfarne island, Wearmouth-Jarrow, and Whitby Abbey.
Bede is considered the greatest Anglo-Saxon scholar. He worked at the monasteries of Wearmouth and Jarrow. He translated many books on nature, history, astronomy, and more. His most famous work is "The Ecclesiastical History of the English People". The Lindisfarne Gospels are also a famous piece of art from this region. A monk named Eadfrith likely created them around 710–720.
Viking Raids and Settlement
In 793 AD, Vikings from Norway attacked the monastery on Lindisfarne. This led to a period of Viking raids and battles for about 300 years. In 876, the Vikings started to settle in the area. They "shared out the land of the Northumbrians and they proceeded to plough and support themselves."
The Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Northumbria stretched from the Scottish borders to the Humber River. Its capital was York. The last independent Northumbrian king was Eric Bloodaxe, who died in 954. After his death, all of England was ruled by Eadred, the grandson of Alfred the Great. The name Newcastle comes from a castle built in 1080 by Robert Curthose, son of William the Conqueror.
Geography of the North East
The North East region is mostly hilly and has fewer people in the North and West. The East and South parts are more urban and have more farms. The highest point is The Cheviot, in the Cheviot Hills, which is 815 meters (2,674 feet) high.
The region includes the busy city areas of Tyneside, Wearside, and Teesside. It is also famous for its beautiful coastline, Northumberland National Park, and parts of the Pennines mountains. These include Teesdale and Weardale.
Weather and Climate
North East England has a marine west coast climate. This means it has milder temperatures than southern England. Summers and winters are not too hot or too cold because of the North Atlantic Current from the Gulf Stream. The Met Office has weather stations here that show how temperatures change across the region.
The warmest summers are in Stockton-on-Tees and the Middlesbrough area. The average high temperature in July is 20.4°C (68.7°F). The amount of rain is often low compared to other parts of England. Stockton-on-Tees gets about 574.2 mm (22.6 inches) of rain each year. Tynemouth, a town by the sea, gets about 597.2 mm (23.5 inches) annually.
Amazing Wildlife and Nature
The region has many different types of landscapes. These include sea cliffs and large areas of moorland. These places are home to many rare species of plants and animals. The saltmarshes of Lindisfarne and the Tees Estuary are very important. So are the heaths, bogs, and traditional hay meadows in the North Pennines.
The Northumbrian coastline is so beautiful that it's called an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). This area stretches for 100 miles. The Farne Islands are home to 290 bird species, including the rare roseate tern. "Saltholme" is a top bird sanctuary for migrating and wading birds. It's part of a special scientific site called Seal Sands.
The seal colony at Seal Sands, near the mouth of the River Tees, is growing. In 2013, it had over 60 harbour seals. This is the only breeding colony of this type of seal on the northeast coast. Rainton Meadows is another new bird-watching spot. The region also has most of the UK's black grouse and 80–90% of the yellow marsh saxifrage plants.
The Magnesian Limestone grasslands of East Durham are unique. This habitat is found nowhere else in the world. It is very important for many types of butterflies and moths. The North East also has Kielder Forest, which is the largest man-made forest in Europe. This forest is in Northumberland National Park. It provides an important home for the endangered red squirrel.
Famous Landmarks
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Alnwick Castle gatehouse
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The Angel of the North in Gateshead
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The Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle
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Redcar Beacon
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People and Population
The North East has the smallest population of all the regions in England. It has seen less immigration over the last 50 years compared to other parts of the UK.
In 2010, the region had the second highest number of men who were part of a trade union. Students from the North East often choose to go to university in their home region.
Different Backgrounds
The population of North East England is mostly White (93.1%). Other groups include Asian (3.7%), Mixed (1.3%), and Black (1.0%).
Ancestry and DNA
Studies of DNA show that the people of North East England have a stable ancestry. Their DNA is closely related to people in Scotland, Cumbria, and Northern Ireland. A 2022 study found that the North East population has a high amount of ancient British Isles-related ancestry. This is similar to people from Cornwall.
Social Challenges
A study in 2010 looked at social challenges in the North East. It found that 34% of the region's areas were among the most challenged in England. This is often due to long-term issues. For example, major changes in jobs, especially in manufacturing and coal mining, have affected many communities.
Unemployment has been a big problem in the North East. In 2010, Easington had the highest rate in the country. About 40.3% of households with children had no working adult. In November 2017, the region's unemployment rate was 5.5%, which was the highest in the UK at that time.
Religion in the North East
In 2013, the North East had the highest number of Christians in Great Britain. Many towns in the region grew up around religious places like priories and monasteries.
The main Christian churches in the region are the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church.
- The Church of England has dioceses (areas led by a bishop) in Durham, Newcastle, and parts of York and Leeds. Their main churches are Newcastle Cathedral and Durham Cathedral.
- The Roman Catholic Church has dioceses in Hexham and Newcastle, and Middlesbrough. Their main churches are Middlesbrough Cathedral and Newcastle RC Cathedral.
In 2021, 50.8% of the population identified as Christian. 40.0% said they had no religion. Other religions like Islam (2.7%), Hinduism (0.4%), and Sikhism (0.3%) are also present.
Economy of the North East
The North East economy has some unique features compared to other UK regions.
- Exports: The North East exports a lot of goods. In 2010, its goods exports were 29% of its total economic output. This was the highest percentage among English regions. More than half of these exports went to the European Union.
- Public Sector Jobs: In late 2011, about a quarter of all jobs in the region were in the public sector (like government or healthcare). This was the highest proportion in England.
- Household Income: The average household income in the North East was £13,300 per person in 2010. This was 15% below the UK average and the lowest among English regions.
- Economic Output: The North East contributed 3% to the UK's total economic output in 2010. Manufacturing industries were the biggest part of the region's economy in 2009.
- Productivity: In 2010, the region's productivity (how much is produced per hour worked) was 88% of the UK rate. This was one of the lowest in England.
- Employment: The employment rate in the North East was the lowest in England at 66.2% in late 2011.
The North East is known as the most affordable region in the UK. In 2017, it had the lowest cost of living per household. By 2023, renting became 11.3% cheaper than owning a home with a mortgage.
Support for Businesses
Businesses in the North East get help from several groups. The North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) is based in Durham. It helps businesses across the region.
Other groups like the Northeast Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC) and RTC North Limited help small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) to export their products. They work with United Kingdom Trade & Investment (UKTI) to offer support and trade missions.
The Northern Business Forum brings together different business support groups. This helps them speak with one voice for businesses in the region. Members include the NECC, NEPIC, and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
Special Business Zones
The region has special "enterprise zones" to attract new businesses. These are managed by the Tees Valley and North East Local Enterprise Partnerships. These zones focus on areas like low-carbon vehicle development, marine engineering, and renewable energy.
One zone, Invest North East, was announced in 2011. It includes sites near the Nissan car plant in Sunderland and along the River Tyne. Another cluster was added at the Port of Blyth for renewable energy.
Industrial Heritage
For over 2,000 years, the North East has been a hub for industry. This was due to its rich supply of minerals like salt and coal. Today, the chemical industry is spread across the region. Pharmaceuticals are made in the north, while speciality chemicals and petrochemicals are found in Teesside.
These companies are part of the Northeast of England Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC). In the past, the chemical industry on Tyneside focused on making soap and glass. The Industrial Revolution brought a focus on iron, steel, coal mining, and shipbuilding.
Making Alkali
Before the Industrial Revolution, alkali was used to bleach cloth. Later, it was needed for dyes and more bleach. In 1798, John Losh started an alkali works at Walker-on-Tyne. By 1814, the Leblanc process was used to make alkali from salt. This led to more alkali works opening on Tyneside.
These factories caused a lot of pollution from hydrochloric acid fumes. To fix this, tall chimneys were built to send the fumes further away. In 1833, the tallest chimney in England was at the Friars Goose Alkali Works. The Alkali Act of 1863 helped reduce this pollution.
Salt Production
Salt-making was important in areas like Greatham in Roman and medieval times. It was also produced on Wearside from the 1580s. In 1894, the industry returned to Greatham with the Greatham Salt and Brine Company. This company was later bought by Cerebos in 1903. The factory closed in 2002.
Glass Making
Glass making has been important in the North East since 674 AD. Sunderland and Tyneside were known for glass-making between the 17th and 19th centuries. By 1827, about two-fifths of all English glass was made in the Tyneside area. In 1845, South Shields made more plate glass than anywhere else in England.
Sunderland also became a major glass-making center. James Hartley's Wear Glass Works opened in 1836. By 1865, his Sunderland works supplied one-third of England's sheet glass. The Candlish Glass Bottleworks was the largest in Europe.
Coal Mining History
Coal mining was one of the first industries in the North East. This was because coal seams were close to the coast. This allowed coal to be easily shipped by sea. This led to the growth of ports like Sunderland, Newcastle, and Middlesbrough. The energy from coal helped many other industries grow.
The Northumberland-Durham coalfield was one of the earliest mining areas. The Romans extracted coal here. Many towns and villages in the region were built for coal miners. For example, Seaham was developed to handle coal from the mines owned by the Marquis of Londonderry.
London received a lot of coal from this area. The coal was sometimes called "sea coal" because it washed up on the coast. This led to the saying "taking coals to Newcastle", meaning to take something to a place that already has plenty.
New technology allowed mines to go deeper. The High Main seam at Walker Colliery became one of the deepest in the world. Important inventions like the miner's safety lamp were developed here by George Stephenson and Davy. These lamps made underground coal mines much safer.
Sir Humphry Davy invented a safety lamp after hearing about gas problems in mines. He tested his lamp in hazardous pits, and it was a great success. George Stephenson also invented a safety lamp, known as the "Geordie" lamp. Davy chose not to patent his lamp, giving it freely to miners worldwide.
One famous coal mine was Monkwearmouth Colliery in Sunderland. It opened in 1835 and was the last to close in the Durham Coalfield in 1993. This ended over 800 years of underground coal mining in the region. The site is now home to the Stadium of Light, Sunderland A.F.C.'s football stadium.
Today, companies like Five-Quarter are looking into new ways to access coal reserves. They are exploring underground coal gasification. This technology could make it possible to use coal that was too deep to mine before.
Shipbuilding Industry
Shipbuilding was once one of the biggest industries in the North East. Ships were built on the River Wear in Sunderland from 1346 and on the River Tees in Stockton from 1470. The region is known as the birthplace of some of the world's greatest ships. In 2013, the region's shipbuilding history was recognized by UNESCO.
From Wood to Steel Ships
Early ships were made of wood. But in the 19th century, shipbuilding moved to iron and then steel. Ships were built all over the region, especially along Tyneside and Wearside. Sunderland became the largest shipbuilding town in the world. By 1790, Sunderland was building about 19 ships a year. By 1850, over 150 wooden ships were built there.
Middlesbrough started shipbuilding in 1833. Teesside's first iron ship was built in 1854. One famous Teesside-built ship was the Talpore, a 377-foot-long troop ship. It was the world's largest river steamer at the time.
In Hartlepool, William Gray's shipbuilding company was established in 1862. His yard won awards for its high output many times. It closed in 1961.
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On Tyneside, Charles Mark Palmer started a yard in Jarrow in 1851. He built the first seagoing screw collier, The John Bowes. Palmer was also famous for making the first rolled armor plates for warships.
W. G. Armstrong's company, Armstrong, Mitchell and Co, built battleships and the Gluckauf, which was arguably the world's first oil tanker. Swan Hunters built their first steel ship in 1884. Their most famous ship was the Mauretania, a transatlantic ocean liner launched in 1906. It was 790 feet long and carried 2,000 passengers. It won the Blue Riband for the fastest Atlantic crossing, holding the record for 22 years.
New Ideas in Marine Engineering
A major invention in marine engineering was the steam turbine. Charles Algernon Parsons invented it on Tyneside in 1884. In 1894, his company launched Turbinia, the first ship powered by electric turbines. You can still see this ship at the Discovery Museum in Newcastle.
Parsons also helped with electricity generation. He started the Newcastle and District Electric Lighting Company in 1889. In 1890, they opened the world's first power station to use turbo generators.
Decline of Shipbuilding
Shipyard closures happened in the 20th century during economic downturns. Many yards closed between 1909–1933 and 1960–1993. This included famous yards like Palmers of Jarrow and Swan Hunters.
Science and Engineering Today
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The coal and shipbuilding industries declined in the late 20th century. Now, Tyneside is becoming a center for art, culture, and scientific research. The Centre for Life focuses on healthcare and biotechnology. Newcastle University is a leader in stem cell technology.
Sunderland is now important for quaternary industry, bioscience, and high-tech industries. The Nissan car manufacturing plant is a major part of Sunderland's economy. It is also leading the development of electric vehicles.
The economy of Teesside still relies on the petrochemical, commodity chemical, and steel industries. But new industries like offshore engineering and digital computing, especially Game design, are growing from Teesside University.
Northumberland is mostly rural and a popular tourist spot. It also has many pharmaceutical manufacturing companies. The county built Kielder Water, the UK's largest reservoir. Kielder Forest has the darkest night sky in England, making it great for astronomers.
The City of Durham is home to Durham University, a castle, and a cathedral. It attracts many tourists and businesses in architecture, engineering, and technology. NETPark in Sedgefield is a key center for printed electronics.
Today, the NEPIC (Northeast of England Process Industry Cluster) represents about one-third of the region's industrial economy. It includes companies in chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy. Teesside's industry is located at Wilton, Billingham, and Seal Sands. Teesport is the third largest port in the UK and helps support these industries.
New Inventions and Discoveries
The North East has a strong history of new inventions:
- The friction match was invented in Stockton-on-Tees in 1826 by John Walker.
- George Stephenson, known as the "father of railways," was born in Wylam, Northumberland. He built the world's first public inter-city railway line using steam locomotives.
- Sir Joseph Wilson Swan from Sunderland invented an incandescent light bulb before Thomas Edison. He first showed it in Newcastle in 1878. Mosley Street in Newcastle is said to be the first street in the world lit by electric light.
- Charles Algernon Parsons invented the steam turbine in 1884. He also pioneered electricity generation. His company opened the first power station in the world to use turbo generators in Newcastle in 1890.
- William George Armstrong from Tyneside invented the hydraulic crane and many military weapons. His home, Cragside, was the first in the world to be lit by hydro-electricity.
- In 1936, the first commercial production of Perspex (acrylic safety glass) began here. It is still made in the region today.
- Newcastle University was the first in the UK to get a license for stem cell research. It is a leading center for this research.
Today, the region has five universities: Durham University, Newcastle University, Northumbria University, University of Sunderland, and Teesside University. They all have many innovative businesses that have come from their research.
Sports in the North East
Football Passion
Football has a long history here. Some annual games, like those at Alnwick, are very old. Records from 1280 show a player was killed playing football near Morpeth. Organized football teams started in the 1870s. Middlesbrough Football Club formed in 1876, Sunderland Association Football Club in 1879, and Newcastle United Football Club in 1892.
Sunderland won the league championship three times in the 1890s. Newcastle United won the first division three times in the early 1900s. They won the FA Cup in 1910.
Today, professional football is still strong. Newcastle United is a Premier League team. Middlesbrough plays in the Football League Championship. Sunderland is in Football League One. Famous stadiums include St James' Park in Newcastle and the Stadium of Light in Sunderland.
"World Cup" Winners and Influential Players
Amateur clubs like Bishop Auckland and Blyth Spartans A.F.C. have had success. The most famous achievement was by West Auckland Town FC in 1910. They won a competition in Italy called the "soccer World Cup," beating Juventus 2–0 in the final. They won again the next year.
Players from the region's smaller teams have also become famous. Jack Greenwell, an ex-coal miner, played for Crook Town A.F.C. He later became a successful manager for Barcelona in Spain.
Famous Footballers
Many famous footballers come from the North East. Alf Common became the world's first £1,000 player when Middlesbrough signed him in 1905. Other greats include Charlie Buchan, George Camsell, and Jackie Milburn.
Perhaps the most significant English players from this region are Bobby Charlton and Jackie Charlton. They grew up in the coal mining town of Ashington. They were also related to Jackie Milburn. Both played for England's 1966 World Cup winning team.
More recent stars include Peter Beardsley, Paul Gascoigne, Chris Waddle, and Alan Shearer. Shearer is the highest-scoring player in Premier League history. In the 2000s, Middlesbrough played in the Premier League and won the League Cup in 2004.
The North East has also produced many notable female footballers. Five players from England's 2019 Women's World Cup squad were born here. These include Lucy Bronze, Jill Scott, and Steph Houghton. Beth Mead, a Euro 2022 golden boot winner, also played for Sunderland A.F.C.
Horse Racing Events
Horse races were held in the North East as early as 1613. The 'Pitmen's Derby' or Northumberland Plate started in 1833. Many towns hosted races in the Georgian era. The "Blaydon Races" song from 1862 celebrates the races there. Today, horse racing events still take place at Redcar, Newcastle, and Sedgefield Race Courses.
Golf Courses and History
Golf is said to have been played in this region by St Cuthbert on the Northumberland coast. The oldest golf club in the North East is Alnmouth, founded in 1869. It is the fourth oldest in the country.
The first golf course in County Durham appeared in 1874 at Seaton Carew Golf Club near Hartlepool. It is the 10th oldest Golf Club in England. Famous golfers like Harry Vardon and Walter Hagen have played there.
Alister MacKenzie, who designed Augusta National Golf Club, lengthened the Seaton Carew Course in 1925. Goswick near Berwick on Tweed is another classic links course. It has been a regional qualifier for the Open Championship.
Today, there are many inland golf courses. New courses like Wynyard, Rockciffe Hall, Slaley Hall, and Close House have gained international fame. They often host professional events. Two professional golfers from the region are Kenneth Ferrie and Graeme Storm.
Cricket Matches
Cricket has been popular in the North East for a long time. Yorkshire County Cricket Club formed in 1863, and Durham County Cricket Club in 1882. Durham joined the senior counties championship in 1992.
The Riverside cricket stadium in Chester-le-Street is home to Durham County Cricket Club. It is one of the most scenic cricket venues in the UK. It regularly hosts international cricket, including "Ashes" Test Matches.
Athletics and Running Events
Athletics has become more popular thanks to athletes like Brendan Foster and Steve Cram. Both won international medals in running. Brendan Foster started the annual Great North Run. This is one of the best-known half marathons in the world. Thousands of people run from Newcastle to South Shields to raise money for charity.
In 2013, the Great North Run had 56,000 participants. Famous runners like Mo Farah, Kenenisa Bekele, and Haile Gebrselassie have taken part. In 2014, the Great North Run made history by having its millionth finisher. This was Tracey Cramond of Darlington.
Media and News
The North East has its own local media.
- Television: BBC North East and Cumbria broadcasts Look North from Newcastle. ITV Tyne Tees & Border broadcasts ITV News Tyne Tees from Gateshead.
- Radio: Local radio stations include BBC Newcastle and BBC Tees. Commercial stations include Metro Radio, Heart North East, and Capital North East.
- Newspapers: Regional newspapers include the Evening Chronicle, Sunderland Echo, The Journal, and The Northern Echo.
Transportation in the North East
Rail Travel
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The East Coast Main Line (ECML) is a major railway line. It stops at Newcastle, Durham, and Darlington. This line offers fast connections to London and Edinburgh.
London North Eastern Railway operates most stations on the ECML. Grand Central also connects the region with London. Local train services are provided by Northern. TransPennine Express offers longer-distance services.
The Tyne and Wear Metro is a light rail network. It serves cities in Tyne and Wear, including Newcastle Airport and major stadiums.
Road Network
The main road in the North East is the A1. It runs north-south, similar to the East Coast Main Line. Parts of the A1 in County Durham are a motorway (A1(M)). A section of the A1(M) opened in 2018, providing a continuous link to the motorway network.
The A19 is another important north-south road. It serves Teesside, Peterlee, and Sunderland. It goes through the Tyne Tunnel, which opened a second tunnel in 2011.
The A66 and A68 are cross-country roads over the North Pennines. The A69 goes west along the Tyne Valley to Carlisle.
Sea Travel
The ferry terminal at North Shields offers daily ferries to Amsterdam.
Air Travel
The two main airports are Newcastle Airport and Teesside International Airport.
The region also has the Great North Air Ambulance. This is a charity service that provides rapid medical transport for emergencies.
Education in the North East
Primary Schools
There are over 250 nursery and primary schools in County Durham. Some areas, like Gosforth, have first schools that teach children up to age 8 or 9.
Secondary Schools
Most secondary schools in the North East are comprehensive schools. There are also private and independent schools in cities like Newcastle, Sunderland, and Durham.
In 2014, several schools in the region received awards for their success. These included Burnside Business & Enterprise College and Northumberland Church of England Academy.
Secondary school attendance in the North East is the lowest in England. However, truancy rates vary. Middlesbrough has a high truancy rate, while rural areas have the lowest in England.
At General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) level, the region's results are generally below the national average. However, some areas like North Tyneside and Gateshead perform better. Some parochial schools, like St Thomas More Catholic School, Blaydon, also perform well.
Northumberland schools use a three-tier system. This means 12-year-olds go to high school instead of 11-year-olds going to a secondary school.
Independent schools like Dame Allan's Schools and Royal Grammar School are well-known. Durham School is one of the oldest schools in the UK.
Colleges for Further Education
There are sixteen further education colleges in the region. Some of the main ones include Newcastle College, Darlington College, and Middlesbrough College.
A-level results in the North East are improving. Sunderland, Hartlepool, and Darlington often have good results. Darlington's Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College is highly rated. Many colleges also offer higher education courses.
Universities in the Region
The North East has five universities:
- Durham University
- Newcastle University (both are part of the Russell Group, a group of leading UK research universities)
- Northumbria University in Newcastle
- Teesside University (in Middlesbrough and Darlington)
- University of Sunderland
These universities contribute a lot to research and innovation in the region.
See also
In Spanish: Región del Nordeste de Inglaterra para niños
