Consett - perfect stepping stone to the bright lights of the city and the picturesque Pennines
Perched high up in the heart of county Durham, bordered to the west by the North Pennines, and within easy reach of Durham and Newcastle to the east, Consett is the perfect spot to explore scenic northern England from. The town itself isn't short of things to do with the refurbished 500-seater Empire Theatre - one of the county's oldest and a very popular spot to catch the latest films plus live shows too. The recently built Consett Leisure Centre offers water fun with swimming and flumes plus squash courts for keen players, while further afield the open air Beamish Museum is well worth a visit.
Hilly Durham and buzzing Newcastle
Consett is a great vantage point to visit the two great northern English cities of Newcastle and Durham from. With the cutting-edge BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art plus the stunning silver Sage Gateshead concert hall Newcastle has plenty for culture vultures, and of course it's famed for its happening night life. Try Florita's and Madame Koo for starters. With its steep cobbled streets, Durham is one of Britain's finest cities and the famous hilltop cathedral holds the only surviving copy of the 1216 Magna Carta.
Exploring the Pennines
The gorgeous Pennines landscape is on the doorstep. Head to Nearby Derwent Reservoir for a peaceful stroll. Just beyond it lies Blanchland, one of the area's prettiest villages. Looking for a cheap hotel Near Consett? Travelodge Chester-le-Street offers great links to the A1 while Travelodge Washington has hotels on either side of the motorway.