There is a lot of beauty to be found across the North East, from serene coastal spots to scenic National Trust properties, award-winning gastropubs and beyond.

To add to the never-ending list of impressive places to visit, Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland and High Force Waterfalls on the River Tees have both been named among the top 50 most beautiful places in the UK by Big 7 Travel.

Bamburgh Castle was ranked in 31st place and High Force Waterfalls was ranked 23rd.

The global travel site said the UK is “loaded with beautiful places” and “whether you live in the United Kingdom and are seeking stay-cation inspiration or are searching for some Britain wanderlust, there’s no shortage of breathtaking sites to see.”

You can see the full top 50 most beautiful places in the UK here.

What did Big 7 Travel say about Bamburgh Castle?

Bamburgh Castle was rated higher than the likes of The Shambles in York and Loch Ness in Scotland.

Big 7 Travel commented: “Just a stone’s throw away from the unbelievably quaint village of Bamburgh, you’ll find the Bamburgh Castle that dominates the surrounding Northumberland coast.

“Sprawling across 9 acres, Bamburgh Castle gives a one-of-a-kind peek into Northumberland’s epic and complicated past.

“From the 14 staterooms loaded with priceless treasures to the jaw-dropping views of the sea, Bamburgh Castle is certainly one of the most beautiful castles in Britain.”

On Tripadvisor, the historic landmark currently has a 4.5/5 rating out of 4,072 reviews.

One visitor wrote this review: “So much history, so interesting. Beautiful castle, very well kept. You can tell the Armstrong family really care about it, along with the staff and volunteers. Beautiful views to the sea across the top walls. A really good day out at a very reasonable price.

What did Big 7 Travel say about High Force Waterfalls?

The River Tees has been plunging into this gorge for thousands of years and the waterfall was placed above Stratford upon Haven and Oxford in the top 50 most beautiful places in the UK.

The travel website said: “Nestled in Upper Teesdale, you’ll find what’s reputed to be England’s tallest waterfall – the High Force Waterfalls.

“The falls are part of the North Pennies Are of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and it isn’t hard to see why. The River Tees has been pouring over the famous rocks seemingly since the dawn of time. For a place to stay and really get the full experience, we recommend High Force Hotel.

Currently with a 4/5 rating on Tripadvisor out of 1,282 reviews, the water feature has been highly praised by visitors.

One person posted: “A truly amazing spot and spectacle. We had the benefit of seeing the Falls by night on a Star Gazing Trip (when it is normally closed to the public) and by day and it is quite stunning.

“A decently-surfaced gravel track winds and leads you down to this fantastic sight. The steps at the bottom are quite deep and can be quite slippy so take care, equally when you are at the very bottom.

“If you're feeling adventurous, take in the designated woodland walk which can be quite steep in parts but very beautiful and worth taking on.

“HF really is a must-visit if you are in the area or close by. You will not be disappointed.”