Area Guides

Newcastle (and its south of the Tyne neighbour Gateshead) is the coolest, friendliest, happiest city in the UK. It is very well connected with an international airport, fast rail links to London and Edinburgh, and an extensive metro service. With a spectacular riverscape, elegant city centre, famous football stadium and two universities all within a compact area, it's the place everyone wants to be, and city centre property prices reflect this. But Tyneside is a big conurbation and there is always a wide range of property available to suit all tastes, needs and budgets. Newcastle has been popular since Roman times (Hadrian built a wall here) and always will be.

With the cathedral, castle and university buildings located on a steep mound rising from a sharp bend in the river, Durham is the most picturesque small city in England. It's no surprise that it is a World Heritage Site. There is a big premium on city centre properties but they are a rock solid investment. Around Durham there's a network of former pit villages. There are no coal mines but there are plenty of well-priced houses, new and old. According to legend the city of Durham was founded by the monks who were carrying the coffin of St Cuthbert. When they put it down they were unable to move it again. Even today, many people never want to leave Durham.

This historic market town is one of the oldest settlements in the North East but it has kept up with the times. It is home to the modern Riverside world class cricket ground and many high-quality restaurants and pubs. Just 7 miles south of Newcastle (and 7 miles north of Durham) and with good road and rail links, Chester-le-Street makes an ideal base for short-distance commuters. It's a family-friendly town with seven primary schools and two secondary schools and plenty of facilities for children. The church of St Mary and St Cuthbert is 1,000 years old. At one time it was home to an extreme type of hermit who was literally walled into the building. The local property market is more relaxed these days.

Crook is a small market town 9 miles south west of Durham. It has a good selection of shops, cafes and pubs for a town of its size (population 10,000). There is also a golf club. The town is attractive, and the nearby countryside is spectacular. Crook is called The Gateway to Weardale and it suits people who appreciate the convenience of town life combined with the call of the countryside. Crook hosts an annual carnival, small music festival and Christmas fayre. Rise has an office in Crook, so we know it very well.

Weardale is the name of the large upper valley of the River Wear that flows from the Pennines, through Bishop Auckland and Durham, to the sea at Sunderland. It's an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty sometimes called England's last wilderness. Settlements include the very attractive small towns of Stanhope and Wolsingham and many small villages and hamlets. The dale used to be busy with lead mining and quarrying for the famous Frosterley marble but all that ended nearly 100 years ago. Today Weardale is known for farming, eco-tourism and relaxation. There are relatively few properties for sale or rent but those that come up are often very tempting. Weardale is a place where dreams can come true.