Episode 163 – Discover North East England with Alex Iles

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Episode 163 – What you’ll learn in this episode

• Northeast England is a treasure trove of dramatic scenery, centuries-old history, and picturesque coastal villages.
• Special guest Alex Iles (Iles Tours) shares how he fell in love with the area, and why he now calls the northeast home 🏡
• Alex’s tours are rooted in his passion for storytelling and deep historical knowledge, bringing to life everything from Roman forts to medieval monasteries and ancient legends 📚🗣️
• Discover how Alex blends personal ancestry, archaeology, and history to create immersive, engaging experiences, perfect for travellers keen to trace their roots or just uncover hidden stories 🔍👣
• Learn about the roles of bards in ancient Britain and how their spirit of storytelling inspires Alex’s approach to guiding and connecting visitors with the human side of history 🎶🪕
• Alex explains why archaeology adds an extra layer to touring, revealing how ordinary people lived, from prehistoric times through Roman, Anglo-Saxon, and medieval eras ⛏️🦴
• Take a virtual tour of the region’s highlights: Hadrian’s Wall, Bamburgh Castle, Lindisfarne (Holy Island), Durham Cathedral, and many more must-see sites 🗺️✨
• Tours are flexible, with options ranging from half-day to multi-day journeys. Suitable for families, solo travellers, and groups of all sizes – including those with mobility or accessibility needs 🚐👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
• Top insider tips for planning your visit: how to theme your trip, the best time to go, what to pack for the northeast’s famously windy weather, and why you must not skip this region when travelling between York and Edinburgh 📅🧥🚞
• Enjoy stories from Alex’s perspective – including favourite moments, funny anecdotes, and moving encounters that highlight just how special the northeast is 💡🤗
• Exciting plans for the future: Alex is developing new tours into the Scottish Borders and building partnerships with archaeologist-guides across northern Britain 🗺️🚀
• 🎉 Podcast exclusive! Listeners receive a 10% discount on Iles Tours bookings 🎟️💸
• Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover, or simply seeking authentic local experiences, this episode will inspire you to put Northeast England at the top of your UK travel wish list ✨🇬🇧

UK places and words/concepts mentioned

Places

• Northeast England – region in the north-east of England, including counties such as Northumberland, County Durham, and Tyne and Wear
• Northumberland – county in Northeast England, known for its dramatic coastline and numerous castles
• Northumberland coast – a picturesque stretch of North Sea coastline in Northumberland
• Newcastle upon Tyne (“Newcastle”) – principal city in Northeast England
• Durham – a historic city in Northeast England, known for its cathedral and university
• Hadrian’s Wall – Roman stone wall stretching across Northern England, built to defend the Roman Empire
• Holy Island (Lindisfarne) – tidal island off the northeast coast, famous for its priory and castle
• Bamburgh – village on the Northumberland coast, known for Bamburgh Castle
• Jesmond – suburb of Newcastle, noted as a student area
• Teesside – area in northeast England, part of historic North Yorkshire, now its own distinct area
• Hexham – market town in Northumberland, near Hadrian’s Wall
• Chillingham – village in Northumberland, mentioned in relation to family history
• Scottish Borders – area bordering Scotland and England, rich in history
• River Tyne – river running through Newcastle and Gateshead
• Gateshead – town on the south bank of the Tyne, opposite Newcastle
• Sunderland – city on the northeast coast, also mentioned as having Keelman cultural history
• Morpeth – market town in Northumberland
• Wooler – small town in Northumberland, known as a gateway to the Cheviots
• Corbridge – village near Hadrian’s Wall
• Prudhoe – town in Northumberland
• Amble – coastal town in Northumberland
• Berwick-upon-Tweed – most northern town in England
• Cheviots – range of rolling hills between Northumberland and the Scottish Borders
• North Pennines – upland area and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
• Millfield Valley – fertile valley in Northumberland surrounded by hills
• Raby Castle – large medieval castle near Staindrop in County Durham
• Bishop Auckland – market town and seat of the Prince Bishops of Durham
• Halsteads (Roman name: Veracovium) – Roman fort on Hadrian’s Wall
• Alnwick – historic market town and home to Alnwick Castle
• York – historic city, popular tourist destination and mentioned as a point on the London–Edinburgh route
• Liverpool – city in northwest England
• Cambridge – university city in eastern England
• Edinburgh – capital of Scotland
• London – capital of England
• York to Edinburgh – classic travel route mentioned as one to extend by exploring Northeast England
• Lake District – region in North West England, mentioned in future tour plans
• Yorkshire – historic county in northern England, mentioned for future tour plans

Words / Concepts

• Iles Tours – tour company founded by Alex Iles, focusing on Northeast England
• Geordie – nickname for people from Newcastle and the surrounding area
• “Plastic Geordie” – a humorous self-description for someone who adopted the Geordie identity
• “Posh Geordie” – a humorous term for someone from the northeast with a ‘posher’ accent
• Hadrian’s Wall – often perceived (incorrectly) as the England–Scotland border
• Keelman – a worker who operated ‘keel boats’ transporting coal on the River Tyne
• Keel – a flat-bottomed boat used to carry coal
• Bards – ancient storytellers, keepers of law and lore in Celtic/early British tradition
• Druids – religious leaders in ancient Celtic Britain (compared/contrasted to bards)
• Palatinate – an area administered by the Prince Bishops of Durham, with special independence
• Prince Bishops – powerful bishops of Durham with secular and spiritual authority
• Confirmation – Christian rite of initiation, referenced in the context of group tours
• Fin space – concept from Scottish/Irish tradition: places where heaven touches earth
• “Coals to Newcastle” – idiom meaning a pointless exercise, origins in Newcastle’s coal industry
• Market towns – historic trading towns, common in Northumberland and Durham
• Thin space – spiritual term for special, sacred spaces
• Family history/ancestry tourism – tracing roots and visiting ancestral sites
• Anglo-Saxons – dominant early medieval people in the northeast
• Northumbria – a historic Anglo-Saxon kingdom covering much of Northern England and the borders
• Norman Conquest – reference to 1066 and subsequent English history
• Prince Bishops of Durham – religious and secular rulers based in Durham
• Bamber and Lindisfarne tour – specific tour package offered by Iles Tours
• Prehistoric tours – tours focusing on stone circles, burial mounds, and hill forts from ancient times
• Discount code “UKTP10” – special offer for podcast listeners for Iles Tours for tours booked in 2025

Related content on UK Travel Planning and London Travel Planning

Podcasts

• Episode #156 – Trip Report: Train Journeys, Coastal Towns, + Hidden Gems with Deb Harsen
• Episode #117 – Discover Country Durham: Scenic Landscapes, Castles, and Cultural Sites with guest Michelle Gorman
• Episode #39 – Explore Northumberland with Marc of Northumberland Tours

Articles

Alex Iles

Since then, alongside Iles Tours, Alex has also worked as a freelance archaeologist while continuing his research into the region’s history, culture and archaeology. This is always apparent during the tours and brings the history of this amazing region to life for any visitor!

Alex Iles links