Discover North East England with Alex Iles: From Roman Ruins to Coastal Castles

The beautiful and historic North East England offers visitors dramatic scenery, centuries of history, and friendly locals in a region filled with special places to explore.

• North East England includes the stunning Northumberland coast, Newcastle, Durham, Hadrian's Wall and Holy Island
• Alex Iles of Iles Tours brings the region's past to life through storytelling and archaeology
• Archaeological findings reveal that Hadrian's Wall wasn't just a barrier but facilitated trade and cultural exchange
• The ancient Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Northumbria covered a vast territory from Liverpool to the Scottish borders
• Northumberland has more castles than any other English county due to 300 years of border warfare
• The North East was once a major coal-producing region, generating 19% of Britain's coal in Victorian times
• Alex offers various tour options including Roman history, Anglo-Saxon heritage, prehistoric sites and medieval castles
• Tours can be customized for different accessibility needs and interests
• The east coast of Britain is surprisingly dry but often windy – bring appropriate layers
• Summer visitors benefit from extended daylight hours with light from 5am until 10pm

Listeners of the UK Travel Planning Podcast can receive a 10% discount on Iles Tours by using the code UKTP10 when booking directly through the website www.ilestours.co.uk or via email (for tours in 2025).

⭐️ Guest - Alex Iles from Iles Tours
📝 Show Notes - Episode 163

🎧 Listen to next

• 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 Northumberl

For more information and to book a consult or video review, visit our website UK Travel Planning.

Support the show

⭐️ Need help planning your UK trip? Choose the option that works best for you:

• Video Reviews (available anytime) — send us your itinerary for detailed feedback.
• 1:1 Consultations (Jan–Feb 2026 slots NOW available) - live Zoom session with Doug & Tracy. Book before 1 Nov 2025 to secure today’s price

🎤 Leave us a voice message via SpeakPipe

➡️ Sponsor our show by clicking here
➡️ Leave us a tip by clicking here

Work With Us - Contact [e-mail] for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Thank you ❤️

Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!