- Play Hard
- 15th May 2026
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We found 8 abandoned places in the North East you’re actually allowed to explore
Some places in the North East have a way of stopping you in your tracks – whether it’s a quiet stretch of tunnel beneath the city or the remains of industry set against open landscape.
There’s a real pull to these spaces, where history feels close and the atmosphere does most of the talking.
The good news is you don’t have to go far (or off the map) to experience it. Across the region – and just beyond – there are abandoned and historic sites that have been carefully opened up, offering everything from underground tours to striking ruins you can wander around at your own pace. Safe, accessible and full of character, these are the places that let you explore a different side of the North East.
VICTORIA TUNNEL, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
Hidden beneath the streets of Newcastle lies one of the city’s most atmospheric experiences. The Victoria Tunnel stretches for over two miles, originally built to carry coal before being repurposed as an air raid shelter during World War II.
Today, you can explore a restored section on a guided tour, where dim lighting, sound effects and expert storytelling bring its past to life. It’s immersive without being overwhelming – and a brilliant way to see a different side of the city you thought you knew.
MARSDEN LIME KILNS, SOUTH SHIELDS
Perched dramatically on the clifftops above the North Sea, the Marsden Lime Kilns are one of South Tyneside’s most striking industrial relics. Built in the Victorian era, these towering stone structures were once used to burn limestone and produce lime for agriculture and construction – a vital part of the region’s coastal industry.
Today, the kilns stand as atmospheric ruins along the coastal path. You can walk right up to them, take in the sea views, and explore the surrounding area at your own pace, with information boards offering insight into their past. It’s an easy, windswept kind of exploring – part history lesson, part coastal walk, and one of the most photogenic “forgotten” spots in the North East.
RAF SPADEADAM, BRAMPTON
1 Holme View, Gilsland, Brampton CA8 7AT
Set in remote moorland near Brampton, RAF Spadeadam was once at the heart of Britain’s Cold War rocket programme, with dramatic concrete test structures still scattered across the landscape. On the military ranges lies a wrecked Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star jet trainer – a true piece of history.
Today, the area remains an active RAF training site, so access to the historic areas is strictly controlled. You can, however, take in the atmosphere from nearby roads and the surrounding countryside, where the scale and history of the site still feel incredibly close.
WALLTOWN CRAGS – HADRIAN’S WALL, HEXHAM
If you’re after ruins with a view, Walltown Crags delivers in every direction. This dramatic stretch of Hadrian’s Wall sits high on rugged limestone cliffs, where the remains of the Roman wall rise and fall with the landscape in a way that feels almost cinematic.
Once a vital frontier of the Roman Empire, this section is now one of the most scenic (and accessible) places to experience it. Managed by the Northumberland National Park, the area has well-maintained paths, making it easy to explore at your own pace while still feeling wonderfully wild. It’s less “abandoned” and more timeless – the kind of place where history and landscape blend into something quietly unforgettable.
WARREN MOOR IRONSTONE MINE, NORTH YORK MOORS
For something more rugged, head to the North York Moors where the remains of this short-lived Victorian mine still stand. A lone chimney and scattered ruins are all that’s left – but that’s part of the appeal. It’s open moorland exploring at its best: quiet, atmospheric and perfect for those who prefer their adventures a little less polished.
THE CRETEHAWSER CONCRETE BOAT, SUNDERLAND
Tower House, St Catherine’s Court, Sunderland SR5 3XJ
Half-sunk and slowly succumbing to the River Wear, the Cretehawser is one of Sunderland’s most unusual industrial leftovers. Built during the First World War when steel was scarce, this experimental vessel was made from reinforced concrete and now rests as a ghostly shell on the riverbank. You can view it from public riverside paths, where its cracked hull and weathered structure still hint at its wartime past. It’s an oddly striking sight – part shipwreck, part engineering experiment, and entirely unexpected in such an urban setting.
OLD GANG SMELT MILL, RICHMOND
Out in the upper reaches of Swaledale, where the landscape turns wild and open, the Old Gang Smelt Mill sits half-claimed by time. Once a key site in Yorkshire’s lead mining industry, it processed ore brought down from the surrounding hills, leaving behind a scatter of stone structures, flues and a tall chimney still etched into the skyline.
Today it’s freely accessible via public footpaths and often explored as part of longer moorland walks from Gunnerside or nearby valleys. It’s atmospheric without trying to be – a place where industry has faded, but its footprint still shapes the hills around it.
NORTHUMBERLAND’S HIDDEN MILITARY GRAVEYARD
Exact location unknown
Hidden deep within a Northumberland forest is a little-known military graveyard – a quiet and reflective site connected to decommissioned military activity. Its exact location isn’t publicly shared, giving it a low-profile status that helps preserve its atmosphere and respect its purpose.
There are no signs or visitor facilities, and finding it is more about careful research and understanding the surrounding terrain than following a set route. It remains one of those rare places where the journey is as much about piecing together history as it is about the destination itself.
From hidden tunnels beneath Newcastle to windswept ruins and reimagined industrial landscapes, the North East is full of places that tell stories in a different way. These aren’t polished, picture-perfect attractions – they’re spaces with texture, history and a strong sense of atmosphere.
And the best part? They’re all open, accessible and ready to explore – no guesswork required.
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