North East England

Here, thriving, modern cities lie within easy reach of an outdoor lover’s playground. A third of our region is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or National Park and our natural environment is complemented by a rich history, with two World Heritage Sites and a wealth of castles, historic houses and gardens to discover.

Wide golden beaches give way to expanses of National Park, forest trails, lakes, moors and mountains where you have the space for your kids to grow and for you to be yourself, and the freedom to be as active or as laid-back as you like.

North East England is a leading location in the UK for the development of electric vehicles and is gaining an international reputation in this industry. It was officially designated a Low Carbon Economic Area in ultra-low carbon vehicles in 2009. Leading companies operating here include Nissan, Sevcon, Avid and Smith Electric Vehicles (the world’s largest volume manufacturer of road-going commercial electric vehicles). Vehicle trials are currently taking place and charging points and testing infrastructure are being developed which provides opportunities for companies in this sector to prosper here.

Newcastle has been named as Britain’s greenest city in the 2009 Sustainable Cities Index by Forum for the Future. The study looked at factors such as quality of life, air quality, wildlife and ecological footprint as well as the vibrancy of the local economy, transport and education.

With its thriving, knowledge-based, low carbon economy, North East England has established an international reputation for innovation in key sectors including low carbon technology, new and renewable energy, printable electronics, healthcare and life sciences, digital and process industries.

As the UK’s first designated Low Carbon Economic Area specialising in ultra-low carbon vehicles, it is set to transform the automotive industry, offering exciting opportunities for
career development and business growth.

In addition, with world-class research and engineering capabilities in wind, wave, tidal and solar power, an established supply chain and infrastructure primed for commercialisation, the North East is leading the way in sustainable energy solutions for the future.

North East England has the lowest pupil to teacher ratio outside London and is home to schools that rank within the top 200 in the country. A range of 18 further education colleges and five thriving universities – Durham, Newcastle, Northumbria, Sunderland and Teesside – attract students from across the UK and beyond.

Newcastle International Airport has been crowned the Best UK Airport by some of the biggest names in the travel industry. The accolade was awarded to Newcastle International by the British Air Transport Association (BATA).

Newcastle International Airport has also been named the most punctual airport for arriving and departing flights by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).