To love living in the North East?

[DrSeuss]

Following yesterday's thread about the "horrors" of living in Manchester and the North in general, what do you love most about the North East? Where do you recommend people to visit? What aspects of life do you like best here? I would nominate Durham, especially the cathedral, the fish and chips in Whitby and the architecture of Grainger Street. Anyone else?

Suggitt's ice cream in Great Ayton.

Both branches of Scorpio sell DMs. Love their tag line on all the bags etc: "No sh!t, just shoes"!

Other things I love about the north east (apart from all the great sights, countryside and activities which have already been mentioned and the fact that it's practically the only area of the country I can afford to live in):

all the soft plays are free for under ones (down at my parents' it's £4.50 from birth!)

the great baby gym at Spennymoor Leisure Centre

Olive & Bean deli & cafe (after years of living in Oxford, the one thing I really missed when I first moved up north was a really good deli)

Blackfriars restaurant

Hall Hill Farm

Ah, I love this thread and I love living in the north east. Geordie born and bred and agree with all the things you've already said, but the beaches if Northumberland have to be the best

Hey Dr Seuss, I'm 10 mins from you! I grew up in the north yorkshire dales, gorgeous place. Now near Yarm.

i live in gateshead and love it !!!!

mincenmash ,for the milenium new years eve i went to the quayside wearing a boob tube tiny skirt and knee high boots then walked most of the way home in the snow when i think back i wonder how i didnt die of hypothermia but back then i would rather have died than put on a coat (or some clothes for that matter) lol

Dalby Forest - not sure if it worl be classed as NE but is just a wee hop away and is one of my favourite childhood memories.

That and Hot Savloy Dips .... mmmmm....

Also love Durham. Gorgeous city.