Sunderland

Sunderland sits where the River Wear runs out to the North Sea, and that meeting of water shapes the whole city. The river cuts through the centre on its way to the coast, with the working past of shipbuilding and glassmaking still visible along its banks, while the seafront beyond gives Sunderland a different character altogether - open skies, sand, and the kind of bracing coastal air that pulls people out for a walk whatever the season.

The National Glass Centre stands right on the riverbank, a fitting landmark for a city built on glassmaking, and it's one of the best places to get a sense of how the Wear has shaped Sunderland's identity. Follow the river down and the city opens out to the coast, where the beaches give the whole place its wide, breathing-room feel - a contrast to the tighter streets of the city centre just inland.

Away from the water, Sunderland has plenty to fill a day out. Herrington Country Park gives families room to roam, and there's a good spread of indoor activity too - Castledown Fun Factory, Karting North East and Laser Quest Sunderland all cater well to energetic visits, while the Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens offers a quieter look at the city's history. Street art fans should seek out Sunderland Wall, and The Strategy Sunderland is worth a stop for something a little different.