Cornerstone Church Newcastle

You'll find this contemporary church tucked into Newcastle's urban landscape, a far cry from the Georgian chapels and Victorian stone you might expect in the North East. Cornerstone Church is decidedly modern - the kind of place where the pews are comfortable and someone's probably made a decent cup of tea in the kitchen.

It's a working evangelical church, so what you're really here for is the atmosphere and the sense of community rather than architectural drama. The interior is functional and welcoming rather than awe-inspiring. On a Sunday morning you'll catch the full experience - active congregation, proper singing, the lot. If you're passing through Stanley or nearby and fancy a quiet moment or want to see how contemporary Christian worship operates in the region, it's worth popping in.

For families with children, it's genuinely child-friendly rather than one of those places where kids get bored stiff after ten minutes. The team know what they're doing when it comes to making young people feel included.

If you're staying at Beamish Holiday Park just down the road, this could slot into a morning if you're interested in local faith communities. Combine it with a visit to nearby Beamish Museum - the two work well as a day out that covers both heritage and modern life. Allow about an hour if you're catching a service, less if you're just looking around. Free entry, naturally.