W

here would we be without this guy? George Stephenson is known as the 'father of railways' having invented and built 16 steam engines, including the famous Rocket, with his son Robert.

Not only that, but he was responsible for building the first stretches of railway line in the UK, too – creating a design that most of the world still uses (including the UK). Hard to believe, then, that it all started right here in this tiny north-east cottage.

It might look idyllic today, with its white-painted walls and cute garden, but for the young George it was a tight squeeze: his whole family lived in one room. Pop in for a visit and you can tread the same stone floor that George did back in the 1780s, giving you a fascinating insight into the humble beginnings of this high achiever.

Oh, and did we mention that he also invented a safety lamp for miners, which ended up being nicknamed the 'Geordie' lamp by the workers who used it. Yep, that's why people from this part of the world are now called… ‘Geordies’.