The Best Things to Do This Weekend
Warmer weather has finally arrived and it's time to make the most of it
Eat your heart out…
This is shaping up to be a great weekend for foodies. Running from Saturday to Sunday (11th–12th) Tynemouth Food Festival returns to the grounds of Tynemouth Priory and Castle. With stunning views across the coastline, we can’t think of a better place to relax and enjoy great street food (like Fat Hippo, Redhead’s Mac ’N’ Cheese and Acropolis Street Food), activities for the kids and live music. In Yorkshire, the North Leeds Food Festival returns on the same days at Roundhay Park. As well as plenty of delicious food, you can expect artisan market stalls, cookery demonstrations, comedy acts and a fun fair.
Quiet on set…
Sunderland Shorts Film festival is running until Sunday 12th May – the perfect way for any movie buff to spend their weekend. This year’s festival is the ninth and brings together cinema from around the world as well as championing homegrown talent. Venues include The Fire Station, 17Nineteen and The Royalty Theatre and there is a packed schedule online (including a horror showcase on Friday night, and a sci-fi and fantasy medley on Saturday).
Read More: The Best Shows and Events to Book Now in the North East and Yorkshire This May
Pretty as a picture…
To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the National Gallery, The Water-Lily Pond by internationally-renowned artist Claude Monet will be on show at York Art Gallery, beginning on Friday (10th) and will be the centrepiece of an exhibition which will bring together key loans from across the country. Further north at The Old School Gallery, Alnmouth you can see the evocative works of painter and illustrator Janine Burrows. Her collection ‘The Land Where I Would Be’ invites viewers on a personal journey through the enchanting landscapes of Northumberland.
Bottoms up…
It’s World Cocktail Day on Monday (13th) and we might be celebrating early but who can resist? Tin of Sardines in Durham is an excellent little hideaway which specialises in gin-based drinks. In warmer weather they also put seating outside so you can enjoy great views of the river while you sip the afternoon away. In Leeds, Below Stairs is another good option with an impressive range of house-created cocktails, beers and small-batch wines. Try your hand at it at home with these nine deliciously different cocktails.
Just keep swimming…
With the warm weather making a comeback, we’re feeling optimistic enough to take a dip this weekend at some of our favourite scenic wild swimming spots. Bolton Abbey, on the banks of the River Wharfe, is a picturesque spot and includes a small sandy beach – picnic anyone? If you’re feeling brave enough for some saltwater swimming, Ross Back Sands in Northumberland is a good option. It’s rarely busy (due partly to the long walk through the dunes to reach it) but it’s a stunning stretch of coast and well worth a visit.
Read More: TV and Culture Guide: What to Watch, Read and Listen to this May
Raise the roof…
Get ready to rock out this weekend with the return of vocal powerhouse Paloma Faith who will be playing Stockton Globe on Saturday (11th) and York Barbican on Sunday (12th). Tickets are limited so book now for your chance to sing along to some of your favourites. In Newcastle at O2 City Hall on Thursday, you can see indie sensation FLETCHER performing music from her second studio album In Search of The Antidote.
Hello, sunshine…
Is it just us, or has everything in the garden suddenly grown six inches overnight? Take the chance this weekend to get your hands dirty in the garden (and enjoy some sunshine while you’re at it). If you’re looking for inspiration, here’s some expert advice on how to grow your own tomatoes. If you don’t have your own garden space, there are plenty of community gardens across the North East and Yorkshire that you can get stuck into. The Station Master’s Community Wildlife Garden in Whitely Bay has a great range of shared beds and you can also help out with beekeeping and general garden maintenance. Edible York also takes volunteers to help with their edible trails, seed swaps and more. They also have a page online dedicated to small growing projects in the community which is well worth a browse.
