Brilliant Things to Do This Weekend
Start as you mean to go on this April with great things to do across the North East and Yorkshire
Blooming lovely…
We don’t know about you, but we can’t get enough of the daffodils popping up across the region right now. A great place to see them this weekend is at Crayke Village Open Gardens on Sunday (7th). This historic village is welcoming visitors from far and wide to enjoy the thousands of daffodils on the village green as well as giving the public a chance to explore 12 private gardens in the village. There will be plenty to get stuck into on the day including a children’s treasure hunt, tombola and an exhibition of local history. Refreshments will be available all day – and dogs on leads are welcome too!
Raise the roof…
Head to Wylam Brewery in Newcastle this Friday (5th) for the return of the much-loved charity fundraiser Rock n Raise. This year, the spotlight is firmly on talented women including the chart-topping sensation Ella Henderson, Tyneside powerhouse Lorraine Crosby (who sang with Meatloaf on I Would Do Anything For Love) and new kids on the block, Dani and Zara, recently signed sisters from Morpeth. The event is all for a good cause as 100 percent of all money raised will go directly to two causes supported by The Sir Graham Wylie Foundation; the Teenage Cancer Trust (which has two North East units, including one at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary), and Cash for Kids North East. Doors open at 7pm.
Blast from the past…
Step back in time at Alnwick Castle this weekend. As part of their ongoing packed programme of activities for the family, this Thursday and Friday (4th and 5th) the whole family can witness a fascinating medieval longbow demonstration and discover the gruesome details of battles from long ago. Make sure you catch the falconry display too. At Bamburgh Castle, travel even further into the past with Professor Foss-Cecil’s Jurassic Safari on Saturday and Sunday (6th and 7th). The Professor will be teaching visitors everything they need to know to become a fully-fledged dinosaur spotter. Make sure to visit the Jurassic Activity Tent with themed crafting stations, activities, fossil finding, rubbing, digging for gems and cave painting.
Having a laugh…
The always-popular Ed Gamble is heading here this weekend for a show that promises to be a barrel of laughs. You will undoubtedly have seen him on hit shows like Mock the Week, QI, Would I Lie To You and Taskmaster. Catch him at Leeds Grand Theatre on Thursday (4th), Sheffield City Hall on Friday (5th) Tyne Theatre & Opera House in Newcastle on Saturday (6th) and finally York Grand Opera House on Sunday (7th). Although still available, tickets are now few and far between so grab yours while you can.
Food, glorious food…
Thursday (4th) is National Ramen Day and what better way to celebrate than by visiting some of the best noodle houses around? In the North East, Butakun in the heart of Newcastle is one not to miss. Friendly, relaxed and seriously Instagrammable, this is a great spot to tuck into a comforting bowl of ramen. In Leeds, House of Fu is a vibrant and fun place to grab some noodles. Take time to customise your bowl with their great range of ramen toppings like crunchy chilli oil and teriyaki mushrooms. Don’t feel like going out? Stay in and give this fabulous char siu pork ramen recipe a try – delicious!
Stepping out…
Was your Easter a chocolate-fuelled egg-stravaganza like ours? Walk it off in the fresh air this weekend. The walk from Seaham to Crimdon is a beautiful one, and a a great way to blow the cobwebs away. Part of the Durham Heritage Coastal Path, this near 11-mile walk offers a great mix of clifftop scenery, vast empty beaches and steep, wooded ravines. If you choose Seaham as your starting point, head to North Dock Marina and follow the cliff path to Nose’s Point and continue south past Hawthorn Dene, Beacon Hill and Easington Colliery into Castle Eden Dene before hitting the caves of Blackhall Rocks. Crimdon has a long, sandy beach so take time to enjoy before heading back to Seaham. Further south, Cod Beck Reservoir near Osmotherley offers an easy and leisurely one-and-a-half mile walk, which is perfect for a weekend stroll with the dogs. Starting from the car park, this circular walk follows the entire length of the water and includes plenty of pretty woodland and a picturesque bridge.
New in town…
Looking for a new favourite restaurant for April? Ottimo Pizza in Leeds has just opened its doors to the public. Enjoy an old classic, or for something a little different, choose a pizza from their Premio range (the Anatra would be our pick, with duck, caramelised peach and pesto). The Grade II-listed Camellia House at Wentworth Woodhouse has undergone a huge £4 million refurb and is now a beautiful tea room serving international small plates and speciality teas. In the North East, Koji in Sunderland is a great new spot for Japanese cuisine. A good example of the city’s ever-expanding food scene, it’s already a strong favourite with locals. Adventures in Hwkrland at By The River Brew Co is making a strong return to Gateshead Quayside this spring. Open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, this lively street food market and container park is the place to be for food, drinks and live entertainment, or if you are out and about shopping, the iconic Roof 39 in Fenwick is back for the summer.
