Whether you fancy a solo adventure, a girls’ weekend or a trip with your dog, we’ve got the perfect spring getaway
WORDS: ALI KIRKER PICTURES: SHUTTERSTOCK, ALAMY, NICK WARNER
NEWCASTLE AND THE NORTHUMBERLAND COAST
Fancy a bit of action and the hustle and bustle of a busy town or city, followed by a few days of sheer relaxation? Then look no further than Newcastle and Northumberland.
Newcastle might not immediately spring to mind as the perfect city break, but hear us out. It’s a fairly compact city centre (though hilly!), so great for exploring on foot. If you love to shop, there’s a fantastic mix of retail outlets to keep even the most dedicated shopaholic happy. Eldon Square should be your first port of call, where you’ll find everything from bra specialist Bravissimo to Next.
All that shopping will work up an appetite and the city is packed with eating and drinking places, including dozens in Eldon Square itself. Like any self-respecting city, it’s got theatres and cinemas galore. The Theatre Royal is hosting The Syndicate from May 7-11, based on the hit BBC show.
After living it up in the city, a bit of r’n’r on the coast is just the ticket. Take the Metro to Tynemouth, a pretty coastal town less than 40 minutes away. It has a weekend market in the gorgeous Victorian train station, a lovely beach for strolling on and so many nice places to eat and drink. We loved Riley’s Fish Shack, where you can enjoy fantastic seafood on the beach.
Stay at Tynemouth 61 Guest House & Tearoom, from £95 per night.
BEST FOR...
TWO-PART BREAKS
WINDERMERE
Fancy an indulgent, just-for-the-girls weekend full of treats? You might think the Lake District is better suited to walkers and youth hostellers, but that’s not the case.
How does a spa break with treatments, lovely food and drink, and plenty of time for chat and chilling sound? The Old England Hotel & Spa offers several options for breaks, including a Spa Break For Two, from £159. Book in to the hotel for a couple of nights and you can enjoy the spa, but also walk into Windermere and have a good old browse round shops such as Lakeland and Roly’s Fudge, which sells the most delicious selection of fudge at reasonable prices. And Windermere is perfect for cafes, bars and restaurants – you’ll never go hungry! Whatever you’re doing, you’ll be surrounded by glorious
