Lately I’ve been going on many little tiki tours around the English countryside in search of amazing places to visit and there is a load more on my list that I need to cross off including exploring the Newcastle Gateshead area.
While I may be flying south for Christmas in search of sunshine and cuddles with my family; Newcastle Gateshead is stepping up their game and offering some rather awesome events to tickle your chestnuts this festive period with their Winter Festival and I’m gutted to be missing out.
Firstly…there will be a number of Christmas Markets taking place around the Newcastle Gateshead area and you know that I adore a Christmas Market or ten!
As much as I don’t enjoy the cold, there is something magical about walking around a Christmas Market at night with a hot chocolate, gazing at pretty arts and crafts produced by locals while snapping up some nibbly food bits to take home to share with family and friends when they pop in during the festival period.
The best bit about visiting the Christmas Markets in Newcastle vs Germany…well not having to worry about luggage allowances and booking flights.
If there is one thing England does super well, it’s Christmas windows in department stores and I’ve heard that Fenwick’s do a blooming lovely Christmas display!
What really pipped my interest was the Enchanted Parks…I’d assumed that this is where Santa had his little elves working away producing all the gifts required for Christmas but I was so wrong…it’s actually an outdoor art installation where you enter a magical and enchanting world!
And when it comes to New Years…well Newcastle Gateshead likes to party!
You can read more about the Newcastle Gateshead Winter Festival events here.
Unfortunately I’m going to be missing all the above wintery celebrations in Newcastle Gateshead so I’ve made a little list of places I would like to visit on my trip to the city next year.
The Angel of the North is one of the most iconic sights in Northern England and I can’t wait to visit. She’s rather large so don’t try and nick her to put her on top of your Christmas tree!
I love bridges (weird I know!) and the Gateshead Millennium Bridge looks pretty amazing at night time.
You know me and castles…the Castle Keep will definitely be on my must do list when I visit and apparently the view from the top is just incredible.
I have a slight addiction to Marks and Spencer so it wouldn’t feel right not to visit the Victoria Grainger Market to see where the company first started with it’s penny bazaar. Plus a walk through the gorgeous Central Arcade (below) will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
And if you love castles…well you’re in luck…Alnwick Castle is less than an hour from Newcastle and Bamburgh Castle is just a bit further north from Alnwick which makes this a perfect castle hunting day trip!
And if you need gluten free tips for Newcastle, well I’ve found a few nifty websites offering a great variety of places to visit in the Newcastle Gateshead area; you can read more here and here.
So where are you exploring in England this festive period? Where do you recommend visiting in the Newcastle Gateshead area?
Disclaimer: this post is in collaboration with #TheTyneisNow campaign but you know that I enjoy exploring England and Newcastle Gateshead is high on my travel wish list for 2016.
xx
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