Stuck for something new to do over the summer?
BARBARA HODGSON runs through some of the new North East attractions to try out this summer
IT seems the North East social scene doesn’t stand still for a minute and this year has seen a flurry of venues open across the region, giving us yet more new places to try.
From restaurants and bars to family attractions, these new additions certainly keep things interesting for those who like a regular change from the norm. Here we have rounded up just 10 options for people looking for something new to do over the summer.
They include some of the newest bars in the city centre; family attractions in County Durham and a couple of exhibitions, including one in Northumberland, which could be combined with a drive out. In addition, we feature two venues which opened in spring and may not yet be on everyone’s radar.
For other ideas of how to make the best of the summer, here is a list of suggestions for family outings, while cheap and cheerful options can include days out in the country or coast. And we know the North East has some of the best of both: Bamburgh recently came top in a new study of the UK’s best seaside towns and Tynemouth was placed fourth.
BEAMISH MUSEUM POP-UP
THE County Durham museum has extended into the city centre with the opening of a pop-up in what is described as “a pioneering project”.
The Beamish Emporium, which is inside Durham’s Prince Bishops Place shopping centre, aims to offer visitors a taste of the Beamish experience and that includes stepping back in time into an Edwardian selfie studio, where they can have their photos taken wearing the likes of a period hat or Suffragette sash.
They can also try hands-on activities, view museum collections and buy traditional gifts and souvenirs, while finding out about everything the museum itself has to offer. The Emporium is open daily from 10am until 5pm (4pm on Sundays).
NINJA WARRIOR UK ADVENTURE PARK
INSPIRED by ITV’s Ninja Warrior UK games show, this new activity park at Teesside Park retail and leisure site promises similar obstacle courses and inflatable runs, with potential for adrenaline-fuelled work-outs for grown-ups and general climbing, balancing, bouncing and swinging fun for young ones.
They can channel their inner ninja on various courses – find out more about them here. There’s a special inflatable course for under-fours too.
THE FOG ON THE TYNE
GATESHEAD riverside favourite The Schooner has just re-opened with a new owner, new name and dramatic new look. As The Fog on the Tyne, the pub in South Shore Road is unrecognisable with its modern, light interior.
It also boasts a new menu, with the likes of Korean chicken rubbing shoulders with classic pub grub dishes, and a wide range of real ales on the bar. Adding to the new vibe will be a programme of live music.
THE PRINCE
BRINGING a wintery vibe to summer, this latest addition to Newcastle city centre’s social scene in Pudding Chare has been open just a week and is inviting customers into an alpinetheme world, with the likes of wood and fireplaces, vintage skis and a gondola-style DJ booth capturing the feel of an Austrian ski resort.
Robert Clarkson and Tom Byron, owners of the city’s Pumphreys bar and container site Frate, say they want guests “to feel like they’ve been transported to the slopes of the Alps”.
A 1950S TOY SHOP
IN more Beamish Museum news, there have been several openings at the County Durham site at both The 1950s Town and its Georgian landscape. Among them is a 1950s toy shop and dolls’ hospital.
And not only will the toy shop bring back some golden memories for those of a certain age, it no doubt will also delight young ones of today too. The shop has opened in The 1950s Town alongside new shops and a period cinema, while the museum’s new Georgian additions include a drovers’ tavern and a pottery.
NORMAN CORNISH AND LS LOWRY AT THE BOWES MUSEUM
A MAJOR summer show has launched at the County Durham museum showcasing work by two late great northern artists, including Spennymoor’s Norman Cornish.
Among the 50 paintings and sketches on display will be 35 previously-unseen or rarely-shown works
and a highlight of these is a newlydiscovered self-portrait by Cornish, uncovered – in what is described as a ‘magical’ discovery - during conservation work on another painting which hid it. The Kith and Kinship: Norman Cornish and LS Lowry exhibition is now open.
BRINKBURN PRIORY
COMBINING old and new, this exhibition is transforming the historic priory and former 12th century church in Northumberland. Creative talents have taken inspiration from the adjacent manor house and come up with a series of colourful and imaginative installations which are now open to visitors to view.
The Material and Memory exhibition
of work is a collaboration between English Heritage and Northumbria University.
FLEET STREET
ANOTHER addition to Newcastle is a new bar with a familiar name which is just up the lane in Pudding Chare from where The Prince has opened. Reviving the name of the old Fleet Street boozer which closed in 2015, this newcomer – courtesy of hospitality chain Star Pubs – looks a whole lot different.
And it is out to please everyone with its mix of a real ale pub, sports bar and live entertainment venue.
SOCIAL BIRD
IF you like chicken then this is the place to go. The restaurant opened in
Newcastle’s Fenkle Street in the spring in the home of Marco Pierre White Steakhouse, serving a menu from breakfast onwards but heavily focused upon chicken. A signature dish – out to have customers flocking – is its chicken schnitzel which features alongside the likes of chicken burgers and whole slow-roasted birds.
HWKRLAND
A NEW lease of life was brought to Gateshead quayside with this takeover of the former Hwkrmkt, next to By The River Brew Co. Mike Hesketh and Nigel Holliday, of EVNT Inspirations, took over the container site in the spring and have added the likes of a big LED screen to show sports and a New York-inspired micro-pub, bottle shop and beer garden.