Culture

Explore this jewel in the North, full of culture, a haven for foodies, and a great day out. See the castle that gives the city its name, just 10 minutes from the city centre, then shop ‘til you drop at intu Metrocentre, the second biggest shopping centre in the UK. Swing by House of Tides, Kenny Atkinson’s Michelin-starred restaurant, for a spot of lunch, then cross the iconic Gateshead Millenium Bridge and visit the BALTIC, one of the best and biggest contemporary art galleries in the country. By the time you’re done, you’ll have a newfound appreciation for this unappreciated gem of a city, with a welcoming Geordie attitude!

Newcastle is just a 40 minute drive from Slaley Hall – or leave the car behind and catch the train from nearby Corbridge, just 40 minutes by train.

This sweet market town is the traditional county town of Northumberland, and a great place to pass a few hours. Essentials include a trip to the famous Barter Books, the largest second-hand bookshop in the country. Built inside an old train station, model trains wind their way through the bookshelves, and you can even buy a replica of the well-known ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ poster, which was discovered here.

Head down into the town proper and discover quaint and quirky gift shops, then continue walking across the bridge out of town to Hulne Park. These stunning grounds were once the hunting grounds of the Percy family, the Dukes of Northumberland, and today serve as a charming walking route, with beautiful views across the hills.

Alnwick is an hour and a half’s drive from Slaley Hall

For a enchanting day out, head to beautiful Durham. The River Wear loops around this picturesque city, full of cobbled streets and quirky shops. With the Cathedral and Durham Castle standing tall above the city proper, there’s a feeling of walking through history – and as part of the Harry Potter film series was filmed here, there’s no wonder it feels a little bit magical.

Once you’ve explored all of the cafes and shops, there’s still plenty to see – Crook Hall and Gardens boasts a manor house and beautifully kept gardens, or the University Botanical Gardens offer incredible floral displays through 25 acres of woodland. On a sunny day, you can hire a rowing boat and take a trip down the river, or hop on a cruise if you’d rather take it easy. Feeling thirsty after all of that? Durham has a great bar scene, but for something a little different head to the world’s smallest gin bar, the Tin of Sardines – they stock over 200 kinds of gin, but can seat just 16 people!

Durham is 40 minutes drive from Slaley Hall