What's on January 2008
From walking and cycling in North East England’s beautiful countryside to unique shopping experiences, we've got unforgettable days out for all the family, whatever the weather. Can't decide between the international art at our galleries or interactive fun at a working museum? Why not make time for both - and a West End musical too.
North East England’s got something for everyone
Our January What’s On guide gives just a few suggestions but for more information visit www.visitnortheastengland.com/
Click on the links below for more:
FRESH START »
THINGS TO DO FOR FREE »
JANUARY EVENTS »
FRESH START
With New Year’s Resolutions fresh in your mind, North East England’s the perfect place to make a fresh start for 2008.
Why hide away in the gym when you could be enjoying the view on one of the region’s spectacular coastal walks or racing down Deadwater Fell on your mountain bike.
Here are just some ideas to get you started:
1. Walking round Berwick
With Lonely Planet’s 2008 Blue List naming North East England ‘the most exciting beautiful and friendly region in the whole of England’ what better way to start your new regime than a walk round the ramparts of the historic border town of Berwick.
This walk leads you through the cultural and natural history of the town, giving a scenic overview of the town’s impressive fortifications, with reminders of its central role in Border battles of centuries gone by.
Take a short stroll off route to see the Royal Border Bridge, and enjoy an hour or two in the town itself with its shops, cafes and restaurants. A little further a field, you can try your hand at pottery and crafts for all ages at Pot-a-Doodle-Do, Scremerston, or indulge your sweet tooth at Chain Bridge Honey Farm.
www.visitnortheastengland.com/walkingmicrosite/find-a-walk/coxon-s-tower-berwick-upon-tweed-p59901
2. Cycling coast to coast
If you’re looking for a challenge to keep you motivated during the winter months, start training for the 150 miles of the C2C route.
15,000 cyclists every year take on the challenge of a route that takes you from the West Coast through the dramatic landscape of the North Pennines finishing with a sense of achievement at either Sunderland or Tynemouth.
3. Quayside run
Thousands of people race the 13.1 miles of the Great North Run but if that challenge seems a little too daunting, why not start with one mile.
The Great North Way is the first permanent interactive timing system in the UK allowing you to measure your progress against one of the most stunning backdrops in the UK.
Located in Baltic Square, Gateshead, the route takes you past The Sage Gateshead, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and over the Gateshead Millennium Bridge.
To obtain a chip: Go to www.greatactivity.org/ and follow the Great Way icon on the home page
4. Deadwater fell MTB route at Kielder Forest
Forget the Exercise Bike, try mountain biking instead. North East England's MTB scene is rapidly developing into one of the best around. Whether you're chasing the kind of hardcore excitement that delivers an adrenalin rush big enough to keep you buzzing for days or whether you prefer to pedal these playgrounds at your own pace, you'll find just what you're looking for at our MTB trails.
Check out Kielder Water and Forest Park for starters. England's largest forest with 27 miles of stunning shoreline around Europe's largest man-made lake, it boasts some of the country's most awesome forest tracks including the brand new Deadwater trails - the highest man-made MTB track in England, which opened here in September 2007.
www.visitnortheastengland.com/mtb
5. Surfing – Saltburn/Tynemouth
You won’t fully understand the attraction of surfing in the North Sea until you’ve tried it. Hundreds of surfers ride the waves every week at venues across the region.
Two of the best places for beginners are the area around Saltburn pier in the Tees Valley and Tynemouth beach which in recent years has been the venue for the O’Neil British surfing championships.
6. White water rafting at the Tees Barrage
It may not burn off as many calories as an aerobics class but the Tees Barrage White Water rafting course guarantees an adrenalin rush.
Canoe, Kayak and white water rafting classes are all available and lessons are available if you’re brave enough to take on the challenge.
7. Dry stone walling in Northumberland
Why not burn off some calories outdoors in your own ‘green gym’. Try a dry stone walling taster course set in some of the most stunning countryside that Britain can offer and you’ll meet some great people as well as getting fitter.
www.hadriansdrystonewalls.co.uk/index.php?section=1
8. Roseberry Topping in the Tees Valley
The magnificent 360 degree view from the summit of Roseberry Topping makes the walk more than worth it.
The whole area’s rich in wildlife and on a clear day you can see across the Tees Valley and into the Yorkshire Dales.
www.visitnortheastengland.com/walkingmicrosite/find-a-walk/roseberry-topping-p59761
9. Golf in Northumberland
Mark Twain once claimed a game of golf is a good walk spoiled but a trip round any of the North East’s fantastic courses provides the perfect chance to blow off the cobwebs and get outdoors.
Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Course, is a traditional links course set against the stunning backdrop of the castle while the Huntington course, set amongst 1000 acres of woodland at Slaley Hall has hosted European tour events.
www.dunstanburgh.com/home.html
www.devere.co.uk/Deluxe/Slaley-Hall/Golf.aspx
10. Great North Run
It may not be until the autumn but when it comes to New Year’s Resolutions, this has got to be a favourite so dust off the trainers and get running.
Around 50,000 people set off on the route to South Shields every year, to enter and to download a training plan visit the http://gnr.realbuzz.com/ website. This year’s run takes place on 5th October
THINGS TO DO FOR FREE
North East England’s the perfect place for a post Christmas getaway with special offers on accommodation until the end of March and a huge range of activity that won’t break the bank.
Special offers including 25% off and 3 nights for the price of 2 at selected properties can be found at www.visitnortheastengland.com/
And it won’t cost a fortune once you are here, with plenty of free attractions to keep you entertained that don’t cost a penny.
Durham Cathedral
Towering over Palace green and the River Wear it is described by author Bill Bryson as “the best Cathedral on planet earth” and who are we to argue. Entrance is free although visitors are asked to make a £4 donation.
mima, Tees Valley
Middlesbrough’s institute of Modern Art is a dramatic building set in the middle of the largest civic space in Europe. Exhibits over the summer will include a display of contemporary jewellery from mima’s own collection and the best of British sculpture.
MetroCentre, Gateshead
While only the window shopping is free of charge with over 300 shops and stores, making it the largest shopping and leisure centre in Europe, you are guaranteed to find a bargain. There’s plenty of events throughout the summer to keep the kids entertained.
Discovery Museum, NewcastleGateshead
North East England’s most popular free museum. Discover all about life in Newcastle and Tyneside, from the areas renowned maritime history and world-changing science and technology right through to fashion through the eras and military history. The museum is bursting with interactive displays, which makes it the perfect place to learn and have fun.
North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
The North Pennines offers a variety of walking experiences in a nationally desiginated landscape full of character and features to enrich your journey. From the challenges of the open moorland landscape of the fells to the more intimate feel of the dales if you're into walking can’t afford to miss it.
High force, County Durham
Accessed by a scenic woodland walk, England’s largest Waterfall takes the breath away as it emerges into view. It is hard to imagine the River Tees began as little more than a trickle on top of the heather covered fells as the water plunges 70ft into the river below
Angel of the North, NewcastleGateshead
One of the most visible symbols of North East pride, the celebrated ‘Angel‘, built from 200 tonnes of steel, was created by Antony Gormley OBE. It stands 20m high which is taller than four double-decker buses, and is seen by 33 million people every year. This magnificent icon was named as one of the Seven Wonders of Britain by the Sunday Times.
Woodhorn Museum, Northumberland
Woodhorn’s fantastic entrance has to be seen to be believed. The recently opened museum tells the story of Northumberland and its coal mining heritage. But as well as re-living life down the pit there’s also the chance to dress up in the unique ‘shoe lounge’.
History buffs will head for the study, research and storage centre where over four miles of shelving were built to house the Northumberland archives.
Red Kites, NewcastleGateshead
Follow the track of the old Derwent Valley Railway and you are sure to come across these spectacular birds of prey that have been reintroduced to the area. With a six-foot wingspan they are easy to see as they soar overhead performing aerial aerobatic displays.
Bamburgh Beach, Northumberland
If Durham’s got the best Cathedral on planet earth, then Bamburgh may well have the best beach. Walk down through the picturesque village, past the historic Castle that looks out over the North Sea and enjoy the miles of Golden sands that sprawl out in front of you.
For more information on North East England and how to get money off accommodation visit www.visitnortheastengland.com/
JANUARY EVENTS
mima, Bauhaus: 1919-1933
mima presents the most significant Bauhaus exhibition in the UK for 30 years, focusing on the ethos of the Bauhaus School between 1919 and 1933. The show includes works by Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky and Josef Albers, film works by Laszlo Moholy-Nagy, architectural models, design, applied art, furniture and a specially commissioned wall drawing.
Language of Vision showcases works by contemporary artists whose practice has a relationship to the legacy of the Bauhaus. Artists include Markus Amm, Camilla Low, Toby Paterson, Ryan Gander, Lothar Gotz and Andrew Miller.
A series of photographs by Hans Engels, presents the original Bauhaus architecture, constructed by the masters and students of the Bauhaus between 1919 and 1933, in its present condition.
Bauhaus Reviewed 1919-1933, is presented in mima's Sound Space on the Third Floor Roof Terrace. The selection of recordings from the early 20th century goes deep into the myths surrounding the Bauhaus school and the artists it gave birth to.
www.visitmima.com/
Until 17/02/08
Slither, Dorman Museum
Slither is an exibition of...which snakes are likely to eat, bite or crush you? Also, you can find out if we are more dangerous to these facinating creatures than they are to us!,
www.dormanmuseum.co.uk/
From 12/01/08
The Odyssey of Captain Cook Exhibition, Captain Cook Birthplace museum
Lithographic prints by New Zealand master printmaker Marian Maguire depicting Cook and his crew cast in the unusual roles of epic ancient classical Greek heroes exploring the vast oceans and discovering New Ithaca (New Zealand).
www.captcook-ne.co.uk/
From 15/01/08 – 30/01/08
Viennese Strauss Gala, The Customs House
Now in it's fifth highly successful year Strauss Gala Productions recreates the nostalgia and romance of the Viennese festive season.
www.customshouse.co.uk/
17/01/08
Chinoiserie, Bowes Museum
A display of ceramics celebrating the influence of Chinese design, including the famous ‘willow pattern’, to acknowledge the year of the Beijing Olympics.
www.bowesmuseum.org.uk/
From 19/1/08 - 06/04/08
Nutcracker, Sunderland Empire
Starring the outstanding Kristina Terentieva, Grand Prix winner of the International Dance Competition, Vienna 2007, together with principal stars of international reputation. The company of 120 – including an impressive corps de ballet of over 50 dancers and boasting a large live orchestra – offers the very best of Russian classical ballet
http://sunderlandempire.org.uk/
From 23/01/08 – 26/01/08
Red Kite Safari, Discovery Museum
Join the Explore your Environment Project and the Northern Kites Project for an expedition to Red Kite Country. Journey by coach to Gateshead’s Derwent Valley and walk one of the Red Kite footpath routes, (approximately 1.5 miles) to view these amazing birds in the wild. Safaris will last approximately 2.5 hours. Suitable for both adults and children. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult, and adults must take full responsibility for children at all times. On outdoor events, it is advisable to bring suitable clothing and footwear, especially as the ground can sometimes be wet, muddy and uneven.,
eye.project@twmuseums.org.uk
26/01/2008
