Guarded by four fearsome stone griffin heads, Wallington House - ten miles west of Morpeth - is one of the finest historic houses in Northumberland, as well as the venue for much-loved summer concerts.
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Daily
Gateshead's MetroCentre is about more than just shopping. When you've filled your bags with goodies from the likes of House of Fraser, H&M, Debenhams and HMV, head to the 11-screen cinema or one of 50 restaurants, cafés and bars.
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Daily
Cyclists of all levels can test their fitness and set themselves a personal challenge at the annual Northern Rock Cyclone Challenge. The day consists of three events of varying distances and capabilities, with all routes passing through beautiful Northumberland countryside.
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Jun 2013 (annual)
The Gateshead Summer Flower Show at the Central Nurseries is one of the largest in north-east England and attracts thousands of people every year. It presents beautiful floral displays and exhibits along with children's entertainment, live music, stalls and demonstrations.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
The reconstructed Colliery Village at the Beamish open-air museum hosts the Beamish Agricultural Show each year, featuring produce from local gardeners and the Beamish estate. The finest is auctioned off after a Harvest Festival in the chapel.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
History comes to life at the Beamish open-air museum, devoted to the re-enactment of Northern English life from 1800 to the 20th century. Visitors explore traditional houses, farms and shops, all painstakingly restored and brought to life by actors in period costume.
Available :
Nov 2012 - Apr 2013; not Mon or Fri (various dates)
Wolsingham claims to hold the oldest agricultural show in England, at Scotch Isle Farm. It has everything you would expect to find at a country fair, with livestock displays and competitions, agricultural equipment, craft marquees and children's entertainment.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
The Northeast's premier LGBT event, Northern Pride returns to Newcastle's Leazes Park for more family-friendly activities and al fresco frolics. The day begins with a parade through Newcastle centre, before a full evening's entertainment and concerts are held in the park.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
The Leazes Criterium in Newcastle's Leazes Park kicks off with youth cycle races, followed by a novices' race and a senior race (for cyclists belonging to categories 2, 3 and 4). The evening ends with the greatly anticipated elite race.
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Jun 2013 (annual)
The Discovery Museum, set in Newcastle's city centre west, focuses on the history of Tyneside. The reconstructed Turbinia, a steam-powered ship, takes pride of place, alongside the interactive Science Maze and displays of goods manufactured on Tyneside in the past.
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Daily
The Discovery is a popular museum based on the history of Newcastle, with plenty to intrigue all ages, especially the kids among us.
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Daily
Newcastle United FC play their home matches at St James's Park Stadium. The Premier League runs between August and May and full fixture lists can be found on the club websites. Please note: games may be rearranged due to cup or television commitments.
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18 Aug 2012 - 19 May 2013 (annual)
The UK Wedding Show at Newcastle's Metro Radio Arena is the ultimate destination for any bride to be. Suppliers are on hand to answer all your questions, and everything you'll need for the perfect day is available under one roof.
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Jan 2013 (annual)
Visitors get a feel for the diversity of Newcastle and Gateshead by taking one of the two red City Sightseeing buses from Newcastle Central Station in the city centre. A multilingual commentary points out highlights, including BALTIC and The Sage.
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Powerhouse is Newcastle's only big gay club, and after two previous homes, takes up residence in a state-of-the-art multi-level venue that offers a full clubbing experience.
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Daily; not Tue or Wed
Newcastle's Centre for Life explores the science and origins of human life. Live science demonstrations are carried out in the Life Theatre and plenty of scientific activities and events keep both kids and adults enthralled.
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Daily
Visitors step back in time at the The North of England Open Air Museum in Beamish, just outside Newcastle. An 1820s steam train transports you to Pockerely Manor and a 1913 colliery village, complete with actors in ornate costumes.
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Decorated with a large mural of a Chinese landscape, The Palace Garden is popular with Newcastle's Chinese community. It's situated in Stowell Street, the heart of Newcastle's compact Chinatown, and the menu features Szechuan, Malaysian, Cantonese and Pekinese dishes. The dining room is busy with young couples and families on nights out.
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Set in Newcastle's Blackfriars district, Blackfriars is the oldest purpose-built restaurant in the UK, dating from 1239. The dining-room has rustic benches, open fires and romantic nooks where couples gather for candlelit meals. The menu includes dishes like Northumbrian rabbit saddle stuffed with tarragon, and roast rump of Tritlington Hall lamb with fondant potato.
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Daily
In post-recession parlance, fiddles are perhaps most commonly associated with dodgy politicians' imaginative expenses claims. The Sage Gateshead's Fiddles on Fire is all about the instrument, however, with its programme a long weekend of music and merrymaking.
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Apr - May 2013 (biennial)
Newcastle's variable weather means the name SummerTyne occasionally reads ironically but this event remains popular whatever the conditions. A festival of Americana, SummerTyne brings three days of American blues, gospel, soul and rock music to the city's Sage Gateshead.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
The largest commercial art fair in North-East England, the NewcastleGateshead Art Fair offers an expansive range of unique artwork from local, national and international galleries. Most is available to buy, with prices ranging from under £100 to substantially more.
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Sep - Oct 2013 (annual)
Jazz stars from across the world perform at Newcastle's Sage Gateshead music centre as part of the Gateshead International Jazz Festival. A series of workshops, pre-concert talks and master-classes runs alongside a packed performance schedule.
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Mar 2013 (annual)
Gateshead's distinctive music venue hosts performers in everything from folk to opera. The Norman Foster-designed building sits under a vast stainless steel dome, and has seen performances from the resident Northern Sinfonia to Jason Donovan in its two auditoria.
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Daily
Set close to Chinatown, The Newcastle Arms has a dark wood-panelled interior. The frequently changing array of beers on offer includes Rooster's Oyster Stout and Brew Dog's Physics. Populated with genuine locals, Geordie banter fills the air.
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Daily
Have a laugh in the North East's premier live comedy venue, the Hyena Cafe. Or as they say in Newcastle, "Haway doon and crack your face marra". Check out comedy every weekend throughout the year with a bill of three different comedians each night.
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Thu, Fri, and Sat only
The Hancock Museum opened in 1884 and was named in 1891 after the celebrated local naturalists John and Albany Hancock. John was an ornithologist and an extremely skilled taxidermist, Albany is best known for his research into marine animals and coal-measure fossils. The museum is educational, interactive, and (most importantly) fun, designed to inspire young minds to ask questions about the natural world.
Available :
Daily
Eldon Square is Newcastle's main city centre shopping arcade. Its 156 stores, including John Lewis, Fenwick and Marks & Spencer, bustle daily with shoppers from the northeast. Tired bargain-hunters have a rest and a snack at Wagamama and Strada.
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Daily
The North-East's biggest producing theatre, Northern Stage is proud of its Northern heritage and focuses on both promoting local talent and establishing national and international partnerships. Cornwall's Kneehigh Theatre and the RSC are regular visitors.
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Daily
Newcastle's newest big-name music venue, the Academy hosts concerts by top rock and pop acts. The auditorium, in its former incarnation as the Majestic Ballroom, staged a performance by the Beatles in 1963. Indie club night Bulletproof features weekly.
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Daily
Indie, Britpop and alternative dance music feature at Digital, located at the Centre for Life visitor attraction near Newcastle's Central Station. At weekends it's packed with veteran clubbers, who take a break from the heaving dancefloor in leather-covered booths.
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Daily
Thousands of women of all ages and fitness levels gather in Newcastle's Exhibition Park for Race for Life. The non-competitive event invites participants to run or jog in order to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
Zorba-dancing and after-dinner plate smashing are a regular occurrence at Simply Greek in Newcastle's city centre. Set in Bigg Market, the restaurant serves the usual mix of moussaka and meze to a packed dining-room of young diners and parties. There are no frills here, but the food is delicious.
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Retrace Newcastle's gruesome history on this special Halloween-themed walking tour: Ghostly and Grisly Quayside Tales. Starting at Newcastle's Guildhall, the walk weaves its way through the city with tales of witches, strange disappearances and horrific murders.
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Oct 2013 (annual)
Runners from all over the UK head to Newcastle to take part in the scenic and challenging North Tyneside 10k Road Race. The annual race passes the North Shields Fish Quay and Tynemouth Priory before ending in Whitley Bay.
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Apr 2013 (annual)
Edible activities take place across NewcastleGateshead at the annual EAT! festival. The extended eatathon promotes local produce with special restaurant deals, city-wide markets and holds culinary celebrations such as a chocolate festival and a chilli and beer festival.
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Jun 2013 (annual)
The Newcastle Science Festival returns to the city with amazing robots, incredible inventions and the occasional fireball. With plenty of activities for kids and adults, this festival promises fun and learning for all the family.
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Mar 2013 (annual)
Celebrating the creativity of children and young people aged 0-18, venues throughout Newcastle participate in Juice Festival. Featuring outstanding work created by the region's children and young people, expect a wide-ranging programme of eclectic exhibitions and inspiring performances.
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Oct 2013 (annual)
The Evolution Weekender provides Newcastle with a bank holiday weekend packed full of live outdoor music. Major concerts take place at three stages on the Newcastle Gateshead quayside - Spiller's Wharf, Baltic Square and the Big Top on Ballast Hills.
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Jun 2013 (annual)
The Northern Lights Film Festival in Newcastle focuses on films from Europe's northern latitude. Venues including the Tyneside Cinema and the BALTIC Centre celebrate the success of well-known film-makers and exciting new talent.
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Mar - Apr 2013 (annual)
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