The Wear Valley Food Festival, North East England’s largest food festival, has been given a makeover for 2010. This year’s festival takes place on 17th April 2010 with the new name, The Bishop Auckland Food Festival in the Durham Dales, and new organisers Durham County Council have assured visitors that they can expect the same combination of artisan made local food and drink, family friendly entertainment and proud North Eastern heritage – all for no cost. The festival is free.
Category Archives: Eating & Drinking
Take afternoon tea at Belvoir Castle
Filed under Accommodation, Attractions, Eating & Drinking
It is a little known fact that the area of Melton gave the country one of its most enduring traditions: Afternoon Tea. Anna Maria Stanhope invented the tradition when she was staying at Belvoir Castle in the 1840s with the then Duke and Duchess of Rutland. Today the stunning regency-era Belvoir Castle is one of the region’s most popular attractions, offering superb art and European sculpture collections and, of course, Afternoon Tea at its magnificent Stewards Restaurant.
Stay overnight at the Manners Arms Country Hotel – a stunning country house hotel managed by the Duke and Duchess of Rutland. Twin /double rooms with breakfast start at £80.
Did you know it’s currently British Pie Week?
Filed under Accommodation, Eating & Drinking, Events
As British Pie Week (1st-7th March 2010) is celebrated all over the country, one Western Lake District village is laying claim to the title of Britain’s Favourite Pie Parish and to the creation of a new tourism niche – Pie Tourism.
The village of Gosforth, near England’s highest mountain (Scafell) and its deepest lake (Wastwater) is enticing holidaymakers seeking a pie-fect experience that combines one of the country’s favourite dishes with a unique blend of other attractions.
The Gosforth Hall Inn first put a Supper Pie on its menu in January 2008. The Steak, Bacon and Mushroom pie, filled to the brim with local Lakeland steak slow-cooked for at least four hours, proved a huge hit and added to the village’s existing ‘lunch time pie’ offer from Gill Unsworth’s bakery.
The creator of the Supper Pie, Rod Davies, decided his inn should experiment with other pies. These were seen as perfect food choices into which walkers, cyclists, foodies and other visitors could tuck in after a fabulous day out enjoying ‘Britain’s Favourite View’ – Wastwater, just a few miles from Gosforth – and the stunning scenery all around.
Along with wife Barbara, Rod set about concocting delicious pie varieties for his Inn’s menu and now offers a rotating selection of pies, including Wild Boar with Wholegrain Mustard, Moroccan Lamb, Wild Game and Plum, Pulled Pork and Sweet Chilli, Venison and Haggis and Broccoli and Stilton.
All of these can be washed down with four real ales, at least three of which are always Cumbrian, served by an inn that was the 2008 runner-up in the CAMRA Pub of the Year awards.
Pie lovers hungry for more than just fabulous food, are satisfying their appetites by feeding on the rich history of the Western Lake District. This includes Roman occupations at nearby Ravenglass and Hardknott, as well as Roman activity in the Eskdale Valley. This is explored by the Steam and Romans experiences organised by the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway.
There is also the legend of St Bega and early Christianity within the area, to add to the historical backdrop ,and visitors can also revel in the area’s unique traditions, such as the annual gurning Championships, staged in Egremont. Others are building up the appetite by following one of the Gosforth Walks described by a book of that name.
Eastbourne Evenings of Culinary Magic
Filed under Attractions, Eating & Drinking, Events
Budding chefs and food lovers have a packed menu to choose from over the next few months in Eastbourne as the resort’s Culinary Arts Studio introduces new evening demonstrations designed to set taste buds alive.
From combining flavours and spices with Pan Asian Cooking to Eating Humble Pie, and from learning how to use all of the meat with Butchering and Cooking Meat to a Mystery Basket, an evening finding out how to produce wow factor dishes with a versatile mix of ingredients. Eastbourne will be hosting a series of exciting evening events from March to May 2010, with those attending invited to learn from the best with professional Chef Steven Cooke leading the demonstrations with lots of tasters, recipes, and questions and answers throughout.
With spring fast approaching and the evenings getting lighter the new evening demonstrations offer an alternative night out for both residents and visitors. Located at the Eastbourne campus of the University of Brighton, the Culinary Arts Studio is in a beautiful position at the foot of the South Downs and offers a unique experience for anybody visiting the town. Taking place on Wednesday evenings from 6.30pm – 9pm the courses make a great excuse for a mid-week break and leave visitors with the day free to explore the seaside resort.
By day, budding chefs can be inspired by a vast selection of local restaurants including the award-winning Hungry Monk at Jevington, famous for inventing the Banoffi Pie, or explore local food and drink makers including the nearby English Wine Centre or Middle Farm, home to the National Collection of Cider and Perry.
The Culinary Arts Studio evening demonstrations cost just £25+VAT and include the chance to sample dishes, take recipes home, and pick up tips from Chef Steven Cooke.
Rye Bay Scallop Week
Filed under Eating & Drinking, Events
Had your fill of oysters now that Valentine’s Day is over? Then why not head on down to Rye, East Sussex for some sizzling scallop sensations? 2010 sees a number of new events to tickle your taste buds. For the latest of these, read on.
The ancient Cinque Ports town of Rye, East Sussex is famous for many things but maybe none more so than its seafood and arts. What better way to enjoy both of these specialities than an evening of music and food? The Rye Wurlitzer and Rye Bay scallops join to great effect.
The Rye Wurlitzer, the second oldest theatre organ in the country, has been given its own unique identity by the addition of scallop emblems on either side of the console, on the music rest, bench, pedal board and other parts of the cabinet. It’s a delight to see as it rises out of the pit on concert days. The scallop emblem is an interpretation of our popular local delicacy – the Rye Bay scallop, so special that it even has a week named after it each February.
“For One Night Only – The Sequel” will take place on Friday 26th February 2010 as part of Rye Bay scallop week. The Rye Wurlitzer musical experience and the delicious Rye Bay scallop will combine with a Coquilles St Jacques supper and a fabulous programme of music with Len Rawle, the acclaimed “Mr Wurlitzer”, rounding off the evening with a unique scallop-themed finale.
Tickets are £9.50 in aid of Rye College and are available by calling 01797 222545 or 01424 444058.
Rye Bay Scallop Week runs from 20th – 28th February 2010 with over 20 events including cookery demos, scallop tastings, gourmet evenings, wine tastings and competitions. The week starts on Saturday 20th February 2010 at Simmons Quay with Scallop Tasting at Rye Bay Fish and Scallop Cutting demonstrations at Market Fisheries.
Springtime in Savill Gardens
Filed under Accommodation, Attractions, Eating & Drinking
With the arrival of spring, thoughts turn to days out and weekends away. And for lovers of the countryside and all things flora and fauna, Savill Gardens located in Windsor Great Park and one of Britain’s greatest ornamental gardens, comes into its own this time of year. With this in mind, The Christopher hotel has created The Savill Gardens Spring Package, priced from £210 per room.
Covering some 35 acres, Savill Gardens was created in 1932 by Sir Eric Savill, deputy ranger, of Windsor Great Park. Today the garden is well established and is considered to be the finest of its type in the northern temperate region of the world. Renowned for its spectacular spring plants; formal rose garden and herbaceous borders.
The Garden’s new iconic visitor centre is inspired by leaf form, the building’s roof features a rarely-seen grid shell design and, at nearly 100-metres long, is the largest of its type in the UK and is manufactured from sustainably-sourced larch and green oak from Windsor Great Park.
The Savill Gardens Spring Package includes:
• Afternoon tea
• Three-course Dinner
• Full-English breakfast
• Two free tickets to Savill Gardens
The price is based on two people sharing a room, and starts from £210 for a double and £225 for a superior double room, per night.
Take a wonderful Valentine’s journey through North East England
Filed under Accommodation, Attractions, Eating & Drinking
For lovers seeking a Valentine’s escape the North East provides a bewitching, enchanting and sensual experience. From romantic walks hand-in-hand down wind-swept beaches, to exceptional dinners by roaring fires, prepared with the freshest local food, to inspirational castles with intriguing ghost stories, the North East provides the perfect setting for couples looking for a memorable getaway.
This Valentine’s Day, courting couples can rediscover their romantic instincts by losing themselves in the passionate places of the North East. They can enjoy the region’s profusion of natural beauty, array of luxury accommodation and variety of sensual gastronomic delights.
Nature loving couples can surround themselves in the region’s exquisite and dramatic natural beauty, which will reawaken fiery passions. Northumberland’s breathtaking Bamburgh Beach, with its glimmering golden sands, will stimulate the senses Loving partners can also voyage back in time to the ancient and bewitching Bamburgh Castle and take comfort in each other as they sense lingering ghosts and hear dark tales of bloody mystery.
For lovers searching for idyllic isolation, Northumberland’s Holy Island of Lindisfarne, only accessible at low tide, offers a secluded setting for an escape from the trials of everyday life. Renowned for its spirituality, the island’s stunning views of the striking Northumberland coastline are best discovered on horseback; unearthing ancient tales of romance, scandal and seduction.
The North East is renowned for its culinary creativity and over Valentine’s weekend there is an abundance of the finest food to delight the senses. Valentine’s visitors can indulge in local gastronomy at the region’s most romantic locations. The Treehouse, located at the heart of Alnwick Garden entwined amid branches, is the perfect place to enjoy mouth watering cuisine and to rediscover the art of seduction by a roaring log fire. The restaurant boasts the best of regional food; fresh, local seafood and the most succulent organic meats from Northumberland’s exceptional farms.
Finally, when the day is complete, couples can retreat to some of the finest bedrooms in Britain. The red and velvet Victorian Le Boudoir suite at the Fallen Angel boutique hotel offers a quirky and provocative setting, with views of the awe-inspiring Durham Cathedral and Castle, where lovers can rediscover their sensuality this Valentine’s. Couples can also indulge themselves in the hotels special Valentine’s Day menu and be seduced by Cupid’s ice cream glory delight.
For a more traditional experience the 5 star luxury Rockliffe Hall hotel is only 20 miles from Durham, located within the picture perfect village of Hurworth, on the banks of the sparkling waters of the River Tees. Here lovers can enjoy a gentle stroll in the gorgeous rural surroundings, or get pampered in one of the UK’s largest spas.
Or for a truly indulgent treat, the world renowned Georgian Matfen Hall Hotel is complete with 21st Century spa and set in 3,00 acres of beautiful Northumberland countryside, only a short drive from Newcastle. It offers the perfect backdrop for lovers seeking pure escapism. Over the Valentine’s weekend they are offering a once in a lifetime luxury experience, including a delicious romantic meal set in the hotel’s cosy Library Restaurant.
Visit Bath for the perfect romantic break this Valentine’s
Filed under Accommodation, Attractions, Eating & Drinking
Bath offers the complete romantic package for couples searching for a Valentine’s break. As the only city in Britain to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bath boasts splendid Georgian architecture set against a backdrop of some of the most picturesque countryside. In the 18th Century it became a magnet for fashionable society and is still attracting romantics from all over the country today.
Luxurious accommodation
With three quarters of the hotels in Bath offering four poster beds, there is no shortage of excellent accommodation in and around the city and with prior arrangement many will lay on extras such as flowers, chocolates or champagne in the room on arrival. For those really wanting to splash out, stay in one of the top suites at the Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel and have your very own butler attending to your every need. But if money is a consideration there are plenty of affordable options available. Brooks Guesthouse was recently redeveloped and now offers modern bedrooms, a warm welcome and an award winning breakfast, or book your very own apartment at SACO in the centre of the city. For a truly tranquil break stay at a self catering cottage in the nearby countryside, and after a day of exploring snuggle up in front of a roaring fire.
Candlelit dinners
Bath has a vibrant restaurant scene with a huge choice of eateries from Indian to Italian and Mediterranean to Moroccan; there is something for everyone, including a wealth of inviting restaurants to get all starry eyed and have an intimate candlelit table for two! For a special occasion where better than Martini’s on George Street for authentic Italian, the cosy Hole in the Wall for modern British cuisine or the Bath Priory Hotel for fine dining. For somewhere to eat followed by a leisurely stroll in the country, there are plenty of cosy country pubs nearby such as The Wheatsheaf in the picturesque village of Combe Hay, and all are within an easy drive of the city centre.
Lots of romantic things to do
Bath is brimming with things to do; visiting the famous Roman Baths or discovering about Bath’s most famous writer at the Jane Austen Centre, but for something different a boating trip on the River Avon couldn’t be more romantic, or the skyline walk with six miles of marked trails offering views of valleys, woodlands, patchwork meadows and beautiful Georgian cityscape is always a delight. For couples who prefer adventure to roses and Champagne, nearby Castle Combe Motor Racing Circuit is the ideal place to get your adrenalin pumping as you put pedal to the metal!
See the sights
What could be more romantic than strolling hand in hand through Bath’s Georgian streets? No visit to Bath is complete without seeing the iconic Royal Crescent and Circus as well as other architectural gems such as Pulteney Bridge and Great Pulteney Street. Explore the sights on the City Sightseeing open-top bus, join a walking tour, or take to the skies on a Champagne hot air balloon flight with Bath Balloons.
Keep warm in Britain’s only thermal waters
The Thermae Bath Spa is popular for couples who want to enjoy some relaxation time together. For the ultimate indulgence hire the Cross Bath at Thermae Bath Spa – an intimate open-air thermal bath in a stand alone building from the main complex that can be reserved for two people to bathe in the warm spa waters all alone! Or purchase the Spas Ancient and Modern package for £59 and enjoy entry to the ancient Roman Baths, a two hour session at the Thermae Bath Spa and a Champagne afternoon tea or lunch in the elegant Pump Room. Vouchers can be purchased from www.visitbath.co.uk/shop or pop into the Tourist Information Centre in Abbey Churchyard.
Sheffield is set for a taste of South Africa
Filed under Accommodation, Eating & Drinking
Sheffield is set for a flavour of South Africa, with the appointment of a new Head Chef at one of the city’s most luxurious hotels. South African born Ernst Van Zyl, 32, who now lives in Manchester, has taken control of the kitchen at The Copthorne Hotel Sheffield, based on Bramall Lane. Ernst will oversee the Copthorne’s 100 seater 1855 restaurant and bar, carrying on the excellent work of his predecessor’s menu, which has been built on a core of seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. With more than a decade’s hospitality experience, Ernst has worked in the kitchens of many high profile AA Rosetted hotels, including the five star Hilton Hotel on Park Lane, London. He joins the Copthorne from Prima Hotels, where he was the executive chef for six hotels across the UK.
Top 10 romantic ideas on the English Riviera
Filed under Accommodation, Attractions, Eating & Drinking, Transport
Ever considered a break away on the English Riviera for Valentines? Between them, Torquay, Paignton and Brixham boast 22 miles of stunning coastline, which together make up South Devon’s beautiful bay. Add to the mix a wonderful range of accommodation and restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets, and everyone can afford to spoil their loved one.
Here’s our guide to the top 10 romantic ideas that you could enjoy on the English Riviera:
- Try a beautiful coastal walk, pausing to skim stones from the beach.
- Treat yourself to a candlelit dinner in one of the region’s award-winning restaurants.
- Take a ride in the Hi-Flyer Hot Air Balloon, with breath-taking views across the Bay.
- Adopt an animal on behalf of your loved one at Paignton Zoo and pop along for a visit.
- Enjoy award winning fish and chips and romantic views from Babbacombe Downs.
- Relax and pamper yourselves at one of the Bay’s luxury spas.
- See a fabulous show at one of the Bay’s five theatres.
- Cycle round the bay and experience the beautiful and breath-taking views across our picturesque coastline.
- ‘Shrink’ your loved one and turn them into a resident at Babbacombe Model Village.
- Take in the stunning scenery of the English Riviera on the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway.
Visit www.englishriviera.co.uk for more information on the region.
