A quick guide to the quirky, TikTok and Insta famous drink from Taiwan that’s taking the region by storm.
Evie, one of the North East’s biggest boba fans, making the most of Tealive’s lush swing
What Is It?
Boba, Bubble Tea, Pearl Milk Tea, Tapioca Tea – whatever name you’ve heard it called, in it’s most basic form, the drink consists of black tea, milk, ice and chewy tapioca pearls all shaken together and served with the famously oversized straw.
The huge selection of boba on offer at Bubble Cha
What Does It Taste Like?
Sweet, refreshing and delicious with little popping balls that add a totally unique texture. Bubble Tea comes in many different flavours so you can pick and choose which you prefer.
Evie enjoying one of Manhua Cha’s specials
How Do I Order?
• Choose your base (either milk or fruit)
• Pick your topping (usually popping bubbles or jelly chunks)
• Make it yours (adjust the sweetness & amount of ice/serve it hot or cold)
The recently opened Bubble Ci-Tea’s setup
Where Can I Get It?
Below are a list of places we’ve visited to get our boba fix;
Bubble Cha, Newcastle
Address: 52 Stowell Street, NE1 4XQ
Opening Times: Daily from 11am until 8:30pm
Prices: from £3.20
Menu Highlight: Passion Fruit Tea
Our Thoughts: Located right in the heart of Newcastle’s China Town, Bubba Cha is our favourite place to grab a bubble tea – lovely staff, huge menu choice and excellent drinks
Our Thoughts: As well as selling Boba, Manhua Cha have a great selection in their Sweet Shop section. They also offer Bubble Tea kits so you can make their drinks at home
Now Evie and Harry are a little older, planning days out that include age-suitable activities as well as things we haven’t done every school holiday since they were younger, is becoming more and more difficult. Luckily, businesses seem to be recognising this gap in the market and have started running session for that awkward stage between “little ‘uns” and adults.
Below are a list of boredom busting days out for older children
Alpaca Walk at Barnacre Alpacas, Heddon-On-The-Wall
About: Barnacre’s hugely popular ‘Alpaca Walk n Talks’ are a great way of experiencing alpacas up close. The experience, where everyone gets their own alpaca, lasts at least an hour during a 1 mile gentle walk on the farm
Smart Cookies Cookery School at Blackfriars, Newcastle
About: For the slightly more confident 11-15 year olds who are fed-up with making fairy cakes and want to get their teeth stuck into something a little more challenging. These sessions are all about building on from the basics and really developing their culinary skills and confidence – but at their own pace. They’ll have a choice of delicious dishes to make which can be challenging or well within their own comfort zone. The sessions include refreshments throughout the day, a communal lunch in the Cookery School and recipes to take home
About: Whether you’re playing for fun, or get competitive, Wonderbar’s interactive darts experience allows you to battle through different games to become the ultimate interactive darts champion. No experience is necessary and anybody can play
Minimum Age: Nothing official but best suited to 8 years plus
About: Bedlam Paintball is renowned for its realistic, purpose-built paintballing Game Zones and imaginative game scenarios that transport you into another world
Snowboarding at Silksworth Sports Complex, Sunderland
About: Home to the North East’s premiere ski facility with three ski slopes consisting of a 160m floodlit and misted main slope plus two dedicated nursery ski slopes. Lessons run by our highly qualified instructors are available for skiers of all abilities.
About: All year round – a star gazing and astronomy heaven! Kielder Observatory is located in the heart of Northumberland International Dark Sky Park. They have the largest expanse of dark night sky in the whole of Europe, thanks to minimal light pollution. Winter nights are darkest and best for viewing deep sky objects such as galaxies, while in summer you can view the beautiful Milky Way, passing comets, shooting stars and see the Sun’s surface using our incredible telescope.
About: YuMe World is the first entertainment centre in the UK To unveil some of the most exciting and challenging Virtual Reality game concepts the world has ever seen. Sourced Exclusively by industry specialists, these stunning units will blow the minds of even the most dedicated gamers
About: Tees Barrage International White Water Centre is Teesside’s award-winning home of adventure, which was reopened in 2012 after extensive redevelopment. This magnificent centre of activity can be found on the banks of the River Tees between Stockton and Middlesbrough and offers a unique variety of watersports the whole family can enjoy
Young Driver Lessons at Young Driver Experience, Newcastle
About: The Young Driver training programme mirrors what you would learn when driving on the road. The only difference is you will learn to drive in a safe environment on a specially constructed road course
Thanks for reading, I hope I’ve given you some new ideas to try. If you do give any of the above a go, I’d love to know what you thought of them in the comments ☺️
About: Standing above the entrance to the River Tyne, Arbeia South Shields’ Roman Fort guarded the main sea route to Hadrian’s Wall. It was a key garrison and military supply base to other forts along the Wall and is an important part of the history of Roman Britain. Step into the fort and immerse yourself in the world of the Romans right in the heart of South Shields. Explore inside the full-scale reconstructed Roman buildings including the West Gate, Commanding Officer’s house and a soldier’s barrack block, and see one of the finest collections of finds from Roman Britain all found in and around Arbeia
About: Beamish is a world famous, living & working, open air museum, telling the story of life in North East England during the 1820s, 1900s, 1940s and 1950s
About: Built in the early 18th century, the Barracks were among the first in England to be purpose built. The ‘By Beat of Drum’ exhibition gives you an insight into the life of the British infantryman from the Civil War to the First World War
About: The Bowes Museum is a hidden treasure, a jewel in the heart of beautiful Teesdale. Purpose built in the 19th century by John and Joséphine Bowes, the museum is filled with diverse collections that spans three floors of the magnificent building
About: Experience the sights, sounds and smells of life on the Home Front and the Front Line, all set in the buildings and grounds of an original World War 2 Prisoner of War Camp
About: Discover the incredible world of Anglo-Saxon Northumbria at a historic and environmental oasis in the heart of South Tyneside. Set across 11 acres, Jarrow Hall features a museum dedicated to exploring the life and legacy of Bede, alongside an extensive Anglo-Saxon farm and reconstructed Anglo-Saxon dwellings
About: Life Science Centre is the science centre of the North. They’re not like other museums where you’ll only find stuff in cases, here you’re encouraged to get stuck in: explore, create and have fun – whatever your age.
Haltwhistle Swimming & Leisure Centre, Haltwhistle
Stanhope Open Air Swimming Pool
About: The only heated open air swimming pool in County Durham. There’s a main pool with a springboard and a smaller pool with a slide. Both pools are heated to 27°c (82°f)
Address: Castle Park, Stanhope, Co Durham, DL13 2LU
About: Carlisle Park is a multi-award winning park in the heart of Morpeth, Northumberland. It contains formal gardens, an aviary, play areas, a paddling pool, ancient woodland, picnic areas, tennis courts, bowling greens, a skate park and much more.
About: The park features a play park, splash park, a woodland, relaxing gardens, bowling greens, tennis courts, community pavilion and lovely areas of greenery.
About: Ridley Park provides many fun and recreational activities for people of all ages to enjoy, including a water play area, woodland walking and a bowling green.
About: Children of all ages can enjoy the play area or get their feet wet in the splashpad. Take a riverside walk or relax in the gardens, each of which is inspired by a different planet or star.
About: Whitley Bay Water Park is a great facility for younger children. The water park has a variety of splash and spray features as well a water rill with channel and damn leading to a pooled area. There is also a multi-use sports area near the park so children can play ball games in a safe enclosed space.
Even though Evie and Harry are 10 & 9 years old, if we’re going anywhere near any of the parks listed above, I always throw these items in to the boot just in case they fancy a play (which they almost always do despite being “too old for that now”)
• Change of clothing
• Goggles
• Suncream
• Towels
• Water toys
Thanks for reading. Let me know in the comments which water feature is your favourite and if there are any I’ve missed off which are worth a visit.
Indoor sporting is back! So whether you’re new to Ten Pin Bowling or an absolute pro, we can once again step in to the shoes, borrow a ball and strive for a strike, try for a turkey and even have a go at a hambone. Below are a list of our favourite places to aim a ball down an alley hoping to put down the pins all while trying to avoid the gutter.
As always, ensure you follow any COVID guidelines/restrictions that the venues have in place.
Brilliant Bowling Alleys In And Around The North East
Dunes Bowl, South Shields
About:
Number Of Lanes: 12
Prices: Children from £5.50. Adults from £4.50
Opening Times: Daily from 10am
Car Park: ✅
Closest Metro Station: South Shields
Food Options: ✅
Anything Else On Site: Soft play, arcade and fun fair
If you want to enjoy eating out during the Summer Holidays while watching the pennies, check out these “Kids Eat…” deals currently available.
Details are correct at time of publishing. Always check direct with the venue that the deal is still running before planning a visit.
North East Independent Businesses
Anglers Arms, Choppington
What’s The Deal: Kids eat for £1 with every adult meal purchased
When Is The Deal Available: Monday to Friday throughout the Summer Holidays
Any Restrictions: The offer excludes the “Beer Bait” menu and is valid on the Little Kids menu only. The deal can not be used in conjunction with any other promotion
What’s The Deal: Kids eat for £1 with every adult meal purchased
When Is The Deal Available: Monday to Friday, 3pm-7pm
Any Restrictions: No voucher needed and booking is advisable. All food must be ordered at the same time. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with the breakfast or any other offer or the set menu.
One of my favourite pastimes – sitting with a cup of coffee and a sweet treat watching the world go by. Below is a list of places I love to visit to indulge myself.
Blackberries Patisserie, Houghton-Le-Spring
Address: 4 Imperial Buildings, DH4 4DJ
About: Houghton-Le-Springs home of handmade, high quality patisserie goods
Currently Open: Tuesday to Friday 11am-5pm and Saturday 10am-5pm for takeaway only
Price Range: £
We Recommend: The Strawberry & Mascarpone Cream Tart
About: Opened in 2015, Cake Stories’ famous cake cabinet is always stocked with loads of cakes, brownies and bakes. Perfect with a coffee, tea, a glass of wine or a craft ale.
Currently Open: 7 days a week until 6pm for outdoor dining and takeaway
About: Les Petits Choux is a family-run coffee shop & patisserie owned by a mum and her two daughters. Everything is lovingly hand made on site using only the freshest and finest ingredients to give exceptional quality.
Currently Open: Monday to Saturday from 10am for outdoor dining and takeaway
About: Operating for almost 100 years, Patisserie Valerie have 67 patisseries throughout the UK. They offer everything from whole cakes to delicate patisserie as well as their famous Afternoon Teas.
About: Recently opened in STACK Newcastle, Secrettaart owner, Patricia Marques, is passionate about creating elegant, luxury, edible gifts that will leave a lasting memory for every customer
About: Taking diners back to 1910 (the start of Spanish City’s journey), Valeries Tearoom offers a selection of teas, coffees, juices, smoothies, pastries, muffins and cakes as well as sandwiches, salads, quiches and a full breakfast menu
Currently Open: Daily for outdoor dining and takeaway
Whether it’s homemade or chef prepared, I love a Sunday Roast. I think it might be my favourite meal; roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, vegetables and meat covered in gravy – perfect combination.
Below are a list of North East places that I think are serving up the best Sunday Dinners (try not to drool while reading)
Branches, Jesmond
Address: 9 Osborne Road, Jesmond, NE2 2AE
Mains Options: Roasted Sirloin of beef, roast loin of pork, chicken breast, spring vegetable risotto or pan roasted salmon and shellfish
Sunday Lunch Description: All mains are served with crispy roast potatoes, freshly made Yorkshire pudding, slow braised spiced red cabbage, crushed carrot and celeriac, cauliflower cheese and seasonal vegetables
Sunday Lunch from Babucho (click the pic for venue website)
Cog & Wheel, Sandyford
Address: 131 Sandyford Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 1QR
Mains Options: Roast chicken, spiced roast beef or vegan sausages
Sunday Lunch Description: Mains are served with braised red cabbage, honey glazed parsnips and carrots, broccoli, mash, rosemary and garlic roast potatoes and Yorkshire pudding
Price: 1 Course £11.95, 2 Courses £15
Open For Diners At The Moment: ✅
Offering Takeaway: TBC
Sunday Lunch from Cog & Wheel (click the pic for venue website)
Sunday Lunch from Davanti (click the pic for venue website)
The Impeccable Pig, Sedgefield
Address: Front St, Sedgefield, TS21 3AT
Mains Options: Roasted belly pork, roast chicken, roast sirloin of beef or roast leg of lamb
Sunday Lunch Description: All of the main courses are served with duck fat roast potatoes, mash, carrot & swede mash, seasonal greens, carrots and Yorkshire pudding
Price: 2 Courses £20, 3 Coursed £23
Open For Diners At The Moment: ✅
Offering Takeaway: TBC
Sunday Lunch from The Impeccable Pig (click the pic for venue website)
The Merchants Tavern, St Peters Wharf
Address: 1 Saint Peter’s Wharf, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE6 1TZ
Mains Options: 12 hour slow roasted beef brisket, lemon and thyme chicken, grilled fillet of salmon or baked aubergine stuffed with cous cous
Sunday Lunch Description: Served with roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, seasonal vegetables and creamy mashed potatoes
Price: 1 Course £10
Open For Diners At The Moment: ✅
Offering Takeaway: ✅
Sunday Lunch from Merchants Tavern (click the pic for venue website)
From Short Stacks to High Towers, perfect patties to smashed burgers – here’s a run down of our favourite Burger Joints in and around the North East.
Anglers Arms
Anglers Arms, Choppington
About: Anglers Arms – the home of the homemade. The family run restaurant, pub and B&B is at the heart of the community of Choppington in Northumberland. They use the finest quality ingredients to create delicious, homemade meals that are freshly prepared and cooked to order. The Anglers Arms is child and dog-friendly.
Address: Anglers Arms, Sheepwash Bank, Choppington, Northumberland, NE62 5NB
Good To Know: As well as serving out of Osbornes, Brack Burger are also at The Jubilee in Gosforth
Burger Menu:
Brack Burger MenuBurger Drop
Burger Drop, Newcastle
About: Burger Drop promises to deliver *that* burger every time. Burgers made with real thought, months of work and passion, to craft an amazing experience for you and your lucky palette.
Good To Know: Fat Hippo have a loyalty system which allows members to collect points to redeem against rewards plus it grants access to their secret menu
Good To Know: Want your PULP Kitchen fix after their Rawmarsh Road site has closed? Fear not, every Thursday, Friday & Saturday they operate from 4pm-9:30pm at their second venue on North Bridge Street
Burger Menu:
PULP Kitchen Burger MenuSpy Bar
Spy Bar, Jesmond
About: An Osborne Road favourite know for its Birger Tuesday and Wing Wednesday deals
As COVID restrictions begin to ease, outdoor hospitality is back and Multi-Purpose Outdoor Entertainment Venues are popping up throughout the region. Here’s a guide to the ones we’ve visited recently
As always, COVID guidelines will be in place and must be followed at all times. Check details with the venues direct before planning a visit.
Burn It Up North Shields
Location: Outside of Gutterball Alley, next to Royal Quays
About: Live music, food, drink, arts and entertainment in 4 unique areas. Open now for food and drinks. Events to start from May 17th (guidelines allowing)
Entry Cost: Free but a £5p/p fee will be held on booking. This will only be charged if you don’t show for your booking
Booking Needed: Advisable
Covered Areas: ✅
Child Friendly: ✅
Dog Friendly: ✅
Food Options: Food from Lane7 as well as pop ups from the regions favourite street food businesses
On-site Parking: ❌
Metro Station: Percy Main
Opening Times: Monday to Thursday from 3pm, Friday from 11am, Saturday & Sunday from 9am
What We Thought: We visited early on Bank Holiday Monday, the recommended parking (behind Premier Inn) was full so the only option was to park on the road. We were told to wear face masks by security who, ironically, had his face mask below his chin. We were seated and told how to order. There were 3 other tables of customers in the venue when we ordered and yet we still had to ask the staff where our order was. We paid £2.75 for one small cappuccino from a machine and waited 17 minutes for it to arrive. We had booked the table for 90 minutes but left after 40 mins. Overall, we didn’t enjoy our time at BIU and won’t be returning.
Pros: All ordering is done through QR Codes/Website so no need to try and catch a server
Cons: On busy days, parking can be a nightmare. Expensive. Long wait for drinks.
Recommended: ❌
Burn It Up
Central Park Newcastle
Location: Times Square outside Centre For Life
About: A pop-up park in the heart of the toon embracing this years Sunmer Of Sport on a huge live 4k LED TV
Entry Cost: Tickets from £6p/p which includes first drink
Booking Needed: Advisable
Covered Areas: ✅
Child Friendly: ❌ (although family session will be held on certain days)
Dog Friendly: ✅
Food Options: Pop ups from the regions favourite street food businesses
On-site Parking: ❌
Metro Station: Newcastle Central
Opening Times: Opening on Thursday 29th April at 5pm. Then every Thursday & Friday from 5pm, Saturday & Sunday from 12pm. Also open on Bank Holiday Mondays and for all dates of Euro 2021.
What We Thought: Visited Central Park for their first Bairns & Barkers Sunday and we absolutely loved it. Brilliant setup with everything ordered through the W8R app. Lovely staff and fab atmosphere.
Pros: No kids 🤣
Cons: No kids 🤣
Recommended: ✅
Central Park Newcastle
Hardwick Hall’s Beer Garden
Location: Grounds of Hardwick Hall Hotel
About: The biggest beer garden in County Durham with street food, container bar, ice cream van and children’s rides
Entry Cost: Free
Booking Needed: No, first come first served basis
Covered Areas: ❌
Child Friendly: ✅
Dog Friendly: ✅
Food Options: Pop ups from the regions favourite street food businesses
What We Thought: We thoroughly enjoyed visiting the garden after a walk around Hardwick Park. Gorgeous way to unwind with a drink and bite to eat while overlooking the pond.
Pros: Perfect location & no booking needed
Cons: Can get super busy
Recommended: ✅
Hardwick Hall Hotel
Jesmond Beach Box
Location: Behind the Holy Hobo/As You Like It
About: An urban oasis nestled just outside the city centre in the leafy suburbs of Jesmond. With food, drinks stalls, pub corner (featuring games from darts to shuffle board) and, as the name suggests, they have a beach complete with buckets and spades.
Entry Cost: Free
Booking Needed: Advisable
Covered Areas: ✅
Child Friendly: ✅
Dog Friendly: ✅
Food Options: Food from The Holy Hobo as well as pop ups from the regions favourite street food businesses
What We Thought: Proper chilled out vibe, perfect afternoon sat in the sun listening to live music
Pros: Bar games available
Cons: Limited parking
Recommended: ✅
Beach Box
Rainton Arena
Location: Houghton-Le-Spring, DH4 5PH
About: Rainton Spring Fair is currently at Rainton Arena with loads of rides, an outdoor beer garden and food vendors. Events at Rainton Arena are planned to restart from May.
Entry Cost: Free
Booking Needed: Advisable
Covered Areas: ✅
Child Friendly: ✅
Dog Friendly: ❌
Food Options: Onsite food vans
On-site Parking: ✅
Metro Station: N/A
Opening Times: Monday to Thursday 4pm-9pm. Friday to Sunday 11am-9pm.
What We Thought: We’ve been to a few live events at Rainton Arena and couldn’t fault the setup. Everything ran smoothly and it all felt very COVID secure.
Pros: All ordering is done through QR Codes/Website so no need to try and catch a server
Cons:
Recommended: ✅
Rainton Arena
Secret Garden Seaton Delaval
Location: The Old Laidlers site, NE25 0PP
About: Expect the once worn out wholesale site transformed in to a unique floral garden hosting the very best food, drink and entertainment the North East has to offer
Entry Cost: £5p/p booking fee that will be deducted from your final bill
Booking Needed: Advisable
Covered Areas: ✅
Child Friendly: ✅
Dog Friendly: ✅
Food Options: Secret Garden Kitchen plus pop ups from the regions favourite street food businesses
What We Thought: Absolutely loved it! Very spacious and all very COVID secure. Massive thumbs up from us, definitely worth a visit
Pros: If you haven’t booked, the back uncovered seats are always kept for walk ins
Cons: Booking fee required
Recommended: ✅
Secret Garden
STACK
Location: Newcastle and Seaburn
About: STACK is a container village come creative social hub for entertainment, culture, work and play.
Entry Cost: Free entry however a booking fee is required. This fee starts from £15 per bench. The amount paid on booking is given as drink tokens on arrival
What We Thought: We’ve always enjoyed previous visits to STACK
Pros: City centre locations
Cons: Bookings for 2 – 4 guests will be located on a shared bench. This means you could end up sharing your seating area with an unknown group
Recommended: ✅
STACK
Sunderland Beach Box At The Palm
Location: Timber Beach Road, SR5 3XG
About: Newcastle’s legengary Beach Box is coming to The Palm. From April 12th, The Palm is being transformed into Sunderland’s biggest beach party. With 8 bars, 7 street food traders, live sports, covered outdoor seating, live entertainment and beach area
Entry Cost: Free
Booking Needed: Advisable
Covered Areas: ✅
Child Friendly: ✅
Dog Friendly: ✅
Food Options: Pop ups from the regions favourite street food businesses
North East Eats and Kids 