National Picnic Week: Where To Eat Al Fresco In NE1
It’s National Picnic Week and we’re celebrating in NE1 with our favourite spots to kick back and enjoy a bit of al fresco dining this summer. Tuck in and enjoy...
NEWCASTLE CASTLE
What would a day out in Newcastle be without a pitstop at the city’s namesake? The Castle is one of many spots in Newcastle which blends urban life with enough leafy greenery to trick you into thinking you’re in the countryside for a moment or two! Rising high above the rooftops, the views across the city from the Castle are simply breathtaking. After you’ve explored the historic site, head down to the grassy banks which surround it and enjoy some al fresco lunch in the sun. Picnic perfection!
EXHIBITION PARK
You can easily spend hours relaxing, exploring and socialising at Exhibition Park - the glorious green spaces that surround Wylam Brewery. Go here for a guaranteed good day out (providing the rain stays clear). A leisurely outdoors lunch is sure to complete the day after letting off some steam with park games! Check the weather forecast, charge your camera and get that picnic packed up!
ST THOMAS’ HAYMARKET
An ideal stop-off mid-shopping trip or museum-hopping, the green oasis outside St Thomas Church at Haymarket lends itself to picnics and sunbathing in the summer months. Pack a basket of goodies or wander down Northumberland Street and grab something to-go, pull out your picnic blanket and off you go. With no lengthy walks to get back into the city centre, the area feels just right for a
quick recharge and refuel on a summer day out with family or friends.
BLACKFRIARS
Blackfriars is a quiet and peaceful pocket of history in the city centre. Swap the crowds for a picnic in the sunny, sheltered ruins of Blackfriars Friary; and take in some of Newcastle’s most interesting old buildings as you snack. If you’re bringing the family, let the kids burn off some energy in the area’s open spaces. If it’s a more grown-up day out, enjoy an hour or two basking in the warm weather, meandering through the spot’s nooks and crannies and stumbling on its well-established craft shops. If you fancy a quick drink before heading home, why not pop in and see our friends at Blackfriars Restaurant.
NE1 HANGOUTS!
From sandy spots and deck chair dens, to glorious greens and seats with a view, NE1 has created some perfect picnic places around the city. Check them out...
THOMAS COOK AIRLINES QUAYSIDE SEASIDE
If you like to be beside the seaside but don’t want to sacrifice the hubbub of summer in the city, the Thomas Cook Airlines Quayside Seaside, delivered by NE1, is the one for you. The Costa del Tyneside comes complete with sand and deckchairs. Why not head over to Quayside favourite, Pitcher and Piano, for a cocktail or two once you’ve lined your stomachs with a sarnie?
NE1'S CHINESE GARDEN
Gather your gang, pack up a picnic and get yourself to our gorgeous green space beside the Castle Walls. A rural retreat in the heart of the city, this is a great spot to feast in the sunshine. Stroll over to nearby Stowell Street to pick up some authentic cuisine.
NE1 RELAXATION STATIONS
There’s no better place to chill out with sandwiches, snacks and refreshing sips than the Quayside Relaxation Stations. A perfectly positioned riverside retreat to watch the world go by and enjoy lunch with a glorious Geordie-style view!
SCREEN ON THE GREEN
Our NE1 Screen On The Green will be back in-situ at Old Eldon Square this July and we can’t think of a better place to kick back, take in a superb open-air screening and tuck into a popcorn-packed picnic!
EVEN MORE COMING SOON...
STEPHENSON POCKET PARK
In a few months you’ll be able to sit back and enjoy the glorious city centre garden area around the Stephenson Monument near Central Station. This tranquil location in the heart of NE1 is the perfect place to spend your lunch break or tuck into a pre-prepped picnic with friends!
BIGG MARKET
The Bigg Market will be a city centre hotspot for dining al fresco in no time thanks to its £3.2m redevelopment brought to you by NE1, Newcastle City Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund! Work is underway and the area will be ready to use within six months.
Where will you be celebrating National Picnic Week in Newcastle this year? Tag us in your Insta snaps, tweet us and keep us updated on your al fresco fun via Facebook.
