Why I love the North East
Great to see some of my favourite places have made it through to the final of Love The North East Awards after listeners of Smooth Radio and Echo readers nominated their top spots.
Everything we love about our area was summed up in a top 10 of the best from a cup of coffee, watering hole, sandwich shop, day out to park.
From the top 10 nominated in each category, folks voted again on who they wanted to win with a final shortlist whittled down into three contenders.
The awards are being held at another of my favourite places – Beamish Hall Hotel – this Thursday. I think this is a great idea and set me thinking just what I do love about our region.
South Shields sea front is topper and up there in the running. There's an air of the grand style here with bandstand and fountains playing and harks back to the days when families on a Sunday strolled out in their best bib and tucker.
I hope Herrington Country Park takes the title from Swalwell and
Jesmond Dene, lovely as they are.
The country park is a triumph. It's a dog's heaven.
The best things in life are indeed free and you can't beat walking by the seashore and drinking in the breathtaking delight of the bluebells in the wood at Cox Green.
On our doorstep we have gems like the riverside at Cox Green and a stunning panorama of lights by night if you are walking up to Offerton.
From here you can walk to what was one of the best-kept secrets for many a year and is no more now its in the final for the best pub. It is my favourite, The Stables at West Herrington, where they even let the dog in.
It is quaint and housed in what was a cow byre. As a girl I used to love going there to see the calves.
Sunderland gets a mention in every section of this competition bar one – The Best shop, Not surprisingly I can't think of one. And that speaks volumes.
Twice last week I was wonderfully entertained at shows in our Empire Theatre and Newcastle Theatre Royal.
Sunderland is a beautiful theatre. I just wonder how it fares in the final for the best theatre/live music venue, fending off competition from The Sage, Gateshead, which is also in a class of its own.
And here are the finalists which means there's plenty of places I've yet to visit and maybe that goes for you too.
Best Cup of Coffee: Esquires Coffee House, Sunderland; Fenwick, Newcastle;The Snow Goose, Sunderland.
Best Family Day Out: Sea Front, South Shields; St Mary's Lighthouse, Whitley Bay; Tweddle Farm, Durham.
Best Delicatessen/Sandwich Shop: Cafe J's, Crook; Relish the Thought, Sunderland; The Picnic Basket, Durham.
Best Fish & Chip Shop: Angels, Sunderland; The Waterfront, North Shields; Verrills Fish shop, Hartlepool.
Best Park: Herrington Country Park, Penshaw; Jesmond Dene, Jesmond; Saltwell Park, Gateshead.
Best Bar/ Pub: Fox & Hounds, Ryton; Paddy Whacks, Sunderland; The Stables, West Herrington.
Best Restaurant: Amore, Sunderland; Bowes Incline, Gateshead; Stateside Diner, Newcastle.
Best Shop: Dessert Heaven, South Shields; Mowden Park Post Office, Darlington; Thoburns Garden Centre, Shotley Bridge.
Best Theatre/ Live Music Venue: The Sage Gateshead, Gateshead; Sunderland Empire; 02 Academy, Newcastle.
Best Place to get Fit: Club Zest, Sunderland; Sunderland Aquatic Centre; The Barre, Newcastle.
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Weather for Sunderland
Friday 10 February 2012
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