NORTHUMBERLAND…
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Situated in the depths of Northumberland’s National Park, Harwood Forest is a little-known gem that offers miles of tranquil woodland paths and several popular waymarked trails to explore. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through its peaceful, conifer-filled floor, where you’re unlikely to meet a soul, or venture up to the Simonside Hills for picnic areas and panoramic views of the Cheviots and Northumbrian coastline. Whatever you get up to, the forest’s rugged wilderness is bound to blow away the cobwebs, while the crisp, pine-scented air is guaranteed to get you in the Christmas spirit.
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Worked up an appetite after all that walking? Pop to The Alnwick Garden’s Christmas Market (it’s there from November 19 – December 22) and stock up on all your festive bits and bobs. There’s always sweet treats to be had, crafty stocking fillers to snap up and beautiful handmade decorations to lust over.
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Kielder’s annual Winter Wonderland extravaganza returns for 2016, promising adults and kids of all ages a jam-packed day of Christmas activities, celebrations and surprises. Highlights include walking through the enchanted forest to Santa’s secret woodland home, a visit to see his elves and live reindeer, and the chance to enjoy a spot of ice skating and snow tubing. Outdoor catering and a festive food marquee will also be on offer, so don’t forget to bring your appetite.
TYNE & WEAR…
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Jesmond Dene is an ideal place to escape Newcastle’s vibrant city centre. Stroll along the wooded valley, which is a haven for wildlife and stretches over three kilometres, at your leisure, or take advantage of its many guided paths and enjoy a mini adventure of your own. The Dene’s nature and history trails are fun choices for families, but if slopes and steps are more your thing, there are a handful of slighter harder, mile-long routes available that leave no area of the park uncovered. Christmas playlist at the ready…
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Vallum Farm’s annual Christmas Market kicks off on November 19. It’s a place to tuck into hearty street food, infused with festive flavour, sip on homemade mulled wine and visit Santa’s grotto if you have the little ones with you. Pop in on December 17 to see Vallum transform into Santa’s home where the little ones can enjoy a festive tea party with Saint Nick himself.
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Embrace the cold and head to Skating@Life’s outdoor ice rink at Newcastle’s Times Square. Complete with Christmas tunes and twinkling lights, it’s a great way to keep kids entertained – though adults are welcome! There’s the Newcastle Christmas Market, too, which will host over 50 foodie and crafty traders housed in beautiful wooden chalets. Over in Gateshead, the popular Enchanted Parks event returns to Saltwell Park. The ‘outdoor arts experience’ promises a thrilling mix of Christmassy visual arts, performance, installation and interactive works.
enchantedparks.com
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COUNTY DURHAM…
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This neat walk around Durham city takes you from the marketplace, around the riverbanks, through the winding streets (which look oh-so-pretty this time of year) and up to the twinkling Cathedral and Castle. You can do it in less than three hours – great on a winter’s afternoon. Wrap up warm and rediscover one of our region’s most enchanting cities.
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The Bowes Museum’s Christmas Market is a fabulous affair; think artisan nibbles, must-have gifts and yummy local produce. Santa and his elves will be ho ho ho-ing in this workshop, waiting to greet and treat younger visitors while you mooch the stalls. From December 17-18.
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Durham’s annual Christmas festival is a good one; a three-day extravaganza of festive fun from December 2-4. Among the groups of carol singers and live reindeer, look out for the craft and gift marquee on Palace Green, which hosts over 180 traders offering a variety of Christmas gifts, and the local food producers’ market inside the grounds of the Cathedral for Christmassy nibbles to take home.
Families should book tickets to the flurry of Enchanted Christmas events happening at Hardwick Hall from December 3-23. Make special fairy dust to make Santa’s reindeer fly, travel to the North Pole, make gingerbread and learn how to be the perfect elf.
durhamchristmasfestival.com
enchanted-christmas.com
NORTH YORKSHIRE…
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Where Teesside meets North Yorkshire, Roseberry Topping and Captain Cook’s Monument is a classic seven-mile circular walk through dappled woodlands and pretty heather moorland. Starting at Great Ayton, take a family friendly ramble through to Captain Cook’s monument, then to Cleveland Way before making it to Roseberry Topping, to take in the panoramic views.
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Spend an afternoon at Lord Stones Country Park. Not only will the fresh air make your lungs happy, the cafe and farm shop are perfect stop-offs for the finest local produce North Yorkshire has to offer. Pick up great quality meats and cheeses, Christmassy preserves and sweet treats. It reminds us of the little shop Cameron Diaz visits in The Holiday – you know the one.
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Castle Howard comes alive at Christmas; a time when its grand interiors are festooned with glittering baubles, twinkling lights and flickering candles, combined with foliage, fruits, trees and twigs for truly sensory experience. This year, you’ll see grand gingerbread constructions and a selection of gorgeous garlands and wreaths, handcrafted with greenery, winter berries and branches from the estate, plus you’ll have the chance to relax with a spot of festive Afternoon Tea by the crackling fire in the Grecian Hall.
