Examiner journalist GINA SYKES samples the delights of Newcastle(-upon-Tyne) and discovers that city shopping and beautiful beaches are both within easy reach.
THE sun shone brightly on our weekend away.
Day one was spent shopping in a vibrant and bustling city.
A golden beach was our destination on day two.
But we hadn’t flown to the Continent for our short break.
Instead we had decided to support British businesses in the credit crunch.
We left our car behind and let the train take the strain. Our journey began on a beautiful autumn Saturday morning from Huddersfield station with TransPennine Express and in about two hours we had reached Newcastle.
Accompanied by husband Peter I made it to the city by lunchtime and so headed for Newcastle’s large Marks and Spencer for lunch.
Before we hit John Lewis and Fenwick department stores the next stop was our hotel to drop off our luggage.
I say hotel, but Jesmond Dene House is much more than that. It is the epitome of style and elegance and the standard of service and attention to detail are second to none.
Four-star Jesmond Dene has just won the top accolade of AA Hotel of the Year 2008-09 and it is easy to see why.
The 40-bedroom hotel, which overlooks leafy Jesmond Dene, is 10 minutes to the north of the city centre by taxi or Metro which, for those who don’t know Newcastle, is very similar to London’s Tube.
The hotel opened in September, 2005, after an 18-month transformation of the Grade II listed building.
It is owned by the North-East’s leading chef and restaurateur Terry Laybourne and Durham-based property developer Peter Candler and is the perfect place for a weekend of understated luxury.
The historic house is bordered by gardens and overlooks a small wooded valley. There are huge windows, massive fireplaces, polished floors and an overall feeling of colour and warmth.
Bedrooms are designed for both relaxation and work, with flat screen LCD televisions, CD/DVD players, digital radios, broadband access and desk space, as well as fresh fruit, bathrobes, complimentary weekday newspapers and underfloor heating in the bathrooms.
But in my book any hotel is only as good as its restaurant and this is where Jesmond Dene really excels.
The hotel clearly has a passion for fine wining and dining. Menus are inspired by the seasons, with produce which is preferably local and, where possible, organic.
Lunch, dinner and afternoon tea are served daily and there is a choice of a la carte, fixed price and vegetarian menus. All meals, including breakfast, are open to non-residents.
After a hearty breakfast on our second day we went by Metro to the small town of Tynemouth, a journey which took just 30 minutes.
Tynemouth offers beautiful coastal views from a 13th- century fortress priory and a choice of stunning sandy beaches.
At one beach you can relax with a snack at Crusoe’s cafe and watch surfers in action.
I was amazed at how much we were able to pack into our weekend, with city shopping and the coast so close together.
Newcastle is certainly well worth a visit, especially when the sun shines!
WE were guests at Jesmond Dene House Hotel, Jesmond Dene Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE2 2EY. Tel: 0191 212 3000. Website address: www.jesmonddenehouse.co.uk
Prices per room per night with the cost of dinner, bed and breakfast in brackets: Single, £165 (£216); small double, £175 (£283); double, £210 (£317); deluxe double, £250 (£355); junior suite, £295 (£397); noble suite, £375 (£505).
Afternoon tea, served between 3pm and 5pm, is £11-£15.50 depending on the size. As the teas are quite large the hotel will box up anything you don’t eat so you can take it home.
A Metro ticket to travel between Jesmond Dene House and Newcastle city centre costs £1.80 per person for a day. The Metro station is a five-minute walk from the hotel. A taxi would be £6-£7.
Our half-hour Metro journey between Jesmond Dene and Tynemouth was £3.50 per person; this covered all our Metro travel for the day.
We travelled to Newcastle with First TransPennine Express. Return tickets cost from £24.
