Ramside Hall & Spa - Offers & Events

Disclosure - I sometimes work with Ramside Hall. This post has not been paid for. 

Ramside Hall is my favourite luxury hotel in North East England. For me, it ticks all of the boxes. Two beautiful restaurants with fantastic food, luxury bedrooms, a cracking events programme throughout the year and of course, the best spa in the North East. The addition of the new luxury treehouses early next year is just going to be the icing on the cake for me.

Luxury can mean expensive though so today I am bringing you some of the best deals and ways to make your money go further when you treat yourself or a loved one. Some of the deals mentioned are only available for Black Friday so if you see something you fancy, book sooner rather than later. 

10 Reasons to Visit Liverpool in December

Disclosure - I have recently worked with Visit Liverpool but this post has not been commissioned/paid for.

Hot on the heels of my Comprehensive Guide to visiting Liverpool's Christmas Markets (which you should read if you are looking for an in-depth guide to visiting Liverpool over Christmas), I decided to put together a shorter guide for those looking for a more concise overview of what to do in this wonderful city over the festive period.

If you like this post, also check out 10 Reasons to Visit York in December and 10 Reasons to Visit Edinburgh in December. 

Christmas Days Out for Teens in North East England

A few people have asked for ideas for Christmas days out ideas for teens so I thought I would put a little post together. Don't forget to check out my guide to what's on for kids and guide to Christmas markets too. 

Kielder Winter Wonderland Review & Tips

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Kielder Winter Wonderland features in our Guide to What's On in North East England for Kids this Christmas and I am so pleased that we were finally able to visit this weekend. This post will feature all you need to know about Kielder Winter Wonderland. It is a pretty long post & there is lots to take in but I hope I have answered your questions and provided an idea of what to expect.

Christmas & Santa at Whitehouse Farm - A Review

Disclosure - we worked with Whitehouse Farm in November 2019 which is when the photos in this post were taken and our visit took place. We have not been paid / asked to share this updated post for 2020. 

PLEASE BE AWARE, THE PHOTOS IN THIS POST ARE FROM 2019 AND THE EXPERIENCE WILL BE DIFFERENT IN 2020 DUE TO CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS. 

Marvel Universe LIVE! Reviews & Tips

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Marvel Universe LIVE! visits Newcastle Utilita Arena from 21-24 November 2019. Expect stunts, special effects, pyrotechnics, 3D effects, motorcycles & live action from Guardians of the Galaxy and 20 Marvel Super Heroes and Villains.

Find out more and buy tickets here. 

FREE Entry to Seaton Delaval Hall, Cragside and Wallington

In celebration of the National Lottery turning 25 this year, holders of a National Lottery Ticket/Scratch Card/Proof of Play (from any date) can enjoy FREE entry to selected National Trust properties on selected dates this Winter.

I LOVE strolling around National Trust grounds and looking at all of the beautiful houses in the build-up to Christmas and think this is an opportunity not to be missed! National Trust sites are the perfect spot for a Magical Winter Walk. 

The National Lottery has provided millions of pounds worth of support to National Trust properties across North East England and this is their way to say thank you.

A Guide to Visiting Liverpool Christmas Markets & Lights

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When National Express asked us to pick a Northern Christmas Market to visit and write about, I immediately knew it had to be Liverpool. We visited the city last October Half Term and have been itching to return ever since. Christmas seemed like the perfect opportunity to explore more of the city.

I feel like a lot of people from North East England visit Edinburgh, York or Manchester Christmas Markets and really hope this post inspires a few of you to give Liverpool a try - we really had the best weekend.

13 Reasons Why Ramside Spa is the Best Spa in North East England

Disclosure: I have visited Ramside Spa a few times this year - a mix of press visits & visits I have paid for myself. Some photos in this post are c/o Ramside Spa.

It was love at first sight for me and Ramside Hall. I have visited a few times this year and can confidently say, it is my favourite North East Spa. I love it so much that I am thinking about treating myself to a 3-month membership from Jan-March when I am not so busy work-wise. The only thing that is putting me off is the pesky traffic on the A1 during rush hour.

10 Magical Winter Walks for Children in North East England

Disclosure - This post features affiliate links. 

Do not let the cold weather put you off, winter is a wonderful time of year to wrap up and take a stroll with the family. In North East England we have plenty of magical Winter walks to choose from including:

1. Kielder Forest 
2. Low Newton
3. Tynemouth to Cullercoats 
4. Cragside 
5. Wallington Hall
6. Bolam Lake
7. Belsay Hall 
8. Hamsterley Forest 
9. RSPB Saltholme 
10. Snowman Trail in Middlesbrough  (2019 only)

School Holiday Short Breaks at Potters Resort - A Review

AD - Post features a press trip from October 2019 

We all know that we love our short breaks. Nothing beats quality time away with the family and short breaks with the kids are something I prioritise. I am a definite believer in experience and memories over material objects.

The problem is, with three older kids, holidays are an expensive business. The amount of spending money we can sometimes go through on food and activities is ridiculous (I will never forget the time we spent £130 on one activity at Center Parcs).

Villa Pia Review - An alternative all-inclusive holiday in Italy

Ad - This post features a press trip from October 2019

Snuggled in the library on a rainy October morning with my slippers on, warm and cozy by the fire which had been going all day. I had a glass of red wine in hand, was just about to finish the final chapter of my book and was looking out through the shutters at the rolling Italian countryside outside. I could hear the kids in the kitchen next door tucking into a slice of homemade cake which the cook had just brought through for our afternoon snack and I remember thinking that this is the most relaxed I have ever felt on holiday. 

Scroll to the bottom of this post to check out prices and how to book.

Santa on the Rooftop at Fenwick Newcastle - 2019 Review & Tips

It was never my intention to buy tickets to Santa on the Rooftop this year. We already have a full festive diary and lots of lovely Christmas events to attend BUT in the end, I was caught up in the frenzy of booking tickets and ended up booking tickets to take my 4-year-old nephew as I knew he would love it.

We visited Santa on the Rooftop in 2018 and had a wonderful experience so I hoped this year would be just as good.

There will be spoilers in this review!