What To Do This Weekend
From great new openings to the free family festivals you won't want to miss, here's what to do this weekend
What’s New
A new three-screen cinema and event space has opened in Blyth town centre. Market Pavilion is the sister site of Whitley Bay’s Jam Jar Cinema and promises a luxury viewing experience, bar space and lounge. In Gosforth, Lobo Rojo has landed on Bowsden Terrace, offering a menu of relaxed Mexican street food and dangerously drinkable cocktails. Further south, The Tulip Lounge in Norton is a new addition to the town’s already impressive clutch of cafés, serving up breakfast, lunch and sweet treats. In Yorkshire, Pignut and The Hare is finally open. Taking over The Hare at Scawton, this is a new chapter (and new location) for the acclaimed team behind Pignut in Helmsley. The tasting menu remains central and guests can now spend the night in one of four refurbished 12th century rooms. For something more low-key, Fold is Leeds’ newest bakery specialising in focaccia and offering a grab-and-go service every Saturday. Node Coffee is Spark: York’s newest speciality coffee shop that you also need to put on your list for this weekend.
Family Festivals
Coming to Newcastle Quayside for the first time this Saturday (9th), stop by NE1’s Quayside Carnival for a day of fun. The event promises to be filled with family-friendly activities including circus workshops and professional aerial acrobatics performances, a have-a-go activity challenge zone for older, adventurous kids, meet-and-greets with popular princess and hero characters, arts and crafts and face painting. Best of all, it’s completely free. This weekend also sees the return of York Georgian Festival with Georgian dance lessons, musical performances and his
Sporting Chance
Calling all cricket fans, The Hundred returns this week. An action-packed, unmissable cricket competition that fuses world-class cricket with fabulous entertainment, The Hundred features eight teams from seven cities, with men’s and women’s competitions taking place side by side. The Northern Superchargers (representing Leeds) will face off against Welsh Fire this Thursday (7th) at Headingley, before heading to Trent Bridge on Sunday (10th) to tackle the Trent Rockets.
Put on a Show
Looking for new upcoming artists? Head to Trinity Kitchen in Leeds every Thursday evening in August for Trinity Kitchen Sessions, a series of completely free gigs featuring local busking talent. This Thursday (7th) catch Charlotte Branson, the Sheffield singer-songwriter bringing an edge to pop. Indie darling Tom Grennan will be playing The Welly in Hull this Friday (8th) and on the same night you can also catch The Libertines at Halifax Piece Hall. In the North East, Cirque du Hilarious will be bringing their fabulously funny slapstick retelling of Aladdin to Wallsend Rugby Club this weekend, with tickets still available.
Head in a Book
Bookworms will be delighted to hear that Ushaw Historic House is hosting its Festival of Books this Saturday (9th) which includes rare access to Ushaw’s stunning Big Library as well as plenty of family-friendly workshops and theatre. Wandering around a local bookshop is always a good idea whatever the weather – we love Imagined Things in Harrogate, Cogito Books in Hexham and The Bound in Whitley Bay. For more inspiration explore our list of the best local independent bookshops in the North East and Yorkshire.
In the Garden
August is a month to take your foot off the gas in the garden, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still things to do. Now is the time for gentle trimming and tidying, including lavender plants which are past their prime (bundle the clippings together for free floral fragrance in the home), as well as shrubs and ornamental grasses. You can also start to think about sowing for the coming autumn months (think chard, kale and spinach). Prefer to get out and about? Take a peek at some of our favourite gardens to visit locally.
