A Typical Sunday with Travelodge

When Travelodge got in contact asking me to share my favourite things about Newcastle, my mind went into overdrive.  There are so many awesome aspects of the city that I call home, I had the hardest time narrowing my favourite parts down.  Saying that, I’ve cheated a little bit and shimmied out of Newcastle to one of my most loved destinations, Tynemouth Market.

I’d say about eight out of ten Sundays (depending of severity of hangover) I can be found elbow deep in boxes of junk at the beloved Tynemouth Market.  Located in the Tynemouth Metro Station it’s a very simple hop and jump from Newcastle City Centre, just one short train ride and you’ll be stepping out onto a platform filled with eager bargain hunters and a plethora of adorable dogs.

You can find anything from vintage records to handmade sausages to antique trinkets, the market is a treasure hunters dream come true.  I can lose hours among the bric a brac, happily hunting out the perfect addition to my ever growing collections of ‘old tat’ as my boyfriend like to call it.

There’s always a bit of nostalgia at Tynemouth Market, no matter what your age is. I had to drag myself away from the selection of 1980’s My Little Ponies, and I may have found myself ferreting around in a box of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle figures.  The 80s man, what a time to be alive!

If you’re a bit of a dog person you won’t be disappointed.  The amount of adorable hounds, big and small, is just unbelievable.  You won’t get more than two steps without a scarf wearing whippet snuffling at your feet, or a pampered Chihuahua all wrapped up in a fur lined parka giving you the eye. I always leave with the overwhelming urge to run to the dog shelter and rescue a Jack Russell, then I remember I have two cats who will simply pack their bags and move out if I dared turn up with a new canine addition to the family.

Once we’re finished with our bargain hunting there’s only one place I want to go, Longsands Fish Kitchen.  I first discovered this place when we couldn’t get a table in nearby café Dil and the Bear, and I couldn’t be happier that I did.  These are the best fish and chips that I’ve had in my life, but the real star of the show is the curry sauce.  Oh man, that stuff could end wars. I have intense cravings which  have to be fulfilled on the weekly.  My usual order is fish chips and mushy peas (side order of curry sauce, obvs) but today I went a bit fancy and opted for the tiger prawns with chilli jam.

Finally, no day out is complete without us heading back into Newcastle and straight to our favourite cafe, The Wild Trapeze.  Located in the heart of Heaton, this is the only place I’ll frequent for tea and cake, other than my own shop of course.  Family run and so damned adorable I cannot recommend this place highly enough, I just love it.  If you do decide to go, order the London Fog Latte, there really is nothing better.