Tuesday, 12 February 2013

Farmhouse Breakkie and Allen Banks


This weekend we decided it would be safer to go for food before the walk instead of vice versa- that way no missing any closing times. Last week a handful of great farm shops across the region offered “buy one breakfast, get the second for £1" to support Farmhouse breakfast week. (You can get offers like these by signing up to www.tasteclubhq.com). We chose Brocksbushes in Corbridge. A skiddy entrance in to the car park and we arrive off the A69. From the outside it doesn't look like much but inside is a maze of fresh vegetables, chopped wood, gardening things, dog beds and extra buildings tacked on. At first we couldn't even find the coffee shop, until we saw the grotto like entrance.

Inside is half a dozen tables and through a side door, a dozen more. It has a very quaint and country tea room feel, but I can't help but feel a little uncomfortable with the very obvious 50 year age gap between us and the other diners.


We ordered 2 full english's, smoked salmon and a bacon, sausage and mushroom bap (there was 4 of us by the way). Service was pronto and it all looked really good. Thick cut bacon, big juicy sausages, rich black pudding; all the usual offenders were there on the plate. The breakfast bap was as big as Sara's head and Anelise’s smoked salmon came as a very generous portion. All in all I would say it is a great place for a hearty breakfast that doesn’t feel greasy or unhealthy in the slightest.



We returned to the car with full bellies and ready for a walk in the snow; delighted to find that Toby hadn’t been sick in the car whilst we were inside (the puppy not an unwanted friend). We drove westwards to Allen Banks, about 20 minutes past Hexham. Parked up and set off along the footpath. We took the path to the right that headed up the bank. At the top you have a great view of Ridley Hall and its grounds.

Along we walked crunching through snow and throwing snowballs for the dog who happily chased after nothing. At the first fork we went left down to the river (if you go right there is a great little gazebo perfect for summer picnics.) You get to a pool in the river where it is wider and deeper. We have been known to swim here in the summer but in the winter it is still and quiet and you can even spot the odd solitary heron if you peer hard enough. 

It is about 2 ½ miles along the river allen before you get to a bridge to cross back over and return along the other side of the river. Up to the farm house and turn left up the road for 100 yards. You can extend this walk by going right here across the farm fields and up to an Iron age fort, but as it is winter and as we spent all morning eating we didn’t really have time.

This side of the river is much steeper and rockier but had the most amazing icicles. Make sure you turn left downhill once you see the swing bridge or you could end up walking straight past the car park. A beautiful winter walk.

Harriet and Alex

 
 

Friday, 8 February 2013

Northumberland Restaurant Week


NORTHUMBERLAND RESTAURANT WEEK TO SHOWCASE NORTHUMBRIAN FOOD

-Event to bring together more than 35 restaurants around the County-


Your Northumberland Guide is to co-ordinate the first Northumberland Restaurant Week (Monday 18th to Sunday 24th March) to celebrate the County’s fantastic local produce and wonderful places to eat around the County.

This seven day event is the perfect opportunity to explore Northumberland’s produce and show that there is more to Northumberland than just stunning countryside. Restaurants and Cafes will be presenting unique offers during Restaurant Week to tempt diners. The event will be hosted and promoted by Your Northumberland Guide, with all the offers and promotions available on their website.

Dine out for great value at some of the County’s top restaurants, pubs and cafes during Northumberland Restaurant Week. Participating restaurants include: The Battlesteads Hotel, Close House Hotel and Golf, The Treehouse Restaurant AT The Alnwick Garden, DK at Vallum, The Linden Tree at Macdonald Linden Hall Golf & Country Club, Barluga in Morpeth, The Corbridge Larder, Bouchon in Hexham and many, many more around the County.

The purpose of the event is not only to raise awareness of our great restaurants, but also to help the public discover new places to eat that they might not have tried otherwise. Your Northumberland Guide’s creator, Andrew Bothamley said “We feel Northumberland is often overlooked when it comes to promoting our amazing food producers, restaurants and places to eat that we are lucky enough to enjoy all year round.”

“We wanted an event to celebrate everything Northumbrian, so with the help of our huge Social Networks we’ve covered as much of Northumberland as we can, with the aim to have an offer close to everyone in the County.”

“As far as we know this is the first event of its kind in Northumberland, has been received extremely well by restaurateurs and will be popular with the public”.

A full list of participating establishments can be found at www.yournorthumberland.co.uk/restaurantweek


For more information about Your Northumberland Guide, visit www.yournorthumberland.co.uk

You can also find us on:

Twitter at www.twitter.com/ynorthumberland

Facebook at www.facebook.com/yournorthumberlandguide

ENDS



For more media information, please contact Darren Allen:
Email: events@yournorthumberland.co.uk

Notes to Editors:
Your Northumberland Guide is an independent website created in 2011 to promote all that Northumberland has to offer its residents and visitors alike. With over 20,000 visitors a month, a social network of almost 10,000 people and a huge range of contacts Your Northumberland Guide is perfectly placed to co-ordinate Northumberland Restaurant Week.

The event will bring together restaurants from all four corners of the County, with top restaurants in each of the leading Towns and areas. We’ll be working together with as many partners as possible to raise awareness and promote our local produce and restaurants.

Monday, 4 February 2013

The Market Town


Northumberland has some of the most diverse and successful markets in the country, and consumers are increasingly seeking out these hotbeds of traditional and local produce. There is something wonderfully traditional about shopping at markets: the feeling at the heart of a beautiful town, the banter with the traders, the knowledge that your shopping is supporting small traders and local business. Northumberland has an abundance of thriving markets spanning the entire region, and they run year round.

Our artisan bakery, The Zen Baker, was established on the back of these markets, and continues to grow with the help and guidance of other producers and traders. We made a decision to grow our business organically, establishing ourselves at local markets.

This provides us with instant feedback from our customers, (so important for new businesses,) a chance to test out new ideas and recipes, and most importantly allows us to establish a base where customers know how to find us. One of the main reasons local markets are so important is that many traders simply cannot afford the overheads involved in establishing a shop, and markets provide some of the best avenues to interact with customers that small business has. The markets themselves act as a hub for producers who wish to sell direct to their customer and allow customers to put a face to the food they eat and the crafts they use. As Neil Brown, Market Manager for Morpeth says, “We have some of the finest food producers in the UK in Northumberland and you can buy it all direct at the market.” Whichever way you look at a local market - it is win/win for everyone.

For any visitors into the region, the visit to a local market is a wonderful chance to see the beating heart of a community. With each market we witness the support for local business, have the experience of traditional and unique products and we see the health, wellbeing and vibrancy of a town or village. We are very lucky to be growing our business in this wonderful setting, and we hope to see you at a Northumberland market soon.

Here are the regular markets in and around Northumberland:
Alnwick Market Place Thursday & Saturday
Amble Amble harbour Sunday
Ashington John Street Tuesday
Bedlington Vulcan Place Thursday
Berwick Marygate Charter Market Wednesday & Saturday
Blyth Market Place Tuesday, Friday & Saturday
Cramlington Focus DIY car park Wednesday
Haltwhistle Market Square Thursday
Hexham Market Place Tuesday & Saturday
Hexham The Shambles Monday to Saturday
Morpeth Market Place Wednesday
Ponteland Merton Way Friday

The Zen Baker can be found at a market near you! Check out dates and news at zenbaker.co.uk, facebook & twitter.

Photos are courtesy of Nicky Rogerson at NR Photography.