26 Elvet, Durham

 

Having spent Monday afternoon walking around the City of Durham, we stumbled across 26 Elvet on Elvet Bridge in the city centre. We needed a refreshing drink so we headed in for a couple of smoothies served in jam jars with the widest straws ever to enter my mouth!

Durham Cathedral

 

You can't miss Durham Cathedral. It dominates the city. You can see it sitting majestically next to Durham Castle. Pass through Durham on the main East Coast rail line and you will see it. It is one of the greatest medieval buildings in the North East of England. It's free to enter though some additional exhibitions come with an entry charge. As a completely non-religious person myself, I do however find the Cathedral to be a fantastic building, showing off the architectural skills of the people of the medieval period. If you visit Durham, you need to visit the Cathedral as well.

Turkish Kitchen Meze and Grill in Durham City

 

Out for lunch in Durham City centre and we found the Turkish Kitchen Meze and Grill (Ground Floor, 66 Sadler Street, Durham, DH1 3NP). It wasn't full but there was a steady flow of customers in and out of the door. We stayed for a two course meal. I recommend the white bait for started.

Durham Botanical Garden

 

Slightly away from the Durham centre but definitely one to go on your list of places to visit if you are in Durham City. Consisting of large gardens showing plants from around the world. I particularly liked the cacti. It takes about an hour to walk around.

The Story, Durham

Yesterday I headed to the City of Durham, by car only 20 minutes drive from where we live (it's even quicker by train). Our plan was to visit The Story, effectively a history of County Durham, the Botanical Gardens, the Cathedral and Durham City centre.

The first port of call was The Story which I found quite absorbing. Okay, I am an historian, but I liked the way the history of the area was presented. The good news is that it's free to get in though they rigidly enforce the 10am opening time. Definitely worth a  visit.

 

Insieme in Newcastle

 

Insieme is an Italian restaurant on Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne. We paid it a visit last week.

I was a bit disappointed with the starter - kalamari. It was a bit stringy.

My main course - steak in tomato sauce more than made up for the kalamari.

Dessert was a must-have!

Tanfield Railway - the video

 

Here's the video I filmed last week of our visit to the Tanfield Railway and fish and chips on the train.