Everything you need to plan a weekend away in the North East
Inspiration | Published on: 14th April 2021
Start planning your UK getaway in the Tees Valley
It’s finally time to start planning those much longed-for days out, weekends away and experiences that have been off bounds due to Coronavirus restrictions.
It’s time to start filling up the diary with weekends away and get inspired for everything that you can enjoy again this year and beyond.
Whether you are visiting the Tees Valley for a romantic getaway, a short break in the North East of England, or if you live here and are ready to explore what is on your doorstep, we’ve rounded up some of the top things to do.
Grab your other half, message the group WhatsApp or get in touch with family and friends that you are desperate to see and start planning ahead.
Do something exciting
If you are looking for an adventure holiday in the UK after being stuck indoors for most of the last year, then the Tees Valley is the place to be.
Live life in the fast lane with driving experiences at Teesside Autodrome in Middlesbrough, get behind the wheel of a supercar or hold on tight for an exciting rally driving experience. The longest, fastest karting track in the world is also on site providing the perfect place for high speed, outdoor karting action.
Take to the skies with flying experiences from Scenic Air Tours North East or Eden Flight Training and get a bird’s-eye view of the Tees Valley below you whilst you are flying high.
Get out on the open water
Located on the North East coast with the River Tees running through it, the Tees Valley has a prime spot for all kinds of exhilarating on water activities.
A water sport haven with everything from white water rafting to jet skiing to paddleboarding and some of the best surfing spots in the UK – you are sure to get the blood pumping and the adrenalin flowing in the Tees Valley.
Water sports
Tees Barrage is home to an Olympic standard white water rafting course with the biggest artificial drop in the whole of the UK which will see you get well and truly soaked! If that sounds too extreme, the site also has canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and raft-building experiences, as well as the UK’s biggest high ropes course – Air Trail with four terrifying levels that tower over the River Tees.
Head to Hartlepool Marina and you can cruise the open water by jet ski, powerboat or try a slower pace with stand up paddleboarding (SUP). The Marina is also home to a great selection of independent eateries ideal for a post activity wind down.
Surf’s up
Listed in the Top 10 places to surf in the UK by both The Guardian and Red Bull, Saltburn-by-the-Sea is the ideal spot to perfect your surfing skills with Flow Surf School and Saltburn Surf School.
Whether you’re an amateur searching for a new adventure or an advanced surfer looking to hone your existing skills on the water, catching a wave at Saltburn’s Blue Flag beach is a must!
Saltburn’s coastline makes the ideal surfing spot, with waves and curls for beginners and professionals alike. If you’d prefer to spectate, you can take a stroll down the longest remaining pleasure pier on the North East coast, try your luck in the arcade or enjoy award-winning fish and chips and lemon top ice cream, all whilst taking in the stunning coastal views.
Take things a little slower and find calm with a SUP Yoga session on the River Tees with SUP Adventures or enjoy a river safari along the river via the pretty market town of Yarm and past the magnificent Preston Park.
Discover more on water activities at enjoyteesvalley.com/on-the-water.
Accommodation for adventure seekers
The Tees Valley has plenty of places to stay that offer something a little different. Perfect for a walking holiday, adventure holiday or outdoorsy weekend getaway there are glamping and camping options at the whimsical site of North Shire near Saltburn or the boutique, creative camp Baby Moon near Guisborough.
Relax
There’s always time for a bit of self-care and let’s be honest, we have all earned the right to be pampered after a difficult year.
You can enjoy the ultimate ‘me time’ at a selection of luxury spas and beauty rooms across the Tees Valley.
Rockliffe Hall
The five-star resort of Rockliffe Hall provides the perfect environment to relax and unwind. Winner of the Good Spa Guide ‘Best Spa for Wellness’ Rockliffe Hall is one of the best spas in the North East of England with everything from a luxurious hydro pool, outdoor hot tub and treatment rooms including a mind therapy room, igloo and infrared room.
A session in the Spa Garden is a must for an extra touch of tranquility. The outdoor space offers panoramic views of the grounds, relaxing day beds, experience showers, a glass-fronted sauna, heated loungers and a warm outdoor pool.
If your idea of relaxing is getting out on the golf course, then you can enjoy one of the most exciting golf resorts at Rockliffe Hall. Designed by world-renowned Marc Westenborg, it’s one of the longest golf courses in Europe, with a variety of five different tee positions so all levels of golfers can enjoy the experience. For more top places to tee-off in the Tees Valley go here.
Wynyard Hall
Escape to the soothing surroundings of the award-winning Wynyard Hall Spa. Nestled peacefully on the edge of the lake within the hall’s magnificent grounds, the spa provides a tranquil hideaway to enjoy a range of facials, massages and infusions. Whether you’re looking for a spa day with friends, or want to banish aches and pains, Wynyard’s friendly therapists are on hand to ensure you leave feeling entirely refreshed.
Beauty rooms
The Revival Zone within the country house hotel Gisborough Hall, located on the edge of the North York Moors provides a variety of treatments to make you feel and look good, all whilst combatting the stresses of everyday life.
For a spa day beside the seaside, the ultimate coastal relaxation is on offer from The Amber Rooms within The Spa Hotel in Saltburn-by-the-Sea. With a beautiful array of treatments from facials to foot soaks, manicures to massages and everything in between, this is the perfect spa destination for a day of pampering with an extra dose of sea air.
Make your spa day into a short break by booking an overnight stay with any of the hotels mentioned above.
For more accommodation inspiration in the Tees Valley go to enjoyteesvalley.com/accommodation.
Live experiences
Live sport, theatre and music events have returned and you can enjoy all of them in the Tees Valley.
Football fans can enjoy a day cheering on Middlesbrough FC, known locally as ‘The Boro’ at the impressive Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough. In 2022, the Riverside will also play host to a fixture in the Rugby League World Cup as Tonga take on the Cook Islands.
Whether you prefer to spectate or take part, there are a range of other sporting events from challenge runs, world-class golf courses to cycling festivals.
If live music or theatre is more your thing, then you can catch concerts at the Riverside Stadium, the Darlington Arena or The Globe in Stockton, which opened its doors in 2021 following a massive refurbishment.
Tees Valley’s art centres and theatres are open again. From large scale touring productions to stand-up comedy, you can check out what’s on at Darlington Hippodrome, ARC in Stockton, Middlesbrough Theatre, Middlesbrough Town Hall, The Globe and more by heading to their websites.
Go OUT OUT
We all know that one of the best things about being on holiday is enjoying good food and some delicious drinks. A short break in the Tees Valley doesn’t mean you just have to feast on Parmos (unless you want to) there are plenty of great places to eat and drink.
Whether it’s al fresco dining – British weather allowing – or planning for a few meals out there are lots of great restaurants, cafes, and bars to try that are right on the doorstep.
Feeling fancy? You can head to the only two Michelin star restaurant in the North East, The Raby Hunt in Summerhouse near Darlington, enjoy fine dining in country pub charm at The Bay Horse in Hurworth, or enjoy dinner outdoors on the newly extended outdoor terrace at Muse in Yarm.
You can find cool independents dotted across the Tees Valley from Baker and Bedford Street in Middlesbrough with mouth-watering cocktails from The Nuthatch, a scrumptious brunch from Baker Street Kitchen, and posh pub grub at The Chairman.
Waterside eateries at Hartlepool Marina include Wallis & Co and the Open Jar, now also with a new base at Seaton Carew. The pretty cobbled high street of Yarm is lined with delicious spots such as tapas restaurant Luna Blu, Italian-inspired Cena Trattoria and Fourteen Drops wine bar, whilst you will find everything from posh pizza places, tapas, and the ultimate street food restaurant Salt in Darlington.
Discover more food & drink in the Tees Valley at enjoyteesvalley.com/food-and-drink.
Dates for your diary
Events have made a welcome return for 2021 and the Tees Valley’s vibrant events programme is back!
Planning a weekend away or a short break with friends, or the other half around one of these amazing events is a must!
Festival of Thrift
Set in the glorious grounds of Kirkleatham Museum, the national festival of sustainability, the Festival of Thrift is back on 25 and 26 September 2021.
Thrift is a festival with a difference with a series of workshops on ways to live sustainably, colourful pop-up performances, a thriving food scene, vintage fashion and market stalls stacked with sustainable products.
Stockton International Riverside Festival (SIRF)
The region’s largest free outdoor art and street theatre festival SIRF, takes over Stockton high street every summer.
During the four-day programme, the high street comes to life with pop-up performances and daily shows from world-class performers from the UK and across the world. With street artists lining the pavements to break outs of live music to dancing in the fountains, SIRF provides some of the most exciting free live entertainment.
Keep your eyes peeled for 2022 dates.
Food & drink festivals
Keep your eyes out for food and drink festivals returning to the Tees Valley throughout the year.
From the artisan food festival Orange Pip Market which takes over the independent quarter of Middlesbrough, including salsa in the streets, on the last Saturday of the month (from June to October for 2021), to seaside favourite the Saltburn Food Festival in July (back for 2022) to regular farmers’ markets, the Pease Pudding night market and the Darlington Food and Drink Festival.
Check out the what’s on page for the latest event information enjoyteesvalley.com/whats-on.
For more inspiration on things to do, attractions and events to help build your perfect short break in the Tees Valley explore enjoyteesvalley.com.
*Please remain cautious when out and about in the Tees Valley and follow all the latest government guidance when visiting. You can find the guidance at gov.uk/coronavirus.
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