With the weeks leading up to Christmas, the festive season is fully on the way, from frosty mornings to warming hot chocolates, what’s better than spending your weekend at your local market with friends’ family or even a little solo date. The winter season is market season, from finding quirky and handmade gifts across different stalls, to trying out traditional and new Christmas snacks, heading to a market is a perfect way to add a little more festivity to your winter.
A weekend must visit is upon you, for coffee lovers, foodies or bargain hunters, here is your wintery itinerary for you upcoming days off.
Located within and throughout Tynemouth metro station, the charm of Tynemouth market radiates, with around 150 stalls collaborating to create a friendly and warm atmosphere to welcome visitors every weekend. Restored to the former glory of its grand Victorian infrastructure, the market itself is set on both sides of the station platforms, which creates an idyllic character to kick start you relaxing mooch around.
Open from 9am till 3:30pm, there are plenty of opportunities for you, friends and family to hop on the metro, especially if you are a student and can get a discounted travel ticket.
Tynemouth market hosts an abundance of food stalls, including regular attendees every weekend such as Gingersnaps, Great North Pizza and Cheese Stir. With a variety of hot and cold food, warming drinks, sweet treats and fresh produce there are plenty of options to choose from to indulge your appetite.
Gingersnaps of Tynemouth are a local catering company that hosts a stall every weekend to provide delicious bites to eat for you to munch on whilst heading around the unique and cosy stalls. When I say bites to eat, I really mean absolutely stacked baps, with fillings ranging between your classic English fry up of bacon eggs or sausage, all the way their popular hog roast baps served with apple sauce and stuffing. With these healthy sized portions, also delivers for the value of money as a bacon egg and sausage bap will only set you back £3.60.
Here is a audio interview with ‘Georgia Ferris’, a Northumbria University student, spending her weekend at the market and telling us her experience of Tynemouth and why she loves it.
After walking around the market Isla, a regular attendee of Tynemouth, said she ‘had’ to buy one of ‘Sprinkled’ sweet treats. ‘I absolutely love her cupcakes, they are so cheap as well, she really needs to up her prices as they are so good.’ Isla explained how she has ‘literally had to go and give the owner feedback because of how nice they are’.
During your festive visit in Tynemouth this year you should also be sure to check out Deja Bru, a cosy and classy coffee bar with a variety of hot drinks to warm you up on these cold winter days. Deja Bru offers a range of classic coffees to boost your morning such as a traditional frothy cappuccino or a strong espresso to get you moving.
However, if you’re looking for something a little sweeter, how about try their festive gingerbread chai or even their rich, indulgent ‘Lux hot chocolate’ to give you that chocolate fix. Similarly, if you want to spice up your latte, why not try one of their many syrups on offer, ranging from hazelnut to caramel and even cinnamon bun.
Moreover, if you sweet treat fix still needs to be nourished, head over to ‘Creperie Nathalie’, a gluten free and dairy free delicious traditional French crepes company. With a popular social following, ‘Creperie Nathalie’ head down to the market most weekends for everyone to try out their amazing crepes. With products being gluten and dairy free, the inclusivity for the customers is at a wide reach.
Similarly, a big decision if left to be made through the vast selection of topping choices ranging from toffee, to salted caramel and strawberries.
Whilst you might need to make sure you have cash to hand if you end up finding yourself a little gift on your market journey, most of the food stalls available take card so you are not limited to options.
Whether you’re a Newcastle local or are travelling to the Toon for the weekend, this hidden gem is worth a visit throughout the year but especially during the autumnal season to get you in the festive mood, you won’t regret it. As the smell of fresh coffee is brewed or the frying of sizzling bacon lingers, Tynemouth market is more than a quick trip to grab a bite, it’s a community of Newcastle foodies coming together to give the market rich, delicious and fresh homemade products for customers to indulge in to make their Tynemouth experience tastier.
Be sure to comment your experience if you have ever been to Tynemouth market or let us know if you’re heading there soon. Remember, if you’re a foodie, to check out my previous stories to find out more about the food scene around Newcastle.
Megan Davis
Tynemouth Market is fabulous! Reminded me to go again