Category: Dining Out

Let’s Talk Breakfast

There’s something special about eating out for breakfast and one of the joys of a self-catering holiday is the freedom to dine in or dine out whenever you choose. While having a kitchen gives you the option to whip up your own meals, there’s something undeniably appealing about stepping out in the morning and letting someone else do the cooking while you enjoy a relaxed start to your day. Whether you’re having a lazy day or fuelling up for a busy day sightseeing, dining out for breakfast in a local café or restaurant is always a treat.

alt="eggs benedict with a garnish of basil"

Whether it’s a full English, freshly baked pastries or a stack of fluffy pancakes our local offer of cafes and restaurants have it covered. The nearby village of Corbridge is packed with small independent cafes with many offering a breakfast menu, for a light bite breakfast head to Massey’s or the The Watling Coffee House or for a more substantial start to your day then The Heron Cafe in The Corbridge Larder offers options such as a full English Breakfast or French Toast Bacon and Maple Syrup or Smashed Avocado Toast. The popular and award winning Grant’s Bakery now also offer a breakfast menu alongside their tempting bakery selection which could be ideal if you’re hoping to take away some sweet or savoury treats to enjoy during your day out.

Our local market town of Hexham has plenty of options too, head to The Shire Gate or The Small World Cafe, or if you’re looking for a vegan or vegetarian option then Hextol Tans offer a superb menu and caters for gluten free diets too. If coffee and a scone is more to your liking then try The Queen’s Hall cafe, we highly recommend their Cheese and Bacon scones!

Nearer to home and just two miles down the road at Chollerford, The Riverside Kitchen does exceedingly good bacon and sausage sandwiches or perhaps you’d opt for eggs on toast, all freshly prepared using thick cut crusty bloomer bread so all you need to do is decide to have either red or brown sauce! The Riverside Kitchen also has an great selection of cakes, traybakes, scones and the most amazing pies and quiches.

A little further afield but perhaps ideal for a later brunch en route to your chosen day out we have two lovely coffee shops. If you’re heading north east then The Running Fox at Kirkharle has a fabulous ‘Foxy Breakfast’ menu and is ideal if you’re visiting Wallington Hall, or if you’re travelling east from us the very lovely Bywell Coffee Barn, both of which have lovely outdoor seating if the weather allows an al fresco breakfast. Top tip – If you head to Bywell Coffee Barn call in at North Acomb Farm shop for some lovely farm fresh produce.

Of course the beauty of self catering means if you really do just prefer to stay in your PJ’s then our local farm shops and bakeries provide a wonderful choice of tempting goodies to enable you to rustle up your own leisurely breakfast. We also offer the option to pre-order a breakfast pack when you stay with us which includes sausage, bacon, black pudding, fresh orange juice and our own farm eggs.

alt="breakfast table set with orange juice, croissants and a jam jar of daffodils"

Enjoying breakfast out while on holiday is not only a lovely way to start the day but an opportunity to savor some of our local produce, to relax in a different setting and it means you’ll be well fuelled for enjoying a full day of sightseeing around the beautiful County of Northumberland.

Restaurant Dining

If dining out is one the highlights of your holiday then Northumberland won’t disappoint, from country pubs to fine dining we have it all. Our local restaurants are second to none so whether you enjoy a curry, the taste of French cuisine or just like nothing better than pizza and pasta then this pick of our local restaurants have it covered.

The very lovely Saathi in nearby market town of Hexham is one of our own favourite places to dine out and it’s not just us that enjoys the wonderful offer at this family run business, Saathi is celebrating 23 years in Hexham which goes to show the local and loyal support this lovely restaurant has earned. The food is delicious and the wonderful service you will receive from Titu and his team is second to none. In 2023 the restaurant once again regained the title of Best Curry House in Tynedale and as a longstanding business in the area Saathi are also passionate about the local community and regularly hold charity fundraising nights. If a curry night is top of your list for dining out we thoroughly recommend booking a table at this real gem of a restaurant.

alt="dishes of curry in silver serving dishes"

Hexham is also home to Buongiorno Italian Pizzeria, a lovely little restaurant that you will find along one of the small cobbled streets in the main town centre. This small unassuming but well established eatery offers a main menu together with their ‘specials blackboard’, featuring many your well-loved favourite Italian dishes. Check out their Trip Advisor reviews here.

Another long standing local restaurant is Bouchon Bistrot, an excellent French restaurant conveniently situated close to the Market Place in Hexham, this award winning bistro serves straightforward country style French cuisine, including daily specials and a la carte menus. Born in the Loire Valley and having plenty of experience from working in Michelin starred restaurants throughout France, the owner of Bouchon Bistrot is an expert when it comes to traditional French cooking. Bouchon Bistrot is the ideal spot to enjoy an informal and friendly dining atmosphere in the heart of Hexham and with pretty al fresco dining in the warmer months.

Another favourite is Casa Rosso, a superb Italian restaurant tucked away on one of the small streets in the nearby charming village of Corbridge. This cosy and friendly restaurant has a menu of authentic Italian cuisine which is paired with fine wines and classic desserts, open each day from noon with a main menu, seasonal specials and lunchtime specials. Or if you fancy enjoying a taste Italy from the comfort of the cottage then they offer a delivery service on ‘Just Eat’.

If you’d like further dining out ideas, more dining out ideas and even more dining out ideas then our earlier blog posts are packed full of great places to dine whatever type of cuisine you’re hoping to enjoy during your stay in Northumberland.