AD | We are always looking for things to do with the boys, and even though we home educate we do take a break during the summer holidays like everyone else. This year and last has been a difficult time to say the least, so being able to get out and enjoy things again has had a major boost on our mental health. NE1 Summer in the city have put together a showstopping list of activities for all to enjoy. What's even better is it is mostly FREE OF CHARGE!
We took the car through to Newcastle but, if I am honest, it is such a faff getting parked when you have a camper van, I wish we had just taken the Metro. Anyway we did eventually find somewhere to park, so we headed along to Greys Monument first to spot some of the fantastic floral displays in the shop windows. They are really pretty and bring a bit of summer happiness to your day, You can also find these in the Old Eldon Square area too. The floral displays have been put together by Pretty Picture Company and they have dressed business fronts such as Greggs, Hotel Chocolat, Lloyd's Bank, Eldon Square entrance. Nudo and lots more. We also took advantage of the relaxed seating area that is currently set up too, it is quite eye catching actually, with the coloured deck chairs and grass.
We then headed round to the extremely popular Screen On The Green
I think this is a great idea and is obviously popular. They have some deck chairs and bean bags for you to relax and lounge on and the screen is attached to the top of a container that has been painted with a 3D Art by Joe Hill & Max and looks great.
Screen on the Green is completely free and shows two movies a day. Monday -Friday 12 & 6 and 12 & 3 on weekends for 6 weeks.
You can find a full line up HERE but to give you an idea of the things showing here are a few examples:
Scoob
Aladdin (2019)
Trolls World Tour
Sonic the Hedgehog
Onward
Mary Poppins
Holes
Storm Boy
And lots lots more.
Most of the seats were taken up, so get there a little early if you want a good seat. You could take a picnic/popcorn etc or you could take advantage of some of the fab eateries close by and have a take out.
After the movie we jumped in the car and headed down to the Quayside, I prefer it down here, I find it quieter and it tends to be a little cooler by the river.
There's lots going on down at the quayside. Our first stop was taking a peek at the impressively large floor vinyl by Mr Penfold. This is right next to the Slug & Lettuce. Carrying on walking towards the Millennium Bridge, you come across the lovely relaxed seating in the Urban Garden. Again there's a mix of deck chairs, grass cubes and bean bags and a section for smaller children to sit at too.
Here we played with the giant garden games and had a few rounds of Jenga. The boys loved just relaxing and playing a few games in the sunshine.
We stopped for a little bit and watched as the Millennium Bridge was raised up to let a boat through as we have never seen it do this before, so that was exciting.
Further along we found the Wave Field See-saws, which were created by CS Design & Lateral Office with Soundscape by Mitchell Akiyama. The boys loved these, although Elliot has never been a fan of anything that takes his feet off the ground. Plenty for everyone to use.
We then came across the 3D floor art by Joe Hill, found near 'The Blacksmith's Needle sculpture, which was fantastic and a really great addition, loads of people were taking photos and having a good time which was great to see.
My personal favourites were the Dichroic Seats, an installation of kaleidoscopic prism seats built by local company raskl. They look really pretty when the sun is on them. Really good idea and separates the plain boring brown seats you usually find. Along the Quayside you can see some giant concrete planters with some lush plants and some are positioned for photography framing really well.
What else is happening?
*Blackett Street Family Fun Weekenders August 7th/8th, 14th/15th, 21st/22nd, 28th,29th,30th(bank holiday)
*Every Saturday through summer you can find pop up performances & activities in the area around Greys Monument & Blackett Street
*Wesley Square/ Urban Garden will have the Royal Northern Sinfonia Playing on the 31st July
*Quayside Iles Tour, every Friday/Saturday throughout Summer
Don't forget to use the #NE1Summerinthecity