The Geordie Tourist.

Today, it is a world-renowned center for studying plant science and horticulture and features over seventy acres of manicured lawns. (Slightly bigger than a tennis court.) To me, it’s a space showcasing themed gardens and a magnificent array of trees and plants.

As soon as we entered the center its clear how important learning is. They have videos and walls telling you all about the history of different plant species. I particularly loved the glass cabinets filled with samples. It made me feel like I was in a science lab. It was good to have a mixture of the science and also the beauty of the nature.

I couldn't possibly show you everything the garden have to offer. In fact I don't even think I saw it all myself. The place is just too big.

I will show you my favourite parts though.


It's got to be the Glasshouses. Even the appearance from the outside had me in complete and utter awe. I must have taken about twenty pictures in one spot.

They are all interlinked and when you go through it's like a different garden in each glasshouse. Well I guess more like different species in each area. It's strange to get used to at first, the changes in temperature as you go from one to the other is very surreal. half of the time I felt like I was an explorer in a tropical rainforest.

It's free to see the gardens, but £5.50 (per adult) to go into the glasshouses. It's definitely worth it as there is just so much to see.

Today we took advantage of the tour bus passes that we had. A couple of the places we wanted to visit were a bit further afield so it was a great way to see everything without having to trek too far. We went for the Royal Edinburgh Ticket which lets you have access to the bus for 48 hours and includes fast track entry to places like Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle. It costs £51 per person.

It was a dreary day, I was so glad to spend a bit of time on the bus just sitting in the (kind of) warmth, listening to the commentary as we passed certain sights. You can never truly feel like a tourist until you ride a tour bus.

Our first stop was the Royal Botanic Gardens. I took so many pictures its quite unbelievable. They have their own separate post as you’d literally be here for hours just looking at them all.

Afterwards we headed for the Royal Yacht Britannia.

Where do I start with the Royal Yacht Britannia? I’ve tried not to include every single photo that I took. I think if you want to see it, you need to experience it for yourself, and I don’t want to give too much away. You need to feel all giddy and child-like just like I did when I stepped on-board.

The Yacht is Scotland's number one attraction, so it's definitely worth a look. It homed Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family for over forty years. Sailing all around the world and clocking up over 1,000,000 miles. (Just wow) You get to experience what life was like on-board not only for the Royal Family but for the hundreds of staff and workers too.

It was a talking tour and you could just see everyone walking around with big phone looking things (how technologically correct) beside their ears. I find them interesting as you can easily get all of the facts and little secrets (I'd like to think) whilst going around at your own pace. 

The fixtures and features were dated but oh my were they giving me some interior inspiration. I loved the old school labeling on these telephones and the brass tones dotted about. 

On my trip to Edinburgh with mother dearest, we thought we'd try out one of the Hub by Premier Inn hotspots. 

Hub by Premier Inn is a new edition to the already ever popular Premier Inns. It’s basically a more compact modern space. A big difference is the ability to be able to control things in your room such as the lighting and temperature using an app or the control panels in your room. It took me a little while to get used to it at first. At one point I was showering in the dark, until my mam came back to the room and the lights miraculously returned. It was an experience that's for sure.

The one we stayed at was beside the Royal Mile, right in the heart of everything. It was a couple minutes walk from Edinburgh Waverley. Try not to make the same mistake we did and go to the other Premier Inn on the same street though.

As soon as we entered you could tell just how new and modern the place was. The staff were friendly and check in was a doddle. We had been chosen to receive a free room upgrade too which was just lovely and gave our holiday and even better start.

Everywhere you look there’s comfy sofas and chairs just waiting to be sat on. A relaxed atmosphere, modern and calming. Lots of grey and muted browns with hints of lime green dotted about. It’s a stark contrast from the deep purple hues you’d normally associate with Premier Inn, but I guess that’s the whole point of it. It’s not normal, it’s something new and exciting.

Monitors had been fitted to tables so you could go on the internet and send emails etc. Even power adapters to charge your phones were everywhere. Integrated with the furniture as to not stand out too much. Everything had been thought of and everything just worked well together, you know what I mean? 

Proven Dough is the name of the deli and bar that they have at the Hub. If the specialty teas and gorgeous arrays of food on display aren't enough to get you excited, then I don't know what is. 

We mainly took advantage of the breakfast options as we were always out for dinner and tea. One night however, I tried a cous cous and pomegranate salad which was top notch.

We normally chose between the sourdough toast or the wookey cheese sandwich. Grilled cheese at it's finest and when you slather a good dollop of nutella of warm fresh toast there's nothing better. They all come with water/tea/coffee too. They're £6.95 a pop and there's a few options to get you started for the day. We ordered breakfast at the time of booking so it may have been cheaper, I'm not sure.

It’s kind of become a bit of a tradition to go somewhere every year with just my mam and myself. Call it mother daughter bonding, that’s what I do. This year I really fancied going to Edinburgh, so that’s exactly what we did on Monday. We packed our minimalist cases with necessities and got the train from Newcastle Central.

Every time we go somewhere I write an itinerary (yes I’m that sad) but really its just because there’s so many things I want to see and I don’t want to miss out on anything. I’ll even research foodie places and shops too. Well, you might as well go in knowing what to expect in a way.

As soon as we got there and dropped our bags off we headed to the Camera Obscura. Think floor upon floor of random kid-like fun. Lots of optical illusions and interactive things to do. You also get to explore the city views from rooftop telescopes. Plus obviously, the main attraction of the camera obscura itself. See it move around the Edinburgh streets below. It's quite a cool thing to behold. It’s £14.50 a ticket and open every day 9:30-19:00

After exploring the village of Appleton Le Moors, myself and my buddy Nic decided to wander off the beaten track a bit. It’s not every day that you end up surrounded by luscious countryside and sheep hanging around every corner.

So we thought we’d make the most of it before returning to the rest of the hen party who were back at the house.

We wandered past a field of cows. It’s strange getting so close to the animals. We had to open the gate right beside where they were just to get passed. They never even flinched. I guess they’re used to people meandering by, enjoying leisurely strolls.

Afterwards we went in the opposite direction and found, you’ve guessed it, sheep. They were lined up standing on two legs trying to eat from the bushes, which I’ve never seen before. I guess you adapt to your surroundings. 

I love this photo so much. It reminds me of some kind of hipster album cover. Maybe The Beatles in a past life without Abbey Road to fall back on.

For my friend Laura’s hen do, thirteen of us packed up and headed to Town End Farm in Appleton Le Moors, where a gorgeous house, The Long Barn, was waiting for us. A magnificent open plan, tall ceiling, little taste of luxury to home us for the long bank holiday weekend.

It was the perfect place for bra pong (oh so fun, you have to try it) amazing assault courses and other bridal games. Louise, the Chief, did an absolutely fabulous job of organising everything, and it was a truly mint (bit of Geordie twang) weekend.

Beyond that though I took some time out to go and explore the village with my pal Nic. The place is small that’s for sure, but it’s oh so picturesque and just brimming with charm and character. 

Note: The photo above isn't The Long Barn, its a nearby property. I just love the garden and the facade, so why not take a photo?

One thing it takes a little while to get used to is the sheer amount of sheep everywhere. I’m talking, just walking and bleating beside you as you’re strolling down the street. Following you along, scaring the crap out of you at times. It’s an amazing thing and when I got home I definitely missed seeing them around.