The pandemic has led to a standstill for most of the industries. The biggest setback has been faced by the travel and tourism sector.
With airlines being shut, half if the world closing its borders, travelling is something we all are missing out on. Although few countries have lifted their lockdown restrictions, going local and exploring their own city has become the only option for travel enthusiasts.
Located just 8 miles from Newcastle city, the long sands beachside at Tynemouth is one of the most visited beaches, attracting people from England’s North-East all year round.
The beach offers stunning views of the Tynemouth Castle and Priory, along with the lighthouse, which was built in 1864. However, entry to the priory requires an additional fee.
While the beachside welcomes tourists and joggers, it also offers activities catered to family and friends. Recognized nationally as a watersports hub, people head out here for surfing and kayaking among other adventure sports. This attracts younger crowds, who throng the site for a shot of adrenaline or simply to master their skills.
Amongst all the restaurants atop the road, there’s only one cafe by the Long sands beach known as Riley’s Shack. Renowned for its fish and chips and the ambiance, tourists flock the place to grab a warm cuppa.
In a conversation with Josh, a server at the shack, he reveals what he likes about the place. “The work atmosphere here is wonderful. However, it does get very cold in the winters, but it’s okay, as long as the view is pretty,” he says.
Sharing his experience working right by the beach, he added, “On an average, we get 25-30 customers per day but it’s very weather dependent so it ranges. In peak summer, we get customers standing in a half-hour queue to order fries.”
Ratings on travel websites are quite high for this beach, so don’t forget to tick this off your list.
It is advisable to stay till the evening to see the shack lit up and to warm your palms at the bonfire on the beach on a chilly night.
The best time to visit is during the summer, starting June to August as the weather is mostly mild. It is a place where history and natural beauty go hand in hand.
The sprawling Sunday market by the Tyne river has been present for years, making it a part of the North-east culture. Showcasing local businesses and traders who put up stalls, it attracts tourists and people from the nearby cities all year long.
Situated right next to the river Tyne, the quayside Sunday market offers stunning views of the river, bridges, Baltic center, and the Sage Gateshead. People of all ages come here to kick-start their Sunday morning as there are plenty of options for everyone.
The food ranges beyond fish and chips, as there are a plethora of delicacies from all around the world to choose from. Food trucks selling Greek and Indian delicacies to coffee shops offering flavored teas alongside barista-style cuppas, to name a few.
The market opens by 9 am and winds up by 4 pm, witnessing food enthusiasts and shoppers throng the showcase of handcrafted goods, local products and international cuisine.
“I make jewelry, so I started selling my work and eventually branched out to selling fair-trade. I travel to India every two years to get my supplies,” says Emily who has been putting her stall here for the past ten years.
Sharing her perspective of doing business here, she added,“It’s a great market for anyone looking to start from small, and then build from there.”
The process of putting up a stall is super easy, says Karl who also runs a coffee cart in Heaton city stadium on the weekdays. “If you turn up on a Sunday morning, they pretty much have to give you a spot”.
International Women’s Day, which is celebrated each year on the 8th of march acknowledges the social, economic, and political achievements of women throughout the world. It also aims at propagating the idea of gender parity and equal opportunities.
Organizations and people across the world take this day to commemorate the contributions made by women and honor them.
Ahead of International Women’s Day 2020, here are few women sharing their traveling experiences and troubles faced if any.
A group of young teenagers headed for their Friday night out, expressed their grievances. They also felt that they are stereotyped by men, for the wrong reasons, if they are wearing revealing clothes.
“Getting catcalled is one of the worst things, people stare at you lot especially in the metro, when it’s very busy and it’s late at night”.
“We have to be pre-plan our trips if it’s at night, as no place is safe”, added the high school kids who had recently been to London for a short trip.
Unfortunately, Women’s Day is slowly taking the form of commercialization as the marketing industry showers exclusive discounts and services. Issues like the ones quoted in the video above get gaslit by such marketing gimmicks. This is commonly practiced in the hospitality, entertainment, and retail industry.
However, travel companies dedicated to women-only customers have hugely increased by 230% over the past few years.
(Source: https://www.condorferries.co.uk/female-travel-statistics)
Initiatives like these help women achieve their travel goals, as stated by this Forbes article.
Out of the number of women I spoke to, ninety percent of them had similar grievances when it comes to traveling freely. Culture, race, and age doesn’t matter to these women, as taking precautions while on a trip has become a lifestyle for them.
Generally, it’s the women who have to take several precautions while on a trip, like the ones who shared their experiences.
On that note, here’s wishing everyone a happy International Women’s Day. May we respect every woman in our life and jointly contribute to making traveling for women safe. Ensuring that no women should think about safety when it comes to traveling to different cities.
Hello everyone!
This is Aditi Gupta, a media and journalism student in Newcastle University.
I am creating a travel blog known as ‘Time Stops in England’ where I will be making videos and writing about the offbeat places to visit in and around Newcastle.
North east of England is one of the most scenic places to be in and there is so much to explore. But being a university student who is passionate about traveling and finding new places, minimising expenses becomes tough.
This blog is created by students, showcasing budget-friendly one day trips, perfect to take a break from the everyday life.
I plan to produce content through various forms of story-telling which will involve short and long format videos, Vox pop and interviews, supported by YouTube videos and podcasts. Furthermore, I will also be writing articles and feature pieces.
So, if you’re a travel enthusiast looking for places to hang out with friends, go on dates or to wander off alone give a look to my blog.
I will be uploading videos weekly, watch out this space for more.
To stay updated with my journey, follow me on Instagram (@picturesbyaditi) and Twitter (@Adi_Gupta27) where I will be reposting my blogs and few fascinating pictures.
If you have any suggestions or ideas about which place to cover in this blog or want to share your travel adventure, get in touch!
Time Stops In England 