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Popular tourist destinations or hidden gems, whichever you prefer, the North East offers many stunning locations for you to spend quality time. Nature reserves and family-friendly day trips are scattered throughout this region, all within close proximity of the market town of Darlington. 

Our new homes located in Middleton St George are within a 30-minute drive from all of these fantastic destinations. Whatever the weather, these places offer something for everyone. 

• Bowes Museum

Barnard Castle is a market town in Teesdale, home to Bowes Museum - which is known as the North of England’s museum of art, fashion and design. 

The architecture, gardens, and art within the museum are all equally stunning. This museum is a great place for art enthusiasts and creatives to explore. 

Families are also welcomed to the Bowes Museum, with many exciting exhibitions that children will love. Lots of school holiday events take place here, such as summer camps, activity trails and colouring games. 

For a memorable venture out, Bowes Museum is a fantastic idea. Our region is lucky to be home to this beautiful, nationally renowned art collection. 

You can find out more about what Bowes Museum has to offer here. 

• Yarm

Located in Stockton-on-Tees, Yarm is a small market town. A great high street with lots of variety is situated right in the centre, perfect for a weekend stroll. 

Boutique clothing stores, cafes, bars and restaurants are abundant. Any time of the week, Yarm is a great place to enjoy a relaxed meal or browse around the shops. 

A couple of our favourite spots on Yarm high street include Cena Trattoria and Muse.

Cena Trattoria is a modern Italian restaurant, serving delicious antipasti, traditional pizzas, homemade pasta, risotto and much more. Seasonal menus and extended wine lists make Cena a great option for relaxed evening dining. Children’s portions, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available, to ensure delicious food can be enjoyed by the whole family. 

Also, Cena is the sister venue of The Devonport at Middleton One Row, which is just a 20-minute walk from our new homes at Middleton St George. 

Muse, also located on Yarm high street, is a continental European cafe and restaurant. This establishment prides itself on only using fresh, carefully sourced, seasonal ingredients to create their beautiful, authentic dishes. 

Many menus are available, including the ‘Dine At Home’ option, which is available on selected dates. The next upcoming ‘Dine at Home’ opportunity is on Saturday 20th March. You are able to choose from a selection of starters, mains and desserts, with just some of the options including fillet steak with sauteed garlic, roast shallots and rosemary charlotte potatoes, a specially selected cheeseboard and a hazelnut chocolate brownie with a chocolate glaze. All of the food is prepared on-site for you to heat and enjoy at home. 

However, if you are planning on waiting until restaurants reopen on April 12th to enjoy food outside, Muse offers a beautiful pavement cafe, providing a true European ‘al fresco’ experience.

For breakfast, lunch and dinner, Muse is the perfect destination. Enjoy the rustic atmosphere and great food in the heart of Yarm high street. 

• Middleton Lodge

Just a short, 13-minute drive from Darlington, Middleton Lodge is an award-winning Georgian country estate, set in 200 acres of rural North Yorkshire. It offers exquisite dining experiences, spa treatments, events and overnight stays. 

Two restaurants are located at Middleton Lodge; the Coach House and Forge Restaurant. 

The Coach House provides a Mediterranean inspired menu using the freshest, locally sourced ingredients, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner every day of the week. 

Whereas Forge offers a tasting menu on Thursday to Sunday evenings, showcasing the best seasonal produce from the estate itself and the surrounding area. 

Outdoor dining is available for up to six people per table in the gorgeous courtyard setting, meaning that you can enjoy the fresh food at Middleton Lodge as soon as April 12th. 

Another way to enjoy Middleton Lodge’s brilliant food whilst complying with Covid-19 restrictions is ordering from their Sunday Roast takeaway menu. Easy and delicious, this is a great opportunity to enjoy a fantastic meal during lockdown. 

Dining at Middleton Lodge is the perfect way to experience the freshest produce of this region whilst immersing yourself in a beautiful environment.

Also, the spa treatment rooms at Middleton Lodge are a beautiful place in which you can truly relax. All of the products have been carefully selected, ensuring that they are highly effective, great for your skin and also great for the environment, as they contain zero chemicals, synthetic additives or parabens. A range of treatments is on offer, lasting anywhere between 15 minutes and 2 hours. 

So, if you fancy a delicious dining experience or an indulgent spa day, treat yourself to the luxuries available at Middleton Lodge

Discover more about what this stunning estate has to offer here.

• Osmotherley

A quiet village located in between the Hambleton hills, Osmotherley is the perfect place to spend a laid-back afternoon. Surrounded by nature, this village offers traditional pubs, small shops, and is just off the western edge of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. 

For those who love walking, this is a great place to start. There are many trails around the neighbouring National Park and also the village itself - and the local fish and chip shop is sure to be a great reward once you’re finished.

Immersed in the natural beauty of this country, you can truly find a sense of calm whilst enjoying the fresh air and breathtaking scenery of Osmotherley. 

• Rockliffe Hall

Set in an 18th-century red-brick mansion, Rockliffe Hall is a great place to dine, relax and exercise. Offering an award-winning restaurant, spa and wellness facilities, overnight stays, a golf course and bars and lounges, this is a great place to enjoy a luxurious getaway. 

Only a 10-minute drive from Darlington, this 5-star spa hotel is a great option for weekend breaks or sophisticated dining, all whilst staying close to home. 

Winner of the Good Spa Guide’s ‘Best Spa for Wellness’, this beautiful retreat provides a relaxing environment to rest and unwind. With endless treatments available over a range of different time lengths, full spa days, Twilight Spa experiences, the Spa Garden and fabulous facilities, including an indoor pool and juice bar, Rockliffe Hall is the ideal place to prioritise your wellness. 

Overall, we think there are some pretty amazing places just a short journey away from Darlington. We hope you take advantage of the possibilities of this perfectly placed town and enjoy the local delights; from upmarket restaurants to art museums and walking trails. 

These destinations are only a small handful of the vast array of exciting places in the North of England, so, to learn about some more, you could take a look at our other blogs, including 20 great destinations to visit in the North East and stunning North East beaches.