Time to soak in the sunshine and enjoy eating outdoors
IT’S the same every year – the sun comes out and we all rush outside to try to soak up every single ray before it vanishes.
And with the temperatures expected to remain warm in sunny in Sunderland this week, there’s never been a better time to venture out into the city centre to enjoy some fresh air.
Whether it’s a family picnic in the park, a relaxing drink in a pub beer garden or the chance to enjoy lunch or dinner al fresco, it’s all available here.
“One of the few things I think everyone can agree with, is that as soon as the sun shines we all like to be outdoors,” said Sharon Appleby, head of business operations at Sunderland Business Improvement District (BID)
“While a lot of people head straight to the beach, some don’t really want to travel far, and thankfully here in Sunderland we’ve got some perfect places where you can enjoy the weather and summer fun.”
When the sun shines, there’s nothing quite like a picnic with friends or family and Mowbray Park is the perfect spot.
And it doesn’t have to cost the earth, as you can pick up everything you need locally.
Pack up a picnic in a traditional basket such as the Fresh Greens hamper, £59.99 at Marks and Spencer, which comes with four plates, plastic wine
glasses, cutlery, salt and pepper shakers and even a bottle opener and corkscrew so you can enjoy your favourite tipple too.
Alternatively, you can keep your food cool no matter how high the temperature rises with the backpack cool bag, £29.99, also at M&S, which houses an insulated compartment to keep food fresh. It also comes with four sets of cutlery and four plastic cups.
Keep yourself off the ground with the Tropical Picnic Rug, £12, from Wilko, which rolls up into an easy carry size and is easily washable. While part of the picnic fun is often preparing the food at home, it’s just as easy to buy it in the city centre, and you can also guarantee it will be fresher.
Along with the old regulars like Greggs, the city centre is home to a vast selection of independent sandwich shops, such as The Lunchbox at Tavistock Buildings in Borough Road.
Or why not drop into Fatso’s at St Thomas Street which serves sandwiches, salads and jacket potatoes with a huge choice of fillings. Serendipity Tea and Trinkets at Frederick Street also has an extensive takeaway list of sandwiches, and you can also pick up a slice of its famous homemade cake while you’re in there.
Of course, picnics aren’t for everyone and thankfully there are plenty of cafes and bars across the city with beer gardens and outdoor dining areas.
Hidden in Park Lane offers a cool spot for some evening drinking with its large cocktail list and hidden garden area.
Greens at Low Row has an outdoor seating area where guests can enjoy a drink in the sun, as does Bar Justice in West Sunniside.
“Over the last decade, city centre bars have become more open to offering outdoor seating areas, so there’s probably never been a better time to visit in the summer time,” added Sharon.
“There’s also been a move towards more people visiting pubs and bars for non-alcoholic drinks or to enjoy a bar meal and again, we have it all here.
“Personally, I don’t think you can beat a picnic with your friends and family in the sun, and we’re very lucky to have Mowbray Park. It’s a fantastic space and I would really encourage people in and around the city to get out and about and enjoy what we have right here on our doorstep.”