Published 18 Mar 2025
Newcastle-based train operator Lumo has teamed up with England's first Destination Development Partnership, Destination North East England, to mark English Tourism Week 2025 - the national campaign to shine a light on the people and places that make up the visitor economy.
Ahead of an exciting announcement for the region 's food scene to come later in the week, broadcaster and event host Alfie Joey hopped aboard a Lumo service bound for Morpeth to sample a freshly baked Big River Bakery stottie on board before checking out the popular trackside cafe at the station - stopping for a quick chat with the owners before hot-footing it back to Sunderland to sample the culinary delights on offer at the Sheepfolds - including mouthwatering doughnuts at Deep North and home-cooked North Eastern delights at Hair Biker Si King's PROPPA.
A tour of the region's food spots simply had to include the nation's favourite - Fish and Chips. After polishing off lunch in Sunderland, Alfie joined the team at Bell's in Durham - recently crowned in National Fish & Chip Awards.
Not content with a plateful of award-winning battered cod, next up was a Metro to Gateshead for a fine-dining experience in the clouds atop the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art at SIX. Delicate dishes ranging from a liver pate 'cherry' to a stunning whipped cheese tartlet were dished up but there was no time to spare as the brand-new luxury Dakota Hotel over the river in Newcastle fired up its grill to serve a signature steak and a glass of fizz with all the trimmings, giving a glimpse at tastes to come for visiting foodies.
The whistle-stop tour will feature across Lumo and Destination North East England's social media platforms and at the Destination North East England Tourism Awards on Thursday - as the industry comes together to celebrate another showstopping year in tourism and hospitality.
The region's food and drink scene continues to go from strength to strength, from fine-dining collaborations with Fenwick and Greggs to major brands like Mowgli, The Botanist and Pho Cafe setting up shop in the North East. Significant developments like the spectacular Freight Island in Eldon Square and more regional openings for the popular STACK venues will give visitors a even more options to drink and dine in style. Hungry foodies have access to a plethora of Michelin starred and multi-award winning restaurants alongside world-renowned craft breweries and artisan food makers using the area's incredible local produce.
The video is released ahead of a major announcement due to come on Wednesday of English Tourism Week which will firmly put the North East's culinary offering on the map.
Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director at Lumo, said: "At Lumo, we’re all about making sustainable travel accessible while celebrating the very best of the regions we serve. The North East’s food and drink scene is a true showcase of local passion, talent, and innovation, and we’re thrilled to be part of English Tourism Week by helping shine a spotlight on the incredible culinary experiences on our doorstep. Whether it’s a stottie from Big River Bakery onboard our services, award-winning fish and chips in Durham, or fine dining with a views across the Newcastle-Gateshead Quayside, there’s no better time to explore the flavours that make this region so special – and no better way to get there than with Lumo."
Lumo is the proud sponsor of the Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award category at the Destination North East England Tourism Awards taking place in Newcastle later this week.
Ian Thomas, Chief Operating Officer at NewcastleGateshead Initiative on behalf of Destination North East England said: "This year's theme for English Tourism Week is all about supporting our amazing people and places to drive growth - and what better way to showcase those incredible people and places by taking a tour of our incredible food and drink scene. Visitors to the region really are spoilt for choice, from the vibrant south Asian flavours of South Shield's famous Ocean Road to the cutting-edge plates served at places like Pine in Northumberland. All served up by passionate, dedicated and talented people who make our visitor economy tick."
Destination North East England is here to deliver economic growth across our visitor economy. A regional collaboration led by NewcastleGateshead Initiative alongside delivery partners Visit County Durham and Visit Northumberland and In parallel with the North East Combined Authority and all 7 local authorities, the partnership has ambitions to unlock the untapped potential in the North East of England by developing our regional eco-system, attracting investment supporting industry.
Ahead of an exciting announcement for the region 's food scene to come later in the week, broadcaster and event host Alfie Joey hopped aboard a Lumo service bound for Morpeth to sample a freshly baked Big River Bakery stottie on board before checking out the popular trackside cafe at the station - stopping for a quick chat with the owners before hot-footing it back to Sunderland to sample the culinary delights on offer at the Sheepfolds - including mouthwatering doughnuts at Deep North and home-cooked North Eastern delights at Hair Biker Si King's PROPPA.
A tour of the region's food spots simply had to include the nation's favourite - Fish and Chips. After polishing off lunch in Sunderland, Alfie joined the team at Bell's in Durham - recently crowned in National Fish & Chip Awards.
Not content with a plateful of award-winning battered cod, next up was a Metro to Gateshead for a fine-dining experience in the clouds atop the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art at SIX. Delicate dishes ranging from a liver pate 'cherry' to a stunning whipped cheese tartlet were dished up but there was no time to spare as the brand-new luxury Dakota Hotel over the river in Newcastle fired up its grill to serve a signature steak and a glass of fizz with all the trimmings, giving a glimpse at tastes to come for visiting foodies.
The whistle-stop tour will feature across Lumo and Destination North East England's social media platforms and at the Destination North East England Tourism Awards on Thursday - as the industry comes together to celebrate another showstopping year in tourism and hospitality.
The region's food and drink scene continues to go from strength to strength, from fine-dining collaborations with Fenwick and Greggs to major brands like Mowgli, The Botanist and Pho Cafe setting up shop in the North East. Significant developments like the spectacular Freight Island in Eldon Square and more regional openings for the popular STACK venues will give visitors a even more options to drink and dine in style. Hungry foodies have access to a plethora of Michelin starred and multi-award winning restaurants alongside world-renowned craft breweries and artisan food makers using the area's incredible local produce.
The video is released ahead of a major announcement due to come on Wednesday of English Tourism Week which will firmly put the North East's culinary offering on the map.
Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director at Lumo, said: "At Lumo, we’re all about making sustainable travel accessible while celebrating the very best of the regions we serve. The North East’s food and drink scene is a true showcase of local passion, talent, and innovation, and we’re thrilled to be part of English Tourism Week by helping shine a spotlight on the incredible culinary experiences on our doorstep. Whether it’s a stottie from Big River Bakery onboard our services, award-winning fish and chips in Durham, or fine dining with a views across the Newcastle-Gateshead Quayside, there’s no better time to explore the flavours that make this region so special – and no better way to get there than with Lumo."
Lumo is the proud sponsor of the Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award category at the Destination North East England Tourism Awards taking place in Newcastle later this week.
Ian Thomas, Chief Operating Officer at NewcastleGateshead Initiative on behalf of Destination North East England said: "This year's theme for English Tourism Week is all about supporting our amazing people and places to drive growth - and what better way to showcase those incredible people and places by taking a tour of our incredible food and drink scene. Visitors to the region really are spoilt for choice, from the vibrant south Asian flavours of South Shield's famous Ocean Road to the cutting-edge plates served at places like Pine in Northumberland. All served up by passionate, dedicated and talented people who make our visitor economy tick."
Destination North East England is here to deliver economic growth across our visitor economy. A regional collaboration led by NewcastleGateshead Initiative alongside delivery partners Visit County Durham and Visit Northumberland and In parallel with the North East Combined Authority and all 7 local authorities, the partnership has ambitions to unlock the untapped potential in the North East of England by developing our regional eco-system, attracting investment supporting industry.