It took me until just 9 January to set out on my first trip of 2026.
I was lured by low prices for trains and hotels right after the seasonal carnage. My destination was just Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and it was only for one night, but they all count!
I used the Lumo train service for the first time – Edinburgh to Newcastle in less than 90 minutes and with only one stop. Even better, it cost me £23 return. Ok, I get a 30% discount with my (senior) railcard, but still.
Lumo services are second class only, so upgrading is not an option. Both trains were on time.
My hotel was the Crowne Plaza, located just behind the Newcastle Central railway station. Ideal for me. It cost £75 for a Friday night without breakfast. That was a real bargain.
Apart from grabbing bargains (a joy enough for any normal Scot) what did I find to attract me to northeast England in mid-winter? Escaping the January cabin fever was one, but I could have done that anywhere.
Well, I found a rugby match to go to – Newcastle Red Bulls (re-branded from “Falcons”) taking on USAP from Perpignan. I have a soft spot for that corner of France/Catalunya after a momentous rugby trip to play at Thuir in 1973. Thuir is a small town about 16km inland from Perpignan. Then there was another momentous rugby match against Prades (also from Catalunya) when they visited us in Toulouse.
USAP lost 19-26, but it was an exciting match and well worth standing in the freezing cold for 90 minutes.
A local Parkrun was another strand to my plan. Sadly the frost, snow and ice put paid to that idea. Almost all were cancelled. Instead I popped into the Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle (established 1793) to check out its facilities. The library is amazing.
Revisiting Persia (a restaurant in Marlborough Crescent) was also on my agenda. I have been there several times in the past, but not for about 10 years. It is still there. It is still friendly and the food is still wonderful. This time I selected felafel as a starter and fesenjan with rice after that. Fesenjan is a chicken stew made with pomegranate and walnuts. The sauce is black. Both were sublime.
Still on the food and drink side of life, I visited Newcastle Cathedral twice – its charity run cafe. Great coffee. Super cake. Lovely cooked breakfast. I have not been converted to the church’s business end, but can recommend the less arduous part.
Alcohol (excesses thereof) plays a big role in the city’s reputation. I let that slide by me, with the exception of a quiet pint in the Bridge Hotel. I liked the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
The final mention has to go to Coffee Saints in Edinburgh. I had brunch there while waiting for my train to Newcastle.
Their big breakfast roll is quite a challenge, but I got there. It is another cafe with a charitable purpose.
ⓒ iain taylor, 2026
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