Urban coasts and seaside escapes
Liverpool
Royal Albert Dock
At Royal Albert Dock, 19th-century warehouses no longer house cargo, but culture. Now home to museums and galleries – from Tate Liverpool to The Beatles Story museum – the dock also boasts restaurants and independent shops, including the House of Spells packed with fan products from Harry Potter, Game of Thrones and Peaky Blinders. While there, clients can also channel their inner sleuth at Escape Hunt Liverpool.
River Explorer Cruise
Hop aboard the Mersey Ferries River Explorer Cruise for an urban summer adventure on the River Mersey. The 50-minute round trip aboard this colourful ferry (daily departures from Liverpool Gerry Marsden Ferry Terminal) floats past landmarks such as the Three Graces and the historic docks, accompanied by commentary about the history of the river, and the city’s maritime and musical heritage.
Crosby Beach
Just a 15-minute train ride from Liverpool Moorfields station, clients can enjoy all the fun of the seaside at Crosby Beach. Stroll along the promenade, ice cream in hand, snap photos with Antony Gormley’s life-size ‘Iron Men’ sculptures – part of his art installation ‘Another Place’ – or enjoy a sunset cocktail and a bite to eat at the Bus Yard, a beachside bar and cafe operating from a double-decker bus.
The Royal Liver Building
Explore one of Liverpool’s landmark buildings and step into the footprints of superheroes on the Royal Liver 360 Tour. The Royal Liver Building featured in The Batman (2022) as the rooftop of the Gotham City Police Department, where Batman makes a daring escape. Clients can enjoy panoramic views from the 15th-floor tower and spot nearby sights like St George’s Hall and the Walker Art Gallery, both also seen in the film.
Royal Daffodil Ferry
Launching in 2026, the Royal Daffodil Ferry brings a fresh chapter to Liverpool’s ferry service as the first new ferry service in 60 years. It is fully accessible and offers open-plan spaces for panoramic river views, plus onboard bars, event spaces and bike storage.
Titanic Hotel
Set in the restored Grade-II listed 19th century Stanley Dock warehouse complex, the Titanic Hotel has turned industrial heritage into a design feature. The 153-bedrooms boast exposed brickwork, steel columns and original Victorian warehouse windows, matched with contemporary furnishings and amenities. The hotel’s Stanley’s Bar and Grill serves regional produce, while the Rum Bar holds a wide selection of the spirit, accompanied by an expansive cocktail menu. Relaxation takes centre stage at Maya Blue Wellness, an underground spa featuring a hydrotherapy pool, sauna and steam room.
getting there
Getting there: Fly into Liverpool John Lennon Airport for the quickest access, or via Manchester Airport (around 45 minutes by train). Direct trains connect Liverpool to major cities, including London in just over two hours. Local buses and the Merseyrail network connect neighbourhoods, while ferries offer a scenic way to travel along the River Mersey.
Information for the travel trade:
Visit Liverpool: https://www.visitliverpool.com/visitor-information/travel-trade/
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle Food Tour
Triple A Food Tours weave through Newcastle’s vibrant food scene, introducing clients to artisan bakers, cheese mongers and craft brewers. Starting at the Grey Monument on Grainger Street, the walk introduces clients to local favourites such as freshly caught oysters from the Lindisfarne Islands and street food at Grainger Market. Alongside tastings, guides share cultural insights and stories about the North East’s culinary traditions.
Victoria Tunnel Tours
Go underground on a tour of the Victoria Tunnel, a 19th century wagonway that later sheltered Newcastle residents during World War II. Expert guides lead visitors through its dark, echoing passages, where atmospheric soundscapes recreate air-raid sirens, planes overhead and first-hand memories from the Blitz. The mix of storytelling and immersive audio brings the city’s industrial and wartime history to life beneath the streets.
Brinkburn Street Brewery Bar and Kitchen
Brinkburn Street Brewery in Newcastle’s Ouseburn Valley has transformed an industrial space into a taphouse and restaurant where handcrafted beers are served alongside food from the north-east of England. The brewery operates tours and tastings which guide clients through their core range and seasonal brews, while the kitchen serves locally sourced small plates, mains and sharing plates celebrating regional flavours – from classic burgers using Northumbrian beef to slow-cooked Sunday roasts.
Blackfriars Restaurant
Blackfriars Restaurant
Housed in a 13th-century friary in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne, Blackfriars is considered one of England’s oldest purpose-built dining rooms. Its vaulted ceiling, stone walls and timbered interiors create a historic backdrop for cosy meals, from multi-course banquets to afternoon tea. Menus feature regional produce and medieval-inspired dishes. Alongside dining, Blackfriars hosts a programme of seasonal events and cookery workshops, from ‘Murder Mystery Dinners’ to ‘Bread Making for Beginners’.
Hotel Gotham
Opened in October 2025, Hotel Gotham brings a dash of roaring 1920s glamour to the heart of Newcastle. Housed in one of Newcastle’s grandest baroque revival buildings, with decor inspired by the decadence of the Jazz Age, the hotel combines marble-clad interiors, velvet furnishings and period lighting to create an atmosphere straight out of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby. Expect plush emperor beds, art deco detailing and bathrooms with sparkling fittings. By night, guests can pop into the exclusive Club Brass for live jazz or sip signature cocktails in the speakeasy-style Fire Bar. The Siren Restaurant, with a farm-to-fork ethos, serves classic British dishes with a modern twist.
getting there
Getting there: The nearest international hub is Newcastle Airport, with metro services to the city centre taking around 25-minutes.
Information for the travel trade:
Destination North East England: https://traveltrade.destinationnortheastengland.co.uk/
East Lothian
Muirfield Golf Club, Muirfield
Tee off where golf history was written at Muirfield Golf Club, one of the sport’s oldest clubs and home to The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers since 1891. The Championship Links course along East Lothian’s coast has hosted The Open sixteen times. Clients can navigate the same turf where champions played, with coastal views toward the Firth of Forth (Visitor Days are Tuesdays and Thursdays, excluding Public Holidays. For details on how to book, visit the website.).
North Berwick Golf Club (West Links), North Berwick
North Berwick Golf Club West Links is known for its historic layout and playful course design. Established in 1832, the course’s notable holes include the 13th (‘Pit’) played to a sunken green behind a wall, the 14th (‘Perfection’) with views towards Bass Rock, and the 15th (‘Redan’), a par-3 played to a steeply sloping green with a hidden gully in front of it. Coastal views to the island Fidra are rumoured to have inspired Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel Treasure Island. Please note that the golf course is not suitable for inexperienced golfers (golfers should have a handicap of no more than 24 for gentlemen and 36 for ladies). Pre-booking is essential.
Wildlife Boat Trips with Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick
Binoculars at the ready for a wildlife boat trip from North Berwick with Scottish Seabird Centre. RIBs (rigid inflatable boats) zoom around the islands in the Firth of Forth, including the Bass Rock gannet colonies and the Isle of May, with expert guides bringing their history to life. Clients can choose from different tours, including the Three Islands Seabird Safari or the Isle of May Round Island Trip, lasting around three to four hours.
Fringe by the Sea festival (31 July to 9 August 2026), North Berwick
A coastal cousin to Edinburgh’s famous festival, Fringe by the Sea is a not-for-profit, ten-day multi-arts festival in North Berwick, bringing big names in comedy, music and literature to the seaside each summer. Expect pop-up stages, street food, inspiring talks and live music from acts like Maribou State or Belle and Sebastian, all accompanied by plenty of fresh sea air.
Archerfield House and Spa, North Berwick
Set within a 550-acres coastal estate in North Berwick, Archerfield offers clients a luxury spa break with a choice of luxury self-catering lodges, a boathouse, a cosy cottage or an elegant cliff top villa. The Clubhouse Restaurant serves classic dishes, including Sunday roasts, using fresh East Lothian produce, as well as traditional afternoon tea prepared by the restaurant’s own pastry chef. Fletchers Cottage, named Scotland’s best spa by The Telegraph, boasts a gym, a sauna, and treatment rooms to relax stiff muscles after an afternoon spent on the estate’s own Championship Links golf courses.
Marine North Berwick Hotel, North Berwick
Built in 1880, the Marine North Berwick is as 83-room boutique hotel overlooking the Firth of Forth and Bass Rock. Each room and suite is individually designed featuring period furniture, from Chesterfield-style sofa and plush lounge chairs to four-poster beds and original fireplaces. The Lawn restaurant serves authentic Italian cuisine crafted with Scottish produce, while traditional Sunday Roasts are also available. Named by Condé Nast Traveller as one of the ‘Best Spas in Scotland’ for 2026, the hotel’s wellness sanctuary offers treatments using Scottish seaweed, while its thermal suite and 18-meter pool overlook the garden and nearby historic West Links golf courses.
getting there
Getting there:Edinburgh Airport is the closest international airport (around 45 to 60 minutes from North Berwick). From the airport, take a tram or bus into central Edinburgh, then a direct train from Edinburgh Waverley Station to North Berwick (around 30 to 35 minutes).
Information for the travel trade:
Visit East Lothian:https://visiteastlothian.org/plan-your-trip/travel-trade/
