This post was originally published in October 2020. It is important to check opening hours and restrictions with venues direct before making plans as things may have changed since this post was first published. Menus may also differ/change regularly. If you are unable to visit a cafe/coffee shop at this time, please bookmark this post to come back to.
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I asked my Instagram followers for the best places to take the kids for hot chocolate these days. I reckon it is something everyone is interested in so thought I would put the results together as a little blog post alongside recommendations for places you can enjoy a walk nearby.
Proper hot chocolate and fresh air on a crisp autumn / winter's day is one of life's simple pleasures. Let me know your favourite place too.
The Best Places for Hot Chocolate & A Walk across North East England
- R Place
- Proven Goods Co.
- Love Lily Sunderland
- Dibbley's Tynemouth
- Nelson's at the Park
- Monsieur Crepe
- The Boat Shack (2023 - now closed)
- Surf Cafe
- The Wheel House
- Riverview Kitchen
- Cullercoats Coffee
- The Boathouse
R Place
2023 Update - R Place has now moved to North Shields.
R Place in Monkseaton may be famous for their epic doughnuts but they also serve a lovely range of hot drinks too with various specials popping up across the year too (below is the Unicorn Hot Chocolate Special). Of all of the places recommended to me, R Place was by far the most popular.
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| Credit : R Place |
Find out more: https://www.facebook.com/itsrplace
Proven Goods Co.
Another place where doughnuts are a speciality but they also serve a fantastic hot chocolate is Proven Goods Co. in Ouseburn. These ones are known for their marshmallow fluff topping.
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| Credit : Proven Goods Co. |
Nearby, you can walk along the Quayside towards Newcastle and take in the bridges or explore the street art and Graffiti in Ouseburn.
Find out more: https://www.facebook.com/provengoodsco/
Love Lily is a beautiful tearoom in Sunderland serving he most wonderful cakes and drinks. Their hot chocolates come highly recommended.
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| Credit : Love Lily |
Find out more: https://www.facebook.com/lovelilytearoom
Dibbley's Tynemouth
Dibbley's specialise in ice cream and gelato but their hot chocolates are also worth a mention - they look divine!
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| Credit : Dibbley's |
Walks nearby include along the North Tyneside Coast.
Find out more: https://www.facebook.com/dibbleys.co.uk
Nelson's at the Park
Nelson's at the Park is one of my favourite tea rooms. Located just off the A1 near Swarland, there is a play park outside for kids too. The cakes and drinks here are all homemade and absolutely delicious. Read our review of Nelson's here.
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| Credit : Nelsons at the Park |
Walks can be enjoyed at Swarland Woods.
Monsieur Crepe High Heaton
How good does this hot chocolate look!
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| Credit : Monsieur Crepe |
The Boat Shack
2023 Update - Sadly The Boat Shack has now closed.
The Boat Shack at Pow Hill is famous for their freak shakes but their hot chocolates look just as good.
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| Credit : Boat Shack |
Find out more: https://www.facebook.com/boatshackdurham
Surf Cafe, Tynemouth
Lots of people recommended the Surf Cafe but sadly I can't find a photo on their social media - we will just have to take their word for it.
Walks can be enjoyed along the seafront.
Find out more: https://www.facebook.com/surfcafe.tynemouth
The Wheel House
How have I never been here? Their drinks and cakes look fabulous. I will definitely be paying them a visit in the near future.
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| Credit : The Wheel House |
Find out more: https://www.facebook.com/wheelhousecoffee
Riverview Kitchen
The luxury hot chocolate from Riverview Kitchen is one of the best we have ever had. It came with 4 little pots of treats including fresh cream and marshmallows.
The Durham River Circular Walk or Durham City Art Trail can be enjoyed nearby or in February, the Fire & Ice Trail.
Cullercoats Coffee / The Boatyard
These two cafes are just across the road from each other. They are both small but equally as good.
Nearby walks can be enjoyed along the North Tyneside Coast and there is a cute little play park just above the beach in Cullercoats (just across the road from the cafes).
Find out more here: https://www.facebook.com/cullercoats-coffee-270887436455192
Find out more here: https://www.facebook.com/boatyardkitchen
Just fancy a hot chocolate? The following places have been recently recommended to me by readers as serving fantastic hot chocolate and are worth checking out:
*Room 305 in Whitley Bay received numerous votes. Check out their page here.
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| Credit : Room 305 |
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| Credit : The Dispensary |
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| Credit: Terri Louise |
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| Credit : Terri Louise |
*Toasted Marshmallow by The Little Cakery By the Sea - check out their page here
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| Credit : Sarah Calder |
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| Credit : Maggie Irwin |
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| Credit : Ang Reed |
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| Credit : Nicola Scarr |
*Loaded Hot Chocolate from the Pineapple and Bear Under 7s Play Hub - check out their page here
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| Credit : Helen Louise |
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| Credit : 1901 Jesmond |
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| Credit : Scoop and Bean |
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| Credit : Catherine Trobe |
*Cafe at Inn on the Park at Allensgreen - check out their page here
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| Credit : Inn at the Park |
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| Credit : Crusoes |
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| Credit : Shack on the Beach |
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| Credit : Benny Blues |
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2 - Join our Days Out Facebook Group here which includes lots of ideas for things to do - you can post your own recommendations too.
Remember face coverings are required for indoor attractions / shops for those aged 11+ (usual exemptions apply)
Check for local lockdowns / travel restrictions before visiting anywhere.
Always check updated opening hours / protocols with venues direct before setting off as things may have changed after this post was published.
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