A nostalgic trip to Newcastle with Barbour

The last time I was in Newcastle, I was graduating from University there. That was a looooong time ago.

But last week British heritage brand Barbour invited me back up for a special preview of their new season Seafarer collection.

The whole range is inspired by the family-run company’s South Shields roots, whether that be details taken from their old catalogues (see the image in my snapshots below) or the local landscape, including the Tynemouth ‘beacon’ which appears in the lining of some of their coats.

Members of the Barbour family and their team showed us through the collection, which sticks to a simple naval colour palette of yellow, white and blue – with some splashes of red.

As well as making me feel incredibly nostalgic (and old!), it was a fabulous foodie trip. A private meal at the stunning Jesmond Dene House one evening, followed by an amazing Northumberland ‘sharing’ menu created by local food blogger and chef Anna from The Grazer.

Here are some images of their new collection and my snapshots of a lovely, memory-filled couple of days.

What I wore to the evening meal. Dress, ASOS White | Shoes, Office — What I wore to the evening meal. Dress, ASOS White (similar here) | Shoes, Office (similar here)

Back on the Quayside. Wearing jacket and striped knit, both Barbour Seafarer | Jeans, MIH | Trainers, Adidas Stan Smith | Bucket bag, Atterley Road — Back on the Quayside years later. Definitely not 18 years old. Definitely sober.
Wearing Rampside Casual jacket in navy and Burnmouth crewneck striped knit, both Barbour Seafarer | Jeans, MIH | Trainers, Adidas Stan Smith at Schuh | Bucket bag, Atterley Road

Barbour's 'Beacon' motif, as seen on the lining of some jackets is the Groyne standing in Tynemouth. — Barbour’s ‘Beacon’ motif, as seen on the lining of some jackets is the Groyne standing in Tynemouth.

Shipwreck artefacts line the walls and fill the Watchtower building, including these locks below. The teapot was found on the rocks below the Watchtower after a shipwreck last century and is still used this day.

The food, created by Anna Hedworth from The Grazer, was amazing. We feasted on kipper and potato soup to start, followed by a sharing platter including poached lobster, dressed crab, devilled eggs, spring chicken terrine, herby salad, new potatoes and sourdough bread. And for dessert it was a lemon and blood-orange posset. Yum. Loved the attention to detail on the tables too – slices of lemon with flags and paper boats, rocks from the beach and beautiful Spring bulbs in rustic bowls.