Northumberland is not only one of the most beautiful parts of England – and arguably the whole of the UK – but it transpires that the North East is also one of the fittest.
According to a survey by sports retailer Decathlon, while the average British person exercises or plays sport 4.82 times a month, those in the North East do so 5.2 times in the same period.
Given Decathlon’s business, one supposes that the company had its own motives for conducting the survey. Nonetheless, they didn’t stint on the numbers; Decathlon’s annual Activity Index surveyed no fewer than 7,500 adults nationwide.
While most areas of the country returned respectable figures, the gap between the stellar North East and the underperforming North West provided the starkest differential: those in the North West were the least active in the country, with folks in places such as Chester, Liverpool and Manchester taking part in exercise or sport just 4.47 times a month.
Nonetheless, Decathlon’s Philippe Rebelo was encouraged by the data – with caveats. “…It looks like, on average, British adults exercise at least once per week… but this could be higher,” said the UK marketing director. “Playing sport of exercising needn’t be expensive,” he added. “It doesn’t have to involve pricey equipment or membership fees.”
And there, surely, you have it: the secret behind the North East’s top score. Breathtaking scenery, the cleanest of clean air, magnificent land and seascapes, no crowds to deal with, and some of the most exhilarating walking, running and cycling country to be found anywhere.
Yes, Lucker Hall has its own leisure club, with indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room etc – but honestly, the lure of Northumberland’s Great Outdoors is all but irresistible. And it’s free.
Walking on Northumberland's magnificent Bamburgh beach
According to the Decathlon survey, the most active individuals overall are (perhaps unsurprisingly) North East males aged 35 to 44. But whatever your age or gender, and wherever you hail from, a holiday at Lucker Hall could be just what you need to get active – whether to burn off the excesses of Christmas, or at any time of year.
