Newcastle is never short of things to do and see. The city has a lot to offer, from beautiful Georgian buildings, medieval buildings, intriguing alleyways, cathedral/churches, museums, art galleries, entertainment and a very varied cuisine.
Introducing Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle has a wide range of activities that attract individuals, couples, friends and families from all walks of life. While it has a reputation for its nightlife, it has something to offer to every visitor who comes here.
If you haven't got Newcastle on your 'to visit' list then I'm telling you that you need to change it. It is a great city in the North East of England. It takes about three hours by train from London. This is the first city in the UK that I visited, I think in 2009. This is such a lovely multinational city.
Newcastle is never short of things to do and see. The city has a lot to offer, from beautiful Georgian buildings, medieval buildings, intriguing alleyways, cathedral/churches, museums, art galleries, entertainment and a very varied cuisine. You can incorporate these activities into your Newcastle itinerary. Beyond the city centre you can easily enjoy nature, and not even by going into Northumberland or Durham because a short walk from the city centre is the famous Town Moor.
Newcastle is famous also for its seven bridges across the River Tyne; probably the most famous one being the Tyne Bridge. Don't forget to stroll along the Quayside which offers you views of Newcastle and Gateshead. One of the online travel websites voted Newcastle the friendliest city in the UK for 2019.
Things To Do
Main Activities
Just walk around the city. You can find things to do and see easily in Newcastle upon Tyne. However, there are plenty of other great things to do. Here is my selection of some of the best.
Visit the Museums
Newcastle has a few interesting museums that you can visit. Each of them has different stories to tell and share with visitors. Here are the choices:
Great North Museum: Hancock. This museum is located on Claremont Road, a short walk from Northumberland Street. This fascinating museum exhibits Hadrian's Wall items, artefacts from Greece and Egypt, fossils, and much more—and of course, a real dinosaur skeleton.
Discovery Museum. It is housed in a beautiful Victorian building. It's located about 10 minutes' walk from the city centre. The Discovery Museum exhibits and tells the story of Newcastle, the city's life, its people, and science and technology.
Life Science Centre. This modern museum displays the advancements made in life sciences. It has permanent and temporary exhibitions. So check their website from time to time to find out the latest temporary exhibition. The museum is located five minutes' walk from Newcastle Central Station.
See arts at art galleries
There are three main art galleries in the city, with Laing Art Gallery being the largest one. All of them are equally great art galleries to explore.
Laing Art Gallery. It has some stunning paintings in the gallery to see. Of course, there are my favourite artists, e.g., LS Lowry, with one of his paintings being located in the cafe area. In addition to the paintings, there are exhibitions of glassware, pottery, and sculpture for visitors to enjoy. Temporary exhibitions are held here from time to time, so check their website.
Hutton Art Gallery. This art gallery is owned by Newcastle University and located at Quadral Square. The gallery mostly exhibits temporary exhibitions throughout the year. The only permanent exhibition is the stunning Merz Wall. The Fine Art Master's degree exhibition takes place every September.
The Biscuit Factory. It is housed in a former beautiful biscuit factory, which is located about 20 to 30 minutes' walk from the city centre. It has hundreds of different works of art, from paintings to sculptures and pottery, for you to buy. The Biscuit Factory Art Gallery is one of the largest independent galleries in England.
The Quayside Photography Gallery. If you're looking for something different in the form of art, this photograph gallery should be your destination. Most of the time, it displays different kinds of photography, from war photos to Newcastle itself. The temporary exhibitions are held here from time to time. So check their website before you go.
Wander around Ouseburn
One of the most vibrant and colourful areas in Newcastle. Once it was a heavy industrial area, but now the face of the valley has changed and it welcomes all people from around the world.
Seven Stories Children's Museum. It is a great place for children to explore. The museum contains hundreds of books. If you're in the area, why not go to this museum and bring your children to explore it? There are interactive displays, activities that your children can do and join, and of course, the books.
Ouseburn Farm. A small farm located not far from the Seven Stories Children's Museum. This farm is a great place for children or even adults to learn about the animals. Here you can see pigs, swans, and much more.
Victoria Tunnel. Fancy exploring the Victorian mine tunnel? One of must things to do in Newcastle. The tunnel is a great place to learn about the mining industry in the city. Join the tour, and the volunteer will share with you about it. Check their website to find out ticket prices and opening times.
Independent shops, bars, cafes, pubs, and restaurants. There are plenty of choices if you are looking for places to eat, drink, or shop. Cook House, Miso, Kiln, the Tyne Bar, and Thali Tray are some of the choices.
Walking along Newcastle Quayside
This is one of my favourite things to do in the city. Walking from one end to another and enjoying the views of the beautiful city with the seven bridges and historic buildings are the rewards.
The seven bridges. The Millennium Bridge, Tyne Bridge, Swing Bridge, High Level Bridge, Queen Elizabeth, and Redheugh Bridge are the bridges that you can see and enjoy. Five out of the seven bridges have pedestrian access, and each of the bridges has its own uniqueness and design that you can admire.
River Tyne promenade/bank. Best free thing to do, walking along the River Tyne bank. Walk slowly and stop at one of the cafes to enjoy the view. You can view the Gateshead side while you are walking here. It is also popular amongst local people and tourists alike to walk
Sunday Market. If you're in Newcastle on the weekend, go down to Quayside. The market is only held on Sunday from 9.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Find something to buy and eat; there are food trucks, crafts, clothes, and paintings. The market starts from the Swing Bridge and goes to the Millennium Bridge.
Historical buildings. Guildhall, Trinity House, Bessie Surtees House, and the Cooperage are among the historical buildings that you can see and visit. Just check their website for opening times.
Getting to know Newcastle history
This is where you can see Newcastle's early history. All of them are interesting leftovers from earlier periods of the city's development, from the Town Wall to the Castle Keep.
The Town Wall. Originally, the wall enclosed the town from today's Stowell Street to the Quayside. You can see the remains of the wall at the back of Stowell Street, and south of the city centre, to name a few.
Newcastle Castle. This is the only part of the original castle that survives, and this is where the city got its name. This is a perfect place to learn about Newcastle. The structure is located between the railroad track, the Vermont Hotel, and the Bridge Hotel pub. You can see this stunning building from Gateshead Quayside.
Black Gate. The Black Gate dates back to the 1200s and originally was the castle’s fortified gatehouse. It was built between 1247 and 1250 during the reign of King Henry III. The Black Gate was the last addition to the medieval Castle defences and has been used for many other purposes over the years.
Unique things to see in the city
There are a few different kinds of things you can see while walking around the city. You may notice them or not.
Space Invaders. I spent a few days locating these mosaics of Space Invaders. In total, there are about 10 of them, and recently I found out that a few of them are no longer located where they were. Space Invaders are available not only in Newcastle but also in other cities around the world, namely London, Amsterdam, and New York.
Vampire Rabbit. This is a quirky one. It sits nicely on top of the rear door of the historic cathedral building, facing the rear of St. Nicholas Cathedral. I quite like it, and it gives a sense of quirkiness to the city.
Half Moon. Where can I see the half moon in Newcastle? There is at Half Moon Chambers in the Bigg Market. A former pub, it was rebuilt between 1902 and 1905 and is a Grade II listed building.
Explore and shop at Grainger Town
Grainger Town is home to one of the finest group of Georgian buildings in the UK. The area was designed by renowned architect Grainger in the 1830s. Grainger Town is the historic heart of the Georgian city and includes Grainger Market, the Theatre Royal, Grey Street, Grainger Street, and Clayton Street. If you are an architectural enthusiast, you should wander around the place. In addition to the buildings, there are plenty of things to see and do here.
Grey's Monument. One word to describe this structure is stunning. It is located at the top of Grey Street. This monument commemorates Earl Grey and his role in electoral reform. It was built in 1838, and on special occasions, you can climb to the top of the monument.
Grey Street. It was voted the best street in England, and I know why. It has some gorgeous Georgian buildings on both sides of the curved street. When you walk up, you can see Grey's Monument, Theatre Royal, Central Arcade, and other notable Georgian buildings. Not to mention, there are plenty of restaurants along the street too.
Grainger Market. If you're looking for local products and produce, you should go to Grainger Market. It is located a short walk from Grey's Monument. It is home to hundreds of independent shops and cafes. You can also easily find places to eat here too; I recommend trying SnackWallah,
Central Arcade. This is the only original shopping arcade in Newcastle. It has a beautiful original tile floor and also original interior walls. There are shops inside and outside of the arcade. This Edwardian arcade was built in 1906. It is located just a few yards away from Grey's Monument.
PS: In addition to the above places, you can easily find things to see and do or just wander around to see the best of it. Stop at one of the cafes or restaurants for lunch or afternoon tea after a long walk; Grainger Town has it all.
Walking and exploring the parks
I've listed only the best public parks in the city and which can also be reached by foot or public transport. Each of the parks has a different design and layout, which you can enjoy and explore any time of the year.
Leazes Park. Leazes Park is very central and can be reached from the city centre in about five to 10 minutes. This Victorian park has a beautiful lake where you can see the swans, ducks, and birds playing around, avenues of trees, a formal terrace and the gardens, while at the same time learning about nature while you are walking. There is a cafe if you're looking for a place to eat and rest after a long walk.
Exhibition Park. Like Leazes Park, Exhibition Park is easily accessible from the city centre, and it is not far from Hancock Museum. It was used for the North East Coast Exhibition of Industry, Science, and Art in 1929. Now the park is home to numerous facilities, including sports areas, a lake, a cafe, a playground, and a skate park.
Jesmond Dene. This is a large park surrounded by woodland. Definitely a must-visit park in Newcastle, and the best one in Newcastle. It is set in the wooded valley along the River Ouseburn. The park was given by Lord Armstrong to the people of Newcastle. Do walk along the riverbank slowly and enjoy nature and birds. There is a cafe and a small "zoo" area that is popular with families.
Heaton Park. Heaton Park can be reached from Jesmond Dene. If you like to continue your walk, why not go to this park? It is connected to both Armstrong Park and Jesmond Dene, for those looking to extend their walk around the other parks locally.
More reading // Parks in Newcastle
Explore the cathedrals
St. Nicholas Cathedral and St. Mary's Church Cathedral are the two cathedrals in the city. Both have their own uniqueness in character and design. They are worth a visit.
St. Nicholas Cathedral. It has been the heart of the city for more than 100 years. We always take the opportunity to visit St. Nicholas Cathedral when we walk around the city. It has beautiful stained-glass windows, a newly opened crypt, modern sculptures, and much more to see. At certain times there is a cafe open too.
Tip | You can climb the tower during Heritage Open Days in September, but the tickets sell quickly.
St. Mary's Church Cathedral. This Catholic cathedral was designed by the famous architect Augustus Welby Pugin. It is located a stone's throw from Central Station. It has gorgeous floor tiles and stained-glass windows too.
Visit the churches
Newcastle has a wide variety of churches and chapels, most of which are still in use for religious purposes, but some have found new uses, such as as performance and concert venues. The main ones that I would highlight for any visitor to the city include: St. Mary's RC Cathedral Church, which with its original Minton floor tiles is an Arts and Crafts gem; All Saints, a Georgian masterpiece that has recently undergone renovation; St. Andrew's Church, dating back to Anglo-Norman times; and the Church of St. Thomas, a late-Regency and Victorian Gothic building near to the Civic Centre.
Check their opening times because some of them are only open to the public on Heritage Open Day or Sundays.
All Saints Church. It sits on top of Aken Hill. This Georgian church is absolutely beautiful, especially the interiors with their original pews and decorations. It's a late 18th-century church replacing an earlier mediaeval church. From here, you can view Gateshead Quayside.
St Andrew's Church. It is the oldest church in the city. The church dates back to the 12th century. Go inside the church to see the interior: the font and pulpit are beautiful, the latter cut out of Austrian oak.
Unitarian Church. It is the only Art Deco church in Newcastle. It has a simple interior but is strikingly beautiful to look at. Amazingly, the church still has its original English oak furniture and pews in it. It was designed by the architectural practice of Cackett, Burns Dick, and Mackellar.
Church of St. Matthew. This church is located in Summerhill. Its spiral tower dominates the area, and you can even see it from the Helix Newcastle. This Gothic church was built in 1877 and designed by R.J. Johnson.
St. Ann's Church. A beautiful Georgian church. The interior is very simple, with light walls and ornate ceilings. The church can be reached from the Quayside or by taking a bus from the city centre. This parish church was built between 1764 and 1768 for the corporation of Newcastle and designed by William Newton.
Watching live theatre and movies
Theatre Royal. This is the best place to watch live theatre or shows. The building is stunning, as is the interior. Check out the Theatre Royal website to find out their latest shows, news, and tickets.
Theatre Royal. I think this is the best theatre in Newcastle. The Theatre Royal is located on Grey Street, a short walk from Grey's Monument. It is one of nine grade 1 listed theatre halls in England. It opened its doors in February 1837 and has been renovated many times since its first show. Check the Theatre Royal website to find out their latest live shows.
Tyne Theatre. Similar to Theatre Royal, Tyne Theatre is smaller in size. It is located on Westgate Road. It provides shows, concerts, and theatre throughout the year. Check their website to find out about their latest show.
Tyne Cinema. This is an Art Deco building and is located five minutes walk from Grey's Monument. The building was designed by Dixon Scott. The décor of the foyer and landing on the first floor of the cinema is influenced by middle and far east designs. The cinema screens independent movies and also movies from across the world. It is a great place for meeting friends and at the same time having coffee, cake or lunch at one of the cafes in the building. This is the only news cinema that still operates and is used as a cinema.
Tip | Join free guided tours of the building every Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday at 11am.
Northern Stage. For something a little different in the heart of the city, visit Northern Stage. It presents a fresh, varied, and thought-provoking season of shows for children and adults alike.
More reading // A day trip to Newcastle Itinerary
Shopping, shopping and shopping
Northumberland Street, Eldon Square, and Central Arcade are the main places to shop in Newcastle upon Tyne. My personal favourite is Central Arcade.
Northumberland Street. It has been a main street for shopping for a long time. This busy and vibrant street offers you Primark, M&S, Fenwick, and TK Maxx, to name a few.
Eldon Square. An indoor shopping mall with plenty of options to choose from for your shopping list and also places to eat. John Lewis, Boots, Clarks, Typo, H&M, Next, and Samsung are among the shops located in it, and TGI Friday, Ask Italian, Costa, and Caffe Nero are among the places to eat in Eldon Square.
Central Arcade. It houses mainly independent shops and cafes. The arcade gives you a unique experience where you can see beautiful tiles and beautiful window shops.
High Bridge Quarter. A cobbled hideaway off the Georgian grandeur of Grey Street. High Bridge Quarter is a must visit to uncover independent shopping alongside fantastic nightlife, pubs, and places to eat.
More reading // A 3-day Newcastle Itinerary
View the historical buildings
I think this is one of the best things to do while walking around the city. Newcastle provides some of the most beautiful historical buildings that you can admire.
Cooperage. It started life as a merchant’s house, was also a barrel-maker’s shop and a grocery store, and is a Grade II-star listed building. This beautiful building also survived the Great Quayside Fire of 1854. It is the most complete late-mediaeval timber-framed building in Newcastle.
Moot Hall. The Moot Hall was built between 1810 and 1812 and designed by John Stokoe. It is located close to the castle keep, and the building is on the site of the Roman fort of Pons Aelius. The structure, which overlooks the Tyne Bridge, is a Grade I listed building.
Holy Jesus Hospital. It is a mix of historic buildings dating back to the 14th century, when an Augustinian friary was established on the site. The site of the hospital has been in use for 700 years, helping the townspeople. Now is a working office and in the care of the National Trust.
Blackfriars Dominican Friary. It was one of the largest friaries in the UK and one of Newcastle's oldest surviving buildings.
Trinity House. Trinity House is a charity with a history dating back to the 16th century, when it emerged as a guild formed by the city's seafarers. The building itself dates from 1505, making it one of the oldest buildings in Newcastle. In its time, this building has served as a hospital and as almshouses.
The Guildhall. Guildhall and Merchants' Court is a Grade I-listed building. It is an absolutely beautiful building, inside and out. The east end of this building is a neo-Grecian structure completed by John Dobson in 1823-5.
Central Station. Newcastle Central Station was designed by John Dobson and opened by Queen Victoria on August 29, 1850. The station is a Grade I-listed building on the National Heritage List for England.
Alderman Fenwick's House: Number 98 Pilgrim Street. The house was built in 1670. Originally built as a merchant's house, it later took its name from Alderman Fenwick, who was Mayor of Newcastle in 1720. Boasting a raft of period features, including a grand entrance hall and an impressive rooftop cupola, Now part of it is an office. Alderman Fenwick's House is open to the public during Heritage Open Days in September every year.
View the city from above
See Newcastle from a different perspective; it's worth a try.
St. James Park. Join the St. James Park Tour, and you are able to climb on top of the football stadium roof. Here you can see fantastic views of Newcastle and about.
Grey's Monument. You can climb this stunning monument at specific times of the year. Just check the Newcastle-Gateshead website to find the dates and times when it is open.
Newcastle Castle. Take the opportunity to go up to the top of the castle after wandering around. The view from here is equally good, with a view towards Quayside and the city.
Hadrian Tower. A new place where you sit and relax and enjoy the view towards the city centre. The view from here is absolutely amazing. Just order your afternoon tea and cake, and you are rewarded with that gorgeous view.
Eating and drinking
These are things everyone likes to do when visiting or travelling to a new place or even returning. As a multi diverse city, Newcastle has a long list of places to eat from traditional English restaurants to Italian, Turkish, Indian, fusion and Asian restaurants. Just check tripadvisor.com or NewcastleGateshead website to find out where the best place to eat is.
Here are my recommendations for places to eat in the city Infusion 2018, Red Mezze, Bar Loco, Chilli Padi, the French Quarter, Zizzi, Kimchi Planet, Olive and Bean, Les Petits Choux, The Factory Cafe, the Blake's Coffee House, Flat Caps Coffee, Cote, Snackwallah, Siam Supreme, My Delhi, the Earl of Pitt Street, Mason + Rye, and much more.
Alleyways and Stairways
High Bridge. Visitors looking for great places to eat and drink should take a stroll along the cobbles of High Bridge Street in the heart of Newcastle. This popular food and drink quarter of Newcastle is packed with bars and pubs, independent restaurants and even a comedy club.
The city's winding High Bridge is a location rooted in history, taking its name from a bridge that once spanned the Lort Burn valley there
Dog Leap Stairs. Famously used in a Get Carter movie scene. Perhaps disappointingly, they weren’t named after a dog which leapt down the stairs - but possibly, because the curve of the stairs resembled the shape of a dog’s hind legs.
Castle Stairs. To experience this you have to walk down from the top where Newcastle Castle is located and down to Sandhill or vice versa. Both directions give great views toward the Quayside and also Newcastle Castle. This medieval stair gives you the vibe of back in time and how some parts of the stairs haven't changed at all.
Pudding Chare. A narrow winding lane (or chare), which runs from the Bigg Market to Neville Street. There are a number of interpretations for the use of the word "Pudding". It could be a reference to black pudding, sold in the Flesh Market, or to the hidden stream of High or Pow Dene, or to the intestine-like quality of the winding lane. It is possibly more likely that it evolved to describe the muddy surface of a lane.
Battery Stairs. Battery Stairs is a medieval stone stairway leading down from the Sandhill area to Newcastle Quayside.
Long Stairs. The Long Stairs in Newcastle start on the Close between the 15th century Cooperage and 16th century “Buttress” merchant’s house, leading up to Moot Hall.
More reading // 20 Wonderful Things to Do in Newcastle
Practical Information
Well prepared pre-planning and research will help make your travel plans easy. It also helps you to understand what you are looking for and what to do in each location. Here is the information I've prepared and that you might want to consider and use when planning your own trip to Newcastle upon Tyne.
Location of Newcastle
Newcastle is located in North East England on the northwestern bank of the River Tyne. It is 446 km north of London and 166km south of Edinburgh.
Getting to Newcastle
There are a few options that you can choose to get to Newcastle. It depends on where you are located. Here are the main choices:
By flight. Newcastle upon Tyne is well connected via air and land transportations. Newcastle International Airport is the main airport in North East England. Emirates Airlines fly direct to Dubai; KLM fly direct to Amsterdam; British Airways and Lufthansa are full service airlines that fly to a wide range of major cities. Jet2, Ryanair, Easyjet, Logan Air and Flybe are budget airlines that connect Newcastle to different cities in the UK and in Europe. Newcastle International Airport has flights to and from more than 80 destinations.
Tips | Take the local train, the Metro, from the airport to Newcastle city centre. It only takes about 30 minutes and the cost is much less compared to an airport taxi or Uber.
By train. Newcastle Railway Station is a main intercity station. If you're travelling by train from other European countries via Eurostar, the city is well connected by train to London, with a journey time of about 3.5 hours. The journey time north to Edinburgh is just over 1.5 hours. Newcastle is also well connected to other cities in the north by train, such as York, Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool.
By cruise. A mini cruise service from Ijmuiden port in Amsterdam to Newcastle is operated by DFDS Seaways. The cruise operates 7 times a week if you prefer to take the cruise between Newcastle and Amsterdam.
Getting around Newcastle
Getting around Newcastle is very easy, making the city and surrounding areas very accessible by public transport.
Metro. The trains run from around 5am to 11.57pm for the Monument line and from around 5.30am to 11.09pm for the Airport line. You must buy your ticket in advance of any journey. Many stations on the Metro service, especially in the city centre, have ticket controlled access and exit barriers.
Bus. Stagecoach and Arriva are the two main bus service providers in the city. Buses run from around 6am to midnight. You should check each of the bus providers online because different locations and days have different start and end times. Tickets can be purchased on boarding the bus. Some operators have online websites and tickets can be bought in advance on these. Increasingly, you can pay for your ticket by credit card even as you are boarding the bus. Always check in advance. Remember too that some discount tickets such as dayrovers might only be available for certain hours.
Hop on hop off bus service. The tour bus starts at Berwick Street, Central Station and goes to East Quayside. In total there are eighteen stops on the tour and you can join at any of the stops. In winter months, the tour only operates on Saturdays and Sundays.
Places to stay
There is a wide range of hotels in the city. I recommend that you do careful research before deciding on where to stay. Here are a few of the hotels that are located in the city and that you may like to check before travelling to Newcastle upon Tyne. Maldron Hotel, Innside by Melia, The Vermont Hotel and Hampton by Hilton is one of the choices that you can find in Newcastle
Places to eat
There are hundreds of places to eat in the city from very traditional English restaurants to Asian restaurants. Infusion 2018, Red Mezze, Bar Loco, Chilli Padi, the French Quarter, Zizzi, Kimchi Planet, Olive and Bean, Les Petits Choux, The Factory Cafe, the Blake's Coffee House, Tiny Tiny, Cote Restaurant, Zizzi Snackwallah, JJ's Cafe, Siam Supreme, My Delhi, the Earl of Pitt Street, Mason + Rye, Kato Pan Asian Cuisine, Tyneside Bar Cafe, Bar Loco, are highly recommended.
Best time to visit Newcastle
You can visit Newcastle any time of the year based on your own preferences. Different months and seasons will offer you different experiences but there are some events that are fixed every year. For example, in September there is the Great North Run and Heritage Open Day weekends; Newcastle MELA is held in August; at the end of June is one of the biggest fun fairs in Europe -The Hoppings; and in December there is a Christmas Market held around the central area of the city..
Probably, the end of Spring, or Summer or early autumn are the best times to visit Newcastle. This is when the days are long and the weather is good to wander around the city. Summer is usually the busiest month when the schools and universities have their long breaks.
How long to spend in Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle is a city that you can visit for a day or up to several days. It really depends on what you want to see and do and also whether Newcastle is your travel base. If the city is your travel base, you could explore the city over a minimum of two days and visit nearby places, villages and towns e.g. Hexham, and Corbridge, and cities e.g. Durham, Sunderland, York or Edinburgh.
In the city itself there are plenty of things to do from its museums, art galleries and public parks to shopping and eating out at one of the many restaurants.
What to wear
Depends on which season or month that you are travelling to the city. T-shirts and jeans can be worn during the summer time. In summer the temperature can be up to 24°C.
Don't forget to bring along an umbrella with you in case of rain. A light jacket to wear in spring and autumn should be considered. In winter bring along your warm jacket/coat, gloves and hats and also boots to get ready for snow.
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