Newcastle
Why we love Newcastle upon Tyne
Linked by no fewer than seven bridges around a bustling quayside, Newcastle and Gateshead form one vibrant place to visit. Overlooked by Britain’s biggest sculpture – the iconic Angel of the North, it’s where centuries-old history and heritage meets green innovation. Catch spellbinding shows at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, enjoy award-winning restaurants and indulge in shops and cafes at the city’s historical heart. Newcastle frequently tops the charts for best place to club, as well as offering fantastic evenings at everything from comedy clubs to classes for mixologists. And for a slower pace altogether – the city has indulgent green spaces and serves as a great base for exploring Hadrian’s Wall.
Grainger Town and Grey Street
Head to Grainger Town and Grey Street in the heart of Newcastle, where many of the buildings are devoted to shopping, eating, drinking and entertainment; including the Grainger Market and Theatre Royal.
Natural Adventure
Endless Adventure North East is all about making amazing memories while exploring the wild wonders of Britain’s North East. Take the plunge white-water rafting, gorge walking or mountain biking, then test your head for heights on a rock climbing. Travelling with mates? Challenge them to a game of SUPBALL, a hilarious (and very splashy) combination of paddleboarding and football.
Angel delight
Designed by artist Antony Gormley, this epic sculpture is thought to be the largest angel artwork in the world – with a wingspan as wide as an aeroplane. The Angel of the North stands near the A1 road in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear: though visible from afar, it’s well worth a closer look.
Creative and cultural
Ouseburn’s creative quarter packs a thriving collection of galleries, studios and shops. Northern Print offers print-making workshops, while The Biscuit Factory is an indie shopper’s dream – with unique paintings, gifts and clothes. For a closer look at the Ouseburn Valley, follow the street art trail from beneath Byker Bridge: it features vibrant murals by some of the city’s top artists.
Tee off into space
Mr Mulligan’s Space Golf hosts indoor crazy golf with an even zanier concept. Take a shot and land a birdie into Jupiter or Mars at this cocktail meets golf bar.
icons
The city of Newcastle stands on the north bank of the River Tyne, connected to the neighbouring town of Gateshead by seven bridges.
Cycle to the Angel of the North in Gateshead, Britain’s biggest sculpture, or kayak beneath Newcastle’s famous bridges.
Delve beneath the surface on a tour of the Victoria Tunnel, head to Gateshead Sage Centre for eclectic music and theatre, or explore creative Ouseburn, Newcastle’s thriving culture and food quarter.
Relive 19th and 20th century life at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, or use the city as a base for exploring UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hadrian’s Wall.
Fun fact
Fun fact
The city’s High Level Bridge was the world’s first to combine road and rail, while the Millennium Bridge was the first of its kind to pivot sideways to allow boats through.
Did you know?
Did you know?
Pons Aelius, or Newcastle Roman Fort, was an ancient Roman settlement on the fringes of Hadrian’s Wall, with the area now home to the medieval Newcastle Castle.
Housed in a former Victorian warehouse, The Biscuit Factory is the UK’s largest independent art, craft and design gallery set within the heart of Newcastle’s cultural quarter.
The Angel of the North, designed by artist Antony Gormley, is believed to be the largest angel sculpture in the world at 177 ft (54 metres) wide and 65 ft (20 metres) tall.
Hidden beneath the streets of Newcastle is The Victoria Tunnel, a preserved 19th-century wagonway originally built to transport coal to the Tyne River and now open for guided tours.
- George and Robert Stephenson spent 20 years in North Tyneside developing the steam locomotive, an achievement celebrated at the Stephenson Steam Railway museum.
Things to do in Newcastle upon Tyne
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Featured things to do
A weekend of microbreweries and food
Discover Wylam Brewery at Exhibition Park's Palace of Arts, a 30-barrel brewery, taproom and kitchen, serving local and vegan foods. Guided tours run on Sundays.
Learn more about Wylam Brewery
Party on at Northern Pride
Join the pride march and wave the flag for Britain’s Northern Pride that brings celebrations to centre stage and across the city. Explore the Market Village then enjoy music and entertainment at the main arena.
Enjoy Northern Pride
Get active at Heaton Park
Founded in the Victorian era, this urban idyll is criss-crossed with walking and cycling trails.
Explore this green space and wildlife haven
Newcastle Christmas Market
Usually taking place in and around the city centre, grab your gloves and a mulled wine and explore the Newcastle Christmas Market, selling everything from food and drinks to gifts and decorations.
Head to the Newcastle Christmas MarketPlaces to stay in Newcastle upon Tyne
Quayside
Spy the city’s iconic bridges, including the Gateshead Millennium Bridge - and stay in the centre of Newcastle Gateshead’s cultural heart.
Grainger Town
Home to the city’s nightlife and a raft of neoclassical buildings, be close to the Grainger Market and its bustling dining and shopping offering.
Jesmond
Found 10 minutes from the city centre, discover a stylish suburb packed with an eclectic mix of quirky boutiques, restaurants and bars.
Explore nearby
Getting to Newcastle
You can get to the north east of England by rail, sea, and air, making it easily accessible from across Britain. Newcastle International Airport is around seven and a half miles (12 kilometers) from the city and serves more than 80 destinations around the world. A ferry service from DFDS also connects Newcastle Gateshead to Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
London North Eastern Railway has rail links from London to Newcastle. Departing from London Kings Cross to Newcastle, the train takes approximately three hours and offers views across central and northern England as you go.
Coach travel from London to Newcastle takes around six and a half hours with National Express and Megabus.
Getting around
Newcastle Gateshead can be discovered via an extensive public transport system or on foot, with bike hire also available for those keen to explore on two wheels.
By bus
Bus travel is a convenient way of getting around Newcastle and Gateshead, and everywhere in the region is accessible with Go North East.
By train
An award-winning Tyne and Wear metro system has 60 stations around Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, North Tyneside and South Tyneside. Airport connections take just 23 minutes.
By bike
Hop on a bike and explore Newcastle Gateshead and beyond from Quayside, with plenty of safe and scenic routes in the Northumberland countryside, too.
Want to know more?
Want to know more?
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Planning a business event in Newcastle?
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