The Newcastle Travel Guide outlines local attractions, places of interest and highlights tourist information for visitors to the city located in the North East of England. Newcastle has a blend of the historic and modern, it is renowned for its shopping facilities and vibrant thriving nightlife. The city has more to offer than one might imagine, less well known are its historic architecture that include the ancient city walls and castle and the renovated quayside with the waterfront bars and galleries where you can relax and enjoy a bit of culture.
Overview and Attractions
Newcastle is gaining popularity as a city break destination, it is well served with transport links to other areas in the UK, and its location also makes it a good place for a short break if you are on your way to Scotland or if travelling down south from Scotland.
There are a thousand years of history in Newcastle for visitors to explore. The city has evolved from once being a defensive fort, to an industrial giant to its modern day guise as a centre for culture and an ever growing tourist hub. Newcastle has had to endure an image of being a dull northern industrial city with the decline in the shipbuilding and coal industries. Critics argued it would be difficult for Newcastle to bounce back to the forefront again.
However the past decade or so has signalled a much needed renaissance in Newcastle's fortunes with a new found enthusiasm and confidence evident in the city. The signs of regeneration are there for all to see, the river banks of the Tyne have been re-developed, the Millennium Bridge has become a landmark. Newcastle has a reputation as one of the best places for night life in the UK and over the past few years a plethora of funky bars and nightclubs have joined the more traditional Newcastle pubs and alehouses. The Geordies as the locals are known have a reputation as friendly and hospitable.
Newcastle is an energetic city with a lot of things going on, there is a calendar of events that lasts for the entire year. The new developments combined with restorations have resulted in a creative surge in the city and there is the feeling of good times ahead. Newcastle is a good place for walking around and exploring. You can go to the Quayside area and get a great view of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge and enjoy a delicious lunch in one of various bars or restaurants in the area.
The nearby Gateshead Quays is home to the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Arts, one of the largest art spaces in Europe. It was once a flour mill but has been successfully restored and now has the distinction of having five galleries, a library, cafes, a restaurant and a cinema. The rooftop restaurant in particular is worth a visit, you can get some great views of the city and surrounding area. The area is particularly resplendent by night where coloured lights from the quaysides and the bridge make for a delightful spectacle.
Situated right in the heart of Newcastle, the historic area of Grainger Town contains beautifully restored Georgian architecture, if you just want to relax you can have a coffee here and watch the world go by. Trendy and fashionable clothes shops are here and the nearby Grainger Market is where you can spend some time exploring through the stalls selling books, clothes and foods among other things.
Newcastle has a reputation as a shopper’s paradise and it is easy to see why. Newcastle Shopping offers visitors with a range of options including Eldon Square is host to 140 shops including well known department stores. Eldon Garden is home to the designer shops and a favourite for local and visiting fashionistas.
However by far the largest shopping complex is the MetroCentre in Gateshead, it is one of the biggest shopping complexes in the whole of Europe. While having the huge range of shops (over 300) for all tastes as one could reasonably expect in a complex of this size, it has a number of extras to keep the whole family entertained. There is an indoor theme park, the chance to go bowling and an eleven screen cinema.
The Biscuit Factory is the largest arts store in Britain, here you can witness a huge number art items including paintings, ceramics, sculpture, print and furniture by both UK based and international artists. Whilst being a hip place for those with a penchant for art, its cool reputation makes it a great place to chill out, relax and you can eat in the cafe and restaurant. The exhibitions are constantly changing, art pieces sold are in turn replaced with new work. The good news it is open 7 days a week and entrance is free making it a great tourist draw.
The locals are well known for their sense of humour and fun loving nature. It is thus not surprising Newcastle has a vibrant nightlife. The Quayside with its large selection of restaurants and bars is a popular place to go. Further out of the centre there are is an easy going atmosphere in the bars and restaurants on Osborne Road in Jesmond. Newcastle also has its own Chinatown situated around Stowell Street, for fans of Chinese food it is a great place to eat. There are many bars to choose from one of the best known and popular ones is Jesmond viewed as sociable and fashionable and somewhat more sedate than the Quayside.
Bigg Market in Newcastle is where you can find plenty of noise and excitement, there are just over 20 pubs in the area so you have plenty of choice of where to go. Those wanting a traditional pub may enjoy The Old George, one of the oldest pubs in Newcastle, dating back to the 17th century. In its former guise it was a coaching inn and its original low ceiling and wooden beams have been retained as original features.
For visitors that enjoy live music then there is plenty here for you. Venues include the O2 Academy, Jazz at the Bridge and The Black Swan all of which cater for live music of differing genres. The O2 Academy Newcastlee is a relative newcomer to the scene, opened in 2005 the 2,000 capacity auditorium that has been carefully restored and creates great atmosphere. Within a relatively short space of time the venue has become established as a major venue on the UK touring circuit.
Clubbers flock to Digital attracting top DJs from around the world, the club is among the most technically advanced clubs in the region. The amazing sound system is the one of very few of its kind in the world. The club has been refurbished and now has new bars and a live stage. See Digital Newcastle for more details.
Other entertainment includes comedy and party venue The Hyena that attracts a top line-up of stand-up comics, located on Leazes Lane it is very much in Newcastle's City Centre. Its large capacity and a late licence mean it is a popular venue for comedy fans and party goers alike. Being a popular venue it is wise to book in advance.
Theatre fans can visit the Grade I listed Newcastle Playhouse, the Royal Shakespeare Company are among those which show at the Theatre Royal, one of the best known theatres in the UK. It has a long and rich history in presenting the best in drama, music, dance and comedy. Opened in 1837, there are nearly 400 performances here each year and is recognised as an important historic and cultural landmark.
For visitors Newcastle offers a range of attractions, from its creative arts scene, to its lively and varied nightlife and shopping there is much to see and enjoy here. The city has enjoyed the substantial redevelopment and modernisation it has had in the past decade and for visitors it is now an interesting and varied place to visit.
Disclaimer: The information given in on this website is given in good faith and to the best of our knowledge. If there are any discrepancies in no way do we intend to mislead. Important travel details and arrangements should be confirmed and verified with the relevant authorities.
