The Best Things To Do In Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK

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Hyem sweet hyem, even after travelling around the world no city will ever compare to Newcastle-upon-Tyne. I may have grown up in the midlands but Newcastle has always been home for me.

The city has long had a reputation amongst the rest of England for its great nightlife. Although I can agree Newcastle is a cracking night out, there is so much more to explore.

Whether it is the enchanting architecture along Grey Street or the view of Newcastle’s infamous bridges from the Quayside, I can tell you a million things to do in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Visit Grangier Market

You will find everything at this market from retro games stalls to classic fruit and veg stalls all in the heart of the city centre. Grangier Market was originally opened in 1835 and at that time was Europe’s largest covered market. We needed it up North, it rains A LOT.

My two favourite spots inside the market are the main hall where you can observe the recently refurbished glass roof and Redheads Mac N Cheese, one of the 17 food vendors inside Grangier Market. The market is open from 9 am to 5:30 pm every day apart from Sundays when it’s closed.

See Greys Monument

Monument is an iconic spot in the city and is often my meeting point when catching up with friends. It’s a statue of Charles Grey, who I know almost nothing about other than Earl Grey tea was named after him. You can climb the monument but only by guided tour and the tickets are like gold dust as it’s a pretty infrequent event, find more details here.

Check out Central Arcade

Living in Newcastle on and off for almost 7 years, it’s easy to forget how beautiful the architecture is in this small shopping arcade. I too often use it as a cut-through from Grey Street to Grainger Street and don’t notice its charms. As a visitor to the city, it is a must-see and only a hop skip and jump from Greys Monument.

Go for Cocktails on Grey Street

Grey Street is by far my favourite in Newcastle and yes I know it sounds weird to have a favourite street. But trust me it’s a pretty one, with over 40% of the buildings being listed for historical or architectural importance.

You’ll find Newcastle’s Theatre Royal at the top just down from Greys Monument and plenty of bars and restaurants for a cocktail and a snack. A few recommendations for cocktails on Grey Street or nearby would be Cafe Mercy, Harry’s Bar or Horticulture.

Catch a game at St James Park

St James Park is home to the best football team in the world Newcastle United. And I promise you nothing shows you the spirit of Newcastle quite like game day. As Newcastle is fairly small in size and the stadium is located in the city centre, passionate fans can be heard throughout the whole city when a match is on. If you are lucky enough to be able to snatch a ticket to a game you won’t regret it, the atmosphere is second to none.

Walk along the Quayside

The River Tyne separates the cities of Newcastle and Gateshead and down by the riverside you will find the Quayside and the iconic Tyne Bridge. The Tyne Bridge was completed in 1928 and bears a significant resemblance to the Sydney Harbour Bridge as the same company designed both bridges. You’ll also find 6 other bridges along the Quayside, with the most recent addition being the Millennium Bridge.

On a sunny day, there is nothing better than a stroll along the Quayside. I recommend stopping by By The River Brew Co, an outdoor space with a bar and cafe. It has gorgeous views of the Quayside and it’s located a short walk across the swing bridge on the Gateshead side of the Tyne.

Browse the Quayside Market on Sunday’s

This outdoor market takes place every Sunday along the riverside between 9 am and 4 pm. You’ll find all sorts of traders here selling things from jewellery to records. There are also plenty of street food vendors here if you get peckish, one to look out for is Acropolis a popular Greek food spot.

Visit the Baltic Museum

Whilst strolling along the Quayside head over the Millenium Bridge and you will find the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art. Entry is free and with regularly changing exhibitions and some of my favourite views over the city, it’s a must-see in the city. I never get bored of visiting the Baltic.

Opening hours are 10 am to 6 pm apart from Monday and Tuesday when it’s closed.

Stop By Ouseburn

Ouseburn is Newcastle’s creative neighbourhood, full of cafes, pubs, galleries and more. Stroll around the area and keep your eyes peeled for the street art. Also be sure to stop by the infamous Tyne Bar, on a summer’s day you can expect this spot to be buzzing with humans and the occasional live music performance.

Another unique thing to do in Ouseburn is to take a goat for a walk with Ouserburn Farm. Ouseburn Farm is a charity/community farm with plenty of farmyard animals to see, check it out here.

Take a tour of the Victoria Tunnels

If you are a bit of a history buff then this one is for you, built back in the 18th Century these tunnels span underneath the city of Newcastle. They were originally used for coal but converted into air-raid shelters during the war. I took a tour around these tunnels from Ouseburn a few years ago and I found it eye-opening and learnt so much about the city I call home. It’s a good one for locals and visitors, click here to book your tour!

Check Out The Museums

Here’s a little rundown of the most popular museums in Newcastle-upon-Tyne for those rainy days:

Centre For Life: An interactive science museum, just a stone’s throw away from Central Station. I adored this museum as a kid and think it’s a great for a family day out. Entry is around £12, but be sure to check the website for the most updated ticket prices and opening hours. There are also often events in the square outside the museum, for example, an Ice Rink appears here in the winter months.

Discovery Museum: A local history and science museum which delves into the maritime, industrial and general past of Newcastle and Tyneside. Entry is free, but donations are welcome and the museum is open 10 am to 4 pm on weekdays and 11 am to 4 pm on weekends. Fun fact this museum was featured on Don’t Tell the Bride once.

Laing Art Gallery: You’ll find a rotation of historic, modern and contemporary art exhibitions here, with a focus on local artists. Entry here is also free but donate if you wish, it’s open 10 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Saturday and closed on Sundays and bank holidays.

Great North Museum Hancock: A history museum with exhibitions about both local history and world history, even home to a replica dinosaur skeleton. Another museum with free entry, opening times are 10 am to 5 pm on weekdays, 10 am to 4 pm on Saturdays and 11 am to 4 pm on Sundays.

Wander Through Jesmond Dene Park

Jesmond is a neighbourhood just outside of the city centre and Jesmond Dene is a perfect spot to get out into some green space. With woodlands, picnic spots, an old mill and a small waterfall it is the ideal spot for getting your steps in.

If you have some more time head over to Brentwood Avenue and explore the area’s independent shops and cafes and carry on the fun at the popular boozing spots along Jesmonds’ infamous Osbourne Road.

Hop on the Metro to the Coast

One of my favourite things about Newcastle is that you can go from the city centre to the coast in less than 25 minutes on the Metro. Whitley Bay is my number one choice for a seaside day, here you can check out St Mary’s Lighthouse, Spanish City and don’t forget to stop by the amusements too. If you fancy a coastal walk I suggest following the coast from Whitley Bay, past Cullercoats and into Tynemouth even on to North Shields Fish Quay if your legs aren’t already tired.

Snap a Photo at The Angel of the North

Technically this isn’t a thing to do in Newcastle as the Angel of the North is in Gateshead, but it is what it is. This iconic sculpture was created by Antony Gormley and installed in February 1998. There isn’t an awful lot to do here but it is a landmark for North East England, so go see it and take a photo.

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