New Metroland & Angel of the North

The New MetroLand is part of the Gateshead Tyne and Wear MetroCentre shopping complex and is Europe’s largest indoor funfair, with 12 major attractions on the site. MetroLand first opened its doors to the public in 1988 and has gone on to become one of the region’s most popular paying attractions with over 800,000 visitors each year. MetroLand was conceived as a marketing tool that would attract more visitors to the MetroCentre shopping complex and the strategy has been a resounding success; the MetroCentre receives close to 20 million visitors each year. As part of the MetroCentre, visitors are free to walk around the MetroLand complex and rides are paid for on an individual basis or with a wristband giving access to all the rides and attractions. Those travelleing to Tyneside will be greeted by the open arms of Antony Gormley’s iconic sculpture, the Angel of the North. Situated high on a hill top along the A1, the sculpture towers 20m (65 ft) into the sky and is seen by over 90,000 drivers each day as well as by all rail passengers arriving in the region. Erected in 1998, the Angel of the North has become the quintessential symbol of the region and is now said to be more recognisable than the Tyne Bridge.
Air: Newcastle International Airport. Rail: Metroland has its own station, Newcastle Metro. Road: Bus: Public services. Car: Well signposted and large car parks.