Newcastle, England — Where to Go
Newcastle Sightseeing Overview
Newcastle was founded by the Roman emperor Hadrian between AD120 - AD128, and a sizeable section of his famous wall is still visible close to the city. In 1080, Robert Curthose, son of William the Conqueror, built the New Castle, from which the city takes its name.
From the 16th century onwards, coal became the mainstay of the economy and paved the way for the development of shipbuilding and other heavy industries. But, with the advent of new technologies and foreign competition, these fell into decline in the latter half of the 20th century and the city was forced to reinvent itself.
The best place to begin sightseeing in Newcastle is at the Quayside. This is not only where the city began but is also where you can see its iconic sights: the Sage Gateshead, the Baltic Center and the beautiful Millennium Bridge. The view of the seven bridges that link Newcastle and Gateshead is probably best enjoyed from the Baltic Center or the top of the castle. A short walk uphill brings you to Grainger Town, the historic center of Newcastle, boasting more listed Victorian and classical Georgian buildings than anywhere else in the UK outside London and Bath. Grey's Monument at 41m (133ft) is Newcastle’s answer to London’s Nelson’s Column and was erected in 1832.
Newcastle Tourist Information
Newcastle Tourist Information Center
Central Arcade, Market Street
Tel: (0191) 277 8000.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1730, Sat 0900-1730.
Website: www.visitnewcastlegateshead.co.uk
Guildhall Visitor Information Center
Near the Tyne Bridge, Quayside
Tel: (0191) 277 8000.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1700, Sat 0900-1700, Sun 0900-1600.
Website: As above.
Newcastle Sightseeing
The Discover Pass available from tourist information centers or online at www.visitnewcastlegateshead.co.uk offers discounts and sometimes free children’s admission on over 40 attractions. However it is worth noting that many of the museums and galleries also have free admission.
Newcastle Sightseeing
The Discover Pass available from tourist information centers or online at www.visitnewcastlegateshead.co.uk offers discounts and sometimes free children’s admission on over 40 attractions. However it is worth noting that many of the museums and galleries also have free admission.
Key Attractions in Newcastle, England
Castle Keep
This sturdy keep was built by Henry II in 1168-78 on the site of the (old wooden) New Castle, which gave the city its name. What visitors see today is the atmospheric medieval update of the keep. The rooftop terrace offers spectacular views across the river.
Castle Garth, St Nicholas Street
Tel: (0191) 232 7938.
Website: www.castlekeep-newcastle.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1200-1700.
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
Life Science Center
This exciting Millennium project draws on the city’s world-class research facilities (housed in the same “Science Village” complex). It is an interactive visitor attraction examining all aspects of life – from dinosaurs to the human body and the way different cultures live – designed mostly for kids, but adults will also get a lot from it.
Times Square
Tel: (0191) 243 8210.
Website: www.life.org.uk/life-science-center
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1000-1800, Sun 1100-1800.
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
Newcastle Cathedral (Cathedral Church of St Nicholas)
Beautiful atmosphereric late-medieval building devoted to the story of the city, its diocese, and some of its heroes.
St Nicholas Churchyard
Tel: (0191) 232 1939.
Website: www.stnicholascathedral.co.uk
Admission charge: N.
Discovery Museum
This lively museum is a perfect introduction to the city and Tyneside, from it maritime history and world-changing science and technology to fashion through the eras, from domestic life to military history.
Blandford Square
Tel: (0191) 232 6789.
Website: www.twmuseums.org.uk/discovery
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1400-1700.
Admission charge: N.
Disabled access: Y.
Great North Museum: Hancock
This contains the city’s largest and most all-embracing museum collection such from antiquities (spectacular objects from the Ancient Greeks and Egyptian mummies to a large-scale, interactive model of Hadrian's Wall), to the natural world (from a life-size T-Rex dinosaur skeleton to touch-screen technology and hands-on exhibits), a planetarium and much more.
Barras Bridge
Tel: (0191) 222 6765.
Website: www.twmuseums.org.uk/greatnorthmuseum
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1400-1700.
Admission charge: N.
Disabled access: Y.
Baltic Center for Contemporary Art
Closed and derelict for 20 years, this huge flour mill silo has been superbly restored and is home to an ever-changing program of (often challenging) world-class visual art exhibitions.
Gateshead Quays
Tel: (0191) 478 1810.
Website: www.balticmill.com
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1800, except Tues 1030-1800.
Admission charge: N.
Disabled access: Y.
The Sage Gateshead
Opened in 2004 as a cutting-edge international music center, Sir Norman Foster's stunning elegant steel-and-glass curved design has made this Newcastle’s answer to Sydney’s Opera House or Bilbao’s Guggenheim.
Gateshead Quays
Tel: (0191) 443 4661.
Website: www.thesagegateshead.org
Opening hours: Daily 0900-2100 (closes later in summer).
Admission charge: Prices vary according to performance.
Disabled access: Y.
The Biscuit Factory
Britain’s biggest commercial art gallery (everything is for sale from around £25 upwards) is housed in beautifully renovated premises. The quality of its paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture, photography, ceramics, jewelry and glass is consistently excellent and just looking is almost as rewarding as buying. It also offers an excellent café and restaurant.
Stoddart Street
Tel: (0191) 261 1103.
Website: www.thebiscuitfactory.com
Opening hours: Sun-Mon 1100-1700, Tues-Wed and Fri-Sat 1000-1800, Thurs 1000-2000.
Admission charge: N.
Disabled access: Y.
Angel of the North
No matter how many times you have seen Anthony Gormley’s iconic sculpture built in 1998, either in print or on film, it will not prepare you for the scale (it's 20m (65ft) high, with a wingspan of 54m (175ft) and weight of 208 tons) and majesty of the real thing.
Eighton Banks (between the A1 and A167)
Website: www.angelofthenorth.org.uk
Further Distractions
Newcastle United Football Club
Football really is like a religion on Tyneside and witnessing 50,000 Magpies' supporters, all clad in the famous black and white home shirt, erupt when a goal is scored is an experience not to be missed. The stadium is located right in the heart of the city. Tours can be arranged on match days and non-match days.
St James' Park
Tel: (0191) 261 1571 or 0844 372 1892 (Stadium Tours).
Website: www.nufc.co.uk
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
Laing Art Gallery
This excellent gallery is renowned for its collection of watercolors and sculptures. Works by eminent Pre-Raphaelites sit alongside pieces by more recent artists such as LS Lowry and local John Martin. There are tons of fun events, such as gallery talks, family activities and artists’ events.
Higham Place
Tel: (0191) 232 7734.
Website: www.twmuseums.org.uk/laing
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1400-1700.
Admission charge: N.
Disabled access: Y.
Seven Stories
The only exhibition space in the UK dedicated to the celebration of British children's literature stages a continuous variety of activities for visitors and includes a huge bookshop.
30 Lime Street
Tel: 0845 271 0777.
Website: www.sevenstories.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1000-1600.
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
Segedunum
Segedunum (“segger-doon-um”) Roman Fort is the nearest section of Hadrian's Wall to Newcastle. It features a reconstructed bath house, a museum of artifacts and a replica full-size section of the wall which once stretched 73 miles west from here. A lofty viewing tower looks down on the site.
Buddle Street, Wallsend.
Tel: (0191) 236 9347.
Website: www.twmuseums.org.uk/segedunum
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 1000-1700 (summer); Mon-Sun 1000-1500 (winter).
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
