Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

During the last decades Newcastle upon Tyne, commonly known as Newcastle, has developed into a prominent city in terms of technical innovation and culture. This makes Newcastle one of Great Britain’s most vibrant cities and a wonderful holiday destination with great shopping hot-spots and an even better nightlife. United by seven bridges across a spectacular riverside, Newcastle (a city on the north bank of the River Tyne) and Gateshead (a town on the south bank) form a single, diverse and extremely vibrant visitor destination.

Population:

Newcastle: 277,800
Newcastle-Gateshead Area: 480,000

Currency:

Pound Sterling (GBP) £1 = 100 pence

Emergency Numbers:

Emergency: 999
Police: 101

Opening Hours:

Most shops are open Monday-Saturday from 9.00 to 17.30. Larger shopping malls are open until 21.00.
On Thursdays shops are open later until approximately 20.00.

Newspapers:

Newcastle Evening Chronicle
The Journal

The City

History is very important for both Newcastle and Gateshead. Newcastle in particular has a very rich and memorable history, starting with the earliest settlements in the region around 5000 BC, and up to the arrival of the Romans in 43 AD. In 1080, Pons Aelius built a castle on top of the old Roman fort for defence against the Scots. It was called “the new castle”, from which Newcastle got its name. The castle was vital for the development of the city, as the military presence increased both commerce and trade.

Derwent Walk Country Park and Watergate Forest Park offer acres of woodland walks and waterside wildflower meadows where mining and industry once thrived. They are now home to majestic Red Kites, whilst National Trust site Gibside includes a Palladian chapel and ruined 18th century house surrounded by acres of parkland just 15 minutes from the city centre. With over half of Gateshead comprised of mature woodland, riverbanks, ponds and wildflower meadows, you will be surprised at how easy it is to escape the bustle of the city for a more relaxed experience.

Newcastle is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway. With so many different areas each offering new sights, sounds and experiences, you will be amazed how much is on offer whatever your taste is. World-class culture, vibrant nightlife, award-winning dining, inspiring heritage, fantastic shopping and acclaimed architecture are all linked here as nowhere else. The famous Geordie spirit which flows throughout NewcastleGateshead is symbolised by Antony Gormley’s iconic Angel of the North as it welcomes travellers to the area.

Do & See

The Quayside is a spectacular area day and night with the iconic Gateshead Millennium Bridge, the world’s first and only tilting bridge, linking Newcastle and Gateshead for pedestrians and cyclists. Gateshead’s BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art is an art-lover’s dream, whilst Newcastle’s array of riverside bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants, paired with The Sage Gateshead’s diverse programme of musical events, ensure you will be well catered for through daylight to nightlife.

Dining

From trendy restaurants on Quayside to the hustle and bustle of Chinatown, Newcastle has always something on offer for everyone. Whether you are looking for a romantic meal with your partner, for some pub grub with your mates, or to celebrate a real special moment with some amazing food, here you will find a huge variety of great places where to spend your evening.

Cafés

After a long day of strolling and shopping there are many lovely cafes to rest your feet and get the kick you need for the rest of the evening. Have a coffee at Kafeneon or some snacks and tea at cosy Tyneside Coffee Rooms.