Newcastle is fast becoming one of the UK’s most popular destinations. Newcastle was previously an industrial town in which shipbuilding was the local trade. A recent regeneration programme has seen Newcastle emerge in the last few decades as a cultural and sophisticated city well worth a visit.
Things to do and see:
- Historical Architecture – Including ‘The Castle’ built between the years 1168-1178 by Henry II, The Castle still stands as a reminder of how this city got its name. The castle is one of the only remaining examples in the UK of a Norman Keep. All Saints Church is also popular to visit; it was built between 1789 and 1796 and features a unique elliptical design.
-The Metro Centre – The Metro Centre is the largest indoor shopping centre in the world, located just outside of Newcastle in Gateshead, it is easily accessible by bus and metro links. The Centre houses over 350 shops, 50 restaurants, a cinema and fairground rides.
-Galleries – Newcastle is home to many interesting galleries including The Hatten Gallery, The Corrymella Scott Gallery and The Laing Art Gallery. The Laing Art Gallery hosts a wide range of local talent and displays local pottery, glassware, sculptures and costumes.
-The Quayside – The Quayside is a newly restored area of Newcastle in which a mix of cafes, trendy restaurants, bars holding live music and nightclubs sit side by side overlooking the water. Newcastle is famous for its ale and this is the perfect place to try it out.
Getting there: Newcastle Airport is located just outside of the city but has excellent transport links. The Metro runs a regular service from the Airport every 7 minutes and the journey takes approximately 20 minutes. There is also bus links with the city centre and surrounding areas.
Location and weather: Newcastle is located in the South East of England between Yorkshire and Scotland. As with most of England, you will not experience any great highs in temperature but the summer months are relatively dry and Newcastle receives much light.
Top tip: Be a Geordie for a day – take a trip to St James Park where you can watch the black and white stripes of the Newcastle United Magpies battle it out in the Premiership.
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