NEWCASTLE CITY CENTRE
What to do in Newcastle city centre
Newcastle upon Tyne is the biggest city in Tyne and Wear, with a population of approximately 300,000.
Newcastle city centre is just to the north of the River Tyne, and Gateshead is on the south side.
The residents are known as 'Geordies'.
The city's name comes from the castle built in 1080 by the son of the Norman invader William the Conqueror.
The city's famous landmarks include the Tyne Bridge, the Gateshead Millenium Bridge, the Baltic arts centre, the Sage, the Great North Run and Newcastle United's football stadium St. James Park.
Newcastle is a popular place to visit to go shopping and enjoy the nightlife.
So what does it have to offer?
The residents are known as 'Geordies'.
The city's name comes from the castle built in 1080 by the son of the Norman invader William the Conqueror.
The city's famous landmarks include the Tyne Bridge, the Gateshead Millenium Bridge, the Baltic arts centre, the Sage, the Great North Run and Newcastle United's football stadium St. James Park.
Newcastle is a popular place to visit to go shopping and enjoy the nightlife.
So what does it have to offer?
Where to shop in Newcastle city centre
If you are looking for some retail therapy, the two best places to go to are Eldon Square and Northumberland Street.
Eldon Square is a purpose-built indoor shopping complex in the middle of the city centre with over 300 shops and includes the department stores Debenhams and John Lewis. You should be able to find anything you need whether you are looking for fashion, high street brands, footwear, perfume, make-up, home accessories and appliances, mobile phones, gifts, stationery, books or music.
Northumberland Street is the main street for shopping in the city centre, outside of Eldon Square. The pedestrianised street is home to two more department stores, Marks & Spencers and Fenwicks, as well as many of the usual high street brands.
Eldon Square is a purpose-built indoor shopping complex in the middle of the city centre with over 300 shops and includes the department stores Debenhams and John Lewis. You should be able to find anything you need whether you are looking for fashion, high street brands, footwear, perfume, make-up, home accessories and appliances, mobile phones, gifts, stationery, books or music.
Northumberland Street is the main street for shopping in the city centre, outside of Eldon Square. The pedestrianised street is home to two more department stores, Marks & Spencers and Fenwicks, as well as many of the usual high street brands.
Eating out in the centre centre
The city centre has a great selection of cafes, restaurants and fast-food outlets. There is something to cater for everybody's tastes, whether you are looking for a quick coffee and snack while shopping or spending an evening out wining and dining with friends and family.
The restaurants include Italian, Indian, Mexican, American, French, Greek, Persian and Oriental food. The most popular and sophisticated venues are around Grey Street and the Quayside. And if you fancy a Chinese, pop over to Chinatown on Stowell Street.
The restaurants include Italian, Indian, Mexican, American, French, Greek, Persian and Oriental food. The most popular and sophisticated venues are around Grey Street and the Quayside. And if you fancy a Chinese, pop over to Chinatown on Stowell Street.
Which bars to go for a drink in Newcastle city centre
Newcastle is well known for a weekend party atmosphere on a night in the city centre.
The most popular area to go to is the 'Diamond Strip' on Collingwood near the Central Station where the bars are open until 3 am. Bars include House of Smith, Madame Koo, Perdu, Tokyo and Floritas.
The Quayside is for those looking for a more relaxed place to go drinking, with numerous bars located along the riverfront.
The Bigg Market is notorious for its rowdy atmosphere and drinking antics. Numerous bars and punters who are looking for a good time.
The Gate is an entertainment complex on Newgate Street, just up from the Bigg Market. There are several big bars in here worth a visit.
The most popular area to go to is the 'Diamond Strip' on Collingwood near the Central Station where the bars are open until 3 am. Bars include House of Smith, Madame Koo, Perdu, Tokyo and Floritas.
The Quayside is for those looking for a more relaxed place to go drinking, with numerous bars located along the riverfront.
The Bigg Market is notorious for its rowdy atmosphere and drinking antics. Numerous bars and punters who are looking for a good time.
The Gate is an entertainment complex on Newgate Street, just up from the Bigg Market. There are several big bars in here worth a visit.
Recommeded Nightclubs
Even though a lot of bars close at 3 am, there also nightclubs worthy of a mention.
Tup Tup Palace on the Diamond Strip will provide you with a VIP clubbing experience.
For dance music, go to Digital near the Centre for Life, or the new club Pryzm in the Gate.
World Headquarters, popular with the students, plays a great variety of music, ranging from dance to dubstep, and Motown to rock.
Theatre and Cinema venues
The Theatre Royal is a Grade 1 listed building with neoclassical architecture and impressive sandstone columns adorning the entrance. Performances range from ballet and opera, classical acting and west-end musicals, to comedy and pantomimes.
An alternative venue for a good night out is the Boulevard. Transgender cabaret performers and broadway dancers will provide you with a memorable night out, comprising comedy and fantastic dance routines.
An alternative venue for a good night out is the Boulevard. Transgender cabaret performers and broadway dancers will provide you with a memorable night out, comprising comedy and fantastic dance routines.
For cinema viewings; Newcastle has the Cineworld multi-plex in the Gate for the blockbuster films. The Tyneside Cinema, on Pilgrim Street, has a more varied programme of blockbusters, international cinema and art-house films.
Museums and Galleries
The Baltic, otherwise known as the Centre for Contemporary Art, on the Gateshead Quayside, hosts displays and exhibitions of modern art. The building dominates the local landscape next to the Millenium Bridge and has four floors dedicated to hosting exhibits and a restaurant venue on the rooftop.
Laing Art Gallery, in the city centre, and the Biscuit Factory are other venues worthy of a visit for art lovers.
Laing Art Gallery, in the city centre, and the Biscuit Factory are other venues worthy of a visit for art lovers.
The Great Museum (formerly the Hancock Museum) in the city centre is a family-oriented venue with display exhibits from around the world related to ancient civilisations and dinosaurs.
For those looking for how life was in previous centuries on Tyneside, go to the Discovery Museum in Blandford Square.
Interesting Architectural locations in Newcastle city centre
Four of the most famous landmarks are all located on the Quayside along the River Tyne; the Tyne Bridge, The Gateshead Millenium Bridge, The Sage and the Baltic Flour Mill.
The Tyne Bridge connects Gateshead to Newcastle city centre and has similarities with the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The stunning Gateshead Millenium Bridge is a pedestrian bridge that spans the River Tyne, linking Gateshead Quayside with Newcastle Quayside. It is the only tilting bridge in the world, and it is a spectacle to behold when the bridge rotates to let ships pass beneath it.
The Sage, a hub for performing arts, has a graceful and curved design comprising steel, glass and aluminium. At a glance, the building resembles an armadillo.
The Tyne Bridge connects Gateshead to Newcastle city centre and has similarities with the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The stunning Gateshead Millenium Bridge is a pedestrian bridge that spans the River Tyne, linking Gateshead Quayside with Newcastle Quayside. It is the only tilting bridge in the world, and it is a spectacle to behold when the bridge rotates to let ships pass beneath it.
The Sage, a hub for performing arts, has a graceful and curved design comprising steel, glass and aluminium. At a glance, the building resembles an armadillo.
The Baltic, housed in a former flour mill, is a rectangular tower that dominates the skyline on the riverfront on the Gateshead Quayise next to the Millenium Bridge.
The original Anglo-Saxon castle is what gave Newcastle its name. The only remaining parts of the castle are the Castle Keep, a fortified sandstone tower, together with the gatehouse the Black Gate.
Nearby on St. Nicholas Street, is St. Nicholas Cathedral from Anglo-Saxon times with a spire that has dominated the city's skyline for over five hundred years.
The original Anglo-Saxon castle is what gave Newcastle its name. The only remaining parts of the castle are the Castle Keep, a fortified sandstone tower, together with the gatehouse the Black Gate.
Nearby on St. Nicholas Street, is St. Nicholas Cathedral from Anglo-Saxon times with a spire that has dominated the city's skyline for over five hundred years.
Grey's Monument an impressive sandstone column dedicated to Earl Grey, the man responsible for earl grey tea. Looking down towards the river from the Monument is the elegant neoclassical and Georgian architecture of buildings on Grey Street. The street displays some of the finest examples of this architecture in England.
Parks and open spaces for exercise and relaxation
Newcastle city centre has three green open spaces; the Exhibition Park, Leazes Park, and the Town Moor.
Exhibition Park and Leazes Park are historic parks with open expanses of lawned grass, gardens, lakes and Victorian bandstands. Accessible off Claremont Road and Richardson Road, these parks are ideal for walks, relax on the grass in the sunshine, or to feed to ducks and swans.
Newcastle Town Moor is an expansive grassland covering 1000 acres that extends northwards from the city centre towards Fenham and eastwards towards Gosforth. A great place to go dog walking or running. And don't be surprised if you encounter a few cows grazing, there are small herds of cattle present in the fields between spring and autumn.
Exhibition Park and Leazes Park are historic parks with open expanses of lawned grass, gardens, lakes and Victorian bandstands. Accessible off Claremont Road and Richardson Road, these parks are ideal for walks, relax on the grass in the sunshine, or to feed to ducks and swans.
Newcastle Town Moor is an expansive grassland covering 1000 acres that extends northwards from the city centre towards Fenham and eastwards towards Gosforth. A great place to go dog walking or running. And don't be surprised if you encounter a few cows grazing, there are small herds of cattle present in the fields between spring and autumn.
Concert venues for live music and entertainment
The bigger acts tend to play at the Utilita Arena, off Scotswood Road, hosting dance, pop and rock performances and comedians. The seating capacity is for 11,000.
Other venues include the City Hall, the O2 Academy and the Sage.
Other venues include the City Hall, the O2 Academy and the Sage.
Sports venues in Newcastle
St. James Park football stadium dominates the skyline and is home Newcastle United, with a capacity of 52,000. If you like football, why not buy a ticket and experience the buzzing atmosphere during a game.
Driving Directions between points of interest in Newcastle City Centre
If you have just signed up for a mortgage for a new home, a great place to visit would be Barker and Stonehouse to buy some new furniture.
On leaving the mortgage brokers, Penda Financial, drive along Station Road, turn left onto A1058 Coast Road, Follow the A1058 through Jesmond and turn right onto the A167 northbound.
Take the slip road junction for the RVI hospital, turn left onto Claremont Road, then at the roundabout turn right onto Queen Victoria Road. Follow this road over the mini-roundabout to Leazes Lane and then Strawberry Place, and park up outside Barker and Stonehouse.
After buying a sofa, go explore Exhibition Park. Drive back to Claremont Road Car Park. Get out the car and start walking.
Walk SW towards Claremont Rd (B1318), turn left onto Claremont Road, after 100m turn left, turn left
again after 36m, turn left again after 323m, then turn right and the park will be on your right.
again after 36m, turn left again after 323m, then turn right and the park will be on your right.
After a bit of relaxation, leave the car park on Claremont Road and head over to the car park on John Dobson Street to do some shopping in the city centre.
From Claremont Road, take the A167(M) and Durant Road to John Dobson Street. Turn right onto the street and the car park will be on the left.
From there, go and indulge in some retail therapy at Fenwicks department store on Northumberland Street.
You can walk from there to Grey's monument while enjoy a coffee and bite to eat at Pret A Manger on Grainger street.
Once you finished your snack you can then walk back to John Dobson Street.
Once you finished your snack you can then walk back to John Dobson Street.
If your meetings people off the train, head south in the car on John Dobson Street towards Durant Road. Follow Durant Road to the A186 Westgate Road. Follow this road to the station and park up to collect your friends.
From the Central Station, go and explore some the highlights around Newcastle centre, such as the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Arts.
From the station, head west on Neville Street towards Bewick Street. Turn left onto St James' Boulevard, follow the A189 and take the left lane to take the A184 slip road to Gateshead town centre and Bensham.
At the next roundabout, take the first exit onto the A184 Askew Road, follow the A184 for 0.8 miles. Then turn left onto Hawks Road, turn left onto Mill Road, and left again onto South Shore Road. The Baltic is 150m away on the right hand side.
After visiting the exhibits at the Baltic, why not drive over to the Biscuit Factory.
The Biscuit Factory is an independent gallery for contemporary arts, craft and designs.
To get there go back to Mill Road and Hawks Road, then take the A167 and A193 to the B1600 Stoddart Street in Shieldfield, Newcastle upon Tyne.
A location worth a visit nearby is the Victorian Tunnels hidden under the Ouseburn. These were used to transport coal in the past. You may need to book in advance to guarantee a tour.
Head towards Shieldfield Lane, turn right at Portland Road, turn left onto Stepney Bank. Follow the street towards Lime Sreet to to get to your destination.
After a brisk walk and exploring, it is probably a good idea to relax and have some food.
The House of Tides is an award winning restaurant on the Quayside that is well worth a visit.
The House of Tides is an award winning restaurant on the Quayside that is well worth a visit.
After a brisk walk and exploring, it is probably a good idea to relax and have some food.
The House of Tides is an award winning restaurant on the Quayside that is well worth a visit.
The House of Tides is an award winning restaurant on the Quayside that is well worth a visit.
From the Quayside you can visit the Theatre Royal on Grey Street for a matinee or evening performance.
To get from the Close on the Quayside to the theatre, take the B1600 and A186 Pilgrim Street to Market Street, and follow it up to Grey Street and the theatre, where you can park nerby outside.
To get from the Close on the Quayside to the theatre, take the B1600 and A186 Pilgrim Street to Market Street, and follow it up to Grey Street and the theatre, where you can park nerby outside.
From the Quayside you can visit the Theatre Royal on Grey Street for a matinee or evening performance.
To get from the Close on the Quayside to the theatre, take the B1600 and A186 Pilgrim Street to Market Street, and follow it up to Grey Street and the theatre, where you can park nerby outside.
To get from the Close on the Quayside to the theatre, take the B1600 and A186 Pilgrim Street to Market Street, and follow it up to Grey Street and the theatre, where you can park nerby outside.
Nearby the theatre is Eldon Square, the main shopping centre in Newcastle city centre.
To best place to drive there is probably via the Percy Street, where there is a big multi-storey carpark.
Get on A167(M) via Pilgrim Street. Follow the A167(M) to the Great North Road
(B1318). Take the exit towards City Centre (North) from the A167(M). Drive to Percy Street and park up in a carpark.
(B1318). Take the exit towards City Centre (North) from the A167(M). Drive to Percy Street and park up in a carpark.
If you need to do some bathroom upgrades in your home, Porcelanosa on Scotswood Road is a great showroom to visit for showers, baths, tiles and bathroom fittings.
To get there from Percy Street, take the B1318 to Queen Victoria Road. Turn onto Strawberry Place to the Gallowgate. Then follow A189 to Scotswood Road (A695).
After a hard day shopping, socialising and enjoying yourself it is probably time to head home from Porcelanosa to Station Road in Wallsend.
Penda Financial Management is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FCA No.504162. Registered Office:
Penda Financial Management
136 - 138 Station Road, Wallsend
, Newcastle upon Tyne
, Tyne and Wear
, NE28 8QT. Phone: 07789 900359
Registered in England. Company Registration no: 5407010.