Find information on Newcastle in our Travel Guide covering sights, foods and nightlife plus more...
Newcastle, on the banks of the Tyne in North-East England, is a compact city which has gained the reputation as the party capital of Europe. The city benefits from the fact that there is no urban sprawl. This is because it is bordered to the south and east by rivers and to the north and west by open grassland owned by the Freemen of the city. Since this land can never be developed, the city centre can not expand leaving Newcastle in the fairly unique position of having cows grazing within a five minute walk of its centre. Newcastle has an historic heart which in recent years has been restored to its former glory. The quayside, once a run down area, is now a popular visitor attraction with the Baltic modern art gallery and the Sage concert hall on the other side of the river. There are numerous bars, pubs and clubs which attract many young singles groups to the city. Newcastle is also the gateway to beautiful Northumbria with its stunning coast line and its magnificent castles. A holiday or a short break to Newcastle has something for everyone.
Newcastle has a metro link to the airport and the train station is also fairly central giving easy access to the city. While there is much to see and do in Newcastle, the city is a short distance from beautiful sandy beaches and the villages and national parks of Northumbria.
A Newcastle city break is popular with a wide variety of visitors from families through to the older generation. It is one of the most popular destinations for those seeking a fun-filled stag or hen weekend.
A Newcastle city break can be taken at any time of year.
Newcastle is a small warm hearted city famous for the friendliness and helpfulness of the local people. It is a bustling, vibrant town that in recent years has seen its historic heart restored and renovated. The Norman Keep, dating from 1168, is the 'new castle' and is in a good state of repair as are sections of the city wall. The Grainger Town, built by Richard Grainger and John Dobson, contains one of the finest streets in the country, Grey Street. The Theatre Royal at the top of Grey Street is an example of great Georgian architecture. Newcastle has plenty to keep visitors happy with galleries and museums, theatres and concert halls, shops and markets, pubs and restaurants, there is never a dull moment. Besides the city, Newcastle is close to wonderful sandy beaches, the Roman Wall, the charming villages of Northumberland and its magnificent castles, including Alnwick Castle, used in the Harry Potter films.
If you've never been to the north east of England then a treat awaits you. It may be cooler up north but you are assured of a warm welcome. Come and savour the delights that a Newcastle weekend break delivers.
Newcastle nightlife has a rather wild reputation as young adults who live there and those who visit tend to drink to excess. This does not impact on those visitors who don't wish to party as the drinking areas are mainly centred round the Bigg Market, the Gate and the clubs near the quayside. It is easy to find a quiet place for a drink or a meal and for entertainment, there is the Theatre Royal, the City Hall, the Arena and the Sage concert hall.
Newcastle has an excellent shopping centre with Eldon Square providing all the big high Street names as well as Fenwicks department store. If more shops are needed, the Metro Centre is a short distance away in Gatehead. It is one of the largest shopping centres in Europe. There is a weekly craft market each Sunday on the quayside and a flea market in Tynemouth Station on Saturdays.
Newcastle restaurants provide food from around the world thus catering for most tastes. They range from high class establishments serving gourmet dishes at gourmet prices, to small curry houses that accommodate all budgets.
