10 Reasons Why Everyone Should Visit Newcastle Upon Tyne

Arguably the most picturesque location in Newcastle, The Quayside is one of the city’s most bustling areas. Packed with restaurants, bars and cultural hotspots, you’ll definitely want to head here, especially if it’s sunny.

More than 50,000 dedicated fans head to St. James Park – the home of Newcastle United – every weekend. With the team returning to the Premier League this season, football fans visiting the city may want to check out a game.

With its close proximity to the coast, Newcastle is fortunate enough to be surrounded by a plethora of outstanding beaches. Whether it’s family fun at South Shields, a geological adventure at Cullercoats or spotting puffins at the Farne Islands, the north-east is spoilt for choice.

Known as the gateway to the north, Newcastle is surrounded by plentiful green spaces and areas of outstanding beauty. Take the stunning Northumberland National Park for example, the most remote from large cities and towns, meaning it really is the most tranquil retreat in the country. Newcastle is also flanked by the North Pennines and North York Moors National Park.

Gracefully located in the north-east of the country, Newcastle is an ideal city not only for exploring but for using as a base too. Whether it’s the Northumberland Coast, the quaint town of Durham or the Roman remains of Hadrian’s Wall, there are plenty of options to whet your appetite. Newcastle United fans won’t like this, but the city of Sunderland is also easily accessible from Newcastle…

Aside from its most obvious landmark, the Tyne Bridge, Newcastle is packed with interesting landmarks and buildings to discover. For example, Newcastle’s 12th century castle offers splendid views over the city, while Anthony Gormley’s iconic Angel of the North statue is located in Gateshead, just outside the city centre.

Newcastle is home to an abundance of galleries and museums, with some like the Great North Museum: Hancock showcasing the history and heritage of the city. One of the top picks is the Baltic Centre, a truly innovative exhibition centre housed within a famous industrial building on the south bank of the River Tyne.

With the likes of Blackfriars – a medieval-themed building dating back to the 13th century – as well as a wealth of other independent restaurants like the rooftop-set Six and the pan-Asian restaurant Sohe in Jesmond – you may struggle to settle on an option!

Newcastle is home to countless pubs, bars and clubs – so many that we’d be here forever if we tried to name them all. For starters though, Digital is highly rated among locals, with music venues like the Cluny consistently great for live music. Take it from us though, Newcastle nightlife is renowned for being up there with the best in the country. Just ask the Geordies.

With a great sense of humour and a real welcoming attitude, Geordies are a friendly bunch. A word of warning, though: they love to talk, which can be a problem if you can’t grasp the accent, like!