5 Great Day Trips to Take from Newcastle

York and the city wall
York and the city wall | © Matt Buck/Flickr

Freelance Travel and Music Writer

The city of Newcastle has plenty to offer on its own, but why not explore further afield? Read on to find five exciting day trips all within an hour of the city.

Durham

If you’re after a day trip with plenty of character and heritage, Durham is perfect. With plentiful cobbled streets, medieval bridges and the beautiful River Wear cutting across the city, there’s more than enough to gaze at. Throw in the famous Durham Cathedral, castle and tower, and you’re on to a winner. Tip: Head to the top of the Cathedral’s tower for stunning panoramic views of the landscape ahead of you.

Durham Cathedral

Angel of the North

Angel of the North by Antony Gormley

Hadrian’s Wall

Less than an hour’s drive from the city is the historic Hadrian’s Wall. A World Heritage Site since 1987, Hadrian’s wall is the best preserved frontier of the Roman Empire. The Wall was over seventy-three miles long and boasted 80 milecastles and 17 larger forts and is thought to have taken fifteen-thousand infantrymen around six years to complete. Visitors can take in the Roman Army Museum, explore Corbridge Roman Town, or head to Ravenglass Roman Bathhouse. There are numerous golf clubs, swimming pools and outdoor sports facilities in the area, as well as the chance to ride along Hadrian’s Cycleway.

Hadrian’s Wall

York

A one hour train journey from Newcastle Central station takes you directly in to the city of York. Home to the York Minster, one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals, as well as Clifford’s Tower, built by William the Conqueror. Visitors can view Lowrys, Turners and Hockneys at York Art Gallery before indulging in some sweet treats at the York Chocolate Story attraction. The Yorkboat offers tours along the River Ouse, showcasing the city’s fascinating history and architecture, while the York Dungeon offers you a window into the less savoury side of York’s past. With its own designer outlet, an independent market open seven days a week and over 200 restaurants to choose from, York is well worth a visit.

York and the city wall

Tynemouth

For some peace, quiet, and sea air, make your way to Tynemouth. Just 20 minutes by car, or thirty-five by bus, this seaside town has plenty to offer. The beaches offer the perfect setting for a wide range of watersports, and the picturesque North Pier juts out into the North Sea, capped with a stone lighthouse. The undercover markets offer the chance to browse some vintage books or clothing or tuck into some street food, or for a bit of history head out to Tynemouth Priory and Castle, home to a 13th century chapel and fully restored gun battery and cannons.

Tynemouth Pier

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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