Newcastle upon Tyne, at one point the county town of Northumberland, is now the largest city in Tyne and Wear, a county in the North East of England with borders to Northumberland and County Durham. The only other city in the county is Sunderland, with Gateshead, North Tyneside and South Tyneside completing this densely populated, dynamic and vibrant English county.
Newcastle upon Tyne, more commonly shortened to Newcastle, lies north of the River Tyne and typifies the unique cultural identity of the area. As the most Northerly city in England the history and identity of Newcastle has been forged through the often embittered historical battles between England and Scotland and the city retains a cultural independence quite distinct from either country.
Locals, known as Geordies, have a reputation as sociable, warm and friendly people and this is evidenced through the many cafes, bars, pubs and clubs in the city which attract groups and parties keen to sample the Newcastle hospitality. The famous Newcastle nightlife is just a part of the attraction of the city, an area renowned for it’s shopping, music, theatre and visual arts. Sports are also popular in Newcastle with Newcastle United football team in particular enjoying a huge fan base. Racing, ice hockey, basketball, and rugby union are also represented.
Newcastle is served by an International Airport, the fastest growing in the country. The city also lies on the East Coast Main Line for trains and the A1/M1 great north road which spans from Edinburgh to London. The North Sea coastline is also exploited with ferries operating to Amsterdam, Bergen, Haugesund, and Stavanger. Popular as a city break destination, people looking for things to do in Newcastle upon Tyne are rarely disappointed and often return for a longer stay to appreciate their Newcastle Holiday all the city has to offer.
As a major international city, Newcastle is well served with restaurants and dining options. As well as all the usual chain brand outlets and eateries, the city has its own Chinatown. South East Asian restaurants are popular in Newcastle with Japanese, Indian, Thai, and Indonesian cuisine all being well represented and highly regarded. Modern and European food is also popular with excellent Italian and French restaurants and a range of vegetarian and vegan outlets.
The Odeon in Newcastle is now part of the Empire cinema chain and shows all the latest blockbusters and new releases. For those looking for an independent cinema, the Tyneside Cinema, now based in the Old Town Hall in Gateshead is committed to the independent cinematic arts.
Theatre is popular in Newcastle from big stage productions at the Playhouse and Theatre Royal to comedy at the Hyena Comedy Club and City Hall. The Metro Radio Arena is the largest venue in the city and hosts everything from major recording acts to dancing on ice spectaculars.
Families and children are well catered for in Newcastle with many theatre and stage shows aimed at kids. Many museums and galleries in the city offer interactive exhibits, art, and pottery workshops and there are leisure and sports centres to keep them active during their Newcastle Holiday and tire them out. The Seven Stories, at the regenerated Quayside is a centre for children's literature. A good escape from the bustle of the city, Kid's horse riding parties are popular at the Moorey Spot Stables.
The Newcastle club scene is often regarded as one of the best in the country with a range of venues offering every type of live music and dance event. Newcastle nightlife was voted Britain’s best tourist attraction by Rough Guide and when you sample it, it is easy to see why. From the latest cutting edge DJ sets at Digital and Liquid &Envy to the heavy rock at Legends you’re sure to find a venue and night to suit your tastes.
On a Newcastle Holiday, nothing says North East hospitality like Newcastle pubs, with a seemingly unending scope of bars tuned to a modern city life experience. From Japanese themed bars to traditional ale houses, no pub environment is left unexplored. Many serve a range of food and snacks and all combine to provide a pub going population with choice and quality.
The attractions of the city are broad and limitless. Those looking for things to do in Newcastle upon Tyne are generally not disappointed. In addition to the obvious entertainment venues, the history of the city is laid out in the many museums and historical buildings around Newcastle. In addition to the traditional museums and galleries, the Discovery Museum and Centre for Life offer contemporary attractions with an educational slant.
Newcastle is a good walking city with its history and attractions scattered round the city . For those keen on a more personal introduction then a guided walking tour offers a wealth of local knowledge tailored to your requirements. Open top buses over an excellent vantage point and informative commentary and operate a hop-on hop-off service to join and leave the tour as you wish. Boat cruises are also popular along the River Tyne and offer an excellent way to view the city from a unique perspective.
Newcastle is well known as the party capital of the country, but what is less known about Newcastle is what a great destination it makes to explore the whole North East of England and the Scottish Borders to Edinburgh. The hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation in Newcastle are second to none for their exemplary service, and warm northern welcome.
We hope you will agree that the range of activities on offer during your Newcastle Holiday is practically endless.
