Kate Atkin
19 April 2018
Whether you’re visiting for business or pleasure, Newcastle’s vibrant city centre is positively packed with things to see and do. From its world-renowned art galleries to fine dining, family attractions and glamorous nightlife, Newcastle’s city centre offers something for everyone.
Perched on the north bank of the River Tyne, Newcastle is a thriving cosmopolitan city with the perfect blend of old and new. Its rich industrial heritage has blessed the city with some of the country’s finest listed buildings, while modern development has kept its centre bang up-to-date with some of the UK’s best shopping and entertainment hubs.
Just a short Metro ride or drive from the beach and a stone’s throw from rural Northumberland, Newcastle is ideally positioned to please any visitor. With so many things to do in Newcastle, you’ll be spoilt for choice - but here’s a selection of the city centre’s main areas of interest.
Northumberland Street
Newcastle is a shopaholic’s paradise, with Northumberland Street forming the main artery of the city centre. With easy access from both Haymarket and Monument Metro stations, as well as Haymarket bus station, Northumberland Street is the perfect starting point for a day of shopping in Newcastle.
Half-way up Northumberland Street, you’ll discover the entrance to intu Eldon Square: the premier Newcastle shopping centre, boasting over 150 stores and restaurants. With everything from luxury department stores, including Fenwick and John Lewis, to fast fashion essentials such as Topshop, River Island and Hollister, you’ll find it all under one roof.
Grey Street and Grainger Town
Connecting the city centre’s shopping district to Quayside, Grey Street is Newcastle’s historic heart. With over 40 percent of buildings in the Grainger Town area listed for their historical and architectural importance, Grey Street is home to some of the most ‘Instagrammable’ attractions in Newcastle - topped by Grey’s Monument, standing at 130 ft above the city skyline.
On the magnificent Grey Street, you’ll find Newcastle’s Theatre Royal. First opening its doors in 1837, the extraordinary building is regarded as one of the finest theatres in the country. With a busy schedule of world class stage shows and concerts, it’s the perfect spot for an evening of entertainment. Why not make a night of it by combining a visit to the theatre with dinner and drinks at one of Grey Street’s fine selection of bars and restaurants?
Jesmond
From its beautiful parks to the amazing array of places to eat, in Jesmond, there’s something to suit everyone’s tastes. By day, you can explore all that the stunning Jesmond Dene House has to offer - including a decadent afternoon tea followed by a walk through the picturesque gardens.
As night falls, Osborne Road’s bustling atmosphere is not to be missed. From creative cocktails to a traditional ale, the bars in Jesmond promise to serve up a storm when it comes to their drinks menus.
The Quayside
No trip to Newcastle is complete without seeing the glittering Quayside. Stretching the length of the city centre along the River Tyne, the Quayside stands in the shadow of Newcastle’s iconic Tyne and Millennium bridges. Lined with restaurants, bars and cafés, the Quayside is the perfect place for a spot of lunch or an evening out.
If you fancy soaking up a little culture, why not head across the Millennium Bridge to the Gateshead side for stunning views of Newcastle from across the river? Taking prime position on the Gateshead Quayside is the world-renowned BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, packed full of interesting and unique exhibitions - and you can’t miss the Sage Gateshead, either. With its rippling silver exterior, the Sage hosts a regular schedule of concerts and live music festivals, ranging from classical to pop.
Places to stay in Newcastle
Looking for the perfect accommodation for your Newcastle city break? Look no further than City Breaks in Newcastle. Locally based, we’re experts when it comes to all things North East. With a wide range of self-catering apartments and cottages in and around the city, you’re guaranteed to find the perfect place to rest after a day spent exploring our fabulous city.
From luxury apartments in Newcastle’s thriving centre to rural retreats on the outskirts of the city, our diverse portfolio of self-catering properties is the ideal alternative to hotel stays - giving you plenty of room to relax and unwind in your own home away from home.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.