Newcastle upon Tyne: attractions, tours and tickets

Newcastle – or the toon as the locals call it – is probably best known for its lively nightlife, friendly, lilting Geordie accent, and legendary presenting duo, Ant and Dec. Look beyond the playful cliches, though, and you’ll find a compact and dynamic city with a creative and inclusive art scene spanning venues like the Biscuit Factory, Gosforth Civic Theatre and the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art. There’s plenty here for history buffs, too. From its Roman origins, you can still see parts of Hadrian’s Wall in Newcastle’s West End, while the city centre is home to the Medieval Castle Keep, St Nicolas’ Cathedral and 13th-century friary-turned-restaurant and craft workshop, The Blackfriars. Wander by the grand, neoclassical buildings on Grey Street for a deeper appreciation of this historic and friendly city.

Top three things to do in Newcastle upon Tyne

1. Take in the history at The Castle Keep

The castle that gave Newcastle its name sits just up the hill from the River Tyne in the heart of the city. The beautifully preserved Castle Keep was built in 1177 by King Henry II, but it’s been the site of a fort since the city’s Roman roots. Take a tour of its passages and chambers, climb to the rooftop for spectacular city views, or go to one of the regular evenings of theatre, art or ghost stories hosted in the castle.

2. Go with the flow at the Quayside

You can’t beat a stroll along Newcastle’s Quayside. On a Sunday morning, the local market sprawls along the banks for the Tyne, offering everything from fresh coffee and baked treats to handcrafted jewellery and art. Head further along to Ouseburn and you’ll find the best place to view the iconic bridges and landmarks of the River Tyne, as well as the Free Trade Inn. This pub’s been voted as having the best view in Newcastle.

3. Potter around the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art

Technically this one is just across the Millenium Bridge in Gateshead, but you’ll find the two cities share a lot of treasures along the riverbank. The BALTIC was a working flour mill until 1984 and remains a proud echo of the area’s industrial heritage. It was transformed into a contemporary art and exhibition space in 2002 and now plays host to an ever-changing collection of work from both local and international artists. It’s free to enter and is worth a visit for its top-floor views of the river alone.