Site icon Karlos International

A Newcastle City Break – A 2 Day Itinerary

karl@karlosinternational.com
A Newcastle City Break - An Itinerary for 2 days in Newcastle.

A visit to Newcastle is one of my top tips for a city break in the UK. I’m a tiny bit biased as a grew up close to the city and my parents are both Geordies (the term given to someone born and bred in the city). But visiting the city today, it’s easy to see why Newcastle is becoming so popular with visitors. I won’t deny that Newcastle has a reputation as being a party city. But there is a lot more to Newcastle and so much more to discover away from the bars and nightclubs. Whatever you’d like to include on your Newcastle itinerary, there are plenty of options to chose from.

In this post, I’m sharing my top picks for your city break in Newcastle. You can use this to build your itinerary for your visit. You can let me know what your own top picks are in the comments below.

A Newcastle City Break – Your Itinerary for Newcastle

Walk Along the Newcastle’s Iconic Quayside

Kick start your Newcastle city break with a walk by the River Tyne. The Quayside was once the bustling epicentre of Newcastle’s maritime trade and major port in the north-east of England. Many of the buildings and structures along the quayside still echo back to the prosperity of the city during the 19th century.

But the area is far from old-fashioned; it’s a fusion of past and present where contemporary design intersects with the city’s industrial heritage. Where ship building and commerce were once king, the quayside is now a focal point for culture, socialising and tourism. There are plenty of bars, restaurants and hotels to choose from in this area which makes a great base for visitors to the city.

The quayside is a hub of activity to this day. From temporary features of street art, pop-up bars and cafes and the Sunday markets, there’s usually something to keep you occupied along this short stretch of river.

Newcastle’s Seven Bridges

Newcastle’s seven bridges are pretty iconic and no itinerary would be complete without seeing them. The Tyne Bridge is probably the most majestic and most easily recognised. The bridge is very similar to the Sidney Harbour bridge. It comes as little surprise that both bridges had the same designer.

The Swing Bridge is one of the quirkier bridges on the river. This bridge disconnects from the main land and rotates on a small island to allow tall boats to pass. There’s also the Millennium Bridge which tilts like a blinking eye for river traffic.

Best ways of seeing the Seven Bridges

Explore the Gateshead Side

Most of the Quayside attractions are on the north side of the river, but I’d recommend crossing over for great views of the Quayside and another chance to admire the city’s seven bridges.

The Baltic

The Baltic is a highlight here. The building was once a flour mill but today it is a contemporary art gallery. There’s an ever-changing roster of exhibits and artistry on display here. Better still, most of the exhibits are completely free of charge.

You can also head to viewing platform at the Baltic for more excellent views. If you are visiting in the summer you can also expect a close encounter with Newcastle’s kittiwakes. The locals love to loathe these noisome birds, but there’s something about their screeching calls that is quintessentially ‘Newcastle’. The Quayside is Newcastle is a popular nesting site for the birds, especially the flat ledges along the walls of the Baltic Flour Mill. The viewing platform here gives you a great opportunity to get closer to these birds. The Farne Islands in Northumberland are another popular nesting site for kittiwakes and are a short journey from Newcastle if you’re looking to extend your city break. .

By The River Brew Co.

Take a short walk from here to the By The River Brew Co. The set-up styles itself as an ‘independent container settlement’. It’s essentially a collective of small businesses in shipping containers. Mainly bars, street food vendors and microbreweries, which come together to create an amazing social space (there’s also a bike repair shop). It’s best to experience this spot in the summer when the outdoor seating is bustling with locals. This is not to mention the amazing views of the Tyne Bridge which towers above the outdoor seating.

Discover Historic Newcastle

Most visitors to Newcastle are more interested in visiting bars than learning about history. That’s a shame because there is a huge amount of history in Newcastle. So I’d definitely recommend adding some history to the itinerary of your Newcastle city break.

Roman History

If you’re looking to a Northumbrian adventure, then you should definitely add a trek across Hadrian’s wall to your bucket list. Most people don’t realise that the eastern end of Hadrian’s wall is in Newcastle. In fact, sections of the wall are hidden beneath the streets of Newcastle city centre.

There’s not much roman history in the city centre today. But a short journey on the metro will take you to the roman fort of Segedunum at Wallsend. Segedunum was the most eastern point of Hadrian’s wall. Today you can visit the ruins of the fort and find out more about roman life in the visitor centre. The viewing tower is particularly good for views of the fort and the surrounding areas.

If you’re walking Hadrian’s Wall, this will be the beginning or the end of your trek. Even if you aren’t walking Hadrian’s wall, it’s worth exploring the six mile stretch between Segedunum and the city centre. The path roughly follows the riverside and brings you out at the quayside.

For another slice of Roman history, head to the Great North Museum, known locally as the Hancock museum. It’s a short walk from the Haymarket metro station in the city centre. There’s a great selection of artefacts discovered along Hadrian’s Wall and a room sized replica of the construction. The museum is also home to an bizarre selection of natural history exhibits and artefacts from Ancient Egypt.

Medieval History at Newcastle Castle

Heading back into the city centre, Newcastle Castle is the next stop on this history trail. The castle is just a short walk from Central Station. The fact, the trainline into Newcastle Central Station runs through the centre of the castle. There has been a fortification on this spot since roman times as this was a key crossing point across the River Tyne.

The buildings today date back to Medieval times. Two buildings from the fortification still stand today. These are the Castle Keep and the Black Gate. I’d recommend taking time to explore the two buildings. There’s a great museum in the Black Gate and the exhibits in the Castle Keep bring the medieval history of Newcastle to life. Head up to the roof for excellent views across the city including the iconic bridges spanning the River Tyne.

You can see more remnants of Newcastle’s medieval history dotted around the city centre. This includes sections of the medieval city wall on Forth Street near central station, and in the area behind Stowell Street.

Industrial History at the Discovery Museum

It’s another short walk from Central Station to reach the Discovery Museum. The exhibits cover most chapters of Newcastle’s history, but it’s the city’s maritime and industrial heritage that really comes to life here. Nothing represents this better than the ship inside the museum’s atrium; the Turbinia. Once the fastest ship in the world, the Turbinia is a symbol of Newcastle’s ship building prowess in the 19th and 20th centuries. This theme is a thread that runs through much of this museum.

The Quayside is a great place to see buildings from this era. I’ve already mentioned the Baltic which was previously a flour mill; now converted into a contemporary art museum. Look closer at some of the other buildings here. Many of them are former riverside warehouses for goods storage, close enough to the river for transportation. The Malmaison hotel is a great example of this. The hotel is a former warehouse for the cooperative society.

Exploring The City Centre

With any city break, I’d recommend exploring the streets for yourself, and Newcastle is no exception. So make sure your itinerary includes time for getting lost in the streets of Newcastle. This city has more than its fair share of hidden gems. Whilst exploring, I’d recommend having a look at the following places.

Grey Street and Grey’s Monument

It’s hard to miss Grey’s monument, which towers over the city centre skyline as a tribute to a former Prime Minister. You’ve probably never heard of Earl Grey’s achievements as a politician but most of us would recognise Earl Grey tea, which was named after him.

From here, head down Grey Street, one of the most magnificent streets in Newcastle. There’s a lot of history in this area and many of the buildings have been listed for architectural and historical importance. Today its a bustling street of cafes, bars and hotels and a thriving corner for the city’s night time economy.

My top tips….

Shopping

The Grainger Market is easily missed when walking between Newcastle Central Station and Northumberland Street. It’s a covered market dating back to the early 1800’s when it was a market for meat and vegetables. You can still find this on sale today although the market has become more eclectic since the 19th century. Now you can also find vintage clothing, cosmetics, vinyl records and gifts in the aisles of the Grainger Market, as well as a handful of stalls serving delicious street food. The market is also home to the UK’s smallest Marks and Spencer which is also the country’s last remaining Penny Bazaar.

A short walk from the Grainger Market, take a trip into the Newcastle Central Arcade. It’s small as shopping arcades go, so it’s easy to miss the entrances on Grey Street, Grainger Street and Market Street. Inside, the arcade is a jigsaw puzzle of elaborate tiles, mosaics and stained glass, framing small shops and hidden doorways. It’s an extremely photogenic corner of the city and worth adding to your itinerary if you’re in the area.

Food

It’s fair to say that Newcastle city centre has some amazing places for food and drinks. I really can’t do this justice with my limited experience and the space available within this blog post. But I did want to share some more of my favourites with you.

My Recommendations

If you’re exploring the area around the Discovery Museum, it’s worth popping into Vegano on Blandford Square. As the name suggests, this is a Vegan restaurant which serves up a wide-ranging menu of burgers, pasta, pizza and more. The burgers are to die for and the portion sizes are generous. Expect a warm welcome and make sure to buy a dessert (even if you’re taking it home in a doggy bag).

Black Friars is another great pic for food, and a great spot for some local history. The restaurant sits inside the ruins of a former rectory. The main restaurant is inside a stunning medieval banquet hall. Whilst the surrounds of Blackfriars will transport you into the past, the food here will tantalise your tastebuds using locally sourced and seasonal produce. It comes as no surprise that the restaurant has been awards a string of impressive titles including a Taste of England Award.

Stowell Street is a great area if you’re looking for Chinese Food. The street is packed to the brim with authentic Asian restaurants including Chinese, Japanese and Thai cuisines, among many others. That’s not the mention the handful of Chinese supermarkets which are always worth looking around.

The Botanist is another of my top picks and is a stone’s throw from Grey’s monument in the Grainger town. It’s a small but growing UK chain with a focus on gastro-pub style food with a generous menu of cocktails and gins. The interiors at the botanist make this one particularly impressive. Be sure to head up to the terrace for unrivalled view over the Grainger town. It’s a great spot for people watching too.

Head into the Food Court in Fenwick’s for more gastronomic delights. This food court is a haven for food lovers serving up everything from small batch baked bread and locally roasted Ouseburn coffee to confectionary. Don’t leave without having a look around the wine room or browsing the delicatessen counter. I picked up a truffle infused Manchego cheese which was to die for.

When to Visit – Final Reflections

I’m back in Newcastle two weeks later to get my COVID jab. Although I am living over 60 miles away from Newcastle, this is the most convenient place for me to get vaccinated. I’m not complaining as I get to have a browse around the city centre before my appointment.

It’s a Friday afternoon and Newcastle is ramping up for the weekend. I’ve already seen a stag party heading into town, easy to spot by the groom who has been dressed to impress by his friends. It’s not long before an entourage of girls arrives wearing pink sashes and bridal veils.

Newcastle isn’t a place I’d like to be at the weekend. The city’s nightlife has gone from strength to strength over the last 20 years. It’s great for the local economy but this certainly has its drawbacks for other visitors. The attraction of the city to hen parties and stag dos is one of those drawbacks for me. It’s not an environment I want to spend time in.

When I get to the train station, a stag party is piling off the train from London. The transport police are here because most of them are already drunk. There’s been a disturbance on the train during the journey north. One of them can’t remember where he left his bag. He’s also struggling to walk.

I love Newcastle but I was glad to be leaving. Newcastle is the perfect city for a city break but I’d definitely avoid visiting at weekends. By visiting through the week you get to avoid this and have a much quieter experience of the city.

Thanks for Reading – A Newcastle City Break

Thank you for reading this post. I hope that reading this has inspired you to start planning your own Newcastle city break. It’s a really great city. If you enjoyed reading this and enjoyed visiting Newcastle, you may enjoy some of my other posts.

Take a look at the following:

Exit mobile version