Newcastle upon Tyne: The Complete Guide
Newcastle upon Tyne, often shortened to simply Newcastle, is the most populous city and metropolitan borough in North East England. It forms the core of the Tyneside conurbation, the eighth most populous urban area in the United Kingdom. It is situated on the northern bank of the River Tyne.
The city developed around the Roman settlement Pons Aelius around a fort was built on a site close to the present Tyne Bridge. The city was named after the castle built in 1080 by William the Conqueror’s eldest son Robert Curthose. In the 14th century, the city grew as an important center for the wool trade and later became a major coal mining area. The port developed in the 16th century and, along with the shipyards lower down the River Tyne, was among the world’s largest ship-building and ship-repairing centers.
Newcastle is renowned throughout Britain for its vibrant nightlife, and its large 42,000-strong student population. Geordies, the people of Newcastle are proud of their city and many are fanatically loyal supporters of the local football team and the local ale.
Visiting Newcastle upon Tyne for the first time and wondering what are the top places to see in the city? In this complete guide, I share the best things to do in Newcastle upon Tyne on the first visit. Top help you plan your trip, I have also included an interactive map and practical tips for visiting!
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35 Best places to See in Newcastle upon Tyne
This complete guide to Newcastle upon Tyne not only tells you about the very best sights and tourist attractions for first-time visitors to the city but also provide insights into a few of our personal favorite things to do.
This is a practical guide to visiting the best places to see in Newcastle upon Tyne and is filled with tips and info that should answer all your questions!
Great North Museum: Hancock
Location: Great North Museum: Hancock Barras Bridge Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4PT United Kingdom | Hours: 10am-5pm Mon-Fri, to 4pm Sat, 11am-4pm Sun | Price: general admission free, planetarium adult/child £3/2 | Website | Distance: 0.40km
Visiting Great North Museum: Hancock
Grey's Monument
Location: Grey's Monument 150 Grainger St Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5AF United Kingdom | Hours: 24 Hours | Price: Tickets are £5 fee per person | Website | Distance: 0.60km
Visiting Grey's Monument
Laing Art Gallery
Location: Laing Art Gallery, New Bridge Street West, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK | Hours: 10am-5pm Tue-Sat, 2-5pm Sun | Price: Entry is free to the gallery, shop and café but an admission charge applies to some exhibitions. | Website | Distance: 0.70km
Visiting Laing Art Gallery
Theatre Royal, Newcastle
Location: 100 Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE1 6BR | Website | Distance: 0.70km
Visiting Theatre Royal, Newcastle
Grainger Market
Location: Grainger Market, Grainger Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK | Hours: Mon - Sat 09:00 - 17:30 | Price: N/A | Website | Distance: 0.70km
Visiting Grainger Market
Edwardian Central Arcade
Visiting Edwardian Central Arcade
Blackfriars Restaurant
Location: Friars Street Newcastle upon Tyne Tyne and Wear NE1 5XD United Kingdom | Hours: Mon - Thus : 12:00 - 14:30, 17:30 - 21:30 Friday 12:00 - 14:30, 14.45 – 17.00 (afternoon tea), 17:00 - 21.30 (dinner) Saturday 12:00 - 14:30, 14.45 – 17.00 (afternoon tea), 17:00 - 21.30 (dinner) Sunday 12:00 - 16:00 | Website | Distance: 0.80km
Visiting Blackfriars Restaurant
Hadrian’s Wall – Milecastle 4 – Westgate Road
Location: 73 Westgate Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1SG, UK | Distance: 0.90km
Visiting Hadrian’s Wall – Milecastle 4 – Westgate Road
Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle upon Tyne
Location: Bolbec Hall, 23 Westgate Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1SE, UK | Hours: Monday 9.30am* - 7.00pm Tuesday 9.30am - 8.00pm Wednesday 9.30am - 7.00pm Thursday 9.30am - 7.00pm Friday 9.30am - 5.00pm Saturday 9.30am - 1.00pm | Website | Distance: 1.00km
Visiting Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle upon Tyne
St Nicholas Cathedral
Location: The Cathedral Church of St. Nicholas St. Nicholas Sq Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1PF United Kingdom | Hours: 7.30am-6pm Sun-Fri, 8am-4pm Sat | Price: Free - donation requested | Website | Distance: 1.00km
Visiting St Nicholas Cathedral
Discovery Museum
Location: Discovery Museum Blandford Square Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 4JA | Hours: 10am-4pm | Price: Free | Website | Distance: 1.10km
Visiting Discovery Museum
Pons Aelius
Visiting Pons Aelius
Newcastle Castle
Location: Castle Garth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1RQ, UK | Hours: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm | Price: £7 per adult and £4 per child | Website | Distance: 1.20km
Visiting Newcastle Castle
Bessie Surtees House
Location: Historic England Bessie Surtees House 41-44 Sandhill Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3JF United Kingdom | Hours: 10am-4pm Mon-Fri | Price: Free | Website | Distance: 1.20km
Visiting Bessie Surtees House
Life Science Centre
Location: Life Science Centre, Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4EP | Hours: 1st June - 2nd December Monday to Saturday 10:00 - 18:00 Sunday 11.00 - 18:00 Ice Skating available from 11th November - 18th February | Price: Adults: £15.00 Kids (5-17): £8.00 Under-4s: Free | Website | Distance: 1.30km
Visiting Life Science Centre
Historic Quayside
Location: The Quayside 35-37 Close Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3RN United Kingdom | Distance: 1.30km
Visiting Historic Quayside
Biscuit Factory
Location: The Biscuit Factory 16 Stoddart St Shieldfield Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 1AN United Kingdom | Hours: 10am-5pm Mon-Fri, to 6pm Sat, 11am-5pm Sun | Price: Free | Website | Distance: 1.30km
Visiting Biscuit Factory
The Tyne Bridges
Location: Tyne Bridge A167 Newcastle upon Tyne NE8 2BH United Kingdom | Hours: 24 Hours | Price: Free | Website | Distance: 1.40km
Visiting The Tyne Bridges
Sage Gateshead
Location: Sage Gateshead Sage St Mary's Square Gateshead NE8 2JR United Kingdom | Distance: 1.50km
Visiting Sage Gateshead
BALTIC – Centre for Contemporary Art
Location: Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, South Shore Road, Gateshead, UK | Hours: 10am-6pm Wed-Mon, 10.30am-6pm Tue | Website | Distance: 1.60km
Visiting BALTIC – Centre for Contemporary Art
Victoria Tunnel
Location: Victoria Tunnel Tour Meeting Point, 55 Lime St, Valley, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 2PQ | Hours: Our eight regular two-hour tours areMondays at 1.30pm Wednesdays at 1.30pm Thursdays at 6.30 pm; Fridays at 10.30 am and 1.30 pm; Saturdays at 10 am and 1 pm; Sundays at 1 pmShorter one-hour tours at weekendsSaturday at 4pm Sunday at 11am and 4pm | Distance: 1.70km
Visiting Victoria Tunnel
Seven Stories – The Centre for Children's Books
Location: 30 Lime Street Ouseburn Valley Newcastle Upon Tyne England NE1 2PQ | Hours: 10am-5pm Tue-Sat, to 4pm Sun | Price: adult/child £7.70/6.60 | Website | Distance: 1.70km
Visiting Seven Stories – The Centre for Children's Books
Jesmond Dene Park
Location: Jesmond Dene Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7DZ United Kingdom | Website | Distance: 2.10km
Visiting Jesmond Dene Park
Hadrian’s Wall – Milecastle 6 – Benwell Grove
Location: 1a West Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 9PT, UK | Distance: 2.20km
Visiting Hadrian’s Wall – Milecastle 6 – Benwell Grove
Benwell Roman Temple
Location: Benwell Roman Temple - Hadrian's Wall Broomridge Ave Newcastle upon Tyne NE15 6QP United Kingdom | Hours: Daylight Hours | Price: Free | Website | Distance: 2.90km
Visiting Benwell Roman Temple
Condercum Fort
| Hours: Daylight Hours | Price: Free | Website | Distance: 2.90km
Visiting Condercum Fort
Hadrian's Wall - Milecastle 2 - Walker
Visiting Hadrian's Wall - Milecastle 2 - Walker
Hadrian's Wall - Milecastle 1 - Stott's Pow
Location: 253 Fossway, Walkergate, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 4XX, UK | Distance: 4.30km
Visiting Hadrian's Wall - Milecastle 1 - Stott's Pow
Hadrian’s Wall – Milecastle 8 – West Denton
Location: 82 South View, East Denton, Newcastle upon Tyne NE5 2BQ, UK | Distance: 5.40km
Visiting Hadrian’s Wall – Milecastle 8 – West Denton
Segedunum
Location: Segedunum Roman Fort & Museum Buddle St Wallsend Newcastle upon Tyne NE28 6HR | Hours: 10am-5pm Jun–mid-Sep, to 4pm Easter-May & mid-Sep–early Nov, to 2.30pm Mon-Fri early Nov-Easter | Price: adult/child £6/free | Website | Distance: 5.60km
Visiting Segedunum
Gibside
| Price: Adult £12.00, Child £6.00, Family £30.00 | Website | Distance: 9.70km
Visiting Gibside
Washington Old Hall
Location: The Avenue, Washington, England, NE38 7LE, United Kingdom | Hours: 10:00 - 17:00 | Website | Distance: 10.60km
Visiting Washington Old Hall
Beamish
Location: Beamish, the Living Museum of the North Regional Resource Centre Beamish DH9 0RG United Kingdom | Hours: 10am-5pm Easter-Oct, 10am-4pm Nov-Easter, closed Mon & Fri Jan–mid-Feb, last admission 3pm | Price: Adult/Child £19/11 | Website | Distance: 11.00km
Visiting Beamish
Hadrian’s Wall – Milecastle 16 – Whitchester
Location: 1 The Terrace, Harlow Hill, Newcastle upon Tyne NE15 0QE, UK | Distance: 17.10km
Visiting Hadrian’s Wall – Milecastle 16 – Whitchester
Hadrian’s Wall – Milecastle 21 – Halton Shields
Location: B6318, Corbridge NE45 5QA, UK | Distance: 24.30km
Visiting Hadrian’s Wall – Milecastle 21 – Halton Shields