Things to do in Newcastle

This article is about best things to do in Newcastle. In this article, we will make you familiar with capital of North East England, Newcastle. This business city is located on the River Tyne. It has many remarkable Victorian buildings and streets. It also has big shopping complexes along with various fascinating museums and entertainment amenities. Plus, it includes the impressive Theatre Royal. Earlier it was a chief exporting port, especially for coal. The harbor region is now an active passenger terminus for ferries and cruise ships to Europe and other parts. It is also available for a boat tour within the city itself. During the Roman period, the city – then known as Pons Aelius – was a fort on Hadrian’s Wall. At the time of Saxon period it was called Monk Chester on account of its numerous religious houses. The city got its present name from William the Conqueror. Like Hadrian, William acknowledged its strategic significance. In 1080, William ordered his son to build a “New Castle” on the location of the old Roman fort. Many of the groundbreaking inventions of the Industrial Revolution. Railroad engineering, the growth of electricity and turbine driven technology, are intimately associated. The base of its famous locomotive manufacturing industry was put down by George Stephenson in 1823. Designs for the city’s growth led to the formation of the Victorian streets. These streets still dominate the inner city scenery. This place is known for many city bridges. The most famous is an arched suspension bridge. The oldest is the Robert Stephenson’s high combined road and rail bridge. Between these two bridges is a stylish swing bridge which moves on a central pivot. The list doesn’t end here. There is a lot more to explore in this beautiful city. So plan a trip to Newcastle to experience it out yourself. Below, we have suggested some of the best things to do in Newcastle.

Top Things to do in Newcastle:

1.) Tyne Bridges

Six bridges connect the River Tyne. Out of them, three are famous internationally for the innovative approach to bridge building. The oldest bridge is the High Level Bridge. It is a 2 level steel 165 ft tall composition, built to strategy design in 1849 by Robert Stephenson and signaled by Queen Victoria.

The Swing Bridge, planned by Sir W. G. Armstrong was commenced in 1876. It is situated in the same location as the “Pons Aelius” put up by Roman legionaries. Although, the bridge which most signifies the city’s character is the Tyne Bridge. It was started in 1925, formally commenced by King George V in 1928. At that time, the bridge had the biggest arch in the world. A must place to include in your – things to do in Newcastle list.

2.) Castle Keep

North side of Newcastle’s High Level Bridge on St Nicholas’ Street, the Norman fortified tower carries testimony to the “New Castle” started in 1080 and achieved in 1172. In the late Norman Chapel, you can see the King’s Chamber and the exhibits of archaeological discovery along with the outstanding views of the city. The gatehouse, now alienated from Castle Keep by the railroad line, is known as the Black Gate and was erected in 1247. Another place to add in your list of things to do in Newcastle.

3.) St Nicholas Cathedral

St Nicholas Cathedral was established in 14th and 15th centuries. It is not very big, having only been raised from the position of a community church to cathedral in 1882. Its light tower (approx 197 ft) was established in 1435. It was the first of four alike buildings in Britain. It is capped by the remarkably crenellated Scottish Crown. At night, the top is floodlit to striking effect. The features of the inner side contains the covered font and lectern, the organ and the several statues (15th to 20th centuries). On the outer side, you can see the statue of Queen Victoria in St Nicholas Square, which was the work of Sir Alfred Gilbert (1900).

4.) Grey’s Monument

Among other amazing things to do in Newcastle, is visiting Grey’s Monument. At the north stop of Grey Street is this 135 ft tall Grey’s Monument, a preferred meeting-place in the heart of the city. You can see a superb view of the city from the column’s viewing platform which is 164 steps and opens occasionally only. It was established in 1835 in the memory of the second Earl Grey. It memorializes his role as Prime Minister and architect of the 1832 Reform Bill. Grainger Street, at Grey’s Monument, is among Newcastle’s most appealing shopping streets. The through street is named after Richard Grainger, the architect behind the transformation of the city center in 1830.

5.) Discovery Museum

One of the most fun things to do in Newcastle is visiting Discovery Museum. It is surrounded by various exhibits. This museum includes several machines and technology varying from conventional windmills and early steam engines to avant-garde jet turbines. Also on demonstration is the steam engine built by George Stephenson in 1830 for the coal mines of Killingworth. It also has a replica recreating the River Tyne in 1929. A variety of ship models include the first turbine-operated steamer in the world, Turbinia. It was created by Charles Parsons and launched in 1914.

6.) Great North Museum: Hancock

Built in 1884, the Great North Museum is situated in a wonderfully restored original Victorian and houses outstanding natural history and ethnology divisions. Surrounded by various displays, many of the exhibits are relic from ancient Greece and Egypt, the Romans and Hadrian’s Wall, also a fully digital planetarium. For children, a fun, interactive study region, an “under fives” space and a garden are accessible to explore.

7.) Laing Art Gallery

The Laing Art Gallery was constructed in 1901 and includes a wide collection of paintings and sculptures, counting work by Gauguin, sceneries by John Martin and works of art by 20th century British artists like Stanley Spencer. It’s also has sculptures by Henry Moore and attractive arts from the 16th to 18th centuries, as well as silver, glassware and ceramics. The gallery also represents a constant program of short-term exhibitions and instructive activities.

8.) Old City or Chares

To the east side of the Tyne Bridge, you will find one of the earliest parts of Newcastle, the Chares, with its thin streets and stepped alleyway. The interest here, are the Custom House of 1766 and Trinity House of 1721. All Saints Church, constructed in the neo-Classical method by David Stephenson in the 18th century, includes some detailed mahogany woodwork and almost certainly the biggest brass in England. The church, located in the tomb of Roger Thomton (1429) and his wife (1411), is adorned with 92 figures.

9.) Quayside

The Quayside region around the Tyne and High Level Bridges has been rebuilt and several of the old houses are now transformed into hotels, shops and restaurants. On Sandhill, a lot of historic buildings can be seen, which includes the Guildhall (1658) and the Merchants’ Court. The dotingly restored Bessie Surtees House includes two merchant’s houses of 16th and 17th centuries with a reinstate Jacobean front. A charming underground attraction is the Victoria Tunnel, running underneath the city from the Tyne up to the Town Moor. Constructed to transport coal to riverside jetties, is now open for guided tours. You can also visit Seven Stories, a place for original manuscripts and designs from some of the Britain’s most loved kids’ authors. You can also visit the Life Science Centre, famous for its thrilling planetarium, live theatre and hands-on exhibits. A must place to add in things to do in Newcastle.

10.) Eldon Square Shopping Centre

A huge shopping complex has developed in the region of Eldon Square. It has the shopping center by the same name, Eldon Gardens and the Central Arcade. The region has several passageways lined with shops, stylish arcades, elite designer boutiques, café and restaurants, along with antique stores on Vine Lane. All are perfect for exploring. Visiting the place is one of the top things to do in Newcastle.