Gateshead Millennium Bridge
Newcastle often gets overlooked as a destination on travel itineraries, but it is worth a visit on any trip to the UK. Whether you are into art, music, architecture, or football, there is something there for everyone. To help you decide what to see the city, below is my list of the top 10 things to do in Newcastle:
1. Visit the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art – The BALTIC, as it is called for short, is a great art museum featuring everything from painting to sculpture and beyond. The museum also has good temporary exhibitions throughout the year.
2. Walk across the Gateshead Millennium Bridge – One of the prettiest bridges in the UK, the Gateshead Millennium Bridge is an iconic landmark in Newcastle. No trip is complete without a walk across. Make sure to bring your camera, too, as there are great views as you go.
3. Go to an event at The Sage Gateshead – The Sage in Gateshead is a music and arts centre right on the river. The building is hard to miss, what with its metallic cloud-like exterior, but it’s the performances that take place inside that are the main event.
4. Have lunch at Cafe 21 in Newcastle – Cafe 21 is one of the best restaurants in Newcastle. The seasonal menus and fresh food make it a must for a meal while you are in town.
5. Explore Newcastle’s Grey Street – Voted the best street in Britain by BBC Radio 4 listeners, Grey Street offers a beautiful mix of historic architecture. Don’t miss the famous Grey’s Monument at the top of the street.
6. Have a pint at the historic Crown Posada Pub in Newcastle – The Crown Posada is dripping with history and charm. If you’re going to have a pint of Newcastle Brown Ale somewhere in its home city, this is a good place to do it.
7. Explore the riverfront cafes along the Quayside – Newcastle’s Quayside is a bright new development with lots of cafes along the Tyne. If you get tired of walking around, pick one and rest your feet while enjoying the views of the BALTIC and The Sage across the river.
8. Go to a football match – Like many places in the UK, football is something of a religion in Newcastle. If you can get tickets, going to a match is a great way to soak up the local culture.
9. Visit the historic castle – As you might guess, the castle is the place from which Newcastle got its name. A trip to the castle is a great way to learn about and understand the city and its history.
10. Go further afield to see the Angel of the North sculpture – Located near Newcastle, the Angel of the North is not only a beautiful sculpture, but also an iconic landmark.