Top 10 Things to Do in Newcastle

Newcastle Bridge
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.

Ferries from Newcastle to Amsterdam

Newcastle
Newcastle Bridge

Ferries from Newcastle to Amsterdam are a great way to travel from the UK to Holland when you are visiting Europe. They offer a nice alternative to flying, and great views along the way.

Ferries to Amsterdam (IJmuiden) are operated by DFDS Seaways. The company have seven weekly crossings on this route, and their service is the only direct one between these two cities.

Departures on ferries from Newcastle to Amsterdam take place once a day. The ship leaves at 17:00 and is an overnight ferry. It arrives in Amsterdam’s IJmuiden port at 9:30 the following morning.

The total travel time on this crossing is 15 hours and 30 minutes. There are several options for seating, including two types of cabin classes. Due to the length, many people choose to get a cabin so they can sleep on board. There are also car holds for passengers travelling with vehicles.

The cost of a single ticket for ferries from Newcastle to Amsterdam starts at £63 for two people travelling with a small car. This rate is available if you buy ferry tickets online in advance. There are a lot of special offers available throughout the year as well, so make sure to check online before booking.

Ferries from Harwich to Hook of Holland

Ferries from Harwich to Hook of Holland are a great way to get from England to The Netherlands when you are visiting Europe.

Services between the two cities are operated by Stena Line ferries. Their ships, which they call Superferries, are named Stena Hollandica and Stena Britannica. Both are large and offer comfortable travel options, whether you are a foot passenger or have a vehicle with you.

Stena Line ferries have 14 weekly sailings on this route, and their ferries from Harwich to Hook of Holland are the only direct services between the two cities.

Departures take place twice a day throughout the year except for Christmas Eve and Christmas day. One ferry is a daytime ferry, and the other is an overnight ferry. From Monday to Saturday, ferries operate at 9:00 (arriving at 16:45) and 23:15 (arriving at 7:45 the next morning). On Sundays, ferries depart at 10:00 (arriving at 18:00) and 23:15 (arriving at 7:45 the next morning).

The total travel time on this route is 6 hours and 45 minutes. Keep in mind that The Netherlands are 1 hour ahead of the UK. Additionally, you must check in at least 45 minutes prior to departure.

Ferries have several options for seating, including private cabins and seats in the Stena Plus Lounge. There are also car holds for passengers travelling with vehicles.

The cost of a single ticket for ferries from Harwich to Hook of Holland starts at £59 for one person travelling with a small car. This rate is only available if you buy ferry tickets online. There are also special “rail and sail” tickets that include rail travel in the UK and The Netherlands for passengers travelling without vehicles. These cost £39 for adults.