Newcastle City Guide: 9 Places You Can’t Miss

Stay connected with Airtel’s international roaming plans as you explore Newcastle’s top attractions, ensuring seamless communication while discovering the city’s vibrant culture, iconic landmarks, and hidden gems you can’t miss.

Grey Street’s elegant Georgian buildings give way to a modern cityscape as you stroll through the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne. This former industrial powerhouse has reinvented itself as a vibrant cultural hub. With a history spanning from Roman times to the English Civil War, Newcastle brims with iconic sights and hidden gems.

1. Newcastle Castle

Newcastle tourist attractions begin with this ancient fortress overlooking the River Tyne. The stone castle dates to 1080 AD, giving the city its name. Climb the 99 narrow steps up the Norman-era keep for panoramic views over the quayside and bridges.

• Hours: 10 am-5 pm

• Tickets: £6.50 adults, £3.90 kids

• Location: Castle Garth, NE1 1RQ

2. Millennium Bridge

An icon of modern Newcastle, the world’s first tilting bridge spans the River Tyne. The pedestrian and cycle bridge pivots up 40° to let ships pass. Walk across for views of the Tyne bridges and rejuvenated Gateshead Quays Arts Quarter.

• Tilting Times: Check website

• Access: 24/7, free

• Location: Connects Newcastle & Gateshead Quays

3. Grey’s Monument

At the head of Grey Street stands a 130-foot monument to the 2nd Earl Grey, of tea fame, who passed the Great Reform Act of 1832. Soak up Georgian architecture, pavement cafes, and buskers, or browse boutiques in Central Arcade.

• Monument Hours: Exterior viewing only

• Location: Blackett Street/Grey Street

• Nearby: Theatre Royal, Grainger Market

4. Discovery Museum

Housed in a former Co-operative Wholesale Society building, this free science and history museum explores Newcastle’s story. See the Turbinia, the 34-metre steamship that was once the world’s fastest. Interactive exhibits cover mining, shipbuilding, and inventions.

5. St. James’ Park

Home of the Newcastle United Football Club, this stadium seats over 52,000. Even on non-match days, take a tour to see the pitch, dugouts, and tunnel. The club has played here since 1892.

• Match Tickets: From £27, book online

• Tours: £15, daily 11:30 am/12:45 pm

• Location: Strawberry Place, NE1 4ST

Insider Tip: Grab a pint at The Strawberry pub across from St. James’ to mingle with local football fans before a match.

6. Newcastle Cathedral

One of the UK’s smallest cathedrals packs 900 years of history. Note the 15th-century font where 18th-century engraver Thomas Bewick was baptized. Unique features include a German-made stained glass window and 16th-century astronomical clock.

• Hours: Mon-Sat 7:30am-6pm, Sun 7:30am-5pm

• Tours: £4, Mon-Sat 11am

• Location: St. Nicholas Square, NE1 1PF

7. Tyne Bridges

Seven iconic bridges straddle the River Tyne, each an engineering marvel. The Tyne Bridge resembles a mini Sydney Harbour Bridge. Its neighbour, the Swing Bridge, pivots to let ships pass. Further upriver, the High-Level Bridge carries trains overhead and cars below.

• Access: Pedestrian/cycle access 24/7

• Views: Take the Quayside walk for bridge views

• Photo Tip: Catch the bridges lit up at night

8. Bessie Surtees House

This pair of 16th and 17th-century merchant houses preserves Jacobean domestic architecture and décor. Named after the daughter of a prominent merchant who eloped from a first-floor window, the house features ornate period interiors and an English oak staircase.

• Hours: Weekdays 10am-4pm, weekends 11am-4pm

• Tours: Free 45-minute tours, no booking needed

• Location: 44 Sandhill, Quayside

9. Life Science Centre

This hands-on science complex includes an interactive museum, planetarium, and live science shows. See a NASA moon rock, ride a 4D motion simulator, and try experiments in The Experiment Zone. The planetarium offers stargazing and multimedia astronomy shows.

• Hours: 7 days, 10am-5pm

• Tickets: From £8 online, includes a science centre, planetarium extra

• Location: Times Square, NE1 4EP

Where to Stay in Newcastle

Accommodation in Newcastle spans from budget hostels to luxury hotels in Newcastle city centre. For convenience, consider these well-located hotels in Newcastle Upon Tyne:

• Staybridge Suites: Modern aparthotel near Quayside

• Malmaison Newcastle: Boutique rooms in a converted river warehouse

• Maldron Hotel: New budget-friendly hotel near St. James’ Park

• Crowne Plaza: Sophisticated lodging in the Stephenson Quarter

Compare more Newcastle stays on booking sites to find the best rates and amenities for your needs and budget.

Getting to Newcastle

Newcastle is well-connected by rail, road, and air. Trains from London King’s Cross reach Newcastle Central Station in just under 3 hours. By road, Newcastle links to the A1 motorway. Newcastle International Airport has direct flights to over 80 destinations.

Explore Newcastle Seamlessly with Airtel

Once in Newcastle, it’s easy to navigate the compact city centre on foot. The Metro light rail network, city buses, and rideshares like Uber offer transport further afield. To keep connected, consider an international roaming pack, giving you data to navigate and discover Newcastle with ease.

From its industrial roots, Newcastle has emerged as a city of culture, sports, and science. With castles and cathedrals mingling with modern bridges and attractions, Newcastle’s rich history meets vibrant reinvention. Visit Newcastle to experience the city’s warmth and palpable energy for yourself.