I’m going to hold my hands up and be honest… I had preconceptions of Newcastle.
I had friends that went to uni there and I honestly just associated it with big nights out and hen/stag dos!
But I am here to tell you that I was wrong and if you’re considering a trip to Newcastle, my goodness is it underrated and there’s so many incredible things to do in Newcastle-upon-Tyne!
The thing is, the locals know it’s great and they want to keep it a secret, so let’s keep this between you and me, yeah?
My husband and I recently fancied a UK city break but also really wanted the option to go to the coast if the weather was good on our weekend away and Newcastle-upon-Tyne fits that bill perfectly.
So I’m sharing the best things to do in Newcastle, most of which we managed to cram into a 3 day trip, and the actual Newcastle itinerary for 3 days in the city which we did over a long weekend – I hope you find it useful!
How to get to Newcastle upon Tyne
However you like, is the answer!
We took the train from Manchester with a change in Sheffield and the east coast mainline runs through Newcastle between Edinburgh and London so there’s actually loads of great options for reaching Newcastle by train.
You can also drive, this is a great option if you’re planning on exploring further up the Northumberland Coast.
If you’re visiting from abroad (or really far south!) there is also Newcastle International Airport which flies to over 80 destinations.
Where to stay in Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Being a major city, there are plenty of options for places to stay depending on your budget and preferences.
We stayed at the Motel One Newcastle which is very centrally located, just 8 minutes walk from Newcastle train station,6 minutes from Monument Metro and right in the centre with lots of things easily walkable. Also the coffee shop Laneway & Co is right next door which was a huge bonus!
I will say that the Motel One hotel lobby is beautiful but the room we had was a bit underwhelming (small and tired). We booked the standard double as we didn’t really spend any time in the room apart from sleeping so it didn’t really bother us, but if you want a more luxurious, bigger room you might want to consider elsewhere.
27 best things to do in Newcastle, UK
Visit the Baltic art gallery and see Newcastle from the viewing platform
The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art is located on the banks of the River Tyne and hosts regularly rotating temporary exhibitions of contemporary art.
The interiors are very minimal and I know contemporary art isn’t everyone’s vibe but this is a free gallery to visit and it has a great outdoor viewing platform on the 5th floor with amazing views of the Tyne River and all the bridges.
For a free experience, you really can’t go wrong with this if you’re looking for free things to do in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Just be aware that the gallery is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Walk along the Quayside and see the famous bridges
I’d recommend walking to the Baltic Gallery so you can enjoy the walk along the Quayside and see all the bridges of Newcastle from the riverside.
Walk across the Gateshead Millennium Bridge
The Gateshead Millennium Bridge is probably the most famous landmark in Newcastle. This is a pedestrianised bridge with the iconic white arch over it.
If you’ve walked along the city centre side of the Quayside, then you’ll need to cross over the famous Gateshead Millennium Bridge to reach the Baltic. But if you didn’t, you can leave the Baltic and immediately cross the bridge to head back to the city centre and experience walking over it.
Explore Grainger Market
This historic indoor market dates back to 1835 and is still an incredibly lively marketplace to this day that seemingly has everything you could want!
There’s the traditional stores like greengrocers and butchers, but there’s also a diverse range of food stalls from Sri Lankan food to Cuban to Chinese noodles to breakfast bagels!
There’s also food stores, toy stores and unique interest stalls. There’s even a taproom: Firebrick Brewery Tap.
You can do food tours of Grainger Market here which we actually saw while we were at the taproom and you get an amazing amount of food and drink for your money!
Wander through Central Arcade
I always love seeing the gorgeous historic shopping arcades in new cities and Central Arcade is just across the road from Grainger Market which makes them easy to visit together.
Central Arcade is an Edwardian arcade built in 1906 with stunning stonework, mosaic tiling and beautiful shop fronts.
Walk along Grey Street and see the architecture
I reckon Newcastle locals have been keeping this a secret because how did I not know how beautiful some of the central Newcastle architecture is until I was in my 30s?!
Grey Street is the most famous street with gorgeous sandstone buildings with balconies and pillars, sweeping down the street in a curve like Regents Street. Honestly reminded me of Bath too – it was totally unexpected!
While Grey Street and Grainger Street are where you’ll see most of this architecture, there’s also plenty of beautiful side streets and cobbled roads in this area which are also beautiful (including the street that we stayed on at Motel One which is just off Grey Street)
Architecture all over the city is beautiful too, from the industrial bridges to the criss-cross of train lines and the layers of old and new architecture.
Climb Grey’s Monument
This might not be possible to do for everyone because Grey’s Monument is only open on the first and third Saturday of every month and tickets are released two weeks before at 9am, making it a liiiittle tricky to visit if you’re not in Newcastle on one of those Saturdays.
By sheer luck, we were in Newcastle on the third Saturday of the month and although I missed the initial 9am release, I kept checking back and managed to grab two cancellation tickets 3 days before we arrived in Newcastle.
Grey’s Monument is the column at the top of Grey Street and Grainger Street where both meet at a point, giving you a fantastic view from the top of the monument as these two streets sweep away from you.
Tickets are only £7 (we love cheap things to do in Newcastle upon Tyne!) and they’re in 30 minute slots throughout the day. However there are 164 steps to the top and the door to get into the monument is very small, I am 6ft 2 (188cm) and I had to bend almost double to get inside! So be prepared and wear suitable footwear.
It’s a great option though for something unique to do in Newcastle!
Visit the Lit & Phil Library
If you’re looking for free things to do in Newcastle upon Tyne, or to escape rain, or if you’re a book lover, the Lit & Phil library in Newcastle needs to be on your radar.
This stunning library was founded in 1793 and it’s the oldest and largest independent library in the UK, outside of London.
It’s totally free to visit although only members can borrow books or go onto the balcony floors. But you’re welcome to have a seat inside, read a book and even get a free hot drink.
When we went in, they had a volunteer at a table near the entrance who shared so much fascinating information about the library, its history and why there’s a stuffed dog on the top of one of the book shelves…
I know libraries and book-ish stops aren’t for everyone, but if you’re like me, definitely worth making a stop here!
Enjoy a cocktail in an old Victorian toilet
Who doesn’t love a drink in a toilet?! Kidding…
WC Newcastle is an old, subterranean Victorian public toilet located on High Bridge street (same as the hotel – told you it was a good location!) that’s been turned into a cocktail bar.
Obviously it’s no longer a public toilet but the bar is a beautiful, intimate space with light coming in from the glass roof tiles on the street above. Complete with subway tiles and black and white features, this is a great “quirky” spot for a drink in the evening before you head out for dinner.
Visit Newcastle Castle
Well Newcastle Castle is a bit of a mouthful isn’t it! But I had no idea there was a castle in Newcastle until this trip and I reckon it’s got the best views in Newcastle!
Newcastle Castle dates back to 1168 and is made up of the gatehouse (where you’ll buy your tickets and can visit a small museum, cafe and gift shop) and then castle itself which is a maze of rooms, stairs and turrets over multiple floors.
I actually kind of loved that the castle felt like such a maze, usually places like this will shut off areas of the castle but you could basically explore every old prison cell, bedroom, grand hall, toilet and staircase that you wanted to!
The Grand Hall is awesome to see with huge vaulted ceilings and there’s staff available to give you more information about the place. But the standout is the rooftop where you have 360 degree views of Newcastle.
The castle was almost demolished to make way for the train lines that run through the city centre but thankfully it was saved and now on the rooftop you have a perfect view of Newcastle Station, the rails split in two going either side of the castle and you have views of the bridges, the trains, the architecture and the river in all directions – this was the highlight for me and if you’re a train lover then it’s definitely for you!
Tickets at time of writing cost £13.65 per adult and these are annual passes so you can return as much as you like within a year. There are also hourly free tours (on the hour) that will give you a 20-minute guided tour of the castle.
Enjoy a drink (or three!) and the micropub triangle: the Wobbly Duck, the Mean-Eyed Cat and the Town Mouse
If you’ve read any of my articles before then you’ll know that I love a craft beer spot: local, independent breweries and taprooms always have the friendliest people with great stories and recommendations and you have the bonus of supporting a small local business.
We popped into the Wobbly Duck which is tucked away as a cellar pub underneath an unassuming row of buildings and loved the quirky maritime/old-worldy pub decor!
And true to form, we got chatting to the bar staff who told us about the micropub triangle which includes the Wobbly Duck, the Mean-eyed Cat and the Town Mouse, all craft beer micropubs in a walkable triangle in the city centre. If craft beers and ales is your vibe, you’ll want to check these out!
Get the best coffee, breakfast and sandwiches at Laneway & Co
We were so lucky to be staying at the hotel right next door to the Laneway & Co coffee shop on High Bridge Street and it became our morning go-to for coffee.
We also had an epic breakfast sandwich from here and a chicken club sandwich which is one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had.
Plus the interior is very cute and *aesthetic* too.
Eat award-winning burgers at Lola Jeans
We were craving burgers, didn’t know where to go, saw this place had good reviews then turned up and found out that it’s won Battle of the Burger for 5 years running!
The interior is DEFINITELY not what I’d expect from a burger joint (think black and pink cocktail bar vibes) but the food was undoubtedly great.
Visit a farm in the city
In Ouseburn, underneath the bridge arches you’ll find the Ouseburn farm, a charity-run farm right here in the city!
They’re home to pigs, goats, cows, sheep, chickens and more! THey have a fruit and veg garden and there’s also an on-site cafe.
The best part is that it’s totally free to visit and is honestly one of the best free things to do in Newcastle, plus it’s totally unexpected to find farm animals in the city like this!
They have activities that are paid, such as lamb feeding (seasonal) or goat walks and there’s also workshops where you can learn about the animals or skills such as gardening.
This isn’t just an activity for kids, it’s genuinely such a fun and cute spot!
Spend an afternoon exploring Ouseburn
Okay, this was my favourite area of Newcastle and if you’re also a fan of independent shops and cafes, quirky areas and a vibrant, welcoming scene then you’ll love Ouseburn. It kind of reminded me of the Northern Quarter in Manchester.
Located along the river just east of the city centre, there’s a Riverside Walk which is a scenic walk that connects you to many of the sites, cafes, shops and destinations in this area.
This is the area where the Ouseburn farm is located so make sure to stop by there.
There’s also Kiln which is a really cool pottery shop cafe, you can buy the pottery plates and cups you’re using if you like! I also liked The Find which is a gorgeous interiors store.
For kids, there’s the Seven Stories The National Centre for Children’s Books, there’s also the Victorian Tunnels where you can book a tour of the 19th century coal tunnels and air raid shelters. And for evening entertainment, there’s The Cluny which has live music and shows every day.
There’s also heaps of great food and drink spots:
- Brinkburn St Brewery (loved the vibe here and they have great food)
- Two By Two Brewery and Tap Room (my favourite beers were here and they have a pop up taco stand outside)
- Cook House (a more elevated bistro experience for breakfasts, lunch and dinner)
- Gingerino’s Kitchen (one of my faves with some of the best pizza I’ve ever had)
- Donzoko Brewery & Taproom (my favourite brewery of the trip – their chili, lime gose is amazing and you can take pizza from Gingerinos into the brewery to eat as they’re next door to each other)
Book on Victoria Tunnel Tours
I mentioned these tours above, you can find this in the Ouseburn area too.
Tickets cost £16 and are annual passes so you can return as much as you like. You do need to book in advance here as capacities in the tunnels are strict.
You’ll learn about the Victorian tunnels and the waggonways through these tunnels that transported coal including what life was like down there. You’ll also learn how the tunnels were used as air raid shelters by Newcastle residents during the WWII and even walk underneath some of the famous Newcastle landmarks.
Enjoy a pub with the best views in Newcastle at the Free Trade Inn
If you’re in the Ouseburn area then this pub is pretty easy to reach!
The Free Trade Inn sits on the edge of the River Tyne with views looking directly down the river towards the city. You can see the layers of bridges and iconic landmarks from their huge windows and the beer garden out the front.
They’ve got loads of great craft beer taps on here too and this really does feel like a “locals” secret with these views and the best vibes on a sunny afternoon!
Go brewery hopping in Ouseburn
If you’re a craft beer fan then you need to head over to Ouseburn to try out some of the local breweries.
I’ve mentioned most of them in the section above but here they all are:
- Full Circle Brew
- Free Trade Inn Pub Taproom
- Brinkburn St Brewery
- Two By Two Brewery and Tap Room
- Donzoko Brewery & Taproom
Breweries are always my go-to in a new place because you’re usually supporting a local business, they’re independent with great craft beer and food and everyone is always so friendly with great local recommendations.
Get pizza at Gingerino’s Kitchen
The best pizza in Newcastle (bold statement I know)
But seriously, it’s next door to Donzoko Brewery and you can take your pizza in there to have with your beer – what’s not to love!
Walk through Jesmond Dene
A hidden park and garden area nestled in the streets of Newcastle!
I love a little hidden gem like this, although the locals definitely don’t think it’s a hidden gem!
This is a lovely park and walking area along the Ouse Burn River with walking trails, stepping stones across the river, waterfalls, ponds and play parks.
I’d start in the area around the Ouse burn stepping stones and follow the trail along the river to see the waterfalls, park area and enjoy this little escape from the city.
Eat at Pizzeria Francesca
If you follow the walking route I’ve mentioned above through Jesmond Dene then you’ll come out in this area of Newcastle.
Pizzeria Francesca is the ultimate destination for pizza and pasta lovers because you can have half and half!!
Yes, you can order a dish that’s half pizza and half pasta so you can get the best of both these carbohydrate classics – LOVE!
Take the Metro out to Tynemouth
When I saw Newcastle has it all, it really does because you can take the Metro 30 minutes out of the city and be at the coast!
We were staying very central in Newcastle so we took the Metro from Monument station and the 30 minute ride was super easy and straightforward.
You could also do the whole metro loop on the yellow line that goes to Tynemouth and loops north and back to Newcastle city centre but we didn’t have time for that on this trip!
See all my Tynemouth recommendations below…
Shopping at Tynemouth Station market (weekends only)
As soon as you get off the Metro in Tynemouth station there is a weekly market on Saturdays and Sundays actually IN the station concourse.
Now this station is gorgeous, a proper Victorian style station with red brick and glass awnings and you can find everything at this market from local craft sellers or antique stores to local food produce, music stands, health and beauty products, kids toy stores and there’s street food pop ups too.
We spent a good hour exploring the whole market because it is really big and on both sides of the platforms, you never know, you might find a gem…
Explore beautiful Tynemouth and check out the food options
As soon as you walk out of Tynemouth Station, you’ll see how gorgeous Tynemouth is.
Beautiful houses, quiet streets and loads of independent stores, cafes, shops and restaurants aka, my favourite kind of place, made even better by the fact that the beach is right there too!
After checking out the market in Tynemouth Station, head to Front Street.
Check out the cool church on the corner of Front Street that’s home to cafes, restaurants, a wine bar and a bar called ALTR – all inside a church, so cool!
They have a Laneway & Co cafe here too if you’re looking for some refreshment.
There are loads of pubs and restaurants with outdoor seating so if you’re lucky enough to visit on a sunny day like we did, then you can enjoy some alfresco drinks and dining.
Longsands Fish Kitchen or Marshalls are the places to go to get some fish and chips to eat outside or take down to the beach and enjoy with a view.
Overlooking King Edward’s Bay at the top of Front Street is the Tynemouth Priory and Castle which is English Heritage: free for members or £8.50 for adults – check the latest prices here.
You can walk down North Pier for free though and get views of the coast and Battery as well as the mouth of the River Tyne.
You can walk along the seafront and enjoy the views, heading towards Tynemouth Outdoor Pool. Or if you’re brave, take a dip in the sea!
Head to the beach!
King Edward’s Bay is the small cove directly at the end of Front Street in Tynemouth and we did see plenty of people on the sand and in the water, even in mid-April!
Just a short 20 minute walk further north along the coast is Long Sands Beach which is a much bigger sandy beach with facilities like toilets, there’s Tynemouth Outdoor Pool and beachfront cafes and restaurants.
I’d recommend Oswins Fish & Chips and The View restaurant has gorgeous views.
Get fish and chips
I’ve mentioned them already but there’s so many options for getting fish and chips in Tynemouth.
Your classic fish & chip takeaways are Longsands Fish Kitchen and Marshalls, although both do have some indoor and outdoor seating if you want to order in.
There’s also Riley’s Fish Shack overlooking King Edward’s Bay if you’re looking for a seafood restaurant with more options.
Visit the micropub hidden in a post office
Okay I think this was the most fun thing we found on our trip to Newcastle and Tynemouth!
Located INSIDE Tynemouth Post Office on Percy Park Road is a micropub called the Yardhouse Tynemouth.
It’s mostly a bottle shop but it does have a bar with a small selection of rotating taps and there’s room in there for maybe 10-12 people with just two tables and some standing room.
It’s only open when the post office is open so make sure you time it right but oh my goodness we had so much fun here!
Met some great people, had some great beers and just loved that it’s tucked away behind the envelopes and stationary stand in this community post office – definitely one of the most unique things to do in Newcastle!
Visit the Great North Museum
One of the classic places to visit in Newcastle upon Tyne.
We unfortunately didn’t have time on this trip and I’m sometimes not a museum person personally BUT we spoke to several locals on this trip who highly recommended this museum.
It’s a gorgeous Victorian museum which combines natural history, art and heritage, local history and even a planetarium.
Entry is free, making it one of the best free things to do in Newcastle.
Visit Wylam Brewery
Another one we didn’t have time to visit on this trip which is a shame because as you can probably tell, I love a good brewery!
Wylam Brewery sits idyllically on the edge of a lake in Exhibition Park, just to the north of the city centre.
It’s a massive building with a dominating frontage and great food and drink.
While we didn’t visit the brewery itself, I did have a few pints of Wylam beer at other venues during our trip to Newcastle, so I can at least confirm that the beer is top notch!
Newcastle-upon-Tyne 3 day itinerary
I’m going to share the exact 3 days in Newcastle that I did, just so you can get an idea of how this guide fits together and also how easy it is to get around Newcastle!
Day 1:
- Laneway & Co for breakfast
- Walk along the Quayside and see the bridges
- Cross the Gateshead Millennium Bridge to get to the BALTIC
- Visit the BALTIC and viewing platform
- Spend the afternoon in Ouseburn: cafes, stores, riverwalk, breweries and pizza
Day 2:
- Breakfast bagels at Graingers Market
- Explore Graingers Market
- Visit Central Arcade
- Explore Grey Street area and see Grey’s Monument
- Visit Newcastle Castle
- Visit Lit & Phil Library
- Unique drink spots in the city: micropubs, cellar pubs and WC Newcastle
Day 3:
- Take the Metro to Tynemouth
- Visit the Tynemouth Station Market
- Walk along Front Street
- Get fish and chips from Longsands Fish Kitchen
- Head to the beach
- Tynemouth Priory and Castle
- Drinks in the sun or visit the Yardhouse Tynemouth – a unique micropub hidden in a post office!
Summary: top things to do in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
I hope this guide has inspired you to visit Newcastle and discover all the things to see and do in Newcastle upon Tyne.
This city truly did surprise me and there’s so much going on in the city centre as well as plenty of things to do near Newcastle including Tynemouth, Jesmond Dene and going further beyond into Northumberland.
