Newcastle upon Tyne: Difference between revisions

'''Newcastle upon Tyne''' is a city in [[Tyne and Wear]] in the north-east of [[England]]. It's an industrial but lively, cultural place on the north bank of the River Tyne, with a population of just over 300,000 in 2019, and another half a million residing in its outlying areas.

Newcastle formed its own county or borough as early as 1400, between Northumberland to the north and County Durham to the south. In 1974 the nearby urban areas of those counties were combined with Newcastle to form the new metropolis of Tyne and Wear.

== Understand ==

[[Image:Tyne Bridges 01.jpg | thumb | 300px | Tyne Bridge and The Sage ]]

The Iraqi and Syrian occupation of town is nowadays forgotten, let bygones be bygones. But in 200 AD the [[Roman Empire|Roman]] army recruited from those territories and brought so many to serve here that the depot fort was called ''Arbeia'', the Arab place. Their job was to tote supplies from the ship wharves to the old castle of Pons Aelius, then up the military roads west along [[Hadrian's Wall]] (built 80 years earlier) or north into the bandit lands of the Picts. The Romans left around 400 AD and in their wake eventually grew up a kingdom of Northumbria, which knew the town as Munucceaster. But again and again, the region was devastated by Viking raids: what it needed was a new castle.

Robert Curthose obliged in 1080, fearing attack by Scots or rebels, though he mostly warred with his own family. (He was the eldest son of William the Conqueror but was disinherited, to spend his last 20 years in dungeons.) His wooden ''Novum Castellum'' was soon replaced by a stone castle, then another in 1172 which is the ruin you see today. Its walls were extended to protect the entire town, which stood out against the Scots and for several months against Cromwell; the region was Royalist in the Civil Wars then fell to assault.

Newcastle became industrial early in the Middle Ages, from salt-panning, coal that was shallow and easily mined, limestone quarried for masonry and quicklime, and farm produce from the fertile hinterland. Trade and transport by sea were important, including from London in an era when roads were miserable cart tracks, but it was only one of many ports along the Tyne, and small sailing vessels didn't need much harbour facilities. The burgesses of Newcastle set fire to the rival port at North Shields, but their masterstroke in 1290 was to win a Royal monopoly on local mining and export of coal. This lucrative cartel was only busted in 1750, while the other ports subsisted on other trade such as fish.

The city's industrial heyday was in the 19th century, with deep mining of coal, smoke-stack industry including shipbuilding, and a busy port. Urban squalour co-existed with the elegant central district of Grainger Town and Grey Street, nowadays one of the finest cityscapes in Britain. There were horrible accidents, cholera and a devastating factory explosion, but there was also electric lighting, steam-hauled railways and turboprop ships. The 20th century brought the slump of the miners' strike, the Depression and wartime bombing. There was enough variety and innovation of trade for the city to recover, with a growing public sector, two universities and attractive new architecture. By the 21st century, Newcastle could re-launch itself as a year-round leisure travel destination.

'''The [[climate]]''' is cool in summer (around 20°C) and seldom below freezing in winter. It's not particularly wet but can rain any time: see [[Tyne and Wear]] climate chart. Daylight hours range from 4:30AM to 9:45PM in the summer, to 8:30AM to just after 3:30PM in winter.

===Tourist information ===

* [https://www.visitnortheastengland.com/places/newcastle/ Visit Northeast England]

==Talk==

The distinctive dialect here and throughout the northeast is "Geordie" — George or Geordie was a common name among local miners. Its pronunciation is closer to Anglo-Saxon than other English dialects, but its vocabulary is more modern. The only word you need to know is "Howay!", an all-purpose exclamation. Whether you understand anything else of it depends on whether the speaker wishes you to understand, so anyone reliant on your tourist money will ensure you do.

== Get in ==

{{go

| address= | lat=55.0375 | long=-1.691667 | directions=

| phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price=

| lastedit=2022-01-02

| content=This has flights from [[London Heathrow]], [[Amsterdam]], [[Paris CDG]], [[Brussels]], [[Copenhagen]], [[Dublin]], other European cities and the [[Mediterranean]]: Ryanair, Jet2 and Easyjet all fly here. [[Dubai]] is the only intercontinental route. Train easily beats plane for London, so you'd only use the British Airways flight to connect. Other UK destinations are [[Belfast]], [[Aberdeen]], [[Bristol]], [[Exeter]] and [[Southampton]]. The airport is a compact single terminal with the usual facilities. Currency exchange is by Travelex, with poor rates, change money downtown if possible. Car rental desks are Avis, Enterprise, Europcar and Sixt, with others available to pick up or drop off by booking. See "Get in by car" below for contact details.

An alternative is '''[[Manchester Airport]]''' ({{IATA|MAN}}), with a great range of long-haul flights, saving the hassle of a change in Heathrow or Amsterdam. From the airport railway station, it's 3 hours to Newcastle: you may need to change at Manchester Piccadilly or York.

====To and from the city====

* '''By Metro:''' A journey on the '''[https://www.nexus.org.uk/metro Tyne and Wear Metro]''' takes around 20–25 minutes, with up to 5 trains per hour running during the day and up to 4 trains per hour running in the evening and on Sunday. As of July 2022, a single three-zone ticket costs £3.90 and an all-day three-zone ticket costs £5.70.

* '''By [[bus]]:''' [http://www.stagecoachbus.com/newcastle/ Stagecoach] operate the half-hourly X78 service, which runs express to Eldon Square via Ponteland Road, with an average journey time of around 20–25 minutes.

* '''By [[taxi]]:''' There is a taxi rank at the airport, with an average fare of around £15.00–£20.00.

* '''By car:''' The airport is situated off the A696, which can be reached easily from a number of principal routes, including the A1, A68 & A69. The estimated journey time to the city centre from Newcastle International Airport is 15–20 minutes, with an increased travel time during peak hours.

[[Image:Gare_Centrale_Newcastle_Tyne_1.jpg | 300px | thumb | The station's imposing stone portico ]]

{{see also|Rail travel in Great Britain}}

| name=Newcastle Central Station | alt= | url= | email=

| phone= | tollfree=

| wikidata=Q2047417

| lastedit=2023-12-11

| content=A confident piece of Italianate Victoriana, opened in 1850 to link the English and Scottish rail networks. (The financial house-of-cards of legendary developer George Hudson ''almost'' saw it to completion.) A quirk is that trains from the south may enter from either side. The original Tyne bridge track bends through the castle, so you get a free tour of the ruins and then enter from the east. But the track to Scotland also enters from the east so the train becomes reversed. In 1906 an upstream bridge was built so trains towards Edinburgh usually enter from the west. The station has staffed ticket offices (5AM-9:20PM), cafe-bars, The Centurion pub (see Drink), toilets, heated waiting rooms, convenience stores and ATMs. There is step-free access but the ramps to the platform bridges are steep. On evenings the place is thronged with merry carousers, seldom dressed for the weather. Access is only via the north side, Neville St. Exit the station right for the taxi rank and left for the car hire office and drop-off/pick-up area.

Newcastle is on the East Coast Main Line, with the following services:

* '''LNER''' trains running once or twice an hour between [[Edinburgh]] (90 min) and [[London King's Cross]] (3 hours) via [[York]] (one hour).

* '''[https://www.lumo.co.uk/ Lumo]''' also operate a few trains between Edinburgh and London.

* '''CrossCountry''' runs hourly from the [[West Country]] via [[Birmingham]] (3 hours 30 min), [[Sheffield]] (2 hours 15 minutes), [[Leeds]] (90 min) and York.

* '''TransPennine Express''' runs from [[Liverpool]] via [[Manchester Victoria]] (2 hours 30 min). The direct train from Manchester Airport and [[Manchester Piccadilly]] remains suspended in March 2023.

* '''Northern Trains''' run from [[Carlisle]] (90 min) via [[Hexham]] and from [[Middlesbrough]] (80 min).

For timetables, fares, disruptions and real-time service information see [https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ National Rail]. You can supplement your rail ticket with a ''Plusbus'' ticket for local buses. See the "Get around" section for further information. In most cases, few travellers benefit.

Central Station is on both lines of the Tyne & Wear Metro, with frequent trains to the airport, suburbs, Gateshead and outlying towns. See below.

[[File:Arthur Edmund Grimshaw - The Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne.jpg | thumb | 300px | City quays in 1895 ]]

From north or south follow A1(M), which passes west of the city by Metrocentre. For most central destinations, use Exit 69 onto A184, which brings you in via Gateshead and the Tyne Bridge. Don't take A19, which bypasses the city away to the east via the toll tunnel. From Glasgow or Stranraer (from Ireland) head via Carlisle onto A69.

Newcastle Park & Rides are aimed at commuters from rural Northumberland, so they're mostly north and west:

* Callerton Parkway and Kingston are on the Metro Green Line from the airport,

* Newcastle Great Park at Wide Open uses the bus (but is closed in 2022)

* Regent Centre to the north is on the Metro Yellow Line, as is Walkergate to the east.

* Heworth near Gateshead is the only P&R south of the River Tyne: it's on both Metro lines but not particularly convenient for the A1.

The city centre has multi-storey carparks with over 10,000 spaces, charging around £2 per hour M-Sa 8AM-5PM and free at other times. Street parking is a last resort: it's pricey, is typically for a maximum of one hour, and the only space you can find is obstructed by a builder's skip.

[https://www.nationalexpress.com/ National Express] buses take 7-8 hours from London Victoria via [[Milton Keynes]], [[Sheffield]], [[Leeds]], [[Middlesbrough]] and [[Sunderland]]; one-way fares from London start from £7. There are three morning departures, one afternoon and one overnight. Four buses a day run from Liverpool via Manchester airport and city and Leeds, though you may need to change. Three a day run from [[Birmingham (England) | Birmingham]] via [[Sheffield]] and Leeds, and three a day from [[Glasgow]] via [[Edinburgh]].

[http://uk.megabus.com Megabus] have five buses a day from London Victoria, for similar fares. The fastest take 7 hours, but some take 10 hours via Heathrow airport, [[Coventry]], [[Birmingham (England) | Birmingham]] airport and city, [[Manchester]] airport and city, [[Huddersfield]], [[Leeds]], [[Middlesbrough]] and [[Sunderland]]. Megabus don't use Newcastle bus station, they stop on John Dobson Street a couple of blocks east of Eldon Square, close to the universities.

Stagecoach Bus 685 runs from [[Carlisle]] via [[Brampton (Cumbria) | Brampton]], Haltwhistle (for [[Hadrian's Wall]]), [[Hexham]], [[Corbridge]] and Heddon-on-the-Wall. It's supposed to be an hourly service but is sporadic in 2022. See [[Tyne and Wear#Get around]] for regional bus routes: you're always better by train or Metro where available, for instance from [[Berwick-upon-Tweed]], [[Durham (England) | Durham]] or [[Sunderland]].

{{marker | type=go | name=Newcastle Coach Station | wikidata=Q7017541}} is simply a 5-bay bus stop with no waiting room or ticket office, but it's near city amenities. It's on Churchill St a quarter mile west of the mainline and Metro stations.

Port of Tyne, {{mi|7}} east of city centre, has overnight [http://www.dfdsseaways.co.uk/ DFDS ferries] from [[IJmuiden]] near [[Amsterdam]]. See [[Tynemouth#Get in]] for how to get there.

{{Mapframe | 54.973 | -1.611 | height=500 | width=550 | zoom=14 }}

'''Walking''' is always first choice for city centre, the university main campuses, Quayside and the opposite river bank of Gateshead.

=== By bicycle ===

Newcastle is a reasonably cycle-friendly city, with cycle lanes and lock-up points. A few Metro stations have secure storage for bicycles, but only fold-away bikes are permitted on Metro trains. You don't need a bike in town, but might use one to explore Hadrian's Wall path or venture out to the coast. See [[Tyne and Wear#Get in]] for long distance bike routes.

Newcastle doesn't have a bike-share scheme, and the shops sell bikes and kit but don't hire, however there is one rental facility:

{{listing

| name=Cycle Hub | alt= | url=https://www.thecyclehub.org/ | email=enquiries@thecyclehub.org

| address=Ouseburn NE61BU | lat=54.97058 | long=-1.58732 | directions=east bank of Ouseburn outlet

| phone=+44 191 276 7250 | tollfree=

| hours=M-W 8:30AM-4:30PM, Th F 9:30AM-2PM, Sa Su 10AM-4:30PM | price=

| lastedit=2021-12-31

| content=A full-service place with a cafe, a shop, a workshop, and bike hire with a good selection. Pricey, but knowledgeable friendly service.

=== By bus ===

Go North East Q3 or Quaylink runs every 30 min south from Great Park P&R through Gosforth, Jesmond, Haymarket and Pilgrim St in city centre, then east along Quayside to St Peter's, Walker and Wallsend. Bus 33 also runs between Gosforth, Jesmond and the centre.

Bus 1 runs every 30 min from Gateshead to Market St in city centre, then east to Wallsend and the coast.

These city buses ply the streets and don't use the bus station. See [[Tyne and Wear#Get around]] for buses to the outlying towns, and individual towns' "Get in".

The bus companies offer day-tickets and longer passes, but these are only valid for the issuing company, with a variety of fare zones. For instance a Go North East day-ticket for city centre in 2022 is £5.30, more than separate there-and-back singles.

[https://www.plusbus.info/ Plusbus] is a supplement to your rail ticket, valid for local buses but not the Metro. A day ticket is adult £4, child £2. The travel area corresponds to Fare Zones A+B, so it costs more than an ordinary single, and only makes sense for multiple journeys. 7-day and longer tickets are available.

=== By Metro ===

'''[http://www.nexus.org.uk/metro Tyne & Wear Metro]''' is quick and inexpensive, and is the best option for outlying areas. There are two lines, mostly overground, but running together underground through the city centre.

* The '''Green Line''' runs from the airport to South Gosforth, the city centre, Gateshead, Heworth, Sunderland and South Hylton.

* The '''Yellow Line''' makes a great loop north from St James in the city centre to Wallsend, North Shields, Tynemouth, Whitley Bay then South Gosforth, back through the city centre (crossing itself at Monument) then Gateshead, Heworth, Jarrow and North Shields. So for the north bank of Tyne always take the anti-clockwise loop, but for Whitley Bay, you could go either way.

[[File:Tyne_&_Wear_Metro_diagram.png | thumb | Map of Tyne and Wear Metro | center | 750px]]

Trains run between 6AM and 11PM, normally every 6-10 min but in 2021/22 this is scaled back to 12-15 min. There are three fare zones: in 2022 a single for one is £2.30, two zones £3.20 and all zones (e.g. from the airport) £3.90. A day ticket for one zone is £3.60, for two is £4.70 and for all is £5.70. Plusbus is not valid on the Metro.

Ticket machines take cards or cash. Main stations have ticket barriers. Outlying stations may have no gates or leave them open at quiet times, but ticket inspectors patrol and are wearily familiar with lame excuses by fare dodgers. Smoking is banned in the entire system, including open-air stations. All stations on the network offer step-free access from street to train, and the metro carriages have ample space for wheelchairs. Mobility scooters are not allowed on the Metro.

[[File:Wallsend platfom 2 02.jpg | thumb | 300px | Latin signage at Wallsend Metro station ]]

* north via Manors (for both universities) to [[Cramlington]] and [[Morpeth (England) | Morpeth]]. Manors Metro is 100 yards north of Manors railway station so it's not mapped as an interchange, but a short walk.

* west via Dunston (west edge of Gateshead) and Metrocentre to Prudhoe, [[Corbridge]], [[Hexham]] and [[Carlisle]].

* southeast via Heworth to [[Sunderland]], [[Stockton-on-Tees]] and [[Middlesbrough]].

A new line is under construction in 2022 through the northern suburbs to Blyth and Ashington. It might open in 2024.

=== By taxi ===

Operators include [http://premiertaxisnewcastle.co.uk/ Premier] (incorporating Newcastle Taxis) {{phone|+44 191 638 0 638}}, [https://lataxis.co.uk/ LA Taxis] {{phone|+44 191 287 7777}}, [http://www.bluelinetaxis.com/ Blueline] {{phone|+44 191 262 6666}}, and [https://www.uber.com/global/en/cities/newcastle-uk/ Uber]. They all get mixed reviews for reliability and general state of repair of vehicles and drivers. A ride from city centre to the airport in 2022 is around £15, and to the ferry terminal is £18.

== See ==

* The '''River Tyne''' north bank has a footpath and cycleway. It's called "Hadrian's Way" but is entirely modern, as the Roman original is lost under the city centre.

| hours=Apr-Sept daily, Oct-Mar Th-M 10AM-5PM | price=Adult £9.95, conc £8.95, child £6.50

| lastedit=2023-04-01

| content=Only in England does a "new" castle mean from 1080 AD. The old one was Pons Aelius, the 2nd century Roman bridge and fort, later the site of a Saxon monastery. The new structure was a motte and bailey, a wooden fort perched on an earth mound, built when Robert (son of William I) had been bashing the Scots and reckoned there might be some comeback. In the 1170s, Henry II replaced this with a stone castle. The Black Gate was added in 1350 then the walls were extended to protect the whole town. It fell derelict in the 16th century, was repaired for the Civil Wars nicely in time to be wrecked again, then again restored in the 19th century. It finally suffered an unforeseen and devastating invasion: in 1850 the railway came through, as this was the most practical route to cross the Tyne and link up with the railway from Edinburgh. Only the Keep and Black Gate survived this assault, with the tracks between them, so you get a good panning view as your train slows on the tight curve into Central Station.

* {{marker | name=Grainger Town | type=see | wikidata=Q5485277 }} is the elegant heart of the city, built by Richard Grainger between 1835 and 1842. It includes the indoor Grainger Market (see Buy), Theatre Royal, Grey Street, Grainger Street and Clayton Street. Grey Street is sublime, a curving classical facade along the line of a culverted stream. It's named for Charles Grey (1764-1845), the 2nd Earl Grey and liberating, modernising Prime Minister who passed the Great Reform Act of 1832.

* {{marker | name=Grey's Monument | type=see | wikidata=Q5608058 }} at the top of Grey Street was erected in 1838, standing 135 ft / 41 m tall. (Mi'lud also gives his name to Earl Grey Tea.) In 1941 the statue's head was shattered by a bolt of lightning, but a replica was affixed in 1947. Originally the column was on a traffic island but the area is now pedestrianised, a natural spot for buskers, protestors and latter-day prophets. Below the street is Monument Metro station, on the Green Line and at the crossing point of the Yellow loop-the-loop.

* {{marker | name=Central Arcade | type=see | wikidata=Q5060340 }} is a beautiful Edwardian shopping arcade, within Grainger's Central Exchange Building. It hosts the venerable music shop [http://www.jgwindows.com/ Windows of the Arcade], but hasn't escaped the hollowing out of British High Streets, with many units vacant in 2021.

| content=This is the Anglican cathedral and seat of the Bishop of Newcastle. It was completed in 1350 in Perpendicular style, and its distinctive lantern spire was added in 1448. The Church of St Nicholas was upgraded to a cathedral in 1882 when a Diocese of Newcastle was separated from Durham as the city population grew.

=== Galleries and museums ===

{{anchor|Galleries & museums}}

[[File:Ocean Wisps - vases by Jon Lewis.jpg | thumb | 300px | Vases by Jon Lewis at The Biscuit Factory ]]

| address=The Quadrangle, Newcastle University NE1 7RH | lat= | long= | directions=Opposite Great North museum

| content=Britain's biggest original art store is {{squarefeet|35,000}} with two floors of exhibition space and artist's studios. The commercial gallery sells paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture, photography, ceramics, jewellery and glass by contemporary artists hailing from all over the world.

| address=Times Square NE1 4EP | lat= | long= | directions=opposite bus station, west side of railway station

| hours=Th-F 11AM-5PM, Sa-Su noon-5PM | price=Free

| lastedit=2022-12-07

=== Further afield ===

* {{marker | name=[[Wallsend]] | type=see | lat=54.988 | long=-1.531 }} is actually Wall's Beginning, as construction of [[Hadrian's Wall]] started here in 122 AD and worked west. The Roman fort of ''Segedunum'' is next to Mile Zero of the wall and Wallsend Metro station (not Hadrian Road). Hadrian's Wall path and cycleway follows the north bank of the Tyne but is entirely modern for 14 miles west, as through Newcastle the ancient route and structures are obliterated.

* '''The Angel of the North''' is the distinctive 20-m winged sculpture by Antony Gormley. It's at the south edge of [[Gateshead]], at the junction of the A1 and A167. From Newcastle city centre or Gateshead Interchange (on the Metro), take bus route 21 "The Angel" to Durham Road / Deneford.

== Do ==

* '''What's on?''' Read [https://www.thecrackmagazine.com/ ''The Crack''] magazine.

| hours=Apr-Oct: Su; Jun-Sep: Tu Th Sa | price=

| address=100 Grey St NE1 6BR | lat= | long= | directions={{yard|100}} south of Monument

| phone=+44 191 232 7010 | tollfree=

| hours= | price=

| lastedit=2021-12-20

| name=Northern Stage | alt=Gulbenkian Studio Theatre | url=https://northernstage.co.uk/ | email=

| address=Barras Bridge NE1 7RH | lat= | long= | directions=NU campus next to Hatton Gallery

=== Music ===

| wikipedia=Newcastle City Hall | wikidata=Q7017384

=== Sport ===

[[File:Blaydon Races Picture by William Irving at the Shipley Aret Gallery.jpg | thumb | 300px | Blaydon Races in 1903 ]]

:: ''Aal the lads and lasses there, aal wi' their smiling faces, gannin' alang the Scotswood Road to see the Blaydon Races.''

:: - Racing at Blaydon closed in 1916, but Newcastle United fans will appreciate you knowing the words and singing along

* {{marker | name=[http://www.newcastle-racecourse.co.uk/ Newcastle Racecourse] | lat=55.0316 | long=-1.6040 | type=do }} is nowadays to the north at High Gosforth Park NE3 5HP. It's an artificial Tapeta surface, with flat-racing held year-round and jumps races Oct-March. It's a mile north of South Gosforth on both metro lines.

* '''Football: [http://www.nufc.co.uk Newcastle United] play at''' {{marker | name=St James Park | type=do | lat=54.97546 | long=-1.62175 }}, half a mile north of the railway station. They play soccer in the Premier League, England's top tier. Since 2021 they are by some distance the world's richest club, being owned by the Saudi Arabian sovereign investment fund.

* '''Rugby Union''' (15-a-side): [https://www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk/ Newcastle Falcons] were promoted in 2020 so they now play in the Premiership, the top tier of English rugby union. Their home ground is {{marker | name=Kingston Park | lat=55.0187 | long=-1.6721 | type=do}} in the north of the city.

* '''Rugby League''' (13-a-side): Newcastle Thunder folded in 2023 so the city lacks a pro RL team.

* '''Basketball:''' [http://www.newcastle-eagles.com/ Newcastle Eagles] play at the Vertu Motors Arena.

* '''Athletics at''' {{marker | name=[https://www.gogateshead.com/ Gateshead International Stadium] | type=do | lat=54.96096 | long=-1.57962 }}, south of the river with its own Metro station. This multi-use stadium hosts other events, and its sports facilities can be used by members.

* '''Watch cricket''' at the Riverside Ground in [[Washington (England)#Do | Chester-le-Street]], {{mi|10}} south. This is home to Durham County Cricket Club, one of the 18 First Class Counties, the top tier of English cricket. County matches normally last 3-4 days. The stadium also hosts international or Test Matches, lasting up to five days. The stadium is half a mile east of the railway station, frequent trains take ten min from Newcastle.

[[File:(A very small part of) Hadrian's Wall - geograph.org.uk - 837908.jpg | thumb | 300px | A scrap of Hadrian's Wall as it re-emerges west of the city at East Denton]]

| name=Tyneside Cinema | alt= | url=https://tynesidecinema.co.uk/ | email=

| address=10 Pilgrim St NE1 6QG | lat= | long= | directions={{yard|50}} east of Monument

| address=75 Grey St NE1 6EF | lat=54.97266 | long=-1.61262 | directions=

| hours= | price=Adult £13, child £9

| content=Delightful salon-style cinema where you recline on sofas and are served food and drink. Obviously that's reflected in the ticket prices.

=== Events ===

* '''Chinese New Year''' follows a lunar calendar, so the next is in February 2024, starting the Year of the Dragon. Expect firecrackers, drums and weaving dragons in the vicinity of Stowell St 11AM-4PM.

* '''[https://hoppingsfunfairs.com/ Hoppings]''' is a funfair in late June, held on Town Moor (Metro or bus to Jesmond). The next is anticipated for June 2024.

* '''[https://www.northern-pride.com/ Northern Pride]''' is a gay pride festival on Town Moor in July, with the next on 20-21 July 2024.

* '''[https://newcastlemela.co.uk/ MELA]''' means "meeting" in Hindi and it's a celebration of Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi cuisine, music and art. It's held on the August bank holiday on Exhibition Park, the south corner of Town Moor (directions as above) with spillover events around the Monument. The next is Sunday 27 to Monday 28 Aug 2023.

* '''[https://www.greatrun.org/ Great North Run]''' is a half marathon, staged between Newcastle and South Shields in September. The next is Sunday 10 Sep 2023.

* '''Christmas Market''' is held through December to Christmas Eve, centred on Monument. In bygone years this had a funfair and extended down Northumberland St, but the scale of the 2023 market is not yet known.

== Learn ==

[[File:Newcastle College, Mandela Building - geograph.org.uk - 889283.jpg | thumb | 300px | Newcastle College: the Ofsted inspectors afterwards needed counselling ]]

| name=Newcastle University | alt= | url=https://www.ncl.ac.uk/ | email=

| phone=+44 191 222 6000 | tollfree=

| lastedit=2021-12-31

| content=This was founded in 1834 as a medical school within Durham University, becoming independent in 1963. It's one of the Russell Group of research-oriented universities, with some 28,000 students and 2400 teaching staff. The main campus is just north of Haymarket.

| name=Northumbria University | alt= | url=https://www.northumbria.ac.uk | email=

| phone=+44 191 232 6002 | tollfree=

| lastedit=2021-12-31

| content=Founded as Rutherford College in 1877, The Poly became a university in 1994. With a focus on vocational courses such as fashion, design and IT, it has 28,000 students and 1300 teaching staff. Its City Campus is half a mile east of Newcastle University.

| name=Newcastle College | alt= | url=https://www.ncl-coll.ac.uk/ | email=

| phone=+44 191 200 4000 | tollfree=

| lastedit=2021-12-31

| content=A large campus on Rye Hill in the Elswick area west of the city centre, teaching engineering, sport, performing arts, food and leisure, science and A level courses. There are some 45,000 students. It's had its misfortunes, but any place that leaves a shaken Ofsted inspectorate in need of counselling can't be all bad.

== Work ==

Employers always hiring are the call centres here and in Gateshead, and the many bars and restaurants.

As elsewhere in the UK, British and Irish citizens always have the right to take up work, but other EU nationals generally do not.

== Buy ==

[[File:Grainger Market Newcastle Upon Tyne.jpg | thumb | 300px | Shops and stalls in Grainger Market ]]

* {{marker | name=Northumberland Street | type=buy | wikidata=Q7059828 }} is the city's pedestrianised main shopping mall. The flagship is [https://www.fenwick.co.uk/stores/newcastle Fenwicks]; others include JD Sports, Primark and Marks and Spencer.

* {{marker|type=buy|name=[https://eldonsquare.co.uk/ Eldon Square]|lat=54.97547|long=-1.61520}} is the block west of Northumberland St. It has John Lewis, Argos, Boots and Next.

| name=Grainger Market | alt= | url=https://www.ourgraingermarket.co.uk/ | email=

| address=Grainger St | lat=54.97284 | long=-1.61491 | directions=

| hours=M-Sa 9AM-5:30PM | price=

| wikidata=

| lastedit=2023-11-23

| content=A bustling indoor market in a hall from 1835.

* '''Cloth Market''', west of Grey St, has vintage clothing shops.

* '''Farmer's Market''' is around Grey's Monument. It's normally first Friday every month 9:30AM-2:30PM but is suspended as of 2021.

| phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price=

| lastedit=2021-12-31

| content=Built in the 1980s and expanded in the 1990s and again in 2005, this is Europe's largest shopping centre and leisure complex. Flagship stores include Marks and Spencer. Parking is plentiful and free, but traffic can be heavy, so use public transport if possible. Despite its name, it's not served by the Metro, but the Carlisle-Hexham-Newcastle trains stop here plus several bus routes.

== Eat ==

: Chinatown is along Stowell St, and Bigg Market has an eclectic mix of eateries. The Quayside and Central Station areas have plenty more.

[[File:Porte Chinatown Newcastle Tyne 3.jpg | thumb | 300px | Entrance to Chinatown ]]

====City centre====

| name=Frankie & Tony’s Sandwich Bar | alt= | url= | email=

| address=19 Ridley Pl | lat=54.977223 | long=-1.612078 | directions=

| phone= | tollfree=

| hours= | price=

| lastedit=2023-02-05

| content=Generous portions. Quick service. Worth waiting in the queue. A sandwich is for about £4.

| address=61-65 High Bridge | lat=54.97235227 | long=-1.611595434 | directions=

| hours=M-F noon-3PM, 5-9PM, Sa noon-10PM | price=

| lastedit=2023-02-05

| content=Italian specialising in Sardinian.

| address=18 Sandhill | lat=54.969017 | long=-1.607781 | directions=

| hours= | price=

| lastedit=2023-02-05

| address=21 Leazes Park Rd | lat=54.975030 | long=-1.617862 | directions=

| lastedit=2023-02-05

| address= | lat= | long= | directions=

| phone= | tollfree=

| hours= | price=

| lastedit=2023-02-05

| content=Good quality Mexican, great value.

}}

** {{ eat

| name=Zapatista Grainger St | alt= | url=https://zapatistaburrito.com | email=

| address= | lat=54.969672 | long=-1.616539 | directions=

| phone= | tollfree=

| hours= | price=

| lastedit=2023-02-05

| content=

}}

** {{ eat

| name=Zapatista Ridley Pl | alt= | url=https://zapatistaburrito.com | email=

| address=28 Ridley Place | lat=54.977255 | long=-1.611581 | directions=

| lastedit=2023-02-05

| content=

| address=7 St George's Way | lat=54.975005 | long=-1.616639 | directions=within Eldon Sq Shopping Centre

| lastedit=2023-02-05

}}

* Otherwise there are also found the chain restaurants JD Wetherspoon, eat4less, Chicken Cottage, Wok Inn, Tortilla and Chicken Shack.

====North Newcastle====

* {{eat

| name=Francesca's | alt= | url= | email=

| address=134-136 Manor House Road, Jesmond | lat=54.991 | long=-1.598 | directions=

| phone=+44 191 281 6586 | tollfree=

| hours=M-Sa noon-2:30PM, 5-9:30PM | price=

| lastedit=2023-02-05

| content=Friendly Italian restaurant.

* {{eat

| name=Blackfriars Restaurant | alt= | url= | email=

| address= | lat=54.9716133 | long= -1.61957903 | directions=

| phone= | tollfree=

| hours= | price=

| lastedit=2023-02-05

| content=British restaurant. The feel of the place is calming and feels private. The original features of the building and the history make your visit here something special.

}}

| address=42 Grey St | lat=54.971602 | long=-1.611499 | directions=

| lastedit=2023-02-05

| address=33 Dean St | lat=54.970516 | long=-1.610167 | directions=

| lastedit=2023-02-05

* {{eat

| name=Khai Khai | alt= | url=https://khaikhai.co.uk/ | email=

| address=29 Queen St | lat=54.969500 | long=-1.606096 | directions=

| phone= | tollfree=

| hours= | price=

| lastedit=2023-02-05

| content=Indian restaurant opened in 2021.

}}

[[File:Blackfriars, Friars Street, NE1 (geograph 2368573).jpg | thumb | 300px | The 13th century Blackfriars Restaurant ]]

| address=Friars St | lat=54.971599 | long=-1.619498 | directions=

| hours=M-F noon-2:30PM, 5:30-10PM, Sa 9:30AM-10PM, Su 9:30AM-4PM | price=

| lastedit=2023-02-05

| content=Great reviews for what may be the UK's oldest restaurant. You sit at long tables in a 13th-century monastery refectory, and consume better monkfish than ever the locally-sourced freshly-shrived Black Friars got to eat.

| address=Forth Banks | lat=54.966695 | long=-1.618539 | directions=south side of Central station

| hours=M-Sa noon-1:30PM, 5-9:30PM | price=

| lastedit=2023-02-05

| address=Trinity Gardens, Quayside | lat=54.9705705 | long=-1.604681190 | directions=

| hours=Tu-Sa noon-2:30PM, 5:30-9PM | price=

| lastedit=2023-02-05

| name=Landmark Oriental | alt= | url=https://www.landmarkoriental.co.uk/ | email=

| address=20 Stowell St | lat=54.973105 | long=-1.619436 | directions=

| hours=Tu-Th 5PM-9PM, F Sa noon-2:30PM, 5-9:30PM, Su noon-8PM | price=

| lastedit=2023-02-05

* {{eat

| name=Cook House | alt= | url=https://www.cookhouse.org/ | email=

| address=Foundary Lane, NE6 1LH | lat=54.97466 | long=-1.59055 | directions=

| phone= | tollfree=

| hours=brunch Sa, Su, lunch Th-Sa, dinner W-Sa | price=mains £10-40

| lastedit=2024-06-02

| content=

}}

== Drink ==

[[File:Newcastle Brown Ale Bottle.jpg | thumb | 300px | Newcastle Brown is now brewed in Tadcaster ]]

The main drinking strips are Bigg Market, Quayside and around Central Station.

=== Bigg Market ===

| address=13 Bigg Market NE1 1UN | lat=54.97121 | long=-1.61460 | directions=

| address=14 Bigg Market NE1 1UW | lat=54.97138 | long=-1.61394 | directions=

| address=Neville St NE1 5DG | lat=54.96897 | long=-1.61643 | directions=within Central Station

| address=28 Collingwood St NE1 1JF | lat=54.96992 | long=-1.61373 | directions=

| address=52 Clayton St West NE1 4EX | lat=54.96859 | long=-1.62085 | directions=

| phone=+44 7512 350561 | tollfree=

| hours=Daily 11AM-1AM | price=

| lastedit=2021-12-30

| content=Rock n' roll themed bar with good live music and cheap drinks.

| address=Collingwood St NE1 1JF | lat=54.96985 | long=-1.61403 | directions=

| content=Spacious, ultra-modern vodka bar with cool architecture (pillars, high sculpted ceiling, stainless steel bar and huge windows) and great selection of flavoured vodkas and cocktails. Dress is "smart casual", which means no baseball caps or hoodies. Music ranges from pop to indie to R&B to house.

| name=The Bodega | alt= | url=https://sjf.co.uk/our-pubs/the-bodega/ | email=

| address=125 Westgate Road NE1 4AG | lat=54.97060 | long=-1.62136 | directions=next to Tyne Theatre

| address=17-23 Pink Lane NE1 5DW | lat=54.96959 | long=-1.61841 | directions=by St Mary's Cathedral

| name=The Head of Steam | alt= | url=https://www.theheadofsteam.co.uk/bars/newcastle | email=newcastle@theheadofsteam.co.uk

| address=2 Neville St NE1 5EN | lat=54.96957 | long=-1.61553 | directions=within Hampton by Hilton

| content=On the first floor, you'll find a wide selection of real ales, lagers, cider, wine and spirits in a comfortable atmosphere. The basement, which holds 50-some, is a live music venue showcasing up-and-coming bands.

| address=Orchard St NE1 3NY | lat=54.96815 | long=-1.61411 | directions=south flank of Station

| address=105 Westgate Rd NE1 4AG | lat=54.97047 | long=-1.62062 | directions=next to Tyne Theatre

| hours=W Th Su noon-10PM, F Sa noon-11PM | price=

| lastedit=2021-12-29

| address=17 Westgate Rd NE1 1SE | lat=54.96923 | long=-1.61323 | directions=

| address=19–25 Westgate Road NE1 5XU | lat=54.96924 | long=-1.61345 | directions=corner of Grainger St

| content=JD Wetherspoon pub with large 3-storey bar serving food, big enough to find a seat at the weekend.

| address=Times Square NE1 4EP | lat=54.96781 | long=-1.62052 | directions=

| address=7-19 Westmorland Rd NE1 4EQ | lat=54.96829 | long=-1.62282 | directions=

=== Quayside ===

[[File:Theatre Royal, Newcastle upon Tyne.jpg | thumb | 300px | Theatre Royal ]]

| address=36 Sandhill NE1 3JF | lat=54.96877| long=-1.60813| directions=

| address=7 Akenside Hill NE1 3UF | lat=54.96943 | long=-1.60754 | directions=beneath Tyne Bridge

| address=63 Quayside NE1 3DE | lat=54.96933 | long=-1.6044 | directions=

| wikidata=Q26638066

| address=108 Quayside NE1 3DX | lat=54.97052 | long=-1.59953 | directions=by Malmaison

| name=Akenside Traders | alt= | url=https://www.crafted-social.co.uk/akenside-traders-newcastle | email=

| address=Dean St NE1 1PQ | lat=54.96943 | long=-1.60805 | directions=

| wikidata=Q26637883

| name=Crown Posada | alt= | url=https://www.crownposada.co.uk/ | email=

| address=31 The Side NE1 3JE | lat=54.969281 | long=-1.60884 | directions=

=== Ouseburn ===

| name=The Cluny | url=https://thecluny.com/ | email=

| address=36 Lime St NE1 2PQ | lat=54.97510 | long=-1.59175 | directions=

| phone=+44 191 230 4474 | tollfree= | fax=

| hours=M-Sa noon-8PM, Su noon-7PM | price=

| wikidata=Q7726506 | wikipedia=en:The Cluny

| lastedit=

| content=Primarily a music venue, with live bands most nights.

| name=The Free Trade Inn | alt= | url=https://freetradeinn.square.site/ | email=

| address=12 St Lawrence Rd NE6 1AP | lat=54.97102 | long=-1.58709 | directions=

| phone=+44 191 265 5764 | tollfree=

| hours=Daily noon-10PM | price=

| lastedit=2021-12-31

| content=A cosy trad pub by the Tyne, with an excellent selection of beers. A free jukebox supplies the music. Limited food, but there's deli sandwiches, and a pizza van visits.

| name=Tyne Bar | alt= | url=https://www.thetyne.com/ | email=

| address=Mailing St NE6 1LP | lat=54.97157 | long=-1.58818 | directions=

| phone=+44 191 265 2550 | tollfree=

| hours=Daily noon-9PM | price=

| lastedit=2021-12-31

| content=Beneath Walker St bridge where Ouseburn flows into the Tyne, this has a good selection of real ales and a beer garden. Live music at weekends, and bands in the garden during summer.

| name=Cumberland Arms | alt= | url=http://www.thecumberlandarms.co.uk/ | email=

| address=James Place St NE6 1LD | lat=54.9754 | long=-1.58925 | directions=

| phone=+44 191 265 1725 | tollfree=

| hours=M 5PM-10PM, Tu-F 2PM-10PM, Sa Su noon-10PM | price=

| lastedit=2021-12-31

| content=Atmospheric 1860s pub with real ales, a roaring fire and live music, large outside seating area with heaters.

=== Jesmond ===

[[File:Newcastle-upon-Tyne-bridges-and-skyline cropped.jpg | thumb | 300px | Millennium Bridge ]]

Jesmond and Gosforth are upmarket areas, and several bars are part of hotels.

| address=38-42 Osborne Rd NE2 2AL | lat=54.98999 | long=-1.60435 | directions=within Whites Hotel

| name=Osbornes | alt= | url=https://osbornesjesmond.co.uk/ | email=

| address=61-69 Osborne Rd NE2 2AN | lat=54.99112 | long=-1.60458 | directions=

| phone=+44 191 240 7778 | tollfree=

| hours=Su-Th noon-11PM, F Sa noon-11PM | price=

| lastedit=2021-12-31

| content=This spacious bar shows live sports on wide-screen TVs and has an outdoor beer garden.

| name=The Lonsdale | alt= | url=https://www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk/pubs/tyne-and-wear/lonsdale-hotel/ | email=

| address=Lonsdale Terrace, West Jesmond NE2 3HQ | lat=54.99385 | long=-1.6092 | directions=by West Jesmond Metro

| phone=+44 191 281 0039 | tollfree=

| hours=M-Th 11AM-11PM, F-Su 10AM-11PM | price=

| lastedit=2021-12-31

| content=Trad pub with a relaxed atmosphere. Quiz nights, digital juke box, and monthly live music.

| name=Brandling Villa | alt= | url=https://www.brandlingvilla.com/ | email=

| address=Haddrick's Mill Rd, South Gosforth NE3 1QL | lat=55.00668 | long=-1.60301 | directions=

| phone=+44 191 284 0490 | tollfree=

| hours=Su-Th noon-11PM, F Sa noon-midnight | price=

| lastedit=2021-12-31

| content=Cask beer and great selection of whisky, dog-friendly.

| name=Collingwood Arms | alt= | url= | email=

| address=Brandling Village NE2 4RS | lat=54.98517 | long=-1.60879 | directions=

| phone=+44 191 281 0570 | tollfree=

| hours=M-Th noon-11PM, F Sa noon-midnight, Su 1PM-11PM | price=

| lastedit=2021-12-31

| content=Old-style pub with great ales, dog-friendly.

| name=Brandling Arms | alt= | url=https://www.thebrandlingarmsgosforth.co.uk/ | email=

| address=High St, Gosforth NE3 1HD | lat=55.00599 | long=-1.61951 | directions=

| phone=+44 191 285 4023 | tollfree=

| hours=Su-W noon-11PM, Th F noon-midnight, Sa 10AM-midnight | price=

| lastedit=2021-12-31

| content=Pub with decent food and patio garden, dog-friendly.

[[File:Newcastle station, February 2016 (02).JPG | thumb | 300px | The railway carves through the "new castle" ]]

| address=42-48 High Bridge NE1 6BX | lat=54.97233 | long=-1.61114 | directions=

| name=Bar 52 | alt= | url=https://bar-52.co.uk/ | email=

| address=55 Degrees North, Pilgrim St NE1 8BJ | lat=54.97126 | long=-1.60885 | directions=

| address=14 St Mary's Place NE1 7PG | lat=54.97765 | long=-1.61195 | directions=

| address=2a Hancock St NE2 4PU | lat=54.97998 | long=-1.61132 | directions=

| address=7-8 Strawberry Place NE1 4SF | lat=54.97481 | long=-1.61955 | directions=east side of football stadium

| address=1-2 Leazes Lane NE1 4QT | lat=54.97709 | long=-1.61838 | directions=just south of Newcastle University

| name=World HQ | alt= | url=https://www.welovewhq.com/ | email=

| address=Curtis Mayfield House, Carliol Square East NE1 6UF | lat=54.97272 | long=-1.60839 | directions=

=== Breweries ===

* '''Lots!''' There are nowadays no big commercial breweries hereabouts, but small independents include '''Newcastle Brewing''', '''[https://www.brinkburnbrewery.co.uk/ Brinkburn Street]''', '''[https://www.fullcirclebrew.co.uk/ Full Circle]''', '''[https://northernalchemy.co.uk/ Northern Alchemy]''', '''[https://www.wylambrewery.co.uk/ Wylam]''', '''[https://almastyshop.co.uk/ Almasty]''', '''[https://anarchybrewco.com/ Anarchy]''', and '''[https://www.tynebankbrewery.co.uk/ Tyne Bank]'''.

* '''[[Gateshead]]''' just across the bridge has several more.

* '''Newcastle Brown''' is the city's flagship ale but local production ended in 2005. Now owned by Heineken, the domestic product is brewed in [[Tadcaster]], North Yorkshire, and the export product is made in Zoeterwoude near [[Leiden]] in the Netherlands. It's 4.7% ABV; in 2015 the red-brown colouring agent was switched from caramel to roasted malt. It's traditionally sold in pint (568 ml) clear bottles, served cold but not chilled. It pours quietly without a head, so you can fill your glass to the brim without froth escaping down your pants. In Britain it's marketed as a trad, no-nonsense, working-man's budget pint, while other markets get jazzier treatments. Some find it insipid and gassy (what doesn't bubble out as a head is sure to make its presence known elsewhere) but it's a question of the right drink for the right occasion. On a dreary day with the drizzle blowing in from the North Sea, you'll be grateful to sit down to a meat casserole or pie with a bottle or three of Nookie Broon within reach.

[[File:Lord Grey of the Reform Bill, being the life of Charles, second Earl Grey (1920) (14580834169).jpg | thumb | 300px | Earl Grey on the town with King William IV ]]

: See [[Gateshead]] for accommodation south bank of the river, and [[Tynemouth]] for the strip along A19 the eastern bypass.

: If your schedule allows, staying mid-week rather than at the weekend. Some hotels charge more for a two night Friday and Saturday stay than for five nights from Sunday to Thursday.

| name=Leonardo Hotel | alt=formerly Jury's Inn | url=https://www.leonardohotels.co.uk/hotels/newcastle/newcastle/ | email=

| address=Scotswood Rd NE1 4AD | lat=54.96591 | long=-1.62266 | directions=west side of station

| content=Boxy modern hotel, usually clean. They have another in Gateshead.

| address=Quayside NE1 3AE | lat=54.96882 | long=-1.60635 | directions=

| name=Hansen Hotel | alt= | url= | email=hansenhotel2002@hotmail.co.uk

| address=131 Sandyford Road NE2 1QR | lat=54.98128 | long=-1.60329 | directions=

| lastedit=2023-05-21

| content=Small budget hotel near Jesmond metro station. Poor reviews 2021-23.

}}

* {{sleep

| name=Sleeperz | alt= | url=https://www.sleeperz.com/sleeperz-newcastle/ | email=

| address=15 Westgate Road, NE1 1SE | lat=54.969 | long=-1.613 | directions=Rail & Metro: Newcastle Central, 300 m

| phone= | tollfree=

| checkin=3PM | checkout=11AM | price=£50 pppn. Breakfast £9

| lastedit=2023-05-21

| content=Basic, but smart and comfy, city centre hotel. Ask for a room with a view, as the castle, Tyne Bridge and railway tracks are all in sight. Good buffet breakfast, but very limited vegan and vegetarian options.

[[File:Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne (geograph 2833272).jpg | thumb | 300px | Grey Street and Monument ]]

| address=Ponteland NE13 8DJ | lat=55.03863 | long=-1.71419 | directions=by the airport