Going to newcastle?

Question

me and my friend are planning to go to newcastle for a week in july and would like to know where we could visit?

is there a major place that we should visit bearing in mind that we are only 16 so would want to go to interesting places not like museums or anything!

thanks

Answer 1

I guess it depends what your interests are. You say 'no museums' and that you're 16 but that doesn't really give us any greater insight into what you'd want to do.

Just 20 minutes away is the coast - take the Metro from Monument out to Tynemouth or Cullercoats for some lush beaches. Tynemouth Priory is beautiful but you have to pay to get in and, well, it might be a little sedate for you as once inside it's just ruins really (me, I like to read there).

The Angel of the North is worth a visit. It's about a 20-minute journey on the bus from Pilgrim Street, Newcastle, on the number 21/22 bus. Just tell the driver you want a return ticket to the Angel. You can't miss it, it's enormous, but once you're there and you've taken a few pictures, there's nothing else to do!

The Castle Keep is worth a visit. I know you don't like museums so this might fall into that category but I did a tour of it and it was fascinating - lots of stories of old Newcastle.

If you are into shopping, there is a shopping centre in Newcastle itself - Eldon Square - which is quite good, plus there is the MetroCentre in Gateshead which is easily accessible by train or by bus - buses are more frequent, take about 15 minutes, and leave from the top of Pilgrim Street (the bus stop across the road from the golden clock) or Blackett Street outside Fenwick's/Old Eldon Square.

The Quayside is good for a walk. There are lots of bars there which obviously you are too young for but it also makes for a pleasant wander to be honest - lots of old buildings, views of all the Tyne Bridges, a nice ice cream place (take away only) called Risis, a Sunday market, and the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art.

You could take a boat trip up the Tyne actually. They leave from the Newcastle quay (outside the Pitcher & Piano) and you can either go west towards the sea or east into the Northumberland countryside. Would probably cost you £10 or less.

Regarding the Baltic, the art in there can be very cool but it can also be a little too 'out there' and whether you like art or not, it's worth going in just to get the lift to the viewing box at the top which gives you a great view over Newcastle & Gateshead. In addition their gift shop has some weird and kooky things in it. Entry is free in any case, and if you are going to the Quayside you might as well go in. It's just over the Millennium Bridge.

You could go to Chinatown and have ummm Chinese food. Additionally, near Chinatown is the Gate complex which has a cinema, bars, and food outlets. But you get that everywhere.

You could do a tour of the football ground, if that's your sort of thing. Tours start at 11am every day I think and last about 90mins. Check with Newcastle United for info.

Outside Newcastle I would recommend going to Durham. It's only a 12-minute train journey from Newcastle Central Station and it's a pretty little place. Passes a few hours but there's not much else there to keep you longer (not great for shopping, not after you've been to Newcastle & MetroCentre!). The cathedral there is beautiful and was used in the filming of some of the Harry Potter films - mainly the cloisters I think; I recognised them instantly from the films. You can pay about £3 I think to climb the tower which gives amazing views over County Durham but don't go up if you are afraid of heights (aside from being the highest point of the cathedral, you have to bear in mind that the cathedral is on a massive hill and you are very high up).

If you like Harry Potter then it might be worth visiting Alnwick Castle too as that was used for some of the exterior shots of Hogwarts. To get to Alnwick you would get a train to Alnmouth and then a bus into Alnwick, or you could just get a bus direct to Alnwick although it takes about and hour and a half to get there. Buses go from Haymarket Bus Station.

If you get really, really bored then bear in mind that Edinburgh and York are not that far away on the train - Edinburgh is about an hour and a half/2hrs, York is about an hour - and trains run frequently so you can make a quick getaway. I don't know where you are from but Edinburgh is ace.

Sorry if I have suggested boring places or if I have been patronising in mentioning Harry Potter (I know not every young person likes it!!) but I don't know what you are into. Also, I didn't grow up in Newcastle so have only seen it as an adult. I have probably forgotten loads of things too, and a lot of the things I have mentioned here cost money which you might not have.

If nothing else though, Newcastle city centre is very compact so it's easy to walk around, and it's really quite lovely. Shopping etc you can do anywhere. There are lots of lovely cafés in Newcastle actually, same for Durham, if you like cafés that is.

Have fun! I love this city and wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

Answer 2

If your into clubbing try this website,

http://www.mynewcastle.net/newcastle/bar...