The Glasshouse International Centre for Music
Iconic concert venue by the river Tyne that opened in 2004
Like the Sydney Opera House, the Glasshouse (formerly known as Sage Gateshead) is such a singular building that it’s worth visiting even if you’re not actually there for the music.
For more information visit – Home | The Glasshouse International Centre for Music (theglasshouseicm.org)
Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art
An old flour mill turned into a very cool contemporary art gallery programming the best in art and performance right now.
Two years before Sage opened, the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art welcomed its first visitors. The two venues are almost neighbours, so you can combine a trip to both with a walk along the riverside and a gander at the Millennium Bridge. If you’re seriously into your contemporary art (and you might not yet realise you are) a visit to Baltic is near-enough essential.
For more information visit – Welcome to Baltic | Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art
The Biscuit Factory
Contemporary art gallery and a top-notch brunch spot.
If this list is looking a little bit like a guide to the best artsy spots in Newcastle so far, well that’s because Newcastle is such a haven of creativity, it’s hard to stop showcasing these places. The Biscuit Factory is a commercial contemporary gallery, but if art isn’t your thing you need to come here anyway just to sample its fancy brunch menu.
For more information visit – The Biscuit Factory Independent Art Gallery Newcastle | Buy Art Online
St James Park
Home of the Magpies since 1892 and one of the largest football grounds in the UK. St James Park is the iconic home of Newcastle United (fun fact, the other St James Park football ground can be found in Exeter and it holds rather less than Newcastle’s 52,000). Take a tour of the stadium that includes all the behind-the-scenes info you could want, from sitting in the dressing room to walking through the tunnel.
For more information visit – Newcastle United Ticketing (nufc.co.uk)
Live Theatre
Quayside theatre creating and staging brilliant new theatre, stand-up comedy and other events.
Newcastle’s Live Theatre is one of the most exciting companies creating new work in the north of England. In 2017 alone, two of its productions transferred to the West End, with one (Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour) winning an Olivier Award. Take a punt on anything here – you never know what will turn out to be a little gem. Also make sure you check out Northern Stage – another super theatre.
For more information visit – Homepage | Live Theatre
Great North Museum: Hancock
Museum of Natural History and Ancient Civilisations on the Newcastle Uni campus.
Whilst we’re just throwing the cultural recommendations at you, we might as well mention the Great North Museum, previously known as the Hancock Museum. It all started with the collection of a man (splendidly) named Marmaduke Tunstall. Now you can learn about everything from polar exploration to space travel here.
For more information visit – Great North Museum: Hancock
Rising Sun Country Park
A 400-acre park and nature reserve.
An ideal spot if you’re on foot or wheels. As well as being a beautiful park, the lake area is designated as a local nature reserve with habitats including grassland, woodland, pond, wetlands and a lake, plus there is a bird hide for keen twitchers.
For more information visit – Rising Sun Country Park & Countryside Centre | Visit North Tyneside
Newcastle Castle
The medieval remains you can visit today were built on the site of the even older castle that really gave Newcastle its name. Either way, it’s a fascinating family-friendly place to visit which will teach you the history of this part of the North East.
Ouseburn
It’s a cultural hub in Newcastle. It’s filled with great pubs, bars and amazing eateries. It’s small enough to wander around in an hour or so, so it makes it perfect for a spot of bar-hopping.
The Ouseburn Valley is many things to many people. Whether you enjoy the Ouseburn for its bustling alternative music scene, its flourishing creative networks, or its abundant local history and heritage, the Valley has something for everyone. Over the last twenty years the Ouseburn Valley has undergone a dramatic transformation from post-industrial wasteland to Newcastle’s foremost cultural and creative quarter, helped in large part by a raft of investment and community-led regeneration. Now thriving social and cultural venues exist harmoniously alongside reminders of the area’s industrial heritage, such as the Glasshouse Bridge (built in 1878), the old flax chimney outside the Cluny and the recently refurbished Ouseburn Railway viaduct.
For more information visit – ouseburn.co.uk
Victoria Tunnel
The Victoria Tunnel is a preserved 19th-century waggonway under Newcastle, stretching from the Town Moor to the Tyne river. It was originally built to transport coal from Spital Tongues (Leazes Main) Colliery to the river and operated between 1842 and the 1860s. The Tunnel was converted in 1939 into an air-raid shelter to protect thousands of Newcastle citizens during World War 2.
For more information visit – Visit the Victoria Tunnel | Ouseburn Trust
Jesmond Dene
A historic park in the heart of suburban Newcastle. To get some peace and quiet amongst the hustle and bustle of the city. As well as enjoy the mix of native and exotic trees, see if you can spot wildlife, such as the kingfisher, the red squirrel, and many woodland birds.
For further information about what Newcastle has on offer please visit NewcastleGateshead’s official tourist… | NewcastleGateshead
