The 10 Best Historical & Heritage Tours in Newcastle and Gateshead, England

Hadrian’s Wall, the UNESCO world heritage site and the frontier of the Roman Hadrian’s Wall. Discover the varied lives of the troops stationed on the wall. Starting at Steel Rig we will walk the 2 1/2 miles to the Roman fort of Housesteads. This walk will enable you to see the wall, discover its milecastles and see the wild geography of the frontier. Housesteads is the most complete of Roman forts in Britain and gives you a fantastic view of Roman life on Hadrian’s wall. After visiting the fort we stop for lunch twice brewed where you will be able to enjoy fantastic local food. We will then proceed to Vindolanda. Vindolanda was a Roman supply base and has been extensively excavated providing us with in-depth information on the people who lived on the wall. This tour is great for those who love history, wish to discover more about the Romans and enjoy country walks. Please contact us for small groups and solo travelers' options.

Inclusions: Local guide, Professional guide

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Drinks at Lunch time, Lunch

Starting as a Roman fort and growing to become one of the major cities of the Industrial Revolution, Newcastle has a fantastic story to tell. You’ll hear all the best bits on this three-hour guided walk of Newcastle, while visiting many of the city’s most significant sites. We’ll take you inside the Cathedral Church of St. Nicholas and then Newcastle’s Castle – both parts of the historic core of the city. Built in 1080 by one of the sons of William the Conqueror, Newcastle’s castle has defended against Scottish attacks, including a failed assault by William Wallace (of Braveheart fame). St. Nicholas Cathedral church is first mentioned in 1092 and developed as the primary parish in Newcastle. This tour is a great way to immerse yourself in the history and sights of Newcastle, to discover how the city has changed the world. Please contact us for details of solo traveler bookings. What 3 Words starting location: ///rotate.angel.monks

Inclusions: Local guide, Professional guide

Exclusions: Food and drinks

Hadrian’s Wall, a UNESCO world heritage site, marks the frontier of the Roman Empire. The frontier extended for 80 Roman miles and covered many landscapes. On this half-day tour, we’ll focus on the fort at the east end of the wall: Segedunum. The fort is home to fantastic reconstructions of the Roman way of life, allowing you to learn up-close about this fantastic, ruthless yet creative culture that conquered much of the known world. We will start the tour at the fort of Segedunum - now called Wallsend. Following this we’ll go to the Great North Museum in Newcastle, which has one of the largest collections of Roman artefacts in the North of Britain. This tour is great for those who love history and wish to discover more about the Romans in urban Newcastle and Tyneside. Please contact us for details of solo traveler bookings. What 3 Words starting location: ///rocky.move.wide

Inclusions: Local guide, Professional guide, Local Forts and museums

Exclusions: Food and drinks

South Shields and Jarrow contain fantastic history from before the Romans and, today, are vibrant towns in the North East of England. On this tour, you’ll hear the story of the Roman Fort of Arbeia and the Anglo-Saxon story of the North East at Jarrow Hall. At Arbeia, you’ll discover the stories of soldiers and civilians alike – with dedications to Middle-Eastern traders, slaves and native Britons, all living together at this frontier. At Jarrow Hall, you’ll explore the story of the Germanic Anglo-Saxons through the museum dedicated to the Venerable Bede. Bede is arguably the greatest scholar of the Dark Ages, not only a monk, but also a teacher, scientist and historian in a time most believe to be violent, uneducated and unrecorded. Both sites have fantastic reconstructions of buildings from their periods, including a Roman gatehouse, barracks block and commanding officers’ house. What 3 Words starting location: ///rocky.move.wide

Inclusions: Private transportation

Exclusions: Lunch, Snacks

Experience the city of Newcastle (and Gateshead) in a new light - gone are the days of industry & depression - the city today is one of the most fascinating, culturally active and inspiring cities in the UK. Discover its past, present and future on this discovery walking tour with your local expert!

Inclusions: Professional, local tourist guide, Tailor-made: choose your start/end points within the city

Exclusions: Private transportation, Entry fees, Gratuities

This tour informs in a light hearted and entertaining way about Newcastle's fascinating 2000 year history. Newcastle is often overlooked and misunderstood and booking a tour with us is the best way to discover for yourself what Newcastle has to offer.

Inclusions: Guide

Exclusions:

Immerse yourself in Newcastle’s rich past and handsome architecture on a two-hour walking tour of its historical highlights. Learn about the city’s Roman, Norman and mercantile history. Admire Grey’s Monument, Grey Street and the Castle Keep. Hear about the Victorian entrepreneurs who made Newcastle a powerhouse of the Industrial Revolution. And take in the revamped Quayside, where cutting-edge venues overlook the River Tyne. Every step of the way, you’ll absorb the city’s vibrant atmosphere, rooted in the famously friendly natures of the ‘Geordie’ locals. What 3 Words starting location: ///rotate.angel.monks

Inclusions: Local guide, Professional guide, Tour escort/host

Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Food and drinks

The tour offers more sights than some other tours of the beautiful city of Newcastle. On it you will hear about the history of the city from the Iron Age to present day, and also about some of the city's more interesting characters. The tour is less than 4km, does include some steps, and some uneven pavement. Please come prepared according to the weather forecast for that day. In the event of bad weather, please contact me through the message option here on TripAdvisor to see if the tour is still going ahead. Weather cancellations will be very rare.

Inclusions: English-speaking tour guide

Exclusions:

Enjoy a leisurely walk along the iconic River Tyne as you hear about the stories, people and places that have shaped Newcastle’s history. Take in amazing views of the High-Level Bridge, Millennium Bridge and much more. This tour is a great introduction to the city and how it has changed over the years. What 3 Words starting location: ///means.closet.path

Inclusions: Local Professional guide, All taxes, fees and handling charges

Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Food and drinks

Scratch beneath the surface of this northern city to discover a place rich in history and culture. Your expert guide will take you right into the historical heart of Newcastle to learn how the original settlement developed into the city it is today. Check out St. Nicholas Cathedral, the Black Gate and the Bigg Market – one of the city's medieval markets that’s still thriving today. What 3 Words starting location: ///intent.shot.bright

Inclusions: Local guide

Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Food and drinks