Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Top Things to do in Newcastle upon Tyne
Top Restaurants in Newcastle upon Tyne
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What to do and see in Newcastle upon Tyne, England: The Best Historic Sites
Once a shipbuilding city, Newcastle's flashier claim to fame is nightlife. Throw in a heap of premium restaurants serving foods from all over the world and it's no wonder young partiers choose to blow their hard-earned (or not-so-hard-earned) cash in Newcastle. While these amenities are certainly a draw for the hipsters and culture-seekers, it's the locals that make Newcastle a truly special place to visit. "Geordies," as they are often called, embody the pride, industriousness and resilient spirit of their city.
Restaurants in Newcastle upon Tyne
1. Victoria Tunnel
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,894 reviews
Guided tours of the fully preserved 19th century coal waggonway and WW2 air-raid shelter. Pre-booking is essential and tickets can be booked online through our website or by telephone during office hours. Tours every day, check the website for details. Our extensive Covid-19 precautions have been assessed by Visit Britain and we have been awarded "Good to Go" certification.
Reviewed By 597derekp
15/12/18. Victory Pub Christmas Jolly Boys outing at the Victoria Tunnel. A thoroughly enjoyable and educational history tour of this amazing engineering feat of the 1840s. 2 fantastic volunteer guides. Fascinating facts about the tunnel's original use and later use during World War 2 as an air raid shelter for up to 9,000 people. Highly recommended.
2. Bessie Surtees House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 107 reviews
Visitors can tour this beautiful mid 17th-century Tudor house, which is best known as the site of the romantic elopement in 1772 between Bessie Surtees and John Scott, the future Lord Chancellor of England.
Reviewed By Newbiggin_Man - Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, United Kingdom
We were walking to Baltic and called in on the House on our way past. The structure itself is just fascinating and inside on the first floor you get some idea of what it was like to live in a house hundreds of years ago. Entry is free and you can make a donation if you want. A great little diversion on the Quayside.
3. Newcastle Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 577 reviews
Newcastle Cathedral holds the story of the City in its stones and monuments. Located in the heart of Old Newcastle, it is a medieval church building of architectural interest with a spectacular lantern tower and filled with a superb collection of monuments, ledger stones and stained glass describing interesting people and events of importance to the history of the city and the region. The collection contains work by nationally and internationally reputed sculptors and craftspeople, including glass artist Leonard Evetts, 19th century woodcarver Ralph Hedley, and sculptor EH Bailey who was also responsible for Grey's Monument, and illustrates many of the ways in which contemporary local, regional and national culture has been shaped. Look out for mermaids, wild men, Roman senators, romantic ladies or even a precious medieval stained glass portrait of Mary and the infant Christ. Open: Sun 7:30am-5:30pm; Mon-Fri 7am-6:30pm; Sat & Bank Holidays 8am-4pm. Free entry; suggested donation £5pp.
Reviewed By Newbiggin_Man - Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, United Kingdom
St Nicholas Cathedral is a very impressive building on the inside, which is not really reflected by its exterior. We attended the Bobby Robson Foundation concert and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was different to what either of us had been to before and the acts made it a great experience. If you like old church buildings then St Nicholas is a great one to visit and if you haven't been to one before then it is an ideal place to start as it is very welcoming. I've been to a number of cathedrals, including Durham and York and have always felt that St Nicholas is more intimate.
4. Newcastle Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 870 reviews
Steeped in history this imposing Norman fortress, in the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne, is a rugged reminder of northern England's turbulent history. This was no baron's stately home. Newcastle Castle is a grim reminder of royal authority where armies gathered and criminals were imprisoned and executed. It is where the story of Newcastle began, the reason the city got its name and has the most commanding views over the city and the River Tyne. Open for the public to explore and enjoy our rich and varied history Newcastle Castle takes the safety of public and staff very seriously. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic we have introduced a number of measures to keep you safe whilst you explore, discover and enjoy.
Reviewed By Keith_Bnufc - England, United Kingdom
Spent about an hour and a half in there last week- interesting, informative, helpful staff and great views from the top. Only complaint was that it isn’t bigger!
5. Grainger Town
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 402 reviews
Reviewed By Bfawlty666
Almost hidden away behind modern shops and cafes the Graiger maker Has been around for well over a hundred years. Filled with stalls and cafes this undercover market is the place to be to get your fresh meat and vegetables from the many vendors plying their wares. The M&S penny Bazaar in the centre I would imagine to be one of the oldest Marks and Spencer outlets in the country. There is a lot of history to be discovered here.
6. The Quayside
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,155 reviews
Reviewed By stevearchbold - Wallsend, United Kingdom
This may seem a little biased but if your visiting Newcastle you need to check out the Quayside it's only a short downhill walk from the city centre with plenty of taxis to get you back up. Plenty of good bars and restaurants to choose from, a great view of the river side and the bridges and you can walk across the millennium bridge to the sage music centre or the Baltic arts centre plenty to do for young and old
7. High Level Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 87 reviews
Reviewed By EgbertNochips - West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
We rode the Metro from Monument to Gateshead across the blue Metro Bridge. We then enjoyed a stroll across the High Level Bridge back to the Newcastle side of the river. Great views of the other bridges from the High Level Bridge, particularly of the Swing Bridge and also of the Art Deco towers of the iconic Tyne Bridge. The Newcastle Castle Keep is near the Newcastle end of the High Level Bridge.
8. Hadrian's Wall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By GuinnessGirl73 - Nashport, United States
We traveled from Newcastle Upon Tyne to Hexam by train. At the train station in Hexam is a bus stop where the AD122 bus stop is located. It runs about every hour and stops at any site you want. We stopped at the Housesteads site and were not disappointed. It is so beautiful there. The lush green rolling hills of the countryside is such a lovely backdrop to the beautiful ruins of a Roman fort. There is a walk from the bus drop off to the site itself but you walk among sheep and hills so we didn't mind at all. There is a small museum, gift shop and theater that shows a brief film to give you an idea of what happened at the site. We'd like to go back and visit other sites but we were catching a train later that evening out of Newcastle to Edinburgh and didn't want to miss it.
9. The Guildhall
10. Blackfriars Medieval Friary
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 73 reviews
Blackfriars is a former Dominican 13th Century Friary and medieval buildings established in 1239. Within the complex you will find a Parlour Bar (the oldest standing bar in Newcastle), the restaurant which is believed to be the oldest purpose-built restaurant in the UK, a Banquet hall for parties, a Cookery School and Wine, Beer and Whisky Tasting Room. This is not the listing for It is not for the Blackfriars Restaurant or Blackfriars Cookery School.
Reviewed By Dr_Waugh - Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
I find it really intriguing that there are so many Priory monasteries, but so few Friary monasteries. It’s lovely to have the ruins of one in the centre of Newcastle, it’s now boxed in by Friars Street, Stowell Street and Dispensary Lane. There are a number of different orders of friars including the Dominicans, Franciscans, Augustinians and Carmelites. This Friary was a Dominican one and originates from the 13th century. There are good information boards and easy parking on Friars St nearby. There are some buildings still in use, the Parlour bar and Blackfriars restaurant. You don’t need to eat or drink at these to get access. You can walk through the arch from Friars St or from Dispensary Lane with runs from Stowell St to Low Friar St.
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