Wednesday Excursions

On Wednesday 7 August, the scientific program will end at lunchtime. In the afternoon, participants can join an organized excursion in Newcastle or the surrounding areas. When registering, you will be invited to subscribe to one of the following excursion options on offer: 

• A city highlights guided tour.  Join Newcastle City Guides for a heritage walking tour of the Newcastle city centre and discover more about the history and culture of our city. The walk will include highlights such as Grey’s Monument and Grey street, the Castle and the Quayside. The walk takes approximately 120 minutes. Note that Newcastle is a historic city with uneven pavements, narrow passages and often steps that add to its unique character. After the walk there will be the option to visit the old Victorian tunnels in Ouseburn, a subterranean wagonway that was built to transport coal from the colliery to the river Tyne. We will end the afternoon in one of Ouseburn's vibrant pubs.

• A walking tour of the regional coastline.  The Northumberland coastline has some of the UKs finest sandy beaches and dramatic coastal scenery. We will visit St Mary Island, a 30min bus ride away from the city centre, which is connected to the mainland via a tidal crossing. Weather permitting we will visit the lighthouse and have plenty of time to observe the local wildlife including a seal colony. From there we offer a selection of guided beach walks with different lengths (3 km minimum) with an introduction to the local geology. The coast is well-connected to the local metro system, and participants will be able to make their own way back to Newcastle at their preferred time.

• A visit to Alnwick village and guided tour of Alnwick Castle. Alnwick Castle is situated in the English countryside, a 45min bus ride away from Newcastle. The castle is the seat of the 12th Duke of Northumberland, built following the Norman conquest and renovated and remodelled a number of times. Following a guided tour of the castle and the castle grounds, there will be time to discover the historic market town of Alnwick, or for a short walk in the scenic hills of Northumberland. We aim to be back in Newcastle between 7 and 8pm.