If you’ve only got a few hours spare make sure you get off campus, explore and find out what it’s going to be like to live in NewcastleGateshead.
Head down to the NewcastleGateshead Quayside – Famous for the seven bridges that cross the River Tyne. There are plenty of restaurants, cafes and bars to grab something to eat along the way. Cross the Millennium Bridge toward BALTIC, a major international centre for contemporary art, housed in a landmark industrial building on the riverbank. Make sure you check out BALTIC Shop, and take the lift to the fifth floor viewing platform for the best views across NewcastleGateshead.
Just next door is Sage Gateshead, the world-class home of international music. The venue itself is a stunning feat of archictecture, and attracts some of the best musicians from around the globe to the region. There’s a great cafe too and more incredible views across the Quayside.
Walk (or take the Quaylink bus) back up to Newcastle city centre. Grey Street, leading to Grey’s Monument has been voted Britain’s Best Street and is home to Theatre Royal and a great choice of delicious restaurants. Just off Grey Street is High Bridge; cobbled streets, quirky vintage stores and amazing independent restaurants are waiting to be discovered here.
Just a few minutes walk from campus you’ll find intu Eldon Square Shopping Centre - home to over 150 shops and places to eat. You can’t fail to spot the new Primark on Northumberland Street – it’s reported to be the 2nd biggest in the UK - and you’ll also find Fenwick, Newcastle’s very own premium department store, stocking exclusive fashion labels you won’t find anywhere else in the North East.
If this all sounds a bit too jam-packed – why not make a weekend of it and stay overnight? There’s so much to see and do, we guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
Head out to see the Angel of the North, Antony Gormley's iconic 20 metre high sculpture set on the outskirts of Gateshead. Catch the Go North East 21 or 22 bus from Eldon Square Bus Station. You can always stop off at intu Metrocentre on your way back – with over 300 shops, it’s Europe’s biggest shopping and leisure centre.
Sports fans can take a behind the scenes tour of St James’ Park, home to Newcastle United Football Club.
Or why not visit the Castle Keep? One of the finest examples of a Norman stone keep in Britain, standing on the site of the original “New Castle” that gave the city its name. Climb to the top for fantastic panoramic views.
You can also head out to the coast. It takes just 20 minutes by Metro and you’ll find miles and miles of golden sand, dramatic cliffs, coves and lighthouses to explore. There’s a thriving surf scene in Tynemouth and a funfair in South Shields.
Getting around the beautiful North East couldn’t be easier – use the Traveline website to plan your journey.
