5 things to do in and around Newcastle.
26th January 2022
1. Durham Castle
A scenic walk from the station reveals the magnificent building on the peninsula, standing proud. Architectural innovation, history and tales from 1000 eventful years will captivate visitors of all ages. The mediaeval city is lined with cobbled streets and market stalls, where you can gather everything you need for a picnic to enjoy by the River Wear as you watch the rowboats float by.
Entrance is by student-led guided tour only, and needs to be booked in advance. Tours last approx. 45-50 minutes.
Getting there.
The nearest rail station is Durham Station, from there it’s just a 14-minute walk to the castle.
2. Tynemouth Beach
Tynemouth Longsands boasts a mile of golden sand and rocks, dunes, and cliffs that attract visitors from across the region. The view looking north from the beach is breathtaking, so it’s no surprise that it’s one of the most painted and photographed beaches in the country.
While you're there pay a visit to Tynemouth Park, a family fun park on the other side of Grand Parade from the beach. It features a boating lake, crazy golf and themed children's play areas. Also nearby, the Tynemouth Aquarium has a wide variety of sea life and fun things for the kids to see and do.
Getting there.
A short 10 minute walk from Cullercoats Metro station (north) and Tynemouth Metro station (south).
3. Angel of the North
Since its unveiling in 1998, Anthony Gormley's Angel of the North has become one of Britain's most iconic public works of art. Visitors gaze in awe at the 20-metre high angel dominating the skyline. A wingspan of 54 metres is made of 200 tonnes of steel and weathered to a red-brown colour.
A lush park area hides a busy motorway just minutes away. The kids can run and play freely while you take the time to enjoy the panoramic views.
Getting there.
Take the train to Newcastle Railway Station, then catch a frequent bus from Eldon Square or Gateshead Interchange. Buses run every 7 minutes.
4. Hadrian’s Wall
It's one of Britain's most iconic ancient landmarks, and an outstanding example of engineering and organisation. As well as the impressive stone wall itself - stretching 73 miles from Wallsend in the east to Solway Firth in the west - there are various forts housing barracks and museums throughout the route that makes it so intriguing.
Taking the train to the town of Hexham to the west is the best way to see the wall in a spectacular setting. Catch the hop-on-hop-off AD 122 Hadrian's Wall Country Bus, named after the year in which the wall was built. This route covers a lot of the wall, and you could easily see three or four sites along the way. Military Road takes you from Chesters Fort to Housesteads and Vindolanda forts, the Roman Army Museum near Greenhead.
Getting there.
The nearest rail station is Hexam, it is then a short 7-minute walk to Hexam Bus Station where you can get the AD 122 Bus.
5. Victoria Tunnel
This preserved 19th-century waggon-way runs from Town Moor to the Tyne River under Newcastle. Built to transport coal from the colliery to the river between 1842 and 1860, the tunnel was later converted into an air-raid shelter in 1939 during the Second World War.
Today, you can take guided tours through the Victoria Tunnel. Keep an ear out for the wagons full of coal heading towards the Tyne through the pitch-black tunnel. Listen for the air raid warnings, the sound of planes passing overhead dropping their bombs, and discover what life was like during World War II.
Getting there.
The nearest rail station is Manors, then approximately an 18-minute walk to the Victoria Tunnel Tours entrance.