Newcastle upon Tyne holidays

How to reach Newcastle

• Flight time: Flights to Newcastle International Airport from London take about 1 hour 15 minutes. There are also direct flights from other major UK cities such as Edinburgh, Bristol and Belfast.

• Transfer time: From Newcastle Airport, the Metro service runs to central Newcastle, taking approximately 25 minutes.

• Price: A single Metro ticket from the airport to the city centre costs about £3.60. If you prefer a taxi, it typically costs around £15–£20 for the same route.

Weather and best time to visit Newcastle upon Tyne

• Spring (March to May) sees mild temperatures averaging 9°C to 15°C. Rainfall is moderate but expect plenty of fresh spring air and the occasional sunny day, perfect for visiting the city’s parks and gardens.

• Summer (June to August) is ideal for festivals and outdoor dining, with temperatures a comfortable 15°C to 20°C. Rainfall is lightest in these months and there’s plenty of sunshine to ensure that a spot of alfresco dining is the order of the day.

• Autumn (September to November) offers a beautiful backdrop of ever-changing colours, but it is cooler, with temperatures from 8°C to 14°C. It remains, though, a great time to experience the city’s feast of cultural events.

• Winter (December to February) can be chilly this far north, with temperatures usually between 1°C and 7°C, but the cosy pubs, festive atmosphere and Christmas markets make it a magical time to visit the city.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: English is the official language. On the streets here you will typically hear the Geordie accent, one of the most distinctive (and most difficult to understand) in the country.

• Local habits and customs: Geordie folk are known for being incredibly friendly and quick-witted, so don’t be surprised if a local starts chatting to you in a pub or on the street.

• Health and safety: Newcastle is generally a safe city for tourists, but the usual precautions should be taken, especially in busy areas.

• Currency: The currency used is the British Pound. Credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are readily available.

• Getting around: Newcastle has an efficient public transport system including buses and the Metro. A day ticket for unlimited travel on Metro, buses and ferries costs about £7.

• Time zone: GMT, moving to British Summer Time during daylight saving time from late March to late October.

Best things to do in Newcastle

Northeast England’s major metropolis, the dynamic and distinctive city of Newcastle upon Tyne has it all: a beautiful blend of history and heritage, pulsating nightlife, plus plenty of green walks and idyllic riverside settings.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Grey's Monument: Puff your way up the 164 steps to the top for sensational views of the city and beyond.

• ABOVE Bar: Located on the roof of The Vermont Hotel, ABOVE offers a 360-degree backdrop – perfect with a glass of wine to hand.

The best districts

• Quayside: Permanently thronged with people, this area along the river is packed with restaurants, bars and public art installations. It's especially beautiful at night when the bridges are lit up.

• Ouseburn: Once a derelict backwater, Ouseburn is now home to a thriving art community of potters, artists, printmakers and musicians.

Parks and gardens

• Jesmond Dene: Jump on a metro or bus to this peaceful wooded valley where tall ash trees tower over mossy stone bridges, and a babbling brook leads to a thrashing waterfall.

• Leazes Park: The city's oldest park, located near St James’s Park football stadium, offers a tranquil escape (when there isn't a match on) with its lake and lush greenery.

Historical monuments

• Tyne Bridge: The river is spanned by seven bridges in close proximity – including the clever (and very tilting) Millennium Bridge – although the most prominent is the Tyne Bridge of 1928, symbol of the city.

• St Nicholas Cathedral: Known for its striking lantern tower, this 14th-century cathedral is a cornerstone of Newcastle’s architectural landscape.

Day trips in the area

• Hadrian's Wall: Don a pair of boots and march the length of the greatest Roman monument in England, one that once marked the frontier of the Roman Empire.

• Durham: This fabulous city is worth a visit alone for its cathedral which soars over the River Wear, and is reckoned by many to be the finest Norman building in Europe.

• Angel of the North: Standing sentinel over the A1, this startling steel colossus by Antony Gormley is both a poignant eulogy for the days of industry and a symbol of resurgence.

• Tynemouth: Pretty coastal town with a priory, castle and some exquisite beaches – the perfect escape from the city on a sunny day.

Activities for families in Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle upon Tyne is blessed with an abundance of family-friendly activities that are guaranteed to keep both kids and adults entertained.

• Interactive museums: The marvellous Seven Stories is dedicated to children's literature and encourages kids to immerse themselves in the magic of storytelling through interactive exhibits and creative play areas. The Great North Museum has an engaging mishmash of natural history exhibits – there’s a knobbly T-Rex skeleton, some stuffed animals and an aquarium and a planetarium.

• Parks and farms: A brilliantly run community farm, Ouseburn is a wonderful spot for families to reconnect with nature, offering kids the chance to learn about pigs, sheep, cows and more.

Free things to do in Newcastle upon Tyne

Budget-conscious travellers to Newcastle won’t need to look far to find things to see and do that don’t cost a penny – the art galleries in particular are a terrific source of free entertainment.

• Free galleries and museums: The city is jam-packed with brilliant free galleries and museums. Start with the BALTIC Centre which, designed to be a huge visual “art factory”, is second only in scale to London’s Tate Modern. Then make a beeline for the Discovery Museum where you can enjoy tales from animatronic characters along the way.

• Markets: Held on Sundays along the River Tyne, the Quayside Market is a great opportunity to browse local crafts, artworks and food – although you may end up spending more than you intended.

• Free guided tours: Keep an eye out for free (sometimes tip-based) walking tours offered by various organisations, which cover everything from historical insights and architectural highlights to food and football.

Nature and outdoor activities in Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle upon Tyne holidays are not complete without some kind of outdoor activity, and with the city being so close to a national park and the coast, it’s not difficult to find some fresh air and make the most of some wonderful landscapes.

• Hiking: The wide-skied landscapes of Northumberland National Park, a great triangular chunk of land between Hadrian’s Wall and the coastal plain, provide superb walking for hiking enthusiasts.

• Cycling: The city rates several easy cycling routes that highlight its riverfront and more rural areas. For those seeking more vigorous fare, the demanding C2C (Coast-to-Coast) route runs 225km from Whitehaven to Sunderland.

• Water sports: The River Tyne (and if you’re feeling really brave, the nearby North Sea) provide ample opportunities for water sports, including kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding.

• Wildlife watching: A rocky archipelago lying a few kilometres offshore, the Farne Islands offer one of Europe’s most thrilling wildlife experiences, home to hundreds of thousands of migrating seabirds, notably puffins, guillemots, terns, eider ducks and kittiwakes.

Local dishes in Newcastle

Exploring the food and drink scene is a highlight of any holidays to Newcastle upon Tyne, thanks to a great variety of places to eat, from expensive, top-quality restaurants showcasing the talents of young and creative chefs, to fun, relaxed cafés and budget-friendly Chinese and Indian restaurants.

Some typical dishes

• Pan Haggerty: This comforting, and thrifty, one-pot wonder is made from potatoes, onions and mature cheddar cheese, all layered and baked to perfection.

• Singin' Hinnies: This local griddle cake, made with flour, butter and currants, takes its name from the peculiar sizzling, or “singing”, sound made when cooked.

Tapas dishes

• Geordie Tapas: Various pubs and eateries around the city have embraced the concept of tapas with a local twist, featuring mini versions of traditional dishes like pease pudding and saveloy dips. Trust us, they are far more delicious than they sound.

Meat dishes

• Northumbrian Sausage: Fat and flavoursome sausages made with local pork and a unique blend of spices, best eaten with piles of creamy mash and lashings of onion gravy.

• Sunday Roast: A weekend tradition in Newcastle, this gut-busting meal comprises succulent cuts of beef, lamb or chicken accompanied by roast potatoes, vegetables, Yorkshire pudding and oodles of gravy.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Craster Kippers: Smoked in the traditional style from the nearby village of Craster, these herring fillets should be the first port of call for seafood aficionados.

• Fish and Chips: No visit to Newcastle is complete without trying some freshly caught fish and chips, preferably eaten down by the Quayside overlooking the Tyne.

Street food

• The Grainger Market: A beautiful, Grade II listed building, Grainger Market has been serving hungry stomachs since 1835; here you’ll find everything from freshly baked bagels to mac ’n’ cheese, all at cheap-as-chips prices.

Local drinks

• Newcastle Brown Ale: Known locally as “Newkie Brown”, this dark, heavy ale is totally synonymous with the city. You simply can’t leave without trying a pint.

• Craft Beers: The city's thriving craft beer scene is showcased in its many microbreweries and pubs where you can sample a wide range of ales and lagers.