Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle upon Tyne Travel Guide

Newcastle upon Tyne, or just Newcastle, as it is more commonly known, has developed from an industrial city into a thriving metropolis. Successfully regenerated, Newcastle has now become a highly popular UK weekend destination, particularly with a younger crowd who flock to its bars, restaurants and nightclubs. A compact city with plenty to do, Newcastle is friendly to tourists and teeming with history and culture.

Situated on the River Tyne's north bank, the city boasts a 2,000-year history and a treasure-trove of architecture, with some of the most classically-styled buildings found anywhere in the UK. Although Newcastle really only reached prominence during the Industrial Revolution, it had long been a capital and a chief defensive point in the north of England for the Romans and Saxons respectively. The city's origins as a Roman town are still evident in Hadrian's Wall, the ruins of which can be seen stretching eastward to Wallsend.

Today, these Roman ruins and the grand elegance of areas such as the neoclassical Grainger Town in the city centre contrast with the ultra-modern buildings of the city's new Quayside development. Newcastle's waterfront features chic boutiques, excellent restaurants, stylish hotels, and modern art. The Gateshead Millennium Bridge, a work of art in itself, arches across the River Tyne to link Newcastle to the Gateshead Quays.

Things to do in Newcastle upon Tyne

With its stylish waterfront and a host of historic sites, Newcastle is a mix of fun and culture, heightened by the legendary Geordie folk heritage. Newcastle, the party capital of northeast England, is often underrated as a travel destination and has been dubbed one of England's best-kept secrets.

A weekend break in Newcastle is well-suited to a younger crowd, who will get the most out of the party culture of this university city. However, history buffs may also enjoy a trip to Newcastle for its ancient Roman heritage, particularly its proximity to Hadrian's Wall.

The city's modern amenities actually lie comfortably close to numerous historic sites and impressive old buildings, including the Castle Keep and New Castle, Wallington Hall, the lovely old buildings of Grey Street, and the Victoria Tunnel, a fully preserved 19th-century wagon tunnel that became an air raid shelter during the war. A safe city that is easily navigated, with a range of fascinating museums and year-round cultural events, Newcastle is far more than its party reputation suggests.

Like most of England, summer is the best time to travel to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, which has the advantage of being one of the United Kingdom's driest cities. Summertime brings warm temperatures, when locals and visitors alike can take advantage of outdoor bars and clubs.

Castle Keep and New Castle

Originally known as Monkchester, Newcastle only got its present name when Robert Curthose, son of the infamous William the Conqueror, built his 'New Castle' on the site of the Roman fort Pons Aeliu in 1080. Used as a point of defence, the castle was originally built of wood and timber, but was later rebuilt in stone. Today, visitors can explore the remains of the castle, as well as the Castle Keep built later on the same site by Henry II. The Castle Keep is acknowledged as one of the finest surviving examples of a Norman Keep in the country.

Hadrian's Wall

In order to separate the Roman Empire in Britain from the native 'barbarians', Emperor Hadrian ordered the building of an impressive wall in the year 122. Taking approximately six years to complete, the wall stretches for roughly 80 miles (120km) from South Shields to Ravenglass, passing through present-day Newcastle. Dotted along it are several forts, temples, turrets and mile castles, and visitors can explore these fascinating 2,000-year-old remains, as well as the often stunningly beautiful surrounding countryside. Hadrian's Wall was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, and continues to delight and amaze historically minded visitors to the north of England.

BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art

The BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Arts is a unique and fascinating collection of ever-changing exhibits set in an old flourmill on the south bank of the River Tyne. The biggest gallery of its kind, the Centre allows visitors to explore the innovative and unusual world of top contemporary artists, both local and international. The BALTIC Centre also plays host to various performances, activities, and talks, and visitors have the opportunity to interact with the current artist-in-residence. Some of the Centre's past and present exhibitors include Sam Taylor-Wood, Wang Du, Sofia Stevi, Susan Hiller, and Keith Haring.

Getting Around

Newcastle has an excellent public transport system, with plenty of buses, trains, and taxis available. It may be worth phoning ahead for a taxi at the weekend, as the city can get quite busy. Newcastle is also home to the Tyne and Wear Metro, a fast and efficient means of transport that operates within the city and connects Newcastle and Gateshead. There are plenty of car rental agencies in the city, though exploring Newcastle on foot is perhaps the best way to take in all the sights and sounds. There are also several cycling paths and bike rental options. Mobile app based taxi services such as Uber are also available.

Newcastle upon Tyne Climate and Weather

Newcastle's Oceanic climate is temperate, and although typical of the United Kingdom, it can be highly changeable. Due to the Gulf Stream, temperatures are usually warmer than in the rest of the UK and as Newcastle is in the rain shadow of the North Pennines, it is also one of the UK's driest cities. Summers (June to August) are usually sunny and warm, with average lows of 50F (10C) and highs of 68F (20C), while winters (December to February) are cold, with occasional snow and average temperatures between 36F (2C) and 44F (7C).

United Kingdom travel info

Electricity

The electrical current in the UK is 240 volts, 50Hz. Flat, three-pin plugs are standard.

Language

English is the official language, though visitors will be astonished by the variety of regional accents.

Money

The currency is the British pound (GBP), which is divided into 100 pence. ATMs are available in almost all towns and Visa, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted. Foreign currency can be exchanged at bureaux de change and large hotels, though better exchange rates are likely to be found at banks.

Tipping

Tips of 10 to 15 percent are expected in restaurants and upmarket hotels in the UK if a service charge hasn't been included. Hotel service staff receive an optional amount, while taxi drivers are usually given 10 to 15 percent of the fare. Tipping bartenders isn't expected, and tipping for other services is discretionary.

Health

There are no specific health risks associated with travel to the UK and food and water can be considered safe. The British National Health Service is excellent, and a number of countries have reciprocal health agreements with the UK including Australia, New Zealand and EU countries. Visitors from other countries such as Canada, South Africa and the United States are advised to take out comprehensive travel insurance.

Safety

It's generally safe to travel throughout the UK.

Local customs

Handshaking is customary when introduced to someone new. Smoking is banned in all enclosed public spaces, including pubs, restaurants and public transport. Queue barging is frowned upon and there is strict etiquette on escalators: stand on the right, walk on the left. Visitors may find Londoners more rushed and less friendly than locals in other parts of the country, particularly on London transport, where tourists are often the only people who talk.

Doing business

The four countries of the United Kingdom, although culturally and historically different, generally keep to the same business practices. Politeness and punctuality are key to good business relations and initial meetings are often conducted formally and impersonally, becoming more open and social as things progress. Business cards are exchanged at introductions, and dress is formal with dark suits preferred. Business hours are generally 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday with an hour taken at lunch.

The communication style can be difficult to adjust to: the British people respect politeness to a point that often obscures their ability to say exactly what they mean. As a result, travelling business people may need to learn to 'read between the lines' and to take cues from tone of voice and facial expression. Humour is also an integral part of the British system of communication, and is used to diffuse a tense situation and to cultivate relationships. Foreigners should never assume that an attempt at humour undermines a person's ability to do their job, or discredits the importance they attach to a deal or negotiation. Furthermore, they shouldn't be fooled into thinking that the British propensity for irony and sarcasm equates with an informal work environment.

Foreigners should be tactful during meetings, avoid becoming emotional and illustrate their experience with the subject at hand. Performance and initiative are looked upon favourably, whereas academic pretension is given far less credence. Meetings are often used as platforms for debate, rather than moments of confirmation, so there should be no surprise if not much progress is made. Foreigners should be sure to respect and appeal to all parties involved, as the British have recently begun to take a far flatter approach to management and the responsibility of decision-making. And if things go well, it's worth purchasing a pint or two for clients or colleagues; though gifts are borderline inappropriate, a round of drinks will rarely be refused.

Duty free

Travellers can bring the following goods into the UK tax or duty free: 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco, 18 litres of still table wine, 42 litres of beer, 4 litres of spirits or strong liqueurs or 9 litres of fortified wine, sparkling wine or other alcoholic beverages of less than 22 per cent volume.

Communications

The international country dialling code for the UK is +44. Mobile phone coverage is extensive and free WiFi is widely available in pubs and coffee shops. Travellers can purchase local prepaid SIM cards for unlocked phones or use eSIMs if their cellular providers support it on their networks.

Passport & Visa

If a visa is not required, travellers should hold a return or onward ticket, and proof of funds for the duration of stay. Passports must be valid for the period of intended stay in the UK. It's highly recommended that travellers' passports have at least six months' validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources. For visitors who are visa exempt up to a maximum stay of six months, the period of stay will be determined by the Immigration Officer on arrival.

Entry requirements

US travellers must hold a passport that is valid for the duration of their stay; a visa is not required for stays of up to six months.

Canadian passports must be valid for at least the expected duration of the stay. No visa is required for stays of six months or less.

Australian passports must be valid for at least six months after the departure date. No visa is required for stays of six months or less.

South Africans require a valid passport and a visa for entry or transit through the UK. South African temporary passports are not recognised.

Under the Common Travel Area agreement, citizens from the UK and Ireland are not required to pass through passport control. They can travel between both countries without a valid passport if they can prove they are a valid UK or Irish national.

New Zealand nationals must hold a valid passport, but no visa is required for stays of up to six months.

Useful contacts

United Kingdom Tourism Website: www.visitbritain.com

999 (General)