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Visitor's Guide to Newcastle |
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Newcastle seems
to be the city equivalent of a fine wine that gets better
with age, with a full bodied history, a rich cultural
scene, a vibrant party atmosphere and an innovative spirit. Located in the North East of England, Newcastle is considered to be the capital of the region. Although this is an unofficial title, it’s easy to see how the city has earned it. In the early years Newcastle had an important part to play as the first line of defence for Britain against attack from the north, later the city was at the forefront of the Industrial revolution and today it’s the leading centre of culture and industry in the North East. On visiting Newcastle it’s easy to see the prosperous past the city enjoyed as you look around the city centre. Grey Street [map] in particular is a distinctly grand Victorian thoroughfare with the elegant Theatre Royal [map] at the top. Created by architect John Dobson in the 1830s, the street was described by one time poet Laureate, Sir John Betjeman, who said: "As for the curve of Grey Street, I shall never forget seeing it to perfection, traffic-less on a misty Sunday morning. Not even Regent Street, even old Regent Street London, can compare with that descending subtle curve." However, while the city is steeped in history, you’ll also find that Newcastle is evolving. Probably the best example of this is the transformation of the historic Quayside [map] into a modern example of Euro chic with plush hotels and fashionable bars and restaurants now lining the banks of the River Tyne. And as you sit riverside and sip your cocktail, the views you’ll enjoy will include the impressive set of bridges that cross the Tyne and Gateshead’s quayside. Due to their proximity to each other Newcastle and Gateshead are closely linked, and the fact that they jointly applied to be the UK’s Capital of Culture 2008, shows that this is more than just geographical connection. And Gateshead itself does have lot to offer, including Anthony Gormley’s jumbo jet sized Angel of the North [map], the MetroCentre [map], the Baltic contemporary art gallery [map], and the soon to be opened Gateshead Sage [map], a new international centre of music. But if you decide to stay on the Newcastle side of the river, there’s plenty to keep you entertained. The city is home to several cultural treasures including the Laing art gallery [map] and the Theatre Royal, but it also has some first class sports teams to watch, an attractive selection of shops and a late night party atmosphere that’s both cosmopolitan and vibrant. Newcastle city centre itself is quite compact and is easy to get around on foot. However if you plan to navigate around the city it may be useful to know where the local districts are. Bigg Market is probably the most well known, particularly for partygoers. Confusingly the name is not just the name of a street but also the name of the area around it, located just up from the cathedral. Other areas in Newcastle central are Grey Street, in the heart of the city centre where you’ll find the Theatre Royal, and the popular Quayside area, down by the River Tyne. Newcastle also has its own Chinatown, at the centre of which is Stowell Street, and its own gay area that you’ll find close to the International Centre for Life around Scotswood Road. And slightly further out is Haymarket, the name for the area where the universities are. Now that you have an idea of what the city has to offer, why not explore the site further and get to know Newcastle a little better... |
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