Gateway to the Northumberland 250

Photograph by @distant

Newcastle upon Tyne is a natural gateway for those wishing to take on the #nland250 driving route. A magnificent City with bundles of character and no‑nonsense likeable locals, in this guide we look at why you may want to consider giving yourself time to explore Newcastle and the surrounding areas.

About Newcastle

What was once a struggling post‑industrial centre is now firmly established as one of the most vibrant cities in the North of England.

The warmth and humour of the Geordie spirit is legendary and you can expect an animated experience from the 300,000 strong population who call Newcastle home.

Photograph by @adventure_cal

Ha’way the lads

One thing you’ll notice about Geordies is that they’re mad keen on football.

It’s an experience itself being in the city on match day. Even if you don’t make make it into St James’ Park Stadium on a Saturday afternoon ‑ there’s no listening experience quite so joyous as the roar when Newcastle score.

Photograph by @hc1

Bridges over the Tyne

In total seven bridges span Newcastle and Gateshead’s City boundaries with the Tyne Bridge defining Newcastle more than any other architecture in the City.

The Millennium Bridge was the first bridge in the world to tilt to allow ships to pass underneath. You can see this spectacle most days at noon between May and September.

Photograph by @robbiebellphotos

Quayside

In the past, the quayside served as a busy commercial dockside and played a central role in Newcastle’s industrial past.

After much of the industry moved on, the area went under a huge regeneration and has since become a hub of arts and culture for the North‑East and is home to many of the regions best bars and eateries.

If you’re about on a Sunday make sure to check out the Quayside Market, with an ever increasing number of stalls from local creators and traders.

Photograph by @watchluke

Grey’s Monument

A visit to Newcastle wouldn’t be complete without a wander to the foot of Grey’s monument ‑ a 134ft column built to commemorate Earl Grey, a local politician who was British Prime Minister from 1830 ‑ 1834.

The striking monument is one of Newcastle’s most famous landmarks and can be found at the head of Newcastle’s finest streets ‑ Grey Street & Grainger Street.

You can climb the 164 steps to the top of Grey’s monument on a tour with Newcastle City Guides between April ‑ September.

Photograph by @das.album

Ouseburn Valley

A concealed tributary of the Tyne flows under the giant brick archway of Byker Bridge a mile east of Newcastle City Centre into what is known as the Ouseburn Valley ‑ one of the most vibrant communities in the North‑East.

At different points over the past 500 years this small valley has been the home of lead works, lime kilns, flour mills, iron foundries, glassworks and scrapyards.

Since the late 1990s, one by one, these have been converted into cultural venues, recording studios and artists workshops transforming the post‑industrial wasteland into Newcastle’s foremost cultural and creative quarter.

Photograph by @acitybythesea

Angel of the North

On the Southern entry to Tyneside, you’ll find Antony Gormley’s instantly recognisable Angel of the North. An impressive 200‑tonne rust-coloured sculpture that has welcomed visitors to the region with open arms since 1998.

Photograph by @fletchphoto

Tynemouth

The mouth of the Tyne, 9 miles east of Newcastle, is one of the best surf spots in England with great all‑year breaks off the immense crescent‑shaped Longsands beach.

Sitting atop a headland commanding views over King Edward’s Bay you’ll find the dramatic Tynemouth Priory and Castle ruins which date back centuries and is the burial place of Saints and Kings of the old Kingdom of Northumbria.

Photograph by @acitybythesea