Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Pocket London

$14.99

Shop Book

Getty Images/Flickr RF

Leave the planning to a local expert

Experience the real Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Get Inspired

Overview

Against its dramatic backdrop of Victorian elegance and industrial grit, this fiercely independent city harbours a spirited mix of heritage and urban sophistication, with excellent art galleries and a magnificent concert hall, along with boutique hotels, some exceptional restaurants and, of course, interesting bars: Newcastle is renowned throughout Britain for its thumping nightlife, bolstered by an energetic, 42,000-strong student population. The city retains deep-rooted traditions, embodied by the no-nonsense, likeable locals.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

Life Science Centre

Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Part of a sober-minded institute devoted to the study of genetic science, this centre lets you discover the secrets of life through a fascinating series…

BALTIC – Centre for Contemporary Art

Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Once a huge mustard-coloured grain store, BALTIC is now a huge mustard-coloured art gallery rivalling London's Tate Modern. There are no permanent…

Victoria Tunnel

Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Walking Newcastle's streets, you'd never know this extraordinary tunnel runs for 2.5 miles beneath your feet. Built between 1839 and 1842 as a coal-wagon…

Great North Museum

Newcastle-upon-Tyne

The contents of Newcastle University's museums and the prestigious Hancock Museum's natural-history exhibits come together in the latter's neoclassical…

Discovery Museum

Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Tyneside's rich history is explored at this unmissable museum. Exhibitions spread across three floors of the former Co-operative Wholesale Society…

Segedunum

Newcastle-upon-Tyne

The last strong post of Hadrian's Wall was the fort of Segedunum, 5 miles east of Newcastle at the 'wall's end', now the Newcastle suburb of Wallsend…

Seven Stories – The Centre for Children's Books

Newcastle-upon-Tyne

A marvellous conversion of a handsome Victorian mill has resulted in Seven Stories, a very hands-on museum dedicated to the wondrous world of children's…

Bessie Surtees House

Newcastle-upon-Tyne

The Tyne's northern bank was the hub of commercial Newcastle in the 16th century and on Sandhill a row of leaning merchant houses has survived from that…

View more attractions

Plan with a local