Geordie Wonderland (Newcastle upon Tyne)

Member Name: pedro_gavino

Product:	Newcastle upon Tyne
Date:	29/09/08 (40 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Compact city with plenty to see and do

Disadvantages: Binge drinking culture

I currently live in Newcastle and can assure anyone wishing to visit that it's a great place with plenty to see and do - all within walking distance!

Having moved up here from Liverpool many years ago to study I found myself forever comparing these two great cities - and there are a lot of comparisons. Yes the Tyne isn't quite the Mersey but both are a source of pride and passion for the locals. On the Quayside you will find plenty of bars and restaurants, some old such as 'Bob Trollops' and the 'Quilted Camel' and some new such as the 'Pitcher and Piano' and 'Mal Maisson'. These newer establishments are located towards the Millennium footbridge (the blinking eye) that crosses the water leading to the Baltic, one of the finest museums of contemporary art outside London - and its Free!

Word of warning for those not wanting to party hard - the Quayside is a popular haunt for Stag and Hen groups on a weekend. Avoid if possible - I do!

If its shops your after then you wont be disappointed here. Walking up Grey street is akin to strolling around the grand crescents of Bath or York and has been voted one of the prettiest streets in England in the past, a fine example of Georgian architecture on which you will find many boutique shops, restaurants and the Theatre Royal. This street leads to The Monument (made famous by a recent Maximo Park song) this is a popular meeting place and useful for tourists should you loose your bearings. Eldon square is a covered shopping centre in the heart of the city (one of the largest in Europe) no doubt a necessity due to the arctic winter temperatures here!

There is great Architecture everywhere in Newcastle form the ancient Castle Keep to the imposing Victorian central train station, providing a stark offset to the very modern refurbishment of St James Park (55,000 seats). If your driving in by car over one of the many bridges this is a real landmark perched atop of a hill it's an imposing site indeed.
Other things to do in the centre of town include a visit to Laing art gallery, Discovery museum, Sage Gateshead, The Gate entertainment complex and a very good China town.

Newcastle is really accessible, the airport is 20mins away by Metro no fuss! Other nearby attractions include Wallsend - home to Segedunum (Hadrian's Wall) Tynmouth and Whitley Bay (great beaches but the water is freezing!) Keilder Water and a host of National Trust sites such as Belsay, Gibside, Cragside and more.

Summary: Visit Newcastle, you wont be disappointed.