City Break in Newcastle, UK

March 5, 2018
City Break in Newcastle, UK

The train chugs its way into Newcastle Train Station following the bend in the tracks to the right, so it becomes parallel with a local train. I journey from Motherwell, Scotland crossing the picturesque border into England. Once out of the station, abuzz with hen and stag parties and people going about their daily business, it’s evident that this city is a lively place for tourists and locals. I and my travel companion make our way to our budget hotel.

What brought us to Newcastle was one attraction in particular – The Theatre Royal, a column-fronted building that highlights the distinctiveness of Grey Street. The street is famous for featuring some of the best examples of Georgian Architecture in Britain, if not the world. This claim to fame has helped Grey Street land its title as the UK’s best street. Grey Street is found in Grainger Town, named after Richard Grainger, the man behind the Georgian buildings he designed in the 1830s. The street is proudly looked over by the Earl of Grey monument, part of the city since 1838.

We chose an American-infused dining experience at The Rub. A quirky, cool restaurant found in the Gate complex, it even mimicked the size of the portions you would receive if you were eating Stateside.

During our stay we also took in what else the city had to offer. I read up on Newcastle throughout my journey, discovering its growing popularity as a city break. I read that it’s possible to walk around Newcastle in fifteen minutes, so put this to the test. This was only slightly true, as from the city centre it’s fifteen minutes’ walk to and from the bridges.

The Gateshead Millennium Bridge and the Tyne Bridge look like they are chaperoning each other over the River Tyne. The oldest of the two is the Tyne Bridge, which links Newcastle to Gateshead. It’s been part of the city for over nine decades. The Gateshead Millennium Bridge has a tilted form, earning its nickname the blinking-eye bridge.

If you’re planning a trip away to Newcastle and have a big group of friends, check out Mayday travel they are a coach hire service based in the UK.”

The last attractive element of Newcastle is its pub and restaurant scene. My sister and I chose an American-infused dining experience at The Rub. A quirky, cool restaurant found in the Gate complex, it even mimicked the size of the portions you would receive if you were eating Stateside. We got a pizza topped with brisket, pizza sides, and nachos known as The Great Mexican Wall Pizza.

This was washed down with some cocktails at the Botanist, a hipster joint where you can drink herbal-inspired cocktails under a fairy lighted, magical glass dome. Or, if you want to take in some night air, you can hang out at the rooftop terrace or enjoy some live music indoors.

I can understand why Newcastle, with its lively nightlife and amazing architecture, has been voted one of the best destinations of 2018!

About Lauren Sneddon

Lauren Sneddon is a freelance travel journalist who specialises in writing about European destinations. She lives in Hamilton and graduated from the University of the West of Scotland, also in Hamilton, in July 2014. When she’s not on a trip, you will find her helping charities closer to home through volunteering or raising funds doing running. She has ran a 5k and 10k and helped raise money for charities such as The British Heart Foundation, Scottish SPCA and Finding Your Feet.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Loading...