The city of Newcastle upon Tyne (generally known as Newcastle) takes its name from the castle built in 1080. The city played an important part in the Industrial Revolution with shipbuilding and heavy engineering being major industries. The George Stephenson Monument near the station commemorates the great engineer who was born nearby in Wylam and built one of the first steam locomotives. Grey's Monument commemorates Earl Grey, a local politician who was British Prime Minister from 1830 to 1834.
Eldon Square Bus Station is ¾ mile from Newcastle Railway Station.
Distances to attractions are shown from Newcastle Railway Station, in some cases a Metro Station is nearer as shown on the map.
A place of worship for 900 years, Newcastle Cathedral is rich with monuments, ledger stones
and stained glass windows. Exhibitions and events programme. Café. Admission free, donations welcome.
Open Daily 0800-1600 (1800 M-F) but check website for closures.
www.newcastlecathedral.org.uk
The Norman Castle stands on the site of a Roman fort and gave the city of Newcastle its name.
Explore the ancient passageways and chambers in the almost intact keep to discover the stories of the Castle's
inhabitants over 2000 years. Commanding views of the city from the roof. Events programme.
Open Apr-Oct, Daily 1000-1700. Nov-Mar, MThFSSu 1000-1700.
www.newcastlecastle.co.uk
A fun family-friendly place to discover amazing things about science in themed exhibit spaces,
a science theatre and a planetarium. Events programme. Café and packed lunch area.
Open Daily 1000-1700 usually but check website.
www.life.org.uk
The Museum covers the history of Newcastle and the River Tyne including local industries, science
and engineering. A highlight is Turbinia, the world's first ship powered by steam turbines.
Exhibitions and events programme. Café. Admission free, donations welcome.
Open M-F 1000-1600, SSu 1100-1600.
www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/discoverymuseum
St Mary's Roman Catholic Cathedral is notable for its needle spire, stained glass windows,
carved altars and Lady Statue. It was built in neo-gothic style by the Victorian architect Augustus Welby Pugin.
Admission free, donations welcome.
Open Daily.
www.stmaryscathedral.org.uk
The Gallery's collection focuses on British oil paintings, watercolours, ceramics, silver and glassware.
Exhibitions programme. Café. Admission free but there are charges for some exhibitions.
Open M-S 1000-1630. Closed BH.
www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/laing
* The Gallery is ¼ mile from Monument Metro Station.
The Museum's extensive collections are arranged in several themed galleries covering Natural History, Archaeology,
Hadrian's Wall, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece and World Cultures. Exhibitions and events programme.
Café. Admission free, donations welcome.
Open M-F 1000-1700, Sat 1000-1600, Sun 1100-1600.
www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/greatnorthmuseum
* The Museum is ¼ mile from Haymarket Metro Station.
Two magnificent 17th century merchants' houses, one with an impressive timber framed frontage.
Bessie Surtees eloped from here in 1772 with John Scott, later Lord Chancellor of England.
Open for booked guided tours, see website.
www.english-heritage.org.uk
The Baltic Centre hosts contemporary art exhibitions and has a viewing gallery overlooking the River Tyne.
Rooftop restaurant. Admission free, donations welcome. See the website for current exhibitions.
Open WThFSSu 1000-1800.
www.baltic.art
The Baltic Centre is ¾ mile from Gateshead station.
A heritage steam railway offering a 6-mile round trip in Victorian carriages on the world's oldest railway.
Experience the atmosphere of an industrial railway. See Causey Arch, the world's oldest railway bridge. Refreshments.
Open see website.
www.tanfield-railway.co.uk
Bus X30/X31 from Railway Station (also X32 from near Castle, all from Eldon Square Bus Station)
to Burdon Plain, opposite Andrews House Station entrance, shortly after Sunniside, about 25 minutes journey.
M-S each route hourly, Sun & BH hourly X30 only.
Operated by GoNorthEast.
A Country Park of along the valley of the River Derwent with woodlands, wetland areas and meadows
as well as the riverside. The Derwent Walk follows the route of the former Derwent Valley Railway which once carried iron ore.
There are two visitor information centres with cafés: Land of Oak and Iron Heritage Centre and
Thornley Woodlands Centre. Industrial heritage sites. Sculpture trail in Thornley Woods.
Open Visitor Centres Daily 1000-1500. Park at all times.
www.gateshead.gov.uk |
www.landofoakandiron.org.uk
Bus 47 and X45 from Railway Station (also Eldon Square Bus Station) to the visitor centre
entrances at Winlaton Mill and beyond, 20-25 minutes journey. M-S combined frequency every 15 minutes, Sun & BH combined frequency every 20 minutes.
Operated by GoNorthEast.
These buses also pass Metrocentre station.
Gibside is a large park and garden with walking trails. Features include the ruins of Gibside Hall, woodland
and views across the Derwent Valley. The Column to Liberty, Palladian Chapel and a tree-lined avenue give a sense of the original
Georgian landscape garden. Walled Garden. Adventure play area. Events programme and guided tours. Café.
Open Daily 1000-1700 (1600 Nov-Feb).
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gibside
Bus 47 and X45 from Railway Station (also Eldon Square Bus Station) to Rowlands Gill
(Derwent Park stop), watch for Gibside sign, about 25 minutes journey.
M-S combined frequency every 15 minutes, Sun & BH combined frequency every 20 minutes.
Operated by GoNorthEast.
These buses also pass Metrocentre station.
The museum covers 100 years of transport history with a collection of military aircraft and vehicles,
trams, buses and classic cars. A highlight is a cold war Avro Vulcan B2 Bomber.
Open Daily 1000-1600.
www.nelsam.org.uk
Bus 56 from Market Street and near Castle to Nissan Factory, near Museum,
about 45 minutes journey. M-S every 12 minutes, Sun & BH every 20 minutes.
Operated by GoNorthEast.
Buses also operate from South Shields, Sunderland
and Chester-le-Street.
Belsay Hall is an austere Greek Revival mansion with suites of unfurnished rooms, interpretation panels reveal
how it was used. The contrasting medieval Belsay Castle was the family's home before the Hall was built. Dramatic Quarry Garden
with ravines and cliff-faces. Café.
Open Sat 1000-1700 (no bus on other days).
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Bus X75 from Haymarket (¾ mile from Railway Station) to entrance,
32 minutes journey. Saturdays, Easter-Aug only, 2-hourly.
Operated by GoNorthEast.
Wallington is an informal house containing ceramics, books, works of art and other treasures collected by
generations of the unconventional Trevelyan family. The surrounding estate includes a walled garden, lawns, ponds, woodland
and farmland. Outdoor play areas. Café.
Open Sat 1000-1700, House 1130-1530 (no bus on other days).
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wallington
Bus X75 from Haymarket (¾ mile from Railway Station) to entrance,
54 minutes journey. Saturdays, Easter-Aug only, 2-hourly.
Operated by GoNorthEast.
