Practical Advice for Newcastle
from Newcastle upon Tyne

LEFT: Face from a church door in Jesmond.

Where to stay

Hotels in Newcastle are concentrated in two areas:

The city center, where you'll find the central railway station, many historic buildings, and the Eldon Centre shopping mall; and

Jesmond, a middle-class residential area beyond the University that has been described as "a place where the ladies wear fur coats and no knickers."

You'll also find a sprinkling of hotels outside the city--and because the metropolitan area is fairly compact, it's possible to sleep in a rural setting and commute into town for sightseeing.

What to see and do

Newcastle's five bridges, its handsome cathedral, the remnants of the Castle that gave the city its name, Bessie Surtees House, and a plethora of museums are just a few of the city's attractions. Newcastle upon Tyne also makes an excellent base for excursions to the Beamish outdoor museum, Hadrian's Wall, Washington Old Hall (George Washington's ancestral seat), various wildlife sanctuaries, and the resort towns along the coast. For details, see the Northumbria Tourist Board's site under Tourist information and museums in this article.

Shopping is another attraction. The Eldon Centre is a popular downtown mall, while Metro Centre (in Gateshead, across the Tyne) is claimed to be Europe's largest indoor shopping center.

Finally, the Tyneside area is famous for its nightlife. You can choose from theatre, ballet, classical concerts, cabaret, and innumerable bars and clubs with live bands. Check our Dining and entertainment links for more information.

Local transportation

The North East has the lowest rate of car ownership in England. As a result, the area is well served by buses and a modern rapid-transit system known as the Metro. See the Transportation and miscellaneous links page for details.

Getting to and from Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne is a main stop on British Rail's London-York-Edinburgh line. From King's Cross Station in London, the trip takes 3-1/2 to 4 hours; from Edinburgh, the time is about 1 hour 40 minutes.

The city also has an airport with connections to many European cities, and it's easy to reach by car via the A1 and A19 highways.

If you're traveling to or from Scandinavia, consider an overnight car/passenger ferry trip. For details, see our Transportation and miscellaneous links.

Next page: Tourist information, museums

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