Which is the best area to stay in Newcastle?
A jewel In England’s north - Newcastle is one of the nightlife capitals of the UK, a cultural and university hub, with a long proud history, award winning attractions and a warm welcoming community who know how to let their hair down. The old industrial city has transformed over the past two decades and now attracts millions of tourists each year, who flock to nightclubs attracting world famous DJs, galleries hosting internationally acclaimed artists and top restaurants which serve up some of the best food in the North of England. One of the UK’s liveliest cites isn’t to be missed.
The best area to stay is on the city’s Quayside. The long promenade walkway alongside the River Tyne is home to hundreds of bars and eateries, bustling nightclubs, art galleries and a concert hall. As a result, the area is a hive of activity all year round. Some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the Tyne and Millennium Bridge, are based here and market stalls line the streets every weekend. Manmade beaches are built too during the warmer months and musicians line the walkways. The perfect place to get a taste of the famous Geordie hospitality.
When people think of Newcastle, it’s often the famous view down the Quayside which people envisage. With two iconic bridges spanning the River Tyne and attractions on both the Newcastle and Gateshead sides of the waterway – it’s a hub of activity all year round. Home to many top restaurants, including the Michelin Star House of Tides, and cultural attractions including the internationally acclaimed Baltic Contemporary Art Gallery and Sage concert hall – there is something for everyone.
This area is just a short 5-10 minute walk north from the Quayside up a stunning hill lined with bars and restaurants. This is the central hub in the city, home to many high street shops, the iconic St James’ Park football stadium, Newcastle University and hundreds of bars and nightclubs. The area is busy during the day with shoppers and riotous at night with partiers. Digital Nightclub is among the most famous and has been named among the best in the UK. Based nearby is the highly regarded Life Science Centre, many local museums and the Theatre Royal.
Jesmond is a leafy residential area only 4 minutes by metro, north-west from the city centre or a 20-minute walk. Over the past two decades the area has become a hub for the city’s 42,000 strong student population and many young professionals also live here. It’s an incredibly popular area with the long, tree-lined, Osbourne Road home to tens of busy bars and many nice eateries. The area has become gentrified in recent years with speciality coffee shops, boutiques and craft beer bars opening alongside a mass of student housing and grand private homes.
Tynemouth is Newcastle’s seaside escape – a 25-minute metro direct to the city centre, but a world apart. The area is highly desirable to live in and is home to a number of stunning beaches and some of the best surfing conditions in the UK. It draws people in from across the country. The quaint streets, which wind from the metro station to the coastline, are full of tasty restaurants and cool bars. Standing tall on the area’s cliff-top coastline is the 2,000-year-old Tynemouth Castle and Priory, which was frequently attacked by the Vikings in its past.
The big draw to this area, which is 20 minutes to the west by metro from the city centre, is the enormous Metro Shopping Centre. It’s one of Europe’s biggest shopping and leisure complexes, home to more than 300 stores, a cinema, bowling alleys, amusement arcades and more than 55 bars, cafes and famous chain eateries.
This area is at the eastern end of the Quayside, about a 20 minute walk from the city’s famous bridges. The once industrial valley is now home to many creative businesses, breweries, music venues and innovative restaurants, which have opened in former warehouses. It’s where you can find some of the city’s best street art too, and it has a laid back, calmer feel than the rest of the city.
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