When there are so many universities across the country, how do you pick where to go? One city in particular seems to have managed to attract thousands of students over the years, and that city is Newcastle upon Tyne.
With an iconic cityscape, there’s no better feeling of pulling into Newcastle train station, over one of its many bridges and seeing the Tyne river lit up in the evening sky. Famous for its night life, heritage and ‘Geordie’ dialect, Newcastle flies the flag for being a popular destination for students from all the world to come and study.
So, naturally, we thought we’d delve into why everyone seems to love Newcastle, the land of Geordies, so much!
Shopping
Sometimes a little bit of retail therapy can really help give you the little perk you need, and there is a lot to pick from in Newcastle. Northumberland Street is lined with all the high street names you could think of, as well as following on to Monument on Grey Street giving you more variety to pick from.
Want a little bit more choice? Why not visit Europe’s largest shopping mall – Intu Metro Centre. This will give you a full variety of stores and department stores to pick from, as well as a fully loaded food court and cinema too! Whether you’re looking to enhance your wardrobe, or forgot to bring a certain essential for your new home, you’ll definitely find it there.
You’d be surprised how close the city is to the coast and the countryside. Being surrounded by it gives you the perfect escape when you want to catch a breath of fresh air, or simply take a walk. When it’s all your doorstop, you really don’t need to travel far. The city has some amazing parks that are all in a walking distance, which is perfect for packing up a picnic or a game of football. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not jump on a bus or metro to make a day of it?
The city has great public transport links, via bus and metro, to allow you to plan your day of adventure. Thinking of getting some coastal air, or some classic seaside fish and chips? We’d definitely make sure you visit these must see sites, for great experiences and taste sensations.
Coastal Days Out
It’s surprising what you can do in 30 mins, and that’s how long it takes to get the Metro from Newcastle to Tynemouth! Perfect for a blue sky day by the coast, and a definite go to place when the summer months hit and you want to be by the seaside, soaking up the British sun. So what is Tynemouth all about?
Beach – with stretches of beach to stroll on, you’d be mental to miss out on visiting the number 5 listed beach to visit in the UK! Conde Nast Traveller. Not only is the beach amazing, but it has one of the most unique dining experiences, Riley’s Fish Shack. This is a taste sensation we could right up, but the best thing to say, is go experience this yourself to see why people love Riley’s so much!
Tynemouth Market – Taking place in the Metro station, this market is known for providing the goods! Taking place every Saturday and Sunday, you will be able to kit out your house, find the perfect book to read, and even feast on a delight of food, all under one roof from the minute you step off the Metro! This is a truly unique market that’s definitely worth the wander around.
Mouth of the Tyne – this festival allows to party around the famous Tynemouth Priory and right on the coast of the England! A great event for all walks of life, showing off great names from the music industry! The festival is definitely growing to be a popular one for the locals, but also those willing to travel to the fantastic North East – and lets be honest, why wouldn’t you want to come up here?
History and culture
The Sage – this venue is known for its iconic makeup of the Quayside. Situated on the south bank of the River Tyne in Gateshead, you can’t miss the building when you visit! This is an international music centre and renowned event venue. This is a venue that will give you an experience you will never forget. So we’d definitely recommend keeping an eye on their what’s on to see what you can go and see!
The Baltic – This is the UK’s largest dedicated contemporary art institution, and a great place to visit for its ever changing exhibitions. Not only this, they have a fantastic viewing platform which is definitely worth a visit to get a great view of Newcastle! As well as being a fantastic venue for art, it is also the home to Six, giving you a unique backdrop for your dining experience.
Centre for Life – This is a great site for any age to visit! Ground-breaking research into regenerative medicine and genetics has taken place on site, and it has benefited thousands of people! Not only this, there are different exhibitions taking place throughout the year for you immerse yourself into. Over the winter period, they’re known for the outdoor ice rink, which is perfect to get you in the festive mood!
Grey Street in Newcastle named Britain’s third most picturesque street. And when you see it for yourself, you will understand it is a perfect shot for the ‘gram.
Food, drink and fun
When you think of the North East and it’s food and drink scene, you’ll enjoy eating and drinking your way around the city. With many hidden gems, and a mixture of amazing venues, the city certainly doesn’t disappoint when it comes to enjoying yourself!
Quayside Market – When your wanting the ultimate taste experience on a weekend, we would highly recommend the Quayside Market. Bringing the quayside to standstill every Sunday, we encourage you to eat your way around the market, trying some of the finest food vendors the North East has to offer. You can have your breakfast, lunch and dinner all in the same spot and not have to worry about moving as you can get it all here!
Grainger Market – Grade I Listed covered market. 114 stalls selling a huge variety of wares. Perfect place to experience our canny Geordie traders and grab a bargain! have you ever stepped through the doors of somewhere, and felt like you’ve got lost time? Welcome to the wonderful world of the Grainger Market. With everything you could want under one roof, we challenge you to find something they can’t stock.
By the River Brew Co. – Why not cross over the water to Gateshead. Visiting here will not disappoint, offering a view of Newcastle’s iconic quayside in a way you won’t have seen before. Not only can you relax with a drink brewed on site, but you can also eat your way around some fantastic independent vendors in the HWKRMRKT! We can promise you this food will not disappoint!
Ouseburn – If you’d have ever wanted a northern Shoreditch, look no further than Ouseburn! This is a unique neighbourhood bustling with bars, pubs, restaurants and more! When it’s only a 20 minute walk from the city centre of Newcastle, this is the place you want to be as soon as the sun comes out to play. Full of friendly faces, amazing locals, and live music, once you discover Ouseburn, you’ll never want to leave.
Thinking of travelling further afield? Did you know that Newcastle is only a short trip away from the likes of Edinburgh, Durham, York and the amazing countryside of Northumberland! Jump on a train from Newcastle City Centre, and you’ll find yourself in reach of all these fantastic places in less than an hour and half!
So what’s stopping you from making Newcastle your new home? We hear it’s a pretty great city to be in!
