Our idea for the ultimate weekend in Newcastle with nightlife, coastline trips and quayside walks
Newcastle is ideal for a city break - and let us tell you why in the form of our perfect weekend on Tyneside.
As England’s northernmost major city, Newcastle emcompasses history, art, community as well as some of the most iconic sights in the UK. Sports fans are catered for with a range of professional sports while those looking for a great night out will be in their element.
Easy travel across the region on the Tyne and Wear Metro opens up the wider North East, with the North Tyneside and Northumberland coast easily accessible, with day trips to Berwick and Durham also an option.
Friday
Getting into Newcastle on a Friday afternoon, visitors can check into a hotel and head out into the early evening on the Quayside for some food before hitting the bars and pubs.
Staying on the Quayside, we are blessed with a huge number of food options with Uno's Trattoria a favourite in our team. The restaurant is set in a classic building on the riverside with decor to match, and always offers top Italian options.
Following this, it is time to hit the town. On a dry evening, just head to the Bridge Tavern, a hugely popular bar for locals and visitors alike with large indoor and outdoor seating options or Wylam Brewery’s new upmarket pub The Sandhill Arms before working your way up towards neville Street.
Better known as the Diamond Strip, Neville Street is one of the key nightlife spots in Tyneside. Every group are different, so start on the juntion at Grey Street and head into wherever you fancy!
Saturday
Sore head on the first morning in Newcastle? You won’t be the only one! Kick off your day at The Dispensary, a coffee house and eatery in the shadow of St James Park - and definitely try out the pancake menu, trust us!
With any hangovers being worked on, either head for a walk around the nearby Leazes Park if you need some fresh air and a bit of quiet in the city, or work your way towards Chinatown. It is one of only five Chinatowns in the UK, the others being in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool and take in the smells of the area, before heading to the Metro for a trip to the coast.
This can take a series of forms, with plenty of options across the North East. Some may chose to head towards Seaburn on Wearside and go to The Stack there, a coastline venue hosting bars, street food and live music while Tynemouth and Whitley Bay offers another option in North Tyneside.
If you do decide to stay north of the Tyne, grab a snack at Pablo Eggsgobao - a stunning breakfast bao site with sites in central Newcastle and North Tyneside as well as Sunderland. From here, work your way along the coast until you hit Tynemouth. The town’s Front Street always has some great independent shops and bars, while the area’s Metro station hosts a market every weekend, selling everything from vintage clothes and books to vinyl records.
On your way back to the city centre, head into Grainger Market. The grade I listed building is one of the oldest indoor markets in Europe and is home to over 100 small businesses and independent traders. Alongside craft stalls, mini bazaars, jewellers, clothing and plant stalls, you'll find high quality butchers, artisan bakers, green grocers, street food traders, coffee shops and more.
If live sport is your thing, Saturday can also be reserved for taking in the experience of a Newcastle United game at St James Park. Tickets can be hard to come by, but the experience is one you won’t forget - especially if the club are in form! Other professional sport across the region can be seen thanks to the Newcastle Eagles (basketball), Falcons (rugby) and Whitley Warriors (ice hockey).
If you’re still hungry after the food throughout the day, now is the time to head to Grey Street where some of the top restaurants in the city can be found - often one next to the other. The nearby Fat Hippo is our option, however.
The trendy burger joint has two sites in Newcastle, one in the city centre and one in Jesmond and is well loved with top food and drink options.
Grey Street is also home to the Theatre Royal, for anyone wanting to catch a show. The Tyne Theatre and Opera House is home to additional options when it comes to stage and comedy entertainment.
Sunday
Before heading back to central station to head home, there is still plenty to enjoy, even on sleepy Sunday mornings. The final morning of the week is always home to the Quayside market with both breakfast and lunch oppertunities as well as a chance to support independent traders with a stunning riverside backdrop.
Ouseburn, a hugely popular area known for its independent bars, music venues and more is a short walk along the river. Here you can grab a coffee or alcholic drink and enjoy taking a look around Newcastle’s most fashionable and trendy neighbourhood. Our top picks for things to do come in the form of Ouseburn Farm, Newcastle’s inner city farm and the area’s vintage shops, most notably The Find and Flea Circus.
After this we have two food options to see out the trip, anyone wanting a Sunday lunch should head to The Tanners Arms where Stepney Bank meets New Bridge Street, while Ernest offers other options away from the traditional Sunday offering.