Cruises from Newcastle

Newcastle is located in the North East of England and is situated on the Tyne River. It is the main city in the county of Northumberland. The city received its name when a Norman castle was built there in 1080 by Robert II, a son of William the Conqueror.

The most iconic image of the city is the Tyne Bridge (a compression arch suspended-deck bridge) that connects Newcastle with Gateshead on the other side of the river. It is part of the Quayside area of the city, which has recently been rejuvenated to become a centre for culture and recreation in the area. There is a Sunday market, from 9:30am to 2pm, with stalls selling crafts, artwork and fashion items. There are also public art installations along the promenade.

The Centre for Life, which is situated in the city centre, provides an outlet for education and the promotion of knowledge of science in the North East. It has a focus on teaching children about the many aspects of science, with an emphasis on documenting the effects of pollution and changes in the environment. The permanent exhibitions are based around the origins of human life and how it may have to adapt in the future. The complex is located in Times Square, where the Centre stages outdoor events and where there are also numerous restaurants and entertainment venues. An ice rink is erected in the square during the winter months. The Centre for Life is open from 10am to 6pm Monday to Saturday, and 11am to 6pm on Sundays. Admission is ₤8 for Adults and ₤6 for Children. There is free admission for children under the age of 4.

From the 13th and 14th Centuries, Newcastle was surrounded by a defensive wall, primarily erected to deter Scottish invaders. It was roughly 3 kilometres long, 7.6 metres high and up to 2 metres thick. Today, most of the walls have been demolished, with the longest part of the structure on Back Stowell Street (near the Chinatown district). Here, three towers of the wall still remain, with one, Morden Tower, now used as a venue for poetry readings.

The Laing Art gallery is situated on New Bridge Street (a five minute walk form Monument Metro Station) and is one of the most popular attractions in the city. First opened in 1904, it is now run by Tyne and Wear Museums. One artist on display is the English painter, John Martin. His paintings that are part of the gallery’s collection include one of his most famous works, “The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah”. Other noted artists in the collection are William Holman Hunt and Sir Johua Reynolds. The Gallery is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and on Sundays from 2pm to 5pm. Admission is free.

There are regular bus routes operating throughout the city that connect all the places of interest. There is also an underground Metro train, providing a service for the whole area. The Metro also connects to Newcastle Airport (approximately a half hour car journey from the city centre), which has flights to destinations across Europe and the UK.