Newcastle Upon Tyne (a very cold northern city)
Newcastle upon Tyne is one of England’s most vibrant cities, situated near the Scottish border. It’s a major base with over 300,000 people and a strong political scene and energetic nightlife. The quayside along the River Tyne has views of seven bridges in all, and the city also features a medieval fortress that gave the city its name.
Nearby Grey Street is such a good example of neo-classical architecture, that it was voted one of the finest streets in England. Not all urban areas, Jesmond Dene is a quiet Victorian park and woodland valley, perfect to escape from the urban buzz.
The Town Moor (bigger than London’s Hyde Park)
Town Moor is Newcastle’s main public park, a massive 1000 acre green space that’s not too far from the city centre. It’s jointly owned by the council and Freeman of Newcastle so cattle have grazing rights.
Formerly a site for coal mining with bell pits, the land is protected, so it can’t be built on (good job!) It’s even larger than Central Park in New York and often used for walking and community events.
Home to the Tyne Bridge
Tyne Bridge is a feat of Victorian engineering. Opened in 1928 to great fanfare, it took three years to build (one man sadly died during construction, when he fell into the river).
The arch shape looks similar to that of Australia’s Sydney Harbour Bridge. But in fact this bridge in England was built first, so it’s likely the Aussie bridge was influenced by Tyneside, not the other way around!
Formerly the world’s longest steel bridge, it’s so strong it survived Nazi bombs. And experts say without maintenance, it could survive for 1000 years!
Tyne Bridge (made from strong steel) provides a strong backdrop for nesting kittiwakes, around 700 use it each year, hidden from view. In fact, Tyne Side now boasts the largest colonies of inland breeding kittiwakes on earth.
Local wildlife experts have been instrumental in persuading those restoring the bridge to avoid netting (that could trap nesting birds) and use alternative methods from those who know, to protect birds that have been there a lot longer than us.
Home to the ‘Gateshead flasher!’
The so-called ‘Angel of the North’ was also opened to great fanfare, but some say the giant statue overlooking the motorway in Newcastle and Gateshead looks like a Nazi propaganda statute, and could cause road accidents, as people should be looking at the road, not up above.
Others call it ‘the Gateshead flasher!’
Near to Hadrian’s Wall (an ancient Roman monument)
This is an ancient monument built when Romans ruled the north. It straddles Cumbria to Northumberland. And home to many archaeological digs (one skeleton was even found stabbed, resulting in a still-unsolved ancient murder.
They also found giant shoes. They scratched their heads for ages for reasons, until deciding it was that the builds just had unusually big feet!
This is where the chopped-down tree Sycamore Gap was. It has got new shoots growing, but it will decades for it to (hopefully) grow back). There are strict rules now on people going anywhere near, to avoid upsetting the foundations, to let the new roots grow.
Always follow the Countryside Code to keep all creatures safe. Keep dogs away from steep banks, mushrooms (and toxic plants/trees) and on leads near birds, barnyard friends and wild ponies.
Geordie accents (voted the friendliest in England!)
England has many regional accents. And although a strong Geordie accent may be one of the most difficult to understand, a recent survey says it’s the one we like the most!
Known for being a ‘feel-good’ accent, it’s the one that puts a smile on people’s faces, apparently! Like Brummies, Geordies are known for being very welcoming to strangers, and it’s a nice conversational accent to hear. Here’s a quick guide so you know what they are talking about, if you visit!
- ‘Pet’ or ‘hinny’ (terms of endearment like ‘dear’ or ‘love’)
- ‘Canny’ (nice and good)
- ‘Marra’ (a warm term for a friend)
- ‘Howay man!’ (hurry up!)
- And the one we all know:
- ‘Wey aye! (yes, of course!)
Nearby to Newcastle
- Gateshead is just south of the River Tyne. Both places are looked over by the infamous ‘Angel of the North’, which most people say looks like a Nazi propaganda statue (known locally as ‘the Gateshead flasher!’) On a serious note, critics are concerned about road safety.
- Sunderland sits on the North Sea, and again has a rich ship-building history. It has its own patron saint (Benedict Biscop founded a local monastery; the ruins now a Grade 1 listed building).
The Sunderland Empire Theatre is where Carry On actor Sid James died of a heart attack in 1976. Les Dawson refused to play there again, after saying he saw Sid’s ghost in his dressing room?
The Tyne Coast surrounding Newcastle
Whitley Bay, Ava Lily
Whitley Bay (views to St Mary’s lighthouse)
This is a long beach with a view out to St Mary’s Lighthouse. A simple route is to start near Whitley Bay, stroll north with the lighthouse in front of you, then turn back when you’ve had enough. At low tide, you’ll see more sand, and you can drift closer to the waterline without squeezing past others.
At the coast, keep away from nesting birds and never walk on sand dunes. Learn how to keep dogs safe by the seaside (check beach bans before travel).
Why Tyneside beaches are so sandy
So you don’t think of sandy beaches, when someone mentions Tyneside! But actually it’s home to quite a few popular north-east holiday destinations.
The beaches of Roker and Seaburn are split by a headland, each has its own charm. You can stroll along the revived promenade. Roker Pier lighthouse offers great views, and the Marine Walk is perfect for sunset.
Painter LS Lowry spent his holidays at Seaburn. He holds the record for rejecting honours (five times, including a knighthood). Devoted to his mum, he explained ‘There seemed little point, once Mother was dead’.
Tyneside sits where the River Tyne meets the North Sea, and the coast bends and breaks into bays and headlands. That decides where sand settles and where waves strip it away.
Sand arrives from a mix of places. Some comes from offshore banks that shift over time. Some comes from softer material along the coast, broken down and moved along by waves. Then currents do the slow, steady work, pushing sand into calmer corners where it can build.
Exposed points get hit harder, so the seabed stays rough and pebbly. In contrast, sheltered bays collect sand like a shallow bowl. On a good low tide, it can feel like the beach has doubled in size.
Tides decide what you see. A spring tide (nothing to do with the season) has a bigger range, so low tide drops further and shows more sand. A neap tide has a smaller range, so the sea stays closer in.
If you’re planning a long beach walk, check tide times first. It’s easy to get cut off around headlands and rocky corners.
Tynemouth Longsands (the classic wide sweep)
Longsands has a long open curved beach with a wide sand run at low tide. Surfers gather here year-round. On windy days, it can feel exposed, so bring an extra layer and a hat that stays put.
King Edward’s Bay (a sheltered sandy cove)
This sits below Tynemouth Priory. You reach it by steps, which is part of the charm, though obviously not accessible therefore for limited mobility, so only for very fit people to visit (dog bans are also in place for much of the year, and it may not be safe to access steps the rest of the year).
The cove shape gives shelter, but the edges turn rocky, giving a mix of sand and pools, and views back to the priority. At high tide, this beach narrows fast, and the rocks take over. Tide times matter more here than almost anywhere else on this list, so be sure to check before travel, to avoid getting stranded.
Cullercoats Bay (a smaller sandy bay)
This is a curved bay with a built-up edge, with local shops and places to grab something warm to drink, after a short walk.
