A spare afternoon in Newcastle?

[LeadFarmer]

On my travels next month I will find myself having to pass time for the afternoon in Newcastle whilst waiting for my next train.

Other than aimlessly wandering around the city centre on my own, can anyone suggest any sights worth seeing, or places to see by foot to kill a few hours? Old historic pubs, landmarks etc (not the bridge, already seen that).

Cheers

[Waitforme]

Don’t go to that huge horrific shopping centre.

Sorry, not helping much.

[Alorotom]

I would probably head to the quayside and wander over the Millennium Eye etc.

Alternatively, the Centre of Life, Discovery Museum, Hancock Museum are all excellent.

[twing]

Eat chicken parmo (s)

[TCEvo]

I spent a couple of days in Newcastle earlier this year – hadn’t been up there for ages.

Maybe a little spread out for an afternoon, but there’s loads to do (depending on your interests) in the city centre:

- Plenty of architecture to explore (enjoy/appreciate) in the city centre, town hall & the university (especially the brutalist bits)
- Run down The Long Stairs & pretend to be Jack Carter
- Walk over the swing bridge & back via the High Bridge
- Quick trip on the Metro for more architecture & ‘80’s vibe
- We ate at Träkol (on the Quayside underneath Tyne Bridge, Gateshead side) – food was superb, craft brewery there as well
- Tour of NUFC (depending on your football view)
- Mining/WWII shelter tunnels can be visited, but needs booking & takes a couple of hours
- There are bars/pubs everywhere

[Alorotom]

twing said:

Eat chicken parmo (s)

They’re a Teeside delicacy.

[airsafari87]

The quayside is a short walk from the train station and has some great places to eat and drink down there as well as having the Sage and Baltic Art gallery right next door to it.

[Boxster5]

Grey Street & Graingertown are worth seeing from an architect point of view - walk straight down Grey Street onto Dean Street and you will find the Crown Posada near the bottom (an old historic pub where I incidentally met my future wife!). Just past there you have Bessie Surtees House (very old property) on the Quayside - good view of the bridges plus The Sage in Gateshead.
Assuming you are travelling by train, the Centurian pub within the station is well worth a visit for its beautiful ceramic tile walls and ceiling.

[cliffords]

Is there any way you can get an earlier train

[LeadFarmer]

Thanks for the replies, the really old pubs sound interesting. Train will be arriving into Newcastle at 12:30. My only commitment is to get to North Shields at some time in the evening to check into the hotel, so Im flexible on how long I can be in the city.

Oh, and I'll be on my own, but I dont have a problem going into pubs on my own. Not necessarily wanting to go on a booze up, but happy to see the inside of some old pubs for a slow pint, or sit out somewhere nice and watch the Geordie world go by.

[Error_404_Username_not_found]

It's about 45 years ago so probably not helpful, but the County Hotel across the street from the station served the best pint of English bitter I ever had.
I can actually still remember the taste of it.

[timlongs]

Head to the Free Trade Inn. The best pub in Newcastle. Sit at the window and enjoy the view down the Tyne.

[bomb]

pop over to the 'biscuit factory' for a couple of hours. Its an art gallery and has a lovely cafe / restaurant upstairs where you can get a good lunch.

The toilets are lovely and clean too !

https://www.thebiscuitfactory.com/

[Obi Wan]

If you’re in the mood for pizza then check out ‘Hip to be square’. They serve Detroit style pizza. One of the best pizzas I’ve ever had.

[nd0000]

If you like history, the castle is pretty close to the station. There's plenty inside and a good view from the top. Lots of steep stairs though.

[InitialDave]

Alorotom said:

I would probably head to the quayside and wander over the Millennium Eye etc.

Alternatively, the Centre of Life, Discovery Museum, Hancock Museum are all excellent.

Is Turbinia still at the Discovery Museum?

[LeadFarmer]

timlongs said:

Head to the Free Trade Inn. The best pub in Newcastle. Sit at the window and enjoy the view down the Tyne.

Obi Wan said:

If you’re in the mood for pizza then check out ‘Hip to be square’. They serve Detroit style pizza. One of the best pizzas I’ve ever had.

Detroit pizza and then a pint in a nice traditional pub sounds good

[Lotobear]

The Crown Posada is an historic gem with a stunning Victorian interior - a 'must visit' pub and close to the station

Call at the Bridge Hotel on the way down (a sister pub to the Posada) and have a look at the 'new castle' next door

Chinatown is worth a visit if only to see the best preserved remains of the original city wall. Walk up Grey Street, I think it was Pevsner who called it 'the most graceful curve in architecture'

It's a very compact city and everywhere is readily accessible by foot.

[LeadFarmer]

Lotobear said:

The Crown Posada is an historic gem with a stunning Victorian interior - a 'must visit' pub and close to the station

Call at the Bridge Hotel on the way down (a sister pub to the Posada) and have a look at the 'new castle' next door

Chinatown is worth a visit if only to see the best preserved remains of the original city wall. Walk up Grey Street, I think it was Pevsner who called it 'the most graceful curve in architecture'

It's a very compact city and everywhere is readily accessible by foot.

Good recommendations, thanks. Those two pubs look right up my street.

[2gins]

Town Wall is good for beer and close to the station.

Don't know much about sights, I'm there for work a lot not tourism. The architecture is awesome in that solid way that only Northern cities do. Start from the quayside and work your way up via Dean St.

Shame it's winter as Tynemouth and Cullercoats are excellent for a chippy and stroll on the sand in the summer, one stop on metro from North Shields.

It's a great city, much maligned.