Top 10 Free Things to do in Newcastle upon Tyne, England

March 6, 2022 Franklyn Hardiman

Once a shipbuilding city, Newcastle's flashier claim to fame is nightlife. Throw in a heap of premium restaurants serving foods from all over the world and it's no wonder young partiers choose to blow their hard-earned (or not-so-hard-earned) cash in Newcastle. While these amenities are certainly a draw for the hipsters and culture-seekers, it's the locals that make Newcastle a truly special place to visit. "Geordies," as they are often called, embody the pride, industriousness and resilient spirit of their city.
Restaurants in Newcastle upon Tyne

1. The Literary & Philosophical Society

23 Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1SE England +44 191 232 0192 [email protected] http://www.litandphil.org.uk
Excellent
80%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 187 reviews

The Literary & Philosophical Society

Reviewed By BluesBoy69 - Stanley, United Kingdom

Wonderful building full of books and more. Explore it’s amazing, smells of history. Basic coffee shop available.

2. Bessie Surtees House

Bessie Surtees House 41-44 Sandhill Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3JF England +44 191 269 1200 http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/bessie-surtees-house/
Excellent
42%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 107 reviews

Bessie Surtees House

Visitors can tour this beautiful mid 17th-century Tudor house, which is best known as the site of the romantic elopement in 1772 between Bessie Surtees and John Scott, the future Lord Chancellor of England.

Reviewed By Newbiggin_Man - Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, United Kingdom

We were walking to Baltic and called in on the House on our way past. The structure itself is just fascinating and inside on the first floor you get some idea of what it was like to live in a house hundreds of years ago. Entry is free and you can make a donation if you want. A great little diversion on the Quayside.

3. Jesmond Dene

Jesmond Dene Road Jesmond Dene, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7BQ England +44 191 814 4574 [email protected] http://urbangreennewcastle.org/find-your-park/jesmond-dene
Excellent
68%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,273 reviews

Jesmond Dene

Jesmond Dene is the jewel in the crown of Newcastle's parks and green spaces. The Dene is packed full of historic and natural features and masses of wildlife, flowers and ancient woodland for everyone to enjoy.

Reviewed By Jp_King93

This is a beautiful park, really calming and wonderful for pictures, I really enjoyed my visit and will come back for sure

New Bridge Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8AG England +44 191 278 1611 [email protected] http://www.twmuseums.org.uk/laing/
Excellent
48%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 513 reviews

Laing Art Gallery

Re-opening on Monday 10 August 2020. More details at www.laingartgallery.org.uk. The Laing is home to an impressive collection of art and sculpture and its exhibition programme is renowned for bringing the biggest names in historic, modern and contemporary art to the North East. The Gallery has a packed programme of free events including gallery talks, family activities and artists’ events. Free entry.

Reviewed By 461laureenh

Fromthe beautiful frescos and paintings on the outside to the glorious pictures and artwork within this is well worth a visit every year or so or more if you have kids and want them to learn about culture. I have always loved this art gallery since I was a child wonderful top rated place to see in the toon.

5. St. Mary's Cathedral

St. Marys Cathedral Clayton Street West, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5HH England +44 191 232 6953 http://www.stmaryscathedral.org.uk/
Excellent
62%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 123 reviews

St. Mary's Cathedral

Reviewed By PMB1231 - Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

A beautiful Catherdal in the heart of the city . A lovely welcome awaits you . Open most of the time.

6. The Tyne Bridge

Newcastle upon Tyne England http://www.newcastleupontyne.co.uk
Excellent
61%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,023 reviews

The Tyne Bridge

Reviewed By geralind

The number of times we have seen this structure on TV has made it an iconic view of Newcastle. To see it first hand and stand underneath brings it home how huge and impressive it is. So well maintained

7. Newcastle Cathedral

St Nicholas Square, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1PF England +44 191 232 1939 [email protected] http://www.stnicholascathedral.co.uk
Excellent
59%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 577 reviews

Newcastle Cathedral

Newcastle Cathedral holds the story of the City in its stones and monuments. Located in the heart of Old Newcastle, it is a medieval church building of architectural interest with a spectacular lantern tower and filled with a superb collection of monuments, ledger stones and stained glass describing interesting people and events of importance to the history of the city and the region. The collection contains work by nationally and internationally reputed sculptors and craftspeople, including glass artist Leonard Evetts, 19th century woodcarver Ralph Hedley, and sculptor EH Bailey who was also responsible for Grey's Monument, and illustrates many of the ways in which contemporary local, regional and national culture has been shaped. Look out for mermaids, wild men, Roman senators, romantic ladies or even a precious medieval stained glass portrait of Mary and the infant Christ. Open: Sun 7:30am-5:30pm; Mon-Fri 7am-6:30pm; Sat & Bank Holidays 8am-4pm. Free entry; suggested donation £5pp.

Reviewed By Newbiggin_Man - Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, United Kingdom

St Nicholas Cathedral is a very impressive building on the inside, which is not really reflected by its exterior. We attended the Bobby Robson Foundation concert and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was different to what either of us had been to before and the acts made it a great experience. If you like old church buildings then St Nicholas is a great one to visit and if you haven't been to one before then it is an ideal place to start as it is very welcoming. I've been to a number of cathedrals, including Durham and York and have always felt that St Nicholas is more intimate.

8. The Discovery Museum

Discovery Museum Blandford Square, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4JA England +44 191 232 6789 [email protected] http://www.discoverymuseum.org.uk
Excellent
60%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,686 reviews

The Discovery Museum

It’s free to get in to Discovery Museum, which is a massive space showcasing the best of Newcastle’s heritage over three floors and extensive galleries crammed with inventions, world-firsts, model ships and interactive activities for curious kids – and adults! Telling the story of Newcastle and its people from Roman times through to the present day Discovery Museum champions the spirit of the north east area. With events on all year.

Reviewed By nikkisuk

The museum is free to visit (although donations are gratefully received). We visited on a sunny Saturday and there was a steady flow of people but not by any means overcrowded. There are three floors of rooms that you can visit covering topics such as life locally, the local regiment, a science maze and on our visit there was an inventors section and the Stephenson Rocket exhibition. My two boys, aged nine and seven, thoroughly enjoyed their day there. Lots of the displays have reading but there is also a great deal of interactive exhibits. There is a cafe there but we took our own lunch and used the tables on the lower ground floor to picnic. There is no real outdoor space, other than the front on the pavement but the building is light and airy so that if it is a sunny day, you don't feel like you're missing out too much. Several car parks locally which are reasonable in price. Easily can spend a good four hours there.

9. Grainger Town

Grainger Street Newcastle city centre, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5AF England http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/grainger.nsf
Excellent
50%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 402 reviews

Grainger Town

Reviewed By Bfawlty666

Almost hidden away behind modern shops and cafes the Graiger maker Has been around for well over a hundred years. Filled with stalls and cafes this undercover market is the place to be to get your fresh meat and vegetables from the many vendors plying their wares. The M&S penny Bazaar in the centre I would imagine to be one of the oldest Marks and Spencer outlets in the country. There is a lot of history to be discovered here.

10. The Quayside

Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne England +44 191 260 3506 http://www.newcastlequayside.co.uk/frameset.html
Excellent
64%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,155 reviews

The Quayside

Reviewed By stevearchbold - Wallsend, United Kingdom

This may seem a little biased but if your visiting Newcastle you need to check out the Quayside it's only a short downhill walk from the city centre with plenty of taxis to get you back up. Plenty of good bars and restaurants to choose from, a great view of the river side and the bridges and you can walk across the millennium bridge to the sage music centre or the Baltic arts centre plenty to do for young and old

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