When you land at Newcastle Airport you have so many options for a fantastic trip – whether you’re travelling on business and want to see all the sights in a couple of days, or you’re planning on staying longer and looking for shopping, sightseeing and touring options.
Explore the two sides of Newcastle-upon-Tyne
To really get under the surface of Newcastle-upon-Tyne’s rich history, you need to do just that – literally. One of the city’s most popular tourist attractions is the Victoria Tunnel, which runs from Town Moor to the Tyne. Once used to transport coal across the city, it now hosts a number of fun ghost tours.
Above ground, you’ll find Newcastle showcases a respect and appreciation for its heritage alongside a passion for the contemporary. This is a vibrant city that’s bursting with great shopping, lively nightlife and amazing places to eat.
You’ll find eye-catching modern art at the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art. Known as The BALTIC, this gallery captures the life of the city and features a series of ever-changing exhibitions that mean no two visits are ever the same. There’s also an outside terrace offering impressive panoramic views out across the city.
Head to the Northumberland coast
Newcastle Airport is the perfect launch pad for a trip to the rugged and majestic Northumberland coast. Take the A696 and in just over 30 minutes you’ll be greeted by some spectacular views and nearly 50km of beaches to discover.
For a trip down memory lane, drive an hour’s north to Seahouses – a traditional fishing village complete with a wide-open beach, cosy inns and colonies of grey seals clustered on the Farne Islands, a short boat trip away.
Just a little further lies the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, where St Aidan established a monastery back in 635AD – here you can wander through history by exploring Lindisfarne Castle and Priory.
You access the island by driving along a causeway linking it to the mainland – just be sure to time it right as twice a day the tide causes it to be submerged by the North Sea. Pay close attention to the warning signs as crossing when the tide is coming in could leave you stranded.
Alnwick sits on the Northumberland coast and has a charming town centre as well as being home to the imposing Alnwick Castle. This medieval structure draws the crowds with some great family events that are held throughout the year, while it’s also famous for being one of the locations used in the Harry Potter films.
Take in the beauty of Durham
If you’re looking for somewhere a little more lively, the city of Durham is right on your doorstep. Just a 30 minute-drive on the A1 will transport you to this elegant cathedral city.
Durham boasts a number of interesting attractions – including, of course, the world-renowned Durham Cathedral and 11th century castle. However, simply enjoying a coffee while overlooking the River Wear will feel like a worthwhile day out in itself.
Durham University Botanic Garden is also well worth a visit. It’s a relaxing and beautiful part of the city where you can sit and appreciate the university’s awe-inspiring architecture.
Go on a Scottish adventure
When you land at Newcastle Airport, Scotland is within each reach. In fact, less than 200km away lies the capital city of Edinburgh – home of Edinburgh Castle, Arthur’s Seat and a vibrant dining and nightlife scene.
Whether you decide to visit the capital or just take in the other charming Scottish towns along the way, visiting Scotland is a real adventure that you won’t forget.
Car hire from Newcastle Airport gives you the freedom to see all that this great UK city has to offer, as well as venture further afield to visit some of the region’s top attractions.
