Car Hire Newcastle Airport

The easiest way to explore the north of England is from behind the wheel. Newcastle Airport has good connections to major roads and motorways, with routes around the airport clearly signposted and traffic generally moving freely.

Head onto the A696 and you could be in Newcastle city centre in as little as 10 minutes. Boasting popular attractions including the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, the Newcastle Castle and Laing Art Gallery, there’s plenty to discover in this lively, historic city.

Venture outside the city and you’ll find amazing views along the A1, which stretches from Edinburgh all the way down to London. Travel 30 minutes along the A1 to the Beamish Museum, a fascinating throwback that transports you back in time to experience life in north-east England in the 1820s, 1900s and 1940s. This immersive, open-air attraction is well worth spending a few hours exploring.

As in Australia you’ll be driving on the left hand side of the road. Speed limits range from 70mph (around 112km/h) on motorways and dual carriageways to 60 mph (96km/h) on single carriageways and 30mph (48km/h) or lower in urban areas.

Keep a close eye on signage as speed limits can vary and there are cameras in operation that could trigger a fine if you exceed the stated limit.

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 11^th 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.