Things to see in Newcastle

Angel of the North

Nothing can prepare you for the scale of Anthony Gormley’s iconic sculpture. Built in 1998, this majestic artwork is 20m (65ft) high with a wingspan of 54m (175ft) and weight of 208 tonnes. Though it lies in Gateshead, this masterpiece has become one of Newcastle's tourism landmarks.

Opening Times: Daily 24 hours.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address: Eighton Banks (between the A1 and A167), Gateshead, Newcastle, United Kingdom
Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art

Closed and derelict for 20 years, this huge flour mill silo has been superbly restored and is home to an ever-changing programme of (often challenging) world-class visual art exhibitions. There is also a cafe bar, the smart Six Rooftop Restaurant and a viewing platform with staggering vistas over the city.

Opening Times: Daily 1000-1800.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address: Gateshead Quays, Newcastle, NE8 3BA, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 191 478 1810.
Castle Keep

Henry II built this keep in 1168-78 on the old site of the original New Castle that gave the city its name. By the middle of the 19th century, the Black Gate had been reduced to slum dwellings for 12 families and a pub. What visitors see today is the medieval update of the keep. The rooftop terrace offers spectacular river views.

Opening Times: Daily 1000-1700.
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address: Castle Garth, St Nicholas Street, Newcastle, NE1 1RQ, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 191 230 6300.
Life Science Centre

This exciting Millennium project draws on the city’s world-class research facilities, housed in the same “Science Village” complex. This interactive visitor attraction examines everything from dinosaurs and the human body to the way different cultures live. It’s designed mostly for kids, but adults will also get a lot from it.

Opening Times: Mon-Wed 1000-1800, Thu 1000-2000, Fri-Sat 1000-1800, Sun 1100-1800.
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address: Times Square, Newcastle, NE1 4EP, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 191 243 8210.
Website: www.life.org.uk
Newcastle United Football Club

Football really is like a religion on Tyneside and witnessing 50,000 Magpies' supporters, all clad in the famous black and white home shirt, erupt when a goal is scored is an experience not to be missed. The stadium is located right in the heart of the city. Tours can be arranged even on non-match days.

Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address: St James' Park, Barrack Road, Newcastle, NE1 4ST, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 191 261 1571.
Website: www.nufc.co.uk
Segedunum

Segedunum (“segger-doon-um”) Roman Fort is the nearest section of Hadrian's Wall to Newcastle. It features a reconstructed bathhouse, a museum of artefacts and a replica full-size section of the wall, which once stretched 117km (73 miles) west from here. A lofty viewing tower looks down on the site.

Opening Times: Mon-Fri 1000-1700, Sat-Sun 1100-1600 (Apr-Nov); Mon-Sun 1000-1500 (Nov-Mar).
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address: Buddle Street, Wallsend, Newcastle, NE28 6HR, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 191 278 4217.
The Sage Gateshead

Opened in 2004 as a cutting-edge international music centre, Sir Norman Foster's stunning elegant steel-and-glass curved design is Newcastle’s answer to Sydney’s Opera House or Bilbao’s Guggenheim. Controversial in design, it features a sweeping, stainless steel roof that is "shrink-wrapped" around the buildings beneath it. Love it or hate it, it has become a leading musical and cultural beacon for the north-east.

Opening Times: Daily 0900-2100 (varies, check website).
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address: St Mary's Square, Gateshead, Newcastle, NE8 2JR, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 191 443 4661.
Great North Museum: Hancock

This contains the city’s largest and most all-embracing museum collection. Moving from spectacular objects from the Ancient Greeks and Egyptian mummies to a large, interactive model of Hadrian's Wall, it has something for everyone. It also covers the natural world, with a life-size T-Rex dinosaur skeleton and a planetarium, plus plenty more.

Opening Times: Mon-Fri 1000-1700, Sat 1000-1600, Sun 1100-1600.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address: Barras Bridge, Newcastle, NE2 4PT, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 191 222 6765.
Laing Art Gallery

This excellent gallery is renowned for its collection of watercolours and sculptures. Works by eminent Pre-Raphaelites sit alongside pieces by more recent artists such as LS Lowry and local John Martin. The gallery also hosts regular exhibitions and holds events, such as gallery talks, family activities and artists’ shows.

Opening Times: Tue-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1400-1700.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address: New Bridge Street, Newcastle, NE1 8AG, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 191 278 1611.
Discovery Museum

This lively museum is a perfect introduction to the city and Tyneside. Expect immersive displays exploring maritime history, world-changing science and technology as well as fashion through the eras, domestic life and military history. The Tyneside–built boat, Turbinia, which dominates the museum entrance, is the first ship to be powered by a steam turbine.

Opening Times: Mon-Fri 1000-1600, Sat-Sun 1100-1600.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address: Blandford Square, Newcastle, NE1 4JA, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 191 232 6789.
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