Destination Spotlight: Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle, on the north bank of the River Tyne, is a diverse place with many different attractions and experiences - you’ll be impressed by the choices available here. Rich heritage, celebrated architecture, theatres, art galleries and museums, fantastic shopping, a buzzing restaurant and nightlife scene, are all united by a common characteristic - the famous Geordie charm.

Gateshead, on the river’s south bank, is connected to Newcastle by seven bridges, creating a single city destination with much to see and do. There are climbing walls, a dry ski slope, a surfing school and the UK’s biggest water park.

The theatre goer is also spoilt for choice, with more theatres per person than in anywhere in the UK, offering a broad range from West End productions, to Shakespeare and esoteric plays. The Metro Radio Arena and The Sage Gateshead host big-name performers for live concerts.

There’s history and heritage too. The Castle Keep - one of UK’s best preserved examples of a Northern Keep, the 2,000 year old Tynemouth Priory and Hadrian’s Wall. All a stark contrast to the award-winning neo-classical architecture found in Grainger Town.

As with many modern cities, Newcastle’s character is fully represented in its broad mix of dining options - you’ll never be short of great places to eat - there’s a feast of choices.

Newcastle and neighbouring Gateshead is a friendly area, offering a warm welcome and a massive choice of social activities, restaurants and bars, museums, theatres, live music and shopping. It’s among Europe’s leading conference destinations with an abundance of venues from unique cultural, historical, urban and rural, thousands of hotel bedrooms and excellent transport links.

Metro Radio Arena Newcastle is the North East of England’s largest conference and exhibition venue with a total floor area of 3960sqm and external exhibition area of 36,000sqm. The possibilities for outdoor pursuits are vast - motor sport displays and circuses have all been hosted here.

The unusually shaped Sage Gateshead dominates the south bank of the River Tyne in Gateshead. This world-class music and conference venue’s outer appearance has been likened to a giant glass windsock and great shiny insect larvae, but, love it or loathe it, this shape creates faultless acoustics. Sage Gateshead offers 3,500m2 of exhibition space and accommodates from 20 to 1,700 delegates for conferences of meetings.

With such an admirable choice of venues, you’ll be pleased to know NewcastleGateshead has over 6,000 hotel bedrooms within walking distance of its major conference venues and getting to the area is simple. It takes just 2hrs 45mins from London by train and Newcastle International Airport offers direct flights to over 70 destinations worldwide.