Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

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United Kingdom : Newcastle - April 2010

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Thriving, cosmopolitan Newcastle caters for all needs. With spring in the air, Marissa Carruthers takes a sneak peek at the city’s buzzing nightlife, top shopping and culture – including the award-winning Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art – and still finds time to sample some of the finest restaurants around

Getting around

Newcastle International Airport,

Train: Metros also run directly from the airport to various locations across the city centre. Trains depart every 15 minutes until 11.59pm. The journey from the airport to the city centre takes 20 minutes and a single ticket costs €2,66/£2.10
Taxi: You can pick a taxi up from outside Arrivals. The journey to the city centre will cost about €12/£10 and takes 10 minutes.
Tourist information: Newcastle Tourist Information Centre is at 8-9 Central Arcade in the city centre (tel. ).

CITY CENTRE

With everything you could possibly need, from historic culture to fine dining, top shops and great nights out, there’s no reason to ever leave the city centre.

Sleep soundly – To stay right in the heart of where it’s all happening, head to the Jurys Inn (Scotswood Road, tel. , newcastlehotels. jurysinns.com, rooms from €90/£96).

Culture vultures – Discover the story of Earth and its people, find out more about the history of nearby Hadrian’s Wall, come face to face with a terrifying T-Rex, travel through ancient Egypt and much more at the Great North Museum (Barras Bridge).

Must eat – Run by one of the city’s finest chefs, The Grainger Rooms (7 Higham Place, tel. ) offers some of the tastiest dishes in Newcastle. Feast on locally sourced fare such as smoked haddock salad with Berwick Edge cheese and watercress dressing, and pan-fried chicken with leeks, bacon and sage mash. Or try Barn Asia (123 Newcastle Road, tel. ) for the best in Vietnamese, Cambodian and Thai cuisine, served up tapas style.

Dance the night away – For funky sounds, mix with the city’s cool crowd at North Bar (Neville Street). Set in the Grade I listed former Central Station ticket office, this quirky place offers some of the best cocktails in town.

QUAYSIDE AND GATESHEAD

Take a stroll along the city’s majestic Quayside, taking in the views of the many famous bridges that cross the River Tyne.

Sleep soundly – For opulence, check in to Hotel Du Vin (City Road, tel. , hotelduvin.com, rooms from €160/£177). In the former home of the Tyne Tees Steam Shipping Company, this boutique hotel oozes style.

Culture vultures – Enjoy unparalleled views of the river and intriguing works of art at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art (Gateshead Quays, South Shore Road). Set in an old flour mill, April exhibitions include the thought-provoking installation The Most Powerful Weapon in this World, by Jordan Baseman.

Must eat – For contemporary Indian cuisine in a bustling atmosphere head to quirky Saffron (27 Sandhill, tel. ), with a huge range of dishes.

OUSEBURN

If art and music’s your thing, head further up the River Tyne: once at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution, Ouseburn is now the creative quarter.

Culture vultures – Browse works by some of the best up-and-coming artists in the North East at the artist-led gallery and studio space Mushroom Works (St Lawrence Road).

Must eat – Listen to the sounds of the city’s rising musicians while eating locally sourced treats and drinking locally brewed beer at The Cluny (36 Lime Street, tel. ).

Must drink – Enjoy a drink to the sounds of top local bands and DJs at the Tanners Arms (1 Byker Bridge).

A BIT FURTHER OUT

As the weather warms up, exploring neighbouring Northumberland is a must. Escape the city for some tranquillity among rolling green countryside and stretches of golden sand.

Culture vultures – Hit the county’s stunning coast, taking in views of Bamburgh, Craster and the North Sea before stopping off at the romantic remains of Dunstanburgh Castle (near Alnwick). Alternatively, spend a day wandering The Alnwick Garden (Denwick Lane, Alnwick), with its impressive fountain and array of mystical plants and water sculptures.

Must eat – If you’re not scared of heights you can dine in the tree tops at the fairytale Treehouse Restaurant (Denwick Lane, tel. ), where all food is locally sourced from the county’s many farmers.

Must drink – At The Cook & Barker Inn (Newton-on-the-Moor, Felton) you can admire the surrounding countryside while sipping tasty ale.

Shop til you drop – For an eclectic mix of designer labels and locally fashioned fabrics, head to Mint Women (31 Fenkle Street, Alnwick).

Compiled by Marissa Carruthers