Welcome to Newcastle, renowned for its nightlife, culture and friendly locals, this northern industrial city on the River Tyne is the perfect spot for a short UK break.
Here’s the best way to spend 24 hours in the historic city of Newcastle…
10:00AM START THE DAY RIGHT
Olive & Bean is the go-to place to start your adventures in Newcastle. A bright, modern café offering freshly brewed coffee and your full range of speciality breakfasts. Take your pick from a menu where homemade granola, eggy bread and full-northern breakfasts featuring proper Lincolnshire sausages can happily co-exist side-by-side.
11:00AM GUIDED CITY TOUR
Head over Grey’s Monument to join in the local walking tour and get a real feel for the historic city around you. Delve deep into Newcastle’s rich past, learning about all the city’s most colourful characters and iconic sights, including bridges, monuments, religious buildings, the historic market, the old town wall and, of course, the castle. The tour takes around two hours in total, but don’t worry you’ll be pleased you worked up an appetite.
1:00PM LUNCH ON THE QUAYSIDE
Your walking tour will end around High Level Bridge, putting you in the perfect spot to hunt down lunch along the Quayside. One of the city’s most iconic social hubs the Quayside bars and restaurants are the perfect place to hunker down with a bite on a sunny afternoon.
If you’re stuck for choice (and we wouldn’t blame you), our go-to is a cheeky pub lunch at The Broad Chare. With a quintessentially British menu, including some hearty specials like Haggis on Toast and Bubble and Squeak, take a seat out on the deck, or cosy up in a corner and enjoy a pint of the best beer with your grub.
2:00PM TAKE UP YOUR ARMOUR
Re-charged and ready to go, head on back to the Newcastle Castle for your chance to explore the city’s medieval fortress. Largely intact, the castle is deceptively large once you enter into its ancient passageways and maze of stairwells.
Discover the stories hidden in secret alcoves, as you journey back in time through the castle’s rich and bloodied history, before climbing to the highest tower for panoramic views of the city below. Don’t drop the camera!
3:30PM: FROM ANCIENT HISTORY TO MODERN ART
Once you’re finished at the castle, there should be just enough time to hop on over to The Biscuit Factory for a completely different Newcastle experience. A former Victorian biscuit warehouse, today the factory is home to an independent art gallery, providing invaluable exhibition space to both local and national artists.
Explore this season’s art, displayed beneath the characterful beams and brickwork. If you’re feeling indulgent, you could even splash out on an original piece to commemorate your trip.
5:00PM: FRESHEN UP FOR THE EVENING
Saturated in history and culture? Time for a quick pit-stop back at your Best Western base to freshen up for the evening.
6:30PM: EARLY DINNER
Indulge in an early dinner at one of Newcastle’s most under-rated bar-bistros, Pleased To Meet You, just on the corner of High Bridge and Grey Street. Offering a varied menu of seasonal dishes, ranging from quality cut meat joints and seafood risotto, to burgers and a classic Balti curry, there’s guaranteed to be something for everyone.
And don’t forget to take a peek at the cocktail menu while you’re there. The selection will blow you away.
8:30PM: LOOKING FOR A LAUGH?
The Stand Comedy Club is one of the best comedy clubs, not just in Newcastle, but in the country. Over the years its hosted live shows for the likes of Frankie Boyle, Des Clarke and Kevin Bridges, as well as Rowan Atkinson and Ross Noble (both local boys!). It’s not too pricey either, with weekend shows going for about £20 a ticket and weekday laughs costing as little as £5 entry. You never know, you may just end up seeing the next big name.
10:00PM: ONE FOR THE ROAD?
Your bellies are full and your cheeks are sore, but there’s still time for one last drink before heading back.
If luxury is what you’re out for, Leila Lily’s is an Instagrammer’s dream. Nestled at the bottom of Grey Street just a short walk from the comedy club, this award winning cocktail bar is decked out in suave, mid-century furnishings, with flowers decorating both walls and ceilings. There couldn’t be a more opulent final stop on your Newcastle tour. Or, if you’re after something a little more laid back, head over grey street to Lady Greys where you can collapse in an oversized chesterfield for a proper pint and a friendly Northern atmosphere to conclude your evening.
11:30PM: TIME FOR BED
When you’re ready to turn in for the night, head on back to your Best Western hotel, for a well-deserved night’s rest.
SOLD ON A WEEKEND IN NEWCASTLE?
We don’t blame you. And there’s choice! Because we have not one, but two unique hotels in central Newcastle Upon Tyne for you to choose from.
If you fancy spending some time wandering Newcastle’s independent shopping district, our New Kent Hotel in the trendy district of Jesmond is the best base for you. Stumble out of bed on your last morning, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by colourful cafes and hip little boutique shops just waiting to be explored.
For a more central location, Best Western New Kent Hotel, is sure to tick boxes. A stumbling-block away from everything Newcastle has to offer, Hotel Balmoral is the perfect choice for night owls looking to make the most of Newcastle’s evening scene.
Explore all Best Western hotels in and around Newcastle to find your perfect stay.