This most northerly of English cities is now a thriving retail destination which, along with neighbouring Gateshead, forms a major shopping destination for the north-east.
Once a city of industry that claimed its wealth from manufacturing, shipbuilding and coal, modern Newcastle thrives on retail and the service sector. This most northerly of the English cities has become one of the country’s major centres for shopping, bringing in a level of business that can create demand for the particular sort of accommodation serviced apartments provide.
Between the Intu Eldon Square Shopping Centre in the city and the nearby MetroCentre in Gateshead, the area has some of the biggest and best-served shopping centres in the UK. SITU has a large network of serviced apartments in Newcastle, offering access to the city centre and giving business travellers convenient city apartments right where they need to be.
Visitors to Newcastle can enjoy beautiful Beamish Open Air Museum, which showcases life in the area at points in the 19th and early 20th centuries, while Laing Art Gallery specialises in British oil paintings and watercolours from the 18th to the 20th century. There’s city’s Theatre Royal is a Grade I listed building that opened in 1837 and has hosted a season of performances from the Royal Shakespeare Company, as well as touring West End musicals. A number of other high profile or independent theatres are situated across the city, making Newcastle’s cultural life highly diverse.
There are 92 golf courses within an hour of the city, while those who prefer indoor entertainment will have access to several cinemas, as well as chain and independent restaurants and bars. The nightlife in Newcastle is extremely active and the city has been named as one of the main nightlife destinations in Europe. No matter what your preferences are, you can find a number of places to visit around the Bigg Market and the Quayside areas.
If you happen to travel during winter months, see if you can visit Newcastle's Chinatown when they are celebrating Chinese New Year with a spectacular carnival of colour and noise. Then there is the Newcastle Science Festival, which happens annually in early March.
Aside from the Beamish Open Air Museum mentioned above, other museums worth a visit include the Centre For Life science village and the Discovery Museum. In 2009, the Museum of Antiquities merged with the Great North Museum, creating a wonderful attraction in the city. There’s also Seven Stories, a museum of children’s books and several highly respected art galleries.
You can also visit Antony Gormley's contemporary sculpture the Angel of the North, an iconic image that was built in 1998 and is now synonymous with the area. The 66 feet tall statue, with its wings measuring 177 feet represents the transition from the industrial to the information age. According to its creator, it also serves as a focus for our evolving plans and fears.
The city has a strong sporting tradition, St. James football stadium can host up to 52,000 seated spectators. The stadium is the home to Newcastle United, who are most usually found in the top tier of English football.
The city also has one of only eight Grade I listed railway stations in the UK; Newcastle Central station was the first ever covered train station in the world when constructed in 1850.
Our accommodation in Newcastle goes from self-catering apartments for a short stay to luxurious aparthotels. They provide all the facilities clients would expect to make their time away more comfortable and enjoyable and help to ensure that they get the most out of their time in Newcastle.
