Excursion Newcastle city of culture & angel of the north tour at Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle is a vibrant mix of the contemporary, cultural, stylish and historic, and famed across the world for its warm welcome. As the capital of the north east of England, Newcastle shares 2,000 years of history with its neighbour on the south bank of the River Tyne, the town of Gateshead. The origins of Newcastle can be traced back to Roman times and the city takes its name from the Norman Castle built by Robert Curthose, the eldest son of William the Conqueror. Today, Newcastle is a lively and cosmopolitan city that offers the very best of old and new.

This half-day tour of Newcastle will show you just how much the city has to offer in terms of culture and historic places of interest, taking you to some of the sites that give Newcastle its unique appeal.

Depart the Port of Tyne and head for Newcastle City Centre via the beautiful green spaces that surround the city. Arriving at Gateshead Quays admire spectacular views of the River Tyne and its bridges including the Tyne Bridge and the Gateshead Millennium Bridge. This stunning, state of the art footbridge spans the River Tyne and its unique design allows tall ships to pass underneath by raising the footpath.

Step inside The Sage Gateshead, an innovative live music venue and centre for music education. One of the newest landmarks on the River Tyne, it is the first performing arts venue designed by Norman Foster's architectural team.

Rejoin your coach for the short transfer to the city centre to visit the Cathedral Church of St Nicholas, the Cathedral for the Church of England Diocese of Newcastle and the seat of the Bishop of Newcastle. This magnificent building dates from the 13th and 14th centuries. Its Lantern Tower has been a prominent landmark in Newcastle for centuries and is the Cathedral's most distinguishing feature. Despite the modern developments that surround the Cathedral, its tower remains the most striking architectural structure in Newcastle.

Head south of the river to the Angel of the North, the iconic sculpture designed by Antony Gormley. The Angel is the UKs most famous piece of public art, standing 20 metres high and 54 metres wide. After a short stop and time for photographs, re-board your coach and return to Port of Tyne.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Newcastle City Centre, Sage Gateshead, Cathedral Church of St Nicholas, The Angel of the North

Note

Please note: This tour involves a minimal amount of walking over a grassed pathway at the sculpture, with a few steps to negotiate at St Nicholas Cathedral and to get on/off the coach. This tour is suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Warm, layered clothing, a sweater or jacket, flat, closed-toe walking shoes and sun protection are recommended. Due to the local climate, most of the coaches are air-cooled.