Newcastle upon Tyne
The best free days out in Newcastle guide! 9 free options to fill your day below!
The best free days out in Newcastle guide! 9 free options to fill your day below!
The largest city in the North East of England, Newcastle upon Tyne is known for its classical building architecture, industrial heritage, and nightlife. The people are friendly towards tourists who enjoy a night out on their famous brown ale or experience one of many great restaurants and bars the city has to offer. There's plenty to do and see here hence the reason why the city is the 15th most visited in the United Kingdom from visitors overseas.
History going back to the Roman period and great food after a full day of sightseeing make Newcastle upon Tyne a place that must be visited. With so many options to choose from, you can easily visit the city and have a great time without spending much and sticking to your budget.
In this blog post we:
- List the best places to visit for no charge at all
- Show all places on an interactive map to help you locate each place easily.
Newcastle has many options for things to do that cost absolutely nothing at all to enter or to check out. There are museums like The Discovery Museum and the Great North Museum or if you fancy some time outdoors, check out the vibrant Quayside or take a drive to the iconic Angel of the North.
Updated and correct as of 08/01/24.
Quick Links
Museums and Galleries
Tyne Bridge
The Discovery Museum
Sprawled over 3 floors, Newcastle's heritage is on display at The Discovery Museum. Spend over 3 hours seeing the finest collections of scientific and technical material outside London as well as collections on maritime history, social history, and regimental history. There are also inventions, model ships, and interactive displays galore for the kids to enjoy and learn.
The Great North Museum
Purpose built as a natural history museum in 1884, the Great North Museum was renamed in 1890 after John Hancock who was instrumental in securing funding for the museum. You can still view some of Hancock's collection of birds that he donated after he died. There are lots to see at the museum including but not limited to the Hadrian's Wall gallery, Fossil Stories, the Ancient Egyptians exhibit, the Greek and Etruscan art and archeology, and World Cultures showcasing objects from around the world.
Laing Art Gallery
Founded in 1901, the Laing Art Gallery focuses on collections of British oil paintings, watercolours, ceramics, silver, and glassware. The gallery holds regularly changing exhibitions of historic, modern, and contemporary art, and events including artist and curator talks and family activities.
History and Culture
The Angel of the North
The Angel of the North
One of the most iconic pieces of art in the world is the Angel of the North. Situated close to Gateshead just off the A1, the best place for pictures is right beside the artwork. Installed in 1998, the structure is viewed 33 million times every year.
Bessie Surtees House
Who would think there'd be Jacobean domestic architecture in the city centre of one of the major cities in the North of England? It so happens there is and it's called Bessie Surtees House. The house dates back to the 17th Century and was built towards the end of the timber framing tradition. A story entails of elopement between Bessie and and John Scott who later became the Lord Chancellor of England. It only takes around 20-30 minutes to walk around the house but well worth a visit.
Arbeia South Shields Roman Fort
An important part of the history of Great Britain, Arbeia South Shields Roman Fort guarded the main sea route to Hadrian's Wall which sits on the border between Scotland and England. At one time the fort was home to around 600 troops and is said to be the birthplace of the Northumbrian King Oswin. A UNESCO World Heritage site on the outskirts of the city.
Walks and Nature Trails
The Quayside at night
The Quayside
Slap bang in the centre of town is The Quayside walk along the banks of the River Tyne. Plenty of bars and restaurants along the way and many picture opportunities both during the day and at night make this walk one of the highest rated on TripAdvisor. You'll not be the only ones looking to take a picture of the sun setting behind the Millennium Bridge as it's a popular spot known throughout the city.
Jesmond Dene
Green space in the heart of the city with plenty of wildlife, history, natural features, and ancient woodland. Jesmond Dene is a place to kill a few hours in the afternoon with plenty to see. Get a feeling for how the River Ouesburn played a key part in the city's Industrial Revolution by powering the old mills on display in the park and how life would have been historically for the people who lived then. The family will enjoy the free-to-enter pets corner and the playpark keeping everyone entertained.
Long Sands Beach
The award winning Long Sands Beach is one of the best beaches in the North East. Stretching for around a mile long, it attracts people from across the Tyne and Wear region (especially when the sun's out!). The sea can be choppy and has hosted national surf competitions in the past. A great option for a walk and some sunbathing not far outside the city.
Map
Use the map below to locate all the best things to do in Newcastle mentioned above to create your itinerary for your trip. We’ve also added places in the city to eat that offer good food at a decent price for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Open Google Maps to see distance information between locations and directions on how to get to each place.
Please note...
All outdoor activities including forest walks involve a degree of risk. The walks are recommended due to the well known features of each forest but this may change over time and further research is required before undertaking any activity. The weather can also impact the surface and general conditions of each path so please keep yourself updated with the weather forecast before setting off to enjoy your walk!
Other Blog Posts From Newcastle
We write lots of blog posts from each area of free activities to do. Have a look at our blog posts from the city of Newcastle by clicking the links below:
Cycling Routes around Newcastle