8 Ways to Escape the Everyday and Feel Connected in Newcastle

Are you ready to reconnect with friends and family on a city break to remember? There are so many reasons to enjoy a UK adventure this summer so why not plan your next city break with a trip to Newcastle-Upon-Tyne? 

Escape the everyday with a trip to NewcastleGateshead where you will feel connected with friends when you explore the region's sights and iconic landmarks. Feel connected to the city as you uncover layers of rich history at the same time as discovering excellent food and drink, experiencing the North East and creating your own Geordie stories. 

Summer is a great time to explore a new city so why not embrace the change of season and feel connected in NewcastleGateshead with these eight experiences?

Feel connected to the very heart of NewcastleGateshead by venturing onto the River Tyne and paddling your way through the bustling Quayside. You're in safe hands with local, award-winning organisation CBK Adventure Co who will take you on a guided tour with a difference. This summer, paddle down the River Tyne in a kayak whilst you learn about the seven bridges that cross the river at the Quayside and absorb the vibrancy of bars, attractions and restaurants on both banks. The Tyne Bridges and Quayside Kayak Tour is available to book on a range of dates between May and August - predominately Fridays to Sundays but have a look at their website directly for the odd midweek date and to check availability. Priced at £54 per person, it is a physical work out as well as a fascinating tour of Newcastle.

BOOK YOUR KAYAKING TOUR VOUCHER NOW

On your bike! Newcastle Tour Company invites you to saddle up and discover the posh parks of the toon from Jesmond Dene to Heaton Park, through the Ouseburn and along the Quayside on a genteel cycling tour. With the wind in your face as you cover some ground, explore the leafy corners of Newcastle and admire the views as you whizz along for over 3 hours with the help of a friendly tour guide. Refuel and rest your legs at Urban Green Cafe in Exhibition Park before pedalling your way onto more discovering. The guided tour costs from £45 per person and includes bike and helmet hire. 

BOOK YOUR BIKE TOUR NOW

It's been an active start to this list of things to do in NewcastleGateshead so why not indulge in a guided food tour around Newcastle to relax? The award-winning local company, Triple A Food Tours have a range of mouth-watering experiences to sample. Eat your way around Newcastle city centre whilst the knowledgeable tour guide introduces you to the best in local cuisine. Meet the passionate street food vendors and stop off at Newcastle's top independent restaurants. This food lovers' walking tour will connect you to the heart of the toon's food and drink scene as well shine a light on the city's history and heritage.  

BOOK TRIPLE A TOURS NOW

NewcastleGateshead Toon Tour sightseeing bus is a brilliant way to get your bearings and make a plan for where you would like to visit. Loop around the city on the big yellow, open-top bus and take in the landmarks, admire the Quayside views and get a closer look at Newcastle's spectacular architecture. Hop on and off the daily Toon Tour bus at a number of locations around the city and visit attractions, enjoy a bite to eat or take a selfie as you begin to feel connected to our canny city. Running daily during the summer months (28 May - 4 September), you can start your tour from Newcastle Central station or any of the 18 stops along the route. 

BOOK YOUR TOON TOUR NOW

Reconnect with friends and explore the darker side of history on Newcastle Tour Company's spine-chilling True Crime Tour around the city. Book your slot on one of the weekly Friday evening walking tours and discover the murky history of the city from body-snatching to witches, crime and grime. Ooh er! Bookings are for a private tour with maximum 6 people costing £155 per group. BOOK NOW

Feel connected to centuries-old history in Newcastle and the North East when the Lindisfarne Gospels return to the region on 17 September 2022. This will be the first time in over 20 years that the ancient and sacred manuscript will be hosted in Newcastle and a great opportunity of fans of art, culture and history to visit the accompany exhibition at Laing Art Gallery and Newcastle City Library.  

If you can't wait until September, visit Newcastle this summer and experience the ethereal wonder of nearly 200 pieces of art by 170 artists celebrating watercolour. The large-scale exhibition on display at Laing Art Gallery - Liquid Light: Painting with Watercolours - features a nationally significant collection of watercolours from Laing Art Gallery's collection which span more than three centuries of art.

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Be catapulted back in time with a guided tour to the rugged beauty of UNESCO world heritage site, Hadrian's Wall. Independent tour company Iles Tour will guide you on a fascinating full day trip to the Northumberland countryside where you will hike alongside the Wall, visit Roman forts and catch up on your day's adventure over lunch at Twice Brewed Inn. Follow in the ancient footsteps of Roman soldiers and feel connected to the North East's ancient history.

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Once you gotten a taste for Roman heritage with the help of Iles Tours, stay a while longer and experience one of the many events, exhibitions, talks and performances taking place along the breadth of the Wall as part of Hadrian's Wall 1900 Festival. Organised to mark 1900 years since Hadrian's Wall was built, the year-long arts and heritage festival is a celebration of Roman history which is weaved throughout the region as well as the communities that continue to thrive along the length of the Wall. Celebrate, discover and find your connection to the spectacular World Heritage Site whether it is with Roman history, dark skies, the natural environment, cultural diversity, food, music, the arts or another of the fascinating events.

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