Things to do in Ouseburn for Art Lovers: A One Day Itinerary

The Ouseburn Valley is the creative heart of Newcastle, boasting a lively and active community of artists, printmakers and independent galleries, it’s the perfect collection of must-sees for the artistically inclined.

How to get to Ouseburn

The Ouseburn is accessible by foot, bike, car or public transport – have a look at other ways of getting to Ouseburn in our Family itinerary.

Parking in Ouseburn

The nearest free parking is the Ouseburn South Car Park next to The Cycle Hub on the Quayside. Street parking on Lime Street and in the Ouseburn Central Car Park on Foundry Lane is 40p per hour up to a maximum stay of four hours. There is also a car park under the Arches of Byker Bridge, on the corner of Lime Street and Stepney Bank. Charges are £1 for the first hour then 80p an hour up to a maximum stay of four hours. The meter accepts payment by debit or credit card only (or pay cash in Ouseburn Trust office at 53 Lime Street).

Biscuit for Breakfast – The Biscuit Factory

The former Victorian factory of sweet treats aptly named The Biscuit Factory, still provides delights as delicious as its predecessors. Now the largest contemporary art, craft and design gallery in the North East, The Biscuit Factory houses headline artists, sculptures, prints, open workshops and handmade gifts - enough to make any art-lover salivate. If that isn’t enough to feed your appetite, have breakfast on the urban rooftop terrace of its Factory Kitchen, serving good, simple food. There may be many things you didn’t know about The Biscuit Factory so pop in to the free gallery and start exploring.

Northern Print

Once your stomachs are full, stroll over to Northern Print to experience the beautiful exhibition space showcasing the best regional and international printmakers. A registered charity, Northern Print is dedicated to supporting artists who make original prints, while also working closely with community groups and schools. If this leaves you feeling inspired, try your hand at making your very own print at one of their regular printmaking events.

Street art trail

Next on the agenda, uncover the hidden gems of Ouseburn with a wander through the leafy valley, uncovering the quirky street art trail that lies beneath the arches of Byker Bridge and around each corner. The arches artwork was originally created as part of Great Exhibition of the North 2018 and was inspired by ‘New Flash Fiction’ by David Almond, one of the North’s best-loved writers – while other pieces have been dotted around by artists unknown, only adding to the creative wonder of the Ouseburn.

Kiln

Take a break and top up your creative juices with a visit to Kiln in Ouseburn, a Mediterranean bar, kitchen and pottery. Sip local coffee from a beautiful mug hand-thrown by the Kiln potters themselves, while you watch them hard at work just yards from your table.

Artists and Studios in Ouseburn

The creative businesses in Ouseburn host Ouseburn Open Studios twice a year which gives you the perfect opportunity to explore artisan creations, buy handcrafted art, sculpture, print, ceramics and jewellery as well as soak up the inspiring atmosphere of Newcastle’s creative and cultural hub.

The Late Shows typically takes place in May each year and is a free, late-night culture crawl which spreads across venues in NewcastleGateshead with a huge draw to Ouseburn on the Friday night. 

Despite these popular events not being able to take place for a while due to covid restrictions, artists, creators and designers in Ouseburn have still been busy. Wander from The Biscuit Factory on one side to Mushroom Works on the other side of Ouseburn and be amazed at the bustling hive of creativity which powers Ouseburn. From artists and ceramicists such as Jim Edwards and Julia Roxburgh to the small door tucked into the side of The Cluny which will lead you to explore Ouseburn Pottery.