It's no secret that here in the North East, we sometimes have a few rainy days. If you are visiting Newcastle and Gateshead and find the heavens open, fear not, there is still plenty to do on a rainy day.
Explore museums and art galleries
Newcastle and Gateshead is full of exciting museums and inspiring art galleries that can offer you more than just shelter on a rainy day. Opened in 2002, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art is the biggest of its kind in the world. Find sanctuary from the rain within the historic renovated flour mill on the Gateshead bank of the River Tyne. Get lost in the changing programmes of contemporary visual art and exhibitions. Free to enter, the gallery also has a café, restaurant and wonderful gift shop, all under one roof.
If you are stuck in the rain with a family in tow, head to the Great North Museum: Hancock.
Great North Museum: Hancock is an award-winning family attraction in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne. It is free to enter and open daily for visitors who want to explore centuries of history. The Living Planet gallery spans the ground and first floor of the museum and tells the story of wildlife and habitats. Also on the ground floor, the Hadrian's Wall gallery enables visitors to discover the detailed history of the World Heritage Site as well as finding out about all the forts, milecastles and associated museums that can be visited today. The gallery includes a wealth of archaeological finds from across the 73 mile stretch of Hadrian's Wall. Be sure to spot the T Rex skeleton within the museum!
Shop till you drop
One of the best ways to dodge the bad weather is to venture into the shops. Head for a day at Metrocentre, Europe's largest mall-style shopping centre and enjoy a day of shopping, eating and even play some arcade games! Located just beside the A1 in Gateshead.
Fancy strolling through one of the most luxurious food halls the North East has to offer? Head to Fenwick Food Hall and browse the shelves, discovering flavours from all around the world and even take part in wine tasting from their state of the art Enomatic wine dispensing system, a technology that stores wines at the correct temperature and in perfect condition. Head into the department store and you will find premium beauty and luxurious clothes, and even a hidden cabaret bar!
Sit back and relax...
One of the perfect ways to pass by a rainy day is to get lost in a film. Luckily, Newcastle is home to many cinemas. Tyneside Cinema gives watching a film the occasion it deserves! With stylish interior inside a Grade II-listed building, sink into the plush velvet seats and enjoy new blockbusters and old classics. With four screens, a Bar Café, a digital art gallery, traditional Coffee Rooms and displays of heritage items and contemporary artworks, all housed in a beautifully renovated old building right at the heart of Newcastle City Centre, Tyneside Cinema is an ideal place to shelter from the rain.
For those wanting some live action, there are plenty of theatres in the city to catch a show. Not quite as spontaneous as popping to the cinema as the ever popular theatre scene in Newcastle requires some forward planning, but a great option for people wanting to fill a rainy day in their stay in the city. If you are after unseen new productions often from local performers, head to Live Theatre. Located just off the Quayside, it's a modest theatre in size offering an intimate experience, with seats available right at the side of the stage. If it's dazzling musicals, thought provoking drama and awe inspiring dance you are after, Newcastle's theatres are filled with talent. Theatre Royal on Newcastle’s Grey Street is regarded by many as the UK’s finest theatre building. The Grade I listed building regularly hosts world-class productions from West End musicals to thought-provoking drama as well as ballet, children’s theatre and its famous pantomime each Christmas. Find out more about the theatres and what's on in the city here.
Warm up over a cup of coffee
Whilst the rain pours, indulge in one of the many cosy coffee shops in the city. With artisan roasted coffee, handmade cakes and pastries and delicious food, Pink Lane Coffee provides a slice of serenity to pass the rainy days by. Head to hidden gem Flat Caps Coffee to shelter from the drizzle and be sure to brighten up in no time thanks to their extensive menu, with a selection of hot food, cakes and their unique cold brew.
If the rain doesn't seem to be slowing down, head to The Canny Goat. Little in size but great in character, this speciality coffee house and roastery café is open until 9pm, serving up coffee and alcoholic drinks, it's a must visit.
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