Seven bridges in Newcastle

Newcastle is known as the Northern Fortress. This city is south of Edinburgh by about 100 miles and about 277 miles north of London. It is close to the North Sea which makes this a wonderful holiday destination.

Great times to visit

Newcastle has a dry climate compared to other English areas. The summers are cool and the winters are on the mild side which makes the weather great for all seasons. Throughout the city you will see many different cultures. In February, Chinese New Year is celebrated extravagantly in Chinatown. There is an amazing comedy festival in March held by Newcastle in Gateshead. If you love beer then April is the month for you to visit as there is a huge beer festival. The Newcastle Mela is in August and consists of 2 full days of Asian arts and music.

Things to know before you come

There are tourist bureaus at the airport and also in the city centre. Many things here are much cheaper than in London. A pint of beer starts at £3.20 in Newcastle, while a meal begins at £10. Bigg Market and Quayside area is the place to be at night for fun.

Good to know local information

The centre of Newcastle is located approximately 6 miles from the airport. A taxi will cost you approximately £15 to get there. The Metro will take about 20 minutes to get to central Newcastle at a price of approximately £3.60. To get around the city, Metro prices start at £1.40. They offer a day saver pass that will cost about £2.60 per person. The cost of a bus begins at £1.30 with the Day ticket price is around £2.10. Taxis are extremely rare on weekends so if you find one consider yourself lucky. Your other option is to use a bicycle or to walk.

If you are looking to stay in Newcastle then a night in a four star hotel will begin at £75 and up for a room double room. The most affordable alternative, though less luxurious, is a hostel at about £15 per night. The city is close to the sea with easy access to transportation, which makes it a great destination for a holiday.