For some reason – do forgive us – when we think of Newcastle upon Tyne, what first leaks into our heads is Gazza’s 1990 ‘rap’ cover of Fog on the Tyne. Which is most unfair to this most excellent city – and to an originally decent tune by Lindisfarne – and we really do wish the earworm would stop now pretty please?
You’ll need at least a week to delve into Newcastle (and its stellar nightlife), but if time is of the essence, you must a) go to the BALTIC art centre at Gateshead Quay; spend some hours in Grainger Town and on Stowell Street walking along the old city walls and noshing in Chinatown; dip into the first biotechnology village in the UK, the Centre for Life; and leaf through the attractions of national centre for children's Books Seven Stories, ten minutes’ walk along the Tyne from Newcastle’s tilted Millennium Bridge. Then b) consider your lifestyle and job choices that only allowed you a few days. Pah.
Plonk yourself at a Newcastle upon Tyne campsite to explore the city, north-east coast and the beaches of Tynemouth and Whitley Bay half an hour away; speaking of plonk, Newcastle Brown Ale should be part of any self-respecting Newcastle upon Tyne camping trip too.
