Bank holidays in Newcastle work well. The city’s combination of accessible coast, good Northumberland countryside, a solid events programme, and the straightforward pleasure of being in a city that has relaxed into a long weekend makes them worth planning around. Here’s how to get the most from a Newcastle bank holiday.
Northumberland for the Day
The bank holiday weekend is the perfect opportunity for a Northumberland day trip. Hadrian’s Wall stretches west from Newcastle and the eastern sections – Chesters Roman Fort near Hexham, Housesteads on the ridge – are accessible by car in under an hour. The coastal route north takes you through Alnmouth, Craster (famous for its kippers), and on to Alnwick for the castle and the Barter Books secondhand bookshop in the old railway station. One of the best bookshops in England by some measure.
Coast Day: Tynemouth and Whitley Bay
The Metro to the coast is a bank holiday ritual for many Newcastle residents. Tynemouth market in the priory grounds runs on bank holiday weekends, the beaches at Longsands and Whitley Bay are accessible without a car, and the Spanish City in Whitley Bay has enough to fill an afternoon. Fish and chips at Riley’s in Tynemouth is a reasonable ambition.
Ouseburn Bank Holiday
The Ouseburn Valley on bank holiday weekends has a particularly good atmosphere. The Free Trade Inn and the Tyne Bar fill their beer gardens, the studios and galleries often run open events, and the whole area has the feeling of a neighbourhood that knows how to use a long weekend. A short walk from the city centre, a world away from it.
The Quayside Market
Bank holiday Monday typically sees an extended Quayside Market. A good morning along the river, followed by brunch, followed by – depending on the season – an afternoon in a beer garden or a walk through Jesmond Dene.
Major Event Bank Holidays
Several Newcastle events fall on or around bank holiday weekends: the Hoppings Fair on the Town Moor in June, the Quayside Festival in summer, and various one-off events. Check the city’s events calendar when planning to see if there’s programming worth organising around.
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