Guides

Things to do in Newcastle: the Castle and Baltic

Things to do in Newcastle upon Tyne: Newcastle Castle above the river and Baltic contemporary art across the Tyne in Gateshead.

Newcastle’s castle and the art across the Tyne make a good starting pair: stone chambers on one bank, contemporary exhibitions on the other. Baltic is in Gateshead, so the river crossing is part of the outing, not a detail to skip. Add a museum or gallery if you have more time; these six stops give you a few different ways into the city.

1. Newcastle Castle

Start with the fortress that gave the city its name. The Castle Keep and Black Gate bring you into Newcastle’s medieval story, with chambers and passageways to explore rather than furnished country-house rooms. If the stairs suit you, the rooftop view helps put the city and River Tyne into place.

Good to know

  • Admission is paid; tickets are currently annual passes. Check current prices and book on the castle website.
  • The Keep has steep stairs and uneven surfaces. The Black Gate is accessible, so read the access guidance before deciding how much to explore.
  • Opening days change in November: Tuesday and Wednesday closures normally apply until March, with Newcastle school-holiday exceptions.

2. Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art

Cross the Tyne for a different kind of visit. Baltic is on Gateshead Quays, not in Newcastle itself, and its contemporary art exhibitions give you something new to look at and talk about. The building is worth exploring too, from the glass lifts to the river views upstairs.

Good to know

  • Exhibitions are free; check the current programme to see what will be on during your visit.
  • Baltic opens Wednesday to Sunday and is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, including bank holiday Mondays.
  • You can walk here from Newcastle Quayside over Gateshead Millennium Bridge.
  • Level 4 has an outdoor viewing terrace; Level 5 has an indoor Viewing Box if you prefer to stay inside.

3. Gateshead Millennium Bridge and the Quayside

Make the crossing to Baltic part of the outing rather than just the journey between stops. Gateshead Millennium Bridge connects Newcastle Quayside with the Gateshead side, giving you a chance to look along the river before heading into the galleries. Keep this as a short walk or give yourself time to stop and look back.

Good to know

  • Baltic’s visitor page gives the pedestrian route from Newcastle Quayside over the bridge.
  • Bring a waterproof layer and shorten the outdoor stretch if the weather turns.
  • For an indoor river view afterwards, use Baltic’s Level 5 Viewing Box during gallery opening hours.

4. Discovery Museum

Turbinia gives this museum a memorable starting point: the steam-turbine-powered ship was launched on the Tyne in 1894 and helped change marine engineering. Seeing the vessel makes that story much easier to picture than reading about it alone. It’s a good choice if ships and inventions interest you more than another gallery of paintings.

Good to know

  • Entry is free and you don’t need to book a general visit.
  • The museum is on Blandford Square. Weekday and weekend hours differ, and it closes on bank holidays.
  • There’s a café on the second floor, and public lifts serve the museum floors.

5. Great North Museum: Hancock

Come here for a wider view of the North East and the world beyond it. The Hadrian’s Wall gallery brings Roman frontier life together through models, interactive screens and everyday objects used by soldiers. Living Planet and Ancient Egypt give you other directions to follow if your interests, or your children’s, pull you elsewhere.

Good to know

  • General admission is free and the museum opens daily; weekend hours differ from weekdays.
  • It’s on Newcastle University’s campus near Haymarket Metro. There’s no public parking on site.
  • For a quieter term-time visit, the museum suggests after 2.30pm on weekdays or Sundays.

6. Laing Art Gallery

The Laing is a good place to leave some time unplanned. Free displays include Northern Spirit and Sublime Landscapes, so you can spend a visit with art connected to place or simply follow the pictures you enjoy. Add a café break rather than trying to see every room in one go.

Good to know

  • General admission is free with no booking needed; some exhibitions require a paid ticket.
  • It normally opens Monday to Saturday and closes on Sundays and bank holidays. Check for special openings.
  • Monument Metro is about five minutes away on foot. There’s level entry on New Bridge Street and lifts inside.

Quick tips

  • For a first visit, choose the castle and Baltic, with time to walk along the Quayside between them.
  • Baltic closes on Mondays and Tuesdays. The Laing normally closes on Sundays, so don’t assume every gallery follows the same pattern.
  • Read the castle’s access guidance before making the Keep and rooftop the centre of a group visit.
  • Want company? Check upcoming events in Newcastle on Socroo below and find someone to go with.

Upcoming events

Things to do in Newcastle in autumn Newcastle Castle: plan your visit Baltic: plan your visit Discovery Museum Great North Museum: Hancock Laing Art Gallery