Guide to Newcastle

A student guide: the City of Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne is one of the North’s liveliest cities. With a student population of around 42,000, it has a vibrant nightlife, friendly locals and a low living cost. With students from its two major universities, Newcastle and Northumbria as well as neighbouring Durham, frequenting the city, there’s always something going on in Newcastle. 

Good Areas to Live

If you’re at Newcastle Uni, then you’ll probably live in either Jesmond or Heaton, and if you’re at Northumbria, you’re likely to live in Sandyford or Quayside.

Transport

The train station is 10-15 minute walk from the Newcastle Uni campus, and less on the Metro. London is just three hours away by train.

Tyne and Wear Metro connects the city centre with Jesmond, Gateshead, Sunderland and the coast.

There’s a daily ferry from North Shields to Amsterdam.

Newcastle airport is 6 miles north of the city.

Sport

Newcastle United Football Club is based at St James’ Park in the heart of the city, so you can hear the cheers if you’re in the city centre. The city’s basketball team, the Newcastle Eagles, play at Northumbria Uni’s Sport Central. Rugby Union and Rugby League teams play at Kingston Park.

Arts/Culture

Newcastle has a range of museums, galleries, cinemas and theatres to entertain and inspire. Many galleries and museums are free to enter, including the Discovery Museum and the Great North Museum. There’s also the Life Science Centre and historical monuments such as the Castle Keep.

The Art Deco Tyneside Cinema shows an eclectic mix of new and iconic films, and venues such as the Theatre Royal and Northern Stage show plays and musicals all year round.  

Nightlife

Known for its lively nightlife, Newcastle is a guaranteed good night out whatever your tastes. Most of the clubs are down on Tyneside and the Quayside is a popular area with students for bars and restaurants and music venues.

Places to Eat

Dene’s Deli is a specialist sandwich shop that offers fresh, great value sandwiches with lots of choice. Located at the Bottom of Jesmond, it’s cheap and they even do deliveries. If you’re into sushi, then check out St Sushi on Westgate Road, opposite the Tyne Theatre. With a full range of dishes as well as raw fish, you can sit in and take out. Arlo is a reasonably priced restaurant and café on Brentwood Avenue, which offers great food and a lovely suntrap of an outdoor eating area. Caffe Z is great value for money with good Italian food and stylish décor. Blackfriars Restaurant is located in what used to be a 13th century monastery, serving classic, but bold traditional British food.

Places to Shop

As Newcastle has a big city centre, the shopping is quite impressive. Eldon Square is a shopping centre in the middle of the town, with all the high street names and department stores. The Metro Centre is the largest shopping centre in the UK, and only a short metro ride away.

Northumberland Street is the main street for shopping, leading into the more historic heart of the city. High Bridge offers a blend of galleries and vintage stores.