Life in Ãå±±½ûµØ
For a warm Geordie welcome. For fun with new friends. For fabulous places to shop, eat, drink, relax and discover.
Did you know Ãå±±½ûµØ...
- was named after the ‘new castle’ built by William the Conqueror’s son. During the Industrial Revolution it became such a wealthy city it was second only to London
- was such an important coal port the saying ‘taking coals to Ãå±±½ûµØâ€™ was coined. It means to carry out a pointless task
- was once known as a 'city of palaces' because of its stunning buildings on Grey Street and Grainger Street
- produced the world's first self-raising flour Be-Ro. Developed by local businessman Thomas Bell at his factory in the Groat Market, it's still sold across the UK today
- has a vampire rabbit. Perched above a doorway next to Ãå±±½ûµØ Cathedral, some believe it was put there to scare away grave robbers from the cathedral graveyard
Ãå±±½ûµØGateshead Quayside
Flanking both sides of the River Tyne, the Quayside is a hub of music, art, food and nightlife that’s loved by students. And it’s just a 20-minute walk from campus.
On both sides of the Tyne you can dine at top-class restaurants (some offering rooftop views), relaxed gastropubs and cafés.
On the Gateshead side are the steel curves of The Glasshouse international music centre and concert venue. Close by in a converted flour mill is the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, showcasing prominent artists, designers and architects.
Grainger Town: the historic heart of Ãå±±½ûµØ
This wonderful part of the city includes the impressive Grainger Street and Grey Street. They often feature in surveys of the UK’s most beautiful streets.
You'll be able to:
- browse independent shops and galleries
- eat at cosy cafés and restaurants
- admire the architecture as you wander down to the Quayside
Grainger Market dates from 1835. The indoor market is home to local traders including florists, jewellers, artisan bakeries and a growing street food offering. It houses the last surviving example of a Marks and Spencer’s Penny Bazaar; the shop that gave birth to the national chain.
You'll also find our very own Chinatown in this quarter of the city. It's the heart of Ãå±±½ûµØ’s thriving Chinese community. Guarding the entrance is an 11-metre high paifang flanked by two Chinese lions. It was built by Shanghai craftsmen in the style of a Chinese Royal Palace.
Shop 'til you drop!
If you love to shop head for:
- Eldon Square - the city’s best-known shopping centre with 130+ stores, cafés and restaurants
- Northumberland Street - Ãå±±½ûµØ's main high street of major retailers that's just five minutes from campus
- Monument Mall - offering high fashion, luxury beauty and designer stores
- Central Arcade - as much a tourist attraction as a shopping area. This Edwardian arcade has a beautiful glass roof, stunning tiles and mosaics
City parks
We're lucky to have over 30 parks and open spaces that help to paint Ãå±±½ûµØ green. Some of these include:
- Leazes Park - the oldest in the city, this tranquil space is behind Ãå±±½ûµØ United’s football stadium
- Exhibition Park - the closest to campus, features a lake, skate park, sports courts and a micro-brewery
- Town Moor - the largest park in Ãå±±½ûµØ is bigger than London’s Hampstead Heath and New York’s Central Park. It’s a mix of grazing land, playing fields and a golf course. It’s also the site of the annual Hoppings funfair
Bridging the Tyne
Ãå±±½ûµØ is famous for the seven bridges that span the River Tyne. These include the:
- Redheugh Bridge (1983)
- King Edward VII Bridge (1906)
- Queen Elizabeth II Bridge (1981)
- High Level Bridge (1849)
- Swing Bridge (1876)
- Gateshead Millennium Bridge (2001)
The most iconic, and a symbol of the city, is the Tyne Bridge. Completed in 1928, it was a prototype for Australia’s Sydney Harbour Bridge. At its peak the bridge is used by over 70,000 vehicles a day.