VISIT AND EXPLORE TYNE AND WEAR
Places to visit and things to do in the Tyneside and Wearside areas including visitor attraction websites for opening times and links to our unique pages exploring localities in the North East.
Always check opening times before visiting.
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GATESHEAD : ANGEL OF THE NORTH
Just off the A1(M) near Gateshead, famed work of sculptor Antony Gormley. It has been situated here since 1998.
Durham Road, Low Eighton, Gateshead NE9 6AA
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SOUTH SHIELDS : ARBEIA ROMAN FORT
Museum and remains of Roman fort that was a supply base and port for Hadrian’s Wall. Includes a reconstruction of the western gateway. Managed by North East Museums.
Baring Street, South Shields NE33 2BB
Visit Arbeia Website for opening times
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NEWCASTLE : BESSIE SURTEES HOUSE
(ENGLISH HERITAGE)
Two five-storey merchant houses of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries near Newcastle quayside. Open for guided tours only .
Sandhill, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3JF
English Heritage website details
Explore the Newcastle Quayside and Bridges
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GATESHEAD : DERWENTCOTE STEEL FURNACE
(ENGLISH HERITAGE)
Situated near Hamsterley Mill near the western outskirts of Gateshead. This is the earliest and most complete steel furnace in Britain, dating from the 1720s.
Hamsterley Mill, Rowlands Gill NE17 7RS
Visit the English Heritage website for opening times
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GATESHEAD MILLENNIUM BRIDGE
Beautiful pedestrian bridge linking Gateshead Quays and Newcastle Quayside. Can be tilted to allow vessels to pass through.
Gateshead NE8 3AE
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SUNDERLAND : HYLTON CASTLE
(ENGLISH HERITAGE)
Gatehouse of a castle dating from around 1400 that belonged to the Hylton family. Managed by Hylton Castle Trust on behalf of English Heritage.
North Hylton, Sunderland SR5 3PB
Visit Hylton Castle website for opening times
Explore the Hylton Castle area
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NEWCASTLE : CASTLE KEEP AND BLACKGATE
First built as the ‘new castle’ by William the Conqueror’s son Robert Curthose and rebuilt in the twelfth century by Henry II. It gives its name to Newcastle upon Tyne. The ‘Blackgate’ was a later extension of the castle though it came to be separated from the castle keep by the construction of a Victorian railway.
Castle Garth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1RQ
Visit the Newcastle Castle website for opening times
Explore Newcastle Castle and the town walls
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SUNDERLAND : PENSHAW MONUMENT
(NATIONAL TRUST)
Resembling something from Ancient Greece, the monument was built to honour the first Earl of Durham in 1844. It can be seen from many miles around.
Chester Road, Penshaw DH4 7NJ
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SOUTH SHIELDS : SOUTER LIGHTHOUSE
(NATIONAL TRUST)
Opened in 1871, this beautiful lighthouse was the first in the world designed and built to be powered by electricity.
Near South Shields SR6 7NR
National Trust for opening times
Explore the South Tyneside coast
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NEWCASTLE CATHEDRAL
Newcastle’s Anglican cathedral with a picturesque lantern tower of medieval origin. It was originally a Newcastle’s parish church.
Saint Nicholas Square, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1PF
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JARROW : ST PAUL’S MONASTERY
(ENGLISH HERITAGE)
A seventh century church dating from AD 685 that was once part of the world-famed monastery of Wearmouth-Jarrow – home to the Venerable Bede.
Church Bank, Jarrow NE32 3DZ
Visit the English Heritage website for opening times
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SUNDERLAND : ST PETER’S MONASTERY
Situated at Monkwearmouth in the City of Sunderland. A seventh century church daring from AD 674 that was once part of the world-famed monastery of Wearmouth-Jarrow – home to the Venerable Bede.
St Peter’s Way, Sunderland SR6 0DY
Monkwearmouth Parish of St Peter website
Explore our Monkwearmouth page
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WALLSEND : SEGEDUNUM
Remains of the Roman fort of Segedunum at the very end of Hadrian’s Wall (the wall’s end) on the banks of the Tyne near a former shipyard. Including visitor centre and museum with an overlooking viewing area. Traces of Hadrian’s Wall nearby.
Buddle Street, Wallsend NE28 6HR
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NORTH SHIELDS : STEPHENSON RAILWAY MUSEUM
Collection of steam and diesel locomotives. Working locomotives can be seen at certain times. Displays include an early ‘Billy’ locomotive of 1826. Managed by North East Museums.
Middle Engine Lane, North Shields NE29 8DX
Visit the Stephenson Railway Museum for more details
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GATESHEAD : TANFIELD RAILWAY
Dating from 1725. Regular steamings on the oldest existing railway in the world. Nearby Causey Arch of 1727 in a beautiful setting is the world’s oldest surviving railway bridge, though a railway no longer crosses here.
Sunniside, Gateshead NE16 5ET
Visit the Tanfield Railway for train timetables
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TYNEMOUTH CASTLE AND PRIORY
(ENGLISH HERITAGE)
Ruins of a Norman priory on a stunning coastal headland set within the walls of a castle overlooking the mouth of the Tyne.
Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear NE30 4BZ
Visit the English Heritage website for opening times
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NEWCASTLE : VICTORIA TUNNEL
Subterranean wagonway that transported coal from a colliery near the Town Moor to the River Tyne.
Arch 6, Stepney Bank, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 2NP
Visit the Victoria Tunnel website for tour details
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SUNDERLAND : WASHINGTON OLD HALL
(NATIONAL TRUST)
Manor house dating back to medieval times with garden. Once home to the ancestors of the first American President, George Washington, who took their name from this place.
The Avenue, Washington NE38 7LE
Visit the National Trust website for opening times.
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GATESHEAD : BALTIC
Stunning contemporary art gallery in restored mill in a fantastic setting on Gateshead Quays on the banks of the River Tyne.
Gateshead Quays, Gateshead NE8 3BA
Visit the website for BALTIC to check opening times
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NEWCASTLE : CENTRE FOR LIFE
Family attraction with exhibition and interactive displays promoting the advancement of life sciences.
Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4EP
Visit the Centre for Life website.
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NEWCASTLE : DISCOVERY MUSEUM
Museum of science and local history includes many interactive exhibits. Features include Charles Parsons’ ‘Turbinia’ of 1894, once the fastest ship in the world.
Blandford Square, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4JA
Visit the Discovery Museum website
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NEWCASTLE : GREAT NORTH MUSEUM
Extensive and impressive museum of natural history and ancient history including many Roman and Greek artefacts. North East Museums.
Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4PT
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NEWCASTLE : HATTON GALLERY
Newcastle University owned gallery.
Kings Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU
Visit the Hatton Gallery website
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JARROW HALL
Anglo-Saxon farm, village and Bede museum.
Church Bank, Jarrow NE32 3DY
Explore our Jarrow and Bede page
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NEWCASTLE : LAING ART GALLERY
Oil paintings and water colours of the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries, many of which are by North East artists with a local flavour.
New Bridge Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8AG
Visit the Laing Gallery website for opening times
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COMMON ROOM OF THE GREAT NORTH
Archive and heritage venue in the former Mining Institute at Neville Hall. Large collections relating to mining and engineering.
Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1SE
Visit the Common Room of the Great North website
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SUNDERLAND : NATIONAL GLASS CENTRE
Exhibitions, research, contemporary glass, glass blowing displays.
Liberty Way, Sunderland SR6 0GL
Visit the National Glass Centre website
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SUNDERLAND : LAND, SEA AND AIR MUSEUMS
North East Land, Sea and Air Museums near the Nissan site incorporates North East Aircraft Museum and Military Vehicles Museum.
Old Washington Road, Washington SR5 3HZ
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SUNDERLAND : RYHOPE ENGINES MUSEUM
Impressive Victorian water pumping station with working beam engines.
Ryhope, Sunderland SR2 0ND
Visit the Ryhope Engine website
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NEWCASTLE : SEVEN STORIES
Centre for Children’s Books. Exploring and celebrating the heritage and creativty of children’s books.
30 Lime Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 2PQ
Visit the Seven Stories website for opening times
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GATESHEAD : SHIPLEY ART GALLERY
Developed from the collection of Joseph Shipley (1822-1909). Gallery includes William C. Irving’s colourful portrayal of ‘The Blaydon Races’.
Prince Consort Rd, Gateshead NE8 4JB
Visit the Shipley Gallery website for opening times
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SOUTH SHIELDS MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY
Super museum exploring the heritage of South Tyneside.
Ocean Road, South Shields NE33 2AW
Visit the South Shields Museum website.
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SUNDERLAND MUSEUM AND WINTER GARDENS
Fascinating museum featuring the history of Sunderland with indoor winter garden. On the edge of Mowbray Park.
Burdon Road, Sunderland SR1 1PP
Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens website
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GATESHEAD : BILL QUAY COMMUNITY FARM
A Tyneside community farm.
Hainingwood Terrace, Gateshead NE10 OUE
Visit the Bill Quay Farm website
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TYNEMOUTH AQUARIUM
Seals, stingrays, otters, seahorses.
Grand Parade, Tynemouth NE30 4JF
Visit Tynemouth Aquarium website.
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HOUGHTON-LE-SPRING : DOWN AT THE FARM
Interactive family farm.
Stoneygate Lane, Houghton-le-Spring DH5 8JG
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GATESHEAD : GIBSIDE
(NATIONAL TRUST)
Seven hundred acres of beautiful landscaped eighteenth century grounds and woodland in the Derwent Valley south west of Gateshead. The chapel-mausoleum of 1759, plus walled gardens and extensive walks.
Burnopfield, NE16 6BG
Visit the National Trust website for opening times
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HERRINGTON COUNTRY PARK
A large country park with wooded areas ideal for walks and play.
Herrington DH4 7EL
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HETTON LYONS COUNTRY PARK
Country park with beautiful lake and cycle track. The park is situated on the site of the Hetton Lyons Colliery.
Hetton-le-Hole DH5 0RH
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NEWCASTLE : LEAZES PARK
City centre park close to the home of Newcastle United FC.
Richardson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4BJ
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SUNDERLAND : MOWBRAY PARK
Beautiful city centre park set in former quarried landscape near to Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens. Monuments to Jack Crawford and the Victoria Hall Tragedy.
Burdon Rd, SunderlandSR1 1QB
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GATESHEAD : SALTWELL PARK
Lovely fifty-five acre Victorian park featuring the impressive Saltwell Towers house nearby.
Gateshead NE9 5AX
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NEWCASTLE : TOWN MOOR
One-thousand acres of common land in the heart of Newcastle. Covers an area bigger than London’s Hampstead Head and Hyde Park combined. Site of an annual fair – ‘The Town Moor Hoppings’.
Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4NL
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SUNDERLAND : WASHINGTON WETLANDS CENTRE
Birds and mammals in various wetland habitats. Extensive reserve managed by Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.
Pattinson Rd, Washington NE38 8LE
Visit the Wetlands Centre website
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NEWCASTLE : ELDON SQUARE SHOPPING CENTRE
Major shopping centre in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Northumberland Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7JB
Visit the Eldon Square website.
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GATESHEAD : METROCENTRE
Major shopping and leisure complex, over three-hundred shops, plus eating places and a cinema.
Swalwell, Gateshead NE11 9YG
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NORTH SHIELDS : NEWCASTLE QUAYS RETAIL PARK
Shopping outlets.
Coble Dene, North Shields NE29 6DW
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GATESHEAD INTERNATIONAL STADIUM
Renowned international athletics stadium.
Neilson Road, Gateshead, NE10 0EF
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NEWCASTLE RACECOURSE
Horse racing.
High Gosforth Park, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 5HP
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NEWCASTLE UNITED FC : ST JAMES’ PARK
52,000 capacity home of Newcastle United FC in the heart of the city centre. Includes stadium tours, and a club museum.
St James’ Park, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4ST
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SUNDERLAND AFC : STADIUM OF LIGHT
48,000 seater stadium, the home of Sunderland AFC on a former colliery site by the River Wear.
Sunderland SR5 1SU
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SUNDERLAND : FANS MUSEUM
Fans Museum for Sunderland AFC situated in the former Monkwearmouth Railway Station near the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland SR5 1AP
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SUNDERLAND AQUATIC CENTRE
Swimming and diving facility next to Stadium of Light including a fifty metre swimming pool.
Stadium Park, Sunderland SR5 1SU
Visit the Sunderland Aquatic Centre website
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SUNDERLAND GREYHOUND STADIUM
Greyhound racing track.
Newcastle Rd, Sunderland SR5 1RP
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THE WORD
NATIONAL CENTRE FOR THE WRITTEN WORD
Cultural venue.
Market Place, South Shields NE33 1JF
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SOUTH SHIELDS : CUSTOMS HOUSE
Arts venue, theatre, cinema and gallery.
Mill Dam, South Shields NE33 1ES
Visit the South Shields Customs House Website
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SUNDERLAND : THE FIRE STATION
Superb comedy, music, dance and theatre venue in the heart of Sunderland, situated within a converted former fire station.
High Street West, Sunderland, SR1 3HA
Visit the Fire Station website
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SUNDERLAND : EMPIRE THEATRE
Beautiful Edwardian theatre, one of largest in the north and venue for West End shows. The ornate Dun Cow pub next door matches the Empire for its architecture.
High Street West, Sunderland SR1 3EX
Visit the Sunderland Empire website
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NEWCASTLE : LIVE THEATRE
Writing and theatre company in Broad Care on the Newcastle Quayside.
27 Broad Chare, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3DF
Visit the Live Theatre website
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NEWCASTLE : UTILITA ARENA
Sports, entertainment and concert arena.
Arena Way, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 7NA
Visit the Utilita Arena website
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NEWCASTLE : ARTS CENTRE
Art centre and music venue, Newcastle upon Tyne.
69 Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1SG
Visit the Newcastle Arts Centre website
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NEWCASTLE : O2 CITY HALL
Rock and pop music venue.
Northumberland Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8SF
Visit the Newcastle City Hall website
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NEWCASTLE : PEOPLE’S THEATRE
Renowned Amateur Theatre venue.
Stephenson Road, Heaton, Newcastle NE6 5QF
Visit the People’s Theatre website
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GATESHEAD : THE GLASSHOUSE
The Glasshouse International Centre for Music (formerly Sage Gateshead). Concert venue. World class artists, musicians and bands.
St Mary’s Square , Gateshead Quays NE8 2JR
Visit website to see what’s on
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NEWCASTLE : THE CLUNY
Top-rated intimate live music venue.
36 Lime Street, Ouseburn, Newcastle NE1 2PQ
Visit The Cluny website and see what’s on
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NEWCASTLE : THEATRE ROYAL
Beautiful theatre in the heart of Newcastle.
100 Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6BR
Visit the Theatre Royal website to see what’s on
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NEWCASTLE : TYNE THEATRE AND OPERA HOUSE
Venue for comedy, ballet, musicals and concerts.
117 Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4AG
Visit Tyne Theatre website to see what’s on
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NEWCASTLE : TYNESIDE CINEMA
Independent art house cinema specialising in the screening of independent film and world cinema.
10 – 12 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6QG
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NEWCASTLE : TYNESIDE IRISH CENTRE
Irish music and cultural centre.
43-49 Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4SG
Visit Website for opening times
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The above map is interactive. Select and click on any region on the map to discover attractions in your chosen area.
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EXPLORE TYNE AND WEAR
Our Tyne and Wear pages cover the region in depth exploring the towns, villages, rivers and history of the region.
All photos © David Simpson englandsnortheast.co.uk
Newcastle Quayside and Bridges
Newcastle Castle and Town Walls
Old Sunderland : The ‘East End’
Gateshead Riverside and Centre
Gateshead Origins : ‘The Goat’s Head’
Birtley Low Fell and around the Angel
South Tyneside villages and coast
Shiremoor, Longbenton, Killingworth
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