While the sun and the rain battle each other for dominance this weekend, the bright lights of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne and the surrounding area will be still enticing as ever even if you do need your ra
While the sun and the rain battle each other for dominance this weekend, the bright lights of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne and the surrounding area will be still enticing as ever even if you do need your rain macs. Now of course the nightlife and the shopping is what the city is best known for but if you’re up this weekend and looking for something to keep you entertained during those sober hours of the day, then look no further than right here! I’ve kindly put together a few attractions that might just tickle your fancy.
Romeo & Juliet
If the weather holds then what better way to spend it with a picnic and a bit of theatre, now it might sound a bit boring but the award winning theatre groups can’t half put on a show. In the wonderful surroundings of Jesmond Dene Park (a real mystical place, the park alone is worth it), a short walk from the city centre, there is the performance of the iconic Shakespeare play: Rome and Juliet. And it’s free!
Britain’s Open Strongman Championships
Now if theatre isn’t your thing, and I won’t pretend it is mine, then why not go for something totally off the scale? Over at Gateshead International Stadium, a short metro ride from the city centre, there is an event that I imagine few of you have ever seen yet one that would be thoroughly entertaining. Let’s not pretend that you didn’t used to watch Britain’s Strongest Man competition on the TV every now and then as a kid? Watching them pull jumbo jets with their teeth. Well now is your chance to see it in person, and while I’m certain there won’t be any jumbo jets, there is still the promise of some mind blowing events which all entail carrying ridiculously heavy objects over stupid distances. The winner qualifies for the World’s Strongest Man Competition later this year. Tickets are a little steep at £25 but it wouldn’t be a bad way to pass the day!
Dawn of the Space Age
Space is a wonder to us all and things will still be found out long after we’ve gone but why not rewind and enjoy a display in how the very first explorations into space first begun? Starting with the very first launch of the satellites and going right up until today with Sir Richard Branson’s private space travel, it’s worth 40 minutes of your time. This takes place at the Great North Museum and is just one of many exhibitions taking place this weekend, other include: Sea-Monsters, Fragile Planet and the inspiring of the Lindisfarne Gospels.
The Lindisfarne Gospels
You may be sitting there thinking that something to do with Gospels is the last thing you want to see, and normally I’d agree with you but not this time. The Lindisfarne Gospels is one of the world’s most precious books and really is something that needs to be seen. The exhibition has gathered national attention and the small train ride out to Durham will be worth it just so you can say you’ve seen this book. The book is 1300 years old and it is little wonder that over 10,000 people have seen it so far in just two months; tickets are in high demand so if you fancy seeing a little piece of history get onto the website and book in advance.
The Bridges
While not strictly speaking an event, no journey to Newcastle is complete without a walk down to the Quayside to have a glimpse at the bridges that line it. You have the Tyne Bridge, Swing Bridge, High Level Bridge and the most spectacular of them all, the Millennium Bridge. They all make for a perfect picture and a walk across the Millennium Bridge is a must for any visitor to the city, if you’re lucky you may even get to see it blink.
What do you think? What would you add to this list? Have your say in the comments section below, on Facebook or on Twitter.
