Five Reasons To Head To Newcastle This Festive Season
I’ve already done numerous posts about places I want to explore in the UK but one place that I’d not really thought about until recently is Newcastle. In my mind it was just like Geordie Shore and I didn’t think it was somewhere I’d be able to hack. That is until I was contacted about #TheTyneIsNow campaign and I realized that actually heading to the city would be the perfect little festive weekend away.
Two Intu Shopping Centres
Of course, if you’re heading to a big city – especially around Christmas – you’ll want to head to the shopping centre and Newcastle Gateshead has not one but two Intu Shopping Centres (Eldon Square and Metrocentre) both of which look pretty amazing. With so many shops there’s pretty much everything you could want to finish your Christmas shopping but also treat yourself will you’re away. Whenever I go away I’m always on the lookout for shops which I don’t have in my local shopping centre and there’s plenty of those across the two centres.
International Christmas Market
Until the 10th December, there’s an adorable Christmas market full of handmade foods and special gift one-off gifts. I always think markets like this are great as you’re going to pick up something which the recipient is unlikely to have seen before. The market has so many food stalls as well from all across the globe so you can go for a currywurst from Germany, crepes from France or paella from Spain.
Ice Skating
From 11th November there’s an ice skating rink outside the Science Centre so you can make a day of it and head inside to see the Natural History Museum exhibition Dino Jaws, explore the planetarium and see live shows and hands-on areas. Then head outside and skate around until your heart’s content. I am pretty bad at ice skating as I worry about falling over but it’s something I want to give a proper go.
Fenwicks Christmas Display
I don’t know about you but I love looking at store’s Christmas displays and Fenwicks is the place to do it in Newcastle. The iconic department store has a Christmas window with lights, moving characters and a bespoke soundtrack. The store creates a 12,000 square foot Christmas department on the Second Floor every year which is enough to get anyone in the festive mood.
Watch It’s a Wonderful Life
If you’re in the city between Sunday 3rd and Tuesday 19th December you can catch It’s a Wonderful Life playing at the Tyneside Cinema which is the essential Christmas treat. The special showing can be made more festive with mulled wine and a mince pie included in the ticket price. I haven’t actually seen this movie *oops* so a cinema experience to see it would be perfect.
What experiences make you feel festive?
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20 responses to “Five Reasons To Head To Newcastle This Festive Season”
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All About Me
Rhian Westbury
Travels and Destinations
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I have a really good friend from Newcastle, and she is always telling me how beautiful it is. She sold up and left London recently, so now I really do need to visit. Thanks Rhian, you are always inspiring me to visit places closer to home! 🙂
We,be been thinking about taking a trip to Newcastle so this is great to know. I love Christmas markets.
I’ve always wanted to visit Newcastle, I think the Christmas market would be great to have a look around as we don’t really have one in Nottingham x
Newcastle is one of the top Christmas tourist destinations because it offers a lot of fun activities both for the adults and kids! 🙂
I haven’t been to Newcastle for ages but it does sound really special at Christmas time!
Actually,I haven’t seen “It’s A Wonderful Life” in its entirety as well….your Newcastle looks very charming and a much nicer place to ship then our malls here.
This looks like a perfect destination for the Festive Season. The International Christmas market sounds very tempting for me.
I like the sound of the international Christmas markets may have to go along to those x
Newcastle’s never been somewhere I’ve ever considered visiting, but you make it sound wonderful at Christmas time!
I have never been to Newcastle but it sounds like there is lots on offer
I’ve heard good things about the International Christmas Market in Newcastle but am yet to visit – would love to one day!
Christmas markets always make me feel festive. We’re going to the one in Leeds next week and I really can’t wait for it. I love Newcastle but have never been this time of year, I would love to go to their market and to the iceskating rink.
Newcastle sounds like the place to be this festive season. I am always feeling festive at the local light switch on
Looks very festive! I think I want to make an effort this year and take the kids out to Christmas markets for a change because this is the year where everyone comes home from wherever they are, so we want to make it a big one this year 🙂 Thanks for sharing 🙂 xx
Wow I haven’t been to Newcastle for around 25 years (it’s a good 5-6hr drive) however it looks like there is even more to do there than ever before, and Christmas would be a perfect time to do so!
Time to plan a roadtrip I think!
I haven’t been to Newcastle for so long but I love how much they have got going on. My daughter would definitely fancy Dino Jaws and i love a bit of ice skating and a Christmas market. I just need a fast train now!
I haven’t been to Newcastle since my brother’s stag do. Thats a whole different story. I am heading up that way sometime very soon for some photography. I may just have to stop on by now. Thanks for giving me a great reasons to head to Newcastle.
John M
I just love Newcastle and its just great during Christmas! The Christmas market is brilliant. I need to go back soon
I’ve never been to Newcastle but I’ve heard great things about it’s xmas market. Hubby loves it’s a wonderful life too so he’d love to watch that
I love Newcastle its such a fun city! I bet it is a great place to head to get in the festive spirit. I didn’t know about the ice skating and Fenwicks, thanks for sharing