Free Things to Do In Newcastle
To enjoy a day out there’s always the worry that it’s going to cost to the earth, especially if it’s for the whole family. We’ve been looking at some of the places and experiences across the region that you can enjoy for free. Some you will be familiar with but we’ve also thrown in a few lesser known experiences and we all love finding something or somewhere we’ve never been before.
A museum that certainly lives up to its name. Spend a morning or afternoon discovering all about the history of Tyneside. We always love journeying through it’s ‘time tunnel’ that tells the story of Newcastle. Fans of a certain Time Lord who travels the universe in a blue Police Box are in for a surprise!
There’s lots of people that don’t realise just a stone’s throw from the centre of the city is a farm in the heart of the Ouseburn Valley. It’s a wonderful community led project where you will find chickens, sheep, goats and pigs. You can feed the animals and enjoy animal petting sessions. The farm is a great place to visit all year round as it reflects the changing seasons. A real gem.
If the weather’s taken a turn for the worse why not head up to the city’s other free museum, the Great North. You’ve learnt all about Tyneside and here it’s all about the planet. From dinosaurs to the Ancient Egyptians, the natural world and the stars in the sky. You really can have a wonderful day of discovery.
Seven Stories: The National Centre for Children’s Books
Again, a place that lives up to its name. Over seven floors you will find the works of over two hundred and fifty authors and illustrators. With interactive experiences and displays you can lose yourselves for a few hours in the world of children’s literature.
You don’t always associate art galleries as places for children, but the Laing has a varied events programme and many of its activities are free. There’s talks for all ages, and it hosts amazing exhibitions. It really is a chance to get up close and engaged with art and photography.
Walk under the bridges over the Tyne
Newcastle has seven bridges that span the River Tyne and a walk along the Quayside to see them all is a great way to get some exercise. Make a list one by one of the bridges you walk under and past and see if you can guess the oldest to the most recent.
In the gorgeous surroundings of Newcastle University is the Hatton. It’s exhibitions always inspire and educate. Again the gallery hosts some brilliant talks and free workshops that really encourages you to get creative
Indulge in a spot of sketching
After visiting all these galleries the creative juices will be flowing. Newcastle is full of such beautiful and impressive buildings and landmarks. Why not take a sketch book and pencils with you and find a quiet spot to sketch away a morning or afternoon. A great place to do this is from the viewing gallery at the Baltic Centre of Contemporary Art. Or spend the day taking photographs around the city so you can sketch at home.
If you’re looking to an alternative to the city centre, Jesmond Dene is a wonderful place to relax and feel surrounded by trees and wildlife. There are plenty spots to enjoy a picnic and have a walk about this beautiful oasis of green just outside the city. Its famous Pet’s Corner is always worth a visit.
A trail around Newcastle
We’ve had a lot of fun making a trail around Newcastle using our Newcastle map design. Decide where you will start and finish and see if you can make a visit to each location on the map and take a photo of yourselves at place. It has taken us along streets and up and down steps we never knew existed. It’s a really good way of getting your step count up.
Whatever you do, have fun and please do send us your own suggestions for free things to do across the region.
Leave a comment