NEWCASTLE
Newcastle is a city in north-west England; it lies on the North Sea coast on the northern banks of the River Tyne. Newcastle is known as a vibrant and friendly city with great nightlife. It has a population of around 300,000 and the people from Newcastle, and the surrounding area, collectively known as 'Geordies', have a particular dialect and distinct accent!
A brief history of Newcastle
The city developed around the Roman settlement known as Pons Aelius and named after the castle built by Robert Curthose, William the Conqueror's eldest son in 1080. Throughout the middle ages, Newcastle was England's northern fortress, the city's economy based around the wool trade by the 14th century. The 16th century saw the development of the port and shipyards and the city grew wealthy from trade, shipbuilding and coal mining. At one time Newcastle Port was amongst the world's largest shipbuilding and ship-repairing centres.
Throughout the 19th century, the city was a powerhouse of the Industrial Revolution and in 1882 Newcastle was given city status. During the first half of the 20th century the transport network was improved, city slums were cleaned up, they built social housing, and the city was thriving. However, by the middle of the century, the coal industry had begun to decline, and the last coal pit in Newcastle was closed in 1952. The shipyards also went into decline, which was exacerbated by political turmoil through the 1970s to the 1990s by which time, the unemployment rate in Newcastle had become very high. Countless workers lost their life long jobs in coal mines, and in the shipbuilding industry and the city severely declined. Newcastle has made a concerted effort to bring in investment since this period by capitalising on its cultural heritage as a tourist destination. Education also remains an essential sector of the economy in Newcastle, being home to both Newcastle and Northumbria University, the city has a large, vibrant student population.
Things to do in Newcastle
One of the best places to visit in Newcastle is the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, housed in an imposing former flour mill; the architecture recalls the industrial heritage of this proud city. It opened in 2002 and has a frequently changing programme of exhibitions and events, with no permanent exhibition. Just outside Newcastle, in a town called Stanley in County Durham, you have Beamish Museum, an open-air museum that portrays everyday life in urban and rural North East England at the climax of industrialisation in the early 20th century. It is interactive and highly engaging for both adults and children.
The Angel of the North is a must-see in Newcastle, located in an area called Gateshead, just 6 km south of the city centre, the angel was installed in 1998 and is a large iron sculpture designed by Antony Gormley. It is a very prominent part of the landscape, standing at the height of 20 meters tall, with a wingspan of 54 meters. The concept behind the striking sculpture was to commemorate the coal miners who worked in this area for two centuries. It also represents the hard transition from the industrial to the information age, and thirdly to serve as a focus for our evolving hopes and fears. For those who want to travel further afield and enjoy hiking then why not attempt the Hadrian's Wall Path? A long-distance footpath that runs for 135 km, from Wallsend on the east coast of England to Bowness-on-Solway on the west coast. The path follows Hadrian's Wall, the defensive wall built by the Romans on the northern border of their empire.
Beaches around Newcastle
Merewether is probably Newcastle's most famous beach; it is a long stretch of sand split up into three beaches; Dixon Park, Bar Beach and Merewether beach. There are also Meerwether saltwater baths that are heated and open all year round, and the beach also features a surf area with lovely little café. Nearby you have Newcastle Baths, which opened in 1922 and are a really popular place to swim all year around. Dudley beach lies east of Merewether beach and is a golden sandy strip hidden away behind wooded dunes; it features shallow rock pools and freezing water! The beach has no services or shelter and should be visited only on a hot summer day!