subject: Newcastle Upon Tyne - A Vibrant City In The North East Of The Uk [print this page] Located in the county of Tyne and Wear, Newcastle upon Tyne has often been hailed as the most exciting city in the north east of England. Now it is developing a reputation as being one of the most exciting cultural centres that exists outside of London.
Newcastle has a lot to offer visitors of any age. It is a city steeped in history. Most of the locals, colloquially known as Geordies, will tell you that there are more listed buildings in their city than any other part of the UK. The old nineteenth century streets gradually follow the meander of the River Tyne, alongside new urban development.
Newcastle is different from a lot of cities in that it is still easy to find your way around by foot. Conveniently the main sights and attractions are within walking distance of each other. Even if you do happen to get lost, any local person would be willing to get you back on track - the only problem you will have is digesting the strong local accent.
If you spend a few hours exploring the city's streets you are likely to come across public sculptures, open air concerts, street theatre, and poetry readings. Newcastle's importance is also reflected by the wealth of treasures on display in the museums and galleries.
For a lot of people when you mention Newcastle an image of the bridges over the River Tyne is conjured up. Now the horizon has been forever altered with the construction of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge. This uses a very clever double parabola design which can move to allow taller ships to pass.
Newcastle has been associated with sea trade for centuries. This is partly why today you will find such a mixed culture within the city's boundaries. The openness with which the locals tolerate others is welcome as is the wealth of architectural styles and buildings that are on offer. You can find Medieval, Roman, Georgian, Victorian, and Jacobean building styles along side structures created by world famous architects such as Sir Norman Foster.
It is very easy to plan a trip to Newcastle. There are excellent transport connections to the rest of the country as well as an International airport within easy reach. Whenever you feel like a break you can take a trip along the coast to view the spectacular scenery of this part of the British Isles.
