England › North East › Tyne and Wear
Top 10 things to do in Tyne and Wear
Tyne and Wear centres on Newcastle and Gateshead, with bridges, a lively food scene, big art and a good coast. It is compact and friendly.
- 1
Newcastle Quayside
📍 NewcastleWaterfront, walksThe bridges, the Baltic and Sage Gateshead, all along the river.
- 2
Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art
📍 GatesheadArt, freeA free art gallery in a former flour mill.
- 3
Angel of the North
📍 GatesheadLandmark, freeAntony Gormley’s steel sculpture on the A1 side.
- 4
Newcastle Castle
📍 NewcastleHistoryA Norman keep, giving the city its name.
- 5
Great North Museum
📍 NewcastleFree, familiesA free museum with natural history and Hadrian’s Wall displays.
- 6
Tynemouth Priory and Castle
📍 TynemouthHistory, coastThe ruins of a priory on a headland by the sea.
- 7
Segedunum Roman Fort
📍 WallsendHistory, RomanThe end of Hadrian’s Wall, with a bathhouse and a viewing tower.
- 8
Souter Lighthouse
📍 Whitburn, SunderlandCoast, viewsA striped lighthouse with coastal walks.
- 9
National Glass Centre
📍 SunderlandFree, craftsA glass-making centre and gallery on the river.
- 10
Roker Beach
📍 SunderlandBeach, seasideA sandy beach with a pier and a lighthouse, a classic seaside walk.
Where to base yourself
Newcastle city centre suits a first visit. Tynemouth suits the seaside. Sunderland suits Roker Beach and the Glass Centre.
Last checked: October 2026.