The town is connected to Newcastle by seven bridges spanning the river, including the iconic Millennium Bridge, which tilts 40 degrees to let boats pass beneath. Another famous landmark is Antony Gormley's 20-meter-tall Angel of the North sculpture.
Book one of our Gateshead accommodations and explore an exciting town where you'll never run out of things to do.
Shopping
Gateshead’s most renowned shopping destination is the Intu Metrocentre, one of the largest shopping centers in the UK. It boasts more than 340 shops and restaurants, including chain stores, individual boutiques, and department stores like Marks & Spencer, Debenhams, and House of Fraser. Additional retailers can be found at the Intu Metrocentre Retail Park right next door. The center also features an IMAX theater, a play area, a bowling alley, and a soft play center.
You'll find even more shops in Newcastle city center, including the massive Eldon Square mall, the High Bridge Quarter of independent retailers, and a five-floor branch of Fenwick.
Culture
Located in a converted flour mill, the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art hosts exhibitions of various art forms, including painting, sculpture, installations, and film. Guided tours are available for those who want to delve deeper into modern art, along with creative workshops and children's activities. There’s also a rooftop restaurant, a bar, and a viewing area with panoramic views of the city.
The Sage Gateshead music venue hosts concerts and performances of all genres, including classical, jazz, world music, folk, pop, brass band music, opera, and dance performances. Additionally, there are talks, activities, workshops, and building tours available.
Outdoor attractions
Saltwell Park is a stunning Victorian park with ornamental gardens, woodlands, a boating lake, play areas, a maze, sports facilities, bowling greens, and an animal house. Over two million visitors come each year to explore the park and the Saltwell Towers, a Gothic mansion designed by stained-glass maker William Wailes. The towers now serve as the visitor center, featuring art exhibits, historical information about the park, and a tearoom.
A short drive from Gateshead, but a must-see, is Beamish Museum, a recreation of a mining village at the start of the 20th century. With miners’ cottages, shops, a train station, a pub, a bakery, a dentist’s surgery, a manor house, and more to explore, you can spend the entire day here. You can go down a mine, ride on a tram, meet animals at Home Farm, and purchase old-fashioned candy in the sweet shop.
Eating and drinking
The Schooner is a family-run freehouse where you can enjoy home-cooked food, real ales, cask ciders, live music most weekends, and a weekly quiz. A short drive out of town is the popular La Taverna, a Mediterranean and tapas restaurant with a terrace. Eslington Villa, a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence winner, serves British classics and intriguing desserts, with dining available in the dining room or the conservatory. For a light lunch, head to the Arch Sixteen Café or The Lounge, both worth visiting just for the cakes.