Links | Newcastle

The city lies on the banks of the River Tyne. The city owes its name to the Norman castle built in 1080, by Robert II of Normandy, the eldest son of William the Conqueror.
Newcastle was historically a Roman settlement, the first settlement in what is now Newcastle was Pons Aelius, designating the bridge across the Tyne and given the family name of the Roman Emperor Hadrian who founded it in the 2nd century AD. The population of Pons Aelius at this period was estimated at 2,000. Hadrian's Wall is still visible in parts of Newcastle, particularly along the West Road. (The course of the "Roman Wall" can also be traced eastwards to the Segedunum Roman fort in Wallsend - the wall's end). After the Roman withdrawal from Britain, Newcastle became part of the powerful Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Northumbria.
From 1530 a royal act restricted all shipments of coal from Tyneside to Newcastle quayside, giving a monopoly in the coal trade to a cartel of Newcastle.
The city grew as an important centre for the wool trade and it later became a major coal mining area. The port developed in the 16th century and, along with the shipyards lower down the river was amongst the world's largest shipbuilding and ship-repairing centres.
Newcastle offers a host of cultural experiences, including Museums, Art Galleries and Sporting arenas as well as superb Theatres hosting many great shows.
On the outskirts of the town you will find the Gateshead Metrocentre, Europe's largest shopping and leisure centre, and it has everything you could possibly need for the perfect day out.

Quayside
Baltic - Comptemporary Arts	0191 478 1810
Metrocentre	0191 493 0219
Seven Stories	0845 271 0777
Newcastle United Football Club	0191 261 1571
Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club	0191 214 5588
Gateshead International Statium	0191 433 5700
Great North Museum	0191 2326789
Discovery Museum	0191 233 1088
Centre for Life	0191 243 8210
Biscuit Factory Art Gallery	0191 261 1103
Laing Art Gallery	0191 232 7734
City Hall	0191 232 0007
Theatre Royal	0191 232 2061
Newcastle Arena	0844 493 4567
Cinema Metrocentre	0871 244 4007
Cinema Newcastle	08715 714 714