Art and History
NewcastleGateshead has a rich and diverse history just waiting to be discovered. Alongside our modern attractions sit architectural treasures and monuments straight out of the history books.
NEW See Britain's biggest and newest light artwork, the giant, 360 metre-long Nocturne will form a kaleidoscope of ever-changing LED lights spanning a Metro bridge above the Tyne from dusk to dawn.
The city was originally founded by the Roman Emperor Hadrian, whose wall can still be seen running through the centre of Newcastle. The best place to view the remains of Hadrian';s Wall is in Segedunum in Wallsend.
Galleries
Museums galore and as an extra bonus most of them have free admission so you really can't go wrong.
BALTIC is a major international centre for contemporary art on the south bank of the River Tyne, and is one of the biggest contemporary art spaces in Europe.
A former 1950s grain warehouse, the interior has been transformed into a series of stunning art spaces. With a bookshop, bars and cafes, including a roof-top restaurant, BALTIC is a good place to capture the excitement of the area.
The Discovery Museum, and the Shefton Museum of Greek Art and Archaeology and The Biscuit Factory the biggest commercial art space in the UK are also well worth a visit, while Opus Gallery showcases original works of art and exclusive limited edition prints by the world's premier contemporary artists and photgraphers.
And for some fun and excitement for all the family, visit Centre for Life where you can travel back in time to meet your ancestors and Seven Stories, the Centre for the Children's Books a fantastic seven-storey converted mill which is the national centre celebrating children's literature.
For art lovers galleries such as The Laing, Hatton, Shipley and University of Northumbria are treasures of fantastic paintings, sculptures and displays, with some superb exhibitions running throughout the year.
