Newcastle and Gateshead
Leave the back of the car park and follow the waterfront left past Baltic, built as a flour mill in 1950 and subsequently rejuvenated as a centre for contemporary art, which opened in 2002. Entering Baltic Square beside the Millennium Bridge, walk up steps out to the road and follow it right past the Sage, three separate music performance and conference spaces enclosed within a single glass-and-steel cocoon. Walk beneath the iconic Tyne Bridge, opened in 1928 and high enough to allow shipping to pass up- and downriver. At the traffic lights, go right, crossing the swing bridge built 52 years earlier which still uses the original hydraulic mechanism invented by William Armstrong. Over to the left is Robert Stephenson's High Level Bridge, opened in 1849 and incorporating separate decks for rail and road.
At the junction beyond, cross left to climb Castle Stairs, emerging through the old town walls. Bear left past Castle Keep and then right beneath a railway arch. Turn left opposite Black Gate into Westgate Road, which leads to a square presided over by a statue of George Stephenson. The fine railway station, ahead to the left along Neville Street, was designed by John Dobson, who, with Richard Grainger, was responsible for much of Newcastle's 19th-century architecture.
The onward route lies ahead to the right of Stephenson's statue. Turn right at the corner by the 13th-century St John the Baptist's Church into Grainger Street. Towards the far end on the left, the Grainger Market is worth a visit before you reach Grey's Monument, erected in 1838 to commemorate the great parliamentary reformer Earl Grey.
Turn sharp right down Grey Street, which is lined with elegant Classical buildings and often called the finest street in Europe. At the traffic lights, turn right along Mosley Street to Cathedral Square. There, go left past the Cathedral, forking left off the main road just beyond to pass left of Black Gate. Continue along Side to a mini-roundabout beneath a railway arch. Continue down the pedestrianised street opposite, bending right at the bottom to a junction in front of the Guildhall. Â
Detour right along Sandhill to have a look at the half-timbered Bessie Surtees House. Return past the Guildhall and swing right to the waterfront to pass beneath the Tyne Bridge. Carry on along Quayside to the Millennium Bridge, which was opened in 2001 and has a 'blinking eye' tilting mechanism to let smaller ships pass beneath. Cross the river back to Baltic Square and return to the car park.Â
Been on this walk?
Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.
Walking in Safety
Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.
Get an AA guide
Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.
Been on this walk?
Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.
Walking in Safety
Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.
Get an AA guide
Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.
Nearby places to stay
View all (8)
- Family rooms: 75
- Free TV
- WiFi available
- Lift available
- Family rooms: 10
- Free TV
- WiFi available
- Lift available
- Family rooms: 0
- WiFi available
- Lift available






