Newcastle, UK 5-Day Itinerary

• Day 1: Visit the Newcastle Castle for a guided tour and breathtaking views of the city. Head to the Grainger Market for lunch, then explore the National Centre for Children's Books to relive nostalgic childhood memories. Wrap up the day with a pint or two at The Bridge Tavern with its cozy atmosphere and locally brewed beers.
• Day 2: Take a morning walk around the picturesque Jesmond Dene Park before touring the Great North Museum. Have lunch at St. Mary's Inn, then indulge your inner artist at the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art in the afternoon. End the day at the Tyneside Cinema, which is the last surviving Newsreel theatre in the UK.
• Day 3: Begin this day shopping at the outlet stores at Gateshead's Metrocentre. After some retail therapy, visit the Angel of the North, a 20-meter tall public artwork of an angel, which is an English icon. Have dinner at the Kalbi Korean Restaurant, then watch a live musical performance at the Theatre Royal.
• Day 4: Start the day with a visit to the Famous Tyne Bridges, comprising seven bridges spiraled around Newcastle's Quayside. Have lunch at the Redhouse, a Victorian pub that is famous for its craft beers and British cuisine. Continue sightseeing at the Natural History Museum, then enjoy the sunset at the Tynemouth Longsands, which is a great spot for swimming and surfing.
• Day 5: Take a scenic train journey from Newcastle to Alnwick Castle, which is around an hour's drive away. The castle served as Hogwarts School in the Harry Potter series and has the finest architecture in England. After lunch, head to the Hulne Priory Walks for a tranquil stroll in the countryside before returning to Newcastle.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Newcastle Castle (2 hours, £8)
• Grainger Market (1 hour, £10 for lunch)
• National Centre for Children's Books (2 hours, free)
• The Bridge Tavern (2 hours, £20 for two pints)
• Jesmond Dene Park (2 hours, free)
• Great North Museum (2 hours, free)
• St. Mary's Inn (1 hour 30 minutes, £15 for lunch)
• BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art (2 hours, free)
• Tyneside Cinema (2 hours, £12 for a ticket)
• Gateshead's Metrocentre (4 hours, price varies)
• Angel of the North (1 hour, free)
• Kalbi Korean Restaurant (2 hours, £25 for dinner)
• Theatre Royal (3 hours, £40 for a ticket)
• Redhouse (2 hours, £30 for lunch)
• Natural History Museum (2 hours, free)
• Tynemouth Longsands (2 hours, free)
• Alnwick Castle (3 hours, £25 for admission)
• Hulne Priory Walks (2 hours, free)
Total Estimated Costs: £225

Transportation

While Newcastle has a comprehensive public transport system, including buses, trams, and trains, it is best to invest in a Newcastle CityPass for hassle-free travel around the city. The cost of a day ticket is around £7, while a week-long ticket costs £25. For those looking to explore neighboring towns like Alnwick, an all-day ticket to the North East's Metro system costs £6.

Useful Tips

If you have an extra day, consider visiting the Bamburgh Castle, which is a 90-minute drive from Newcastle. For those with less time, it's best to skip Alnwick Castle and head straight to Hulne Priory Walks for a relaxing countryside stroll. Ensure that you carry comfortable walking shoes since the city has several cobblestone paths.

Airports

The main airport serving Newcastle is Newcastle International Airport (NCL), which is around 6 miles northwest of the city center. The airport offers regular flights to and from other major UK cities like London, Manchester, and Edinburgh. A taxi ride from the city center to the airport takes approximately 15 minutes, and the fare is around £15.