6 of the Best Walks around Newcastle

“Newcastle is the ideal size to explore on foot. It’s easy to travel from the city centre to find countryside trails, but Newcastle itself also has some great walks to enjoy in all weathers. If you’re planning a trip to the North East, take a look at our guide to the best walks around Newcastle.

1. Explore Newcastle Quayside in an Hour
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If you haven’t got all day to spare, but you still want to get out and about in Newcastle, this short walk around Newcastle Quayside is ideal. Starting at the iconic Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, you’ll cross the Millennium Bridge and see Newcastle’s historic quayside from a unique viewpoint. This is part of a series of short walks designed to take less than an hour using the Crumbs City Trails app, which you can download free. This app also highlights local landmarks and shares facts about the area you’re walking in. Find out more about this walk and the app here.

2. Stroll around Jesmond Dene
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Jesmond Dene was purpose built in the 18th century for picnics and Sunday-afternoon wanderings and has been enjoyed by Newcastle locals for generations. Walk past waterfalls in tranquil woodlands alongside the River Ouse and take in the natural beauty that flourishes in the quarry. There is plenty of wildlife to spot, too. Take your binoculars so you can look out for kingfishers and keep your eyes open for red squirrels. If it starts to rain, visit the Jesmond Dene visitors’ centre or enjoy a hot chocolate in the Millfield House café.

3. Head Underground through the Victoria Tunnel
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The Victoria Tunnel is a historic feat of engineering that runs from the Town Moor to the River Tyne. This walk is extremely unusual because it’s entirely underground, making it ideal for rainy days when walking above ground isn’t so pleasant. You’ll get safety gear when you arrive, and a qualified guide will take you into the tunnels, show you around and reveal the tunnel’s hidden history as an air-raid shelter during WW2 and its other uses. Booking a tour is necessary, so book yours here.

4. Discover Newcastle City Centre on a Circular Walk
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If you want to find out more than just where the best shops are in Newcastle, a circular walk around the city centre is a great way to do it. Look up to see historic architecture high above street level and take in fantastic views from the High Level Bridge. On this walk, you’ll also see Newcastle Cathedral, the castle, some of the city’s most important monuments and the famous buildings of Grey Street. Find a map of the route here.

5. Be Inspired on a 20th-Century Art Walk
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Newcastle is a city that has long celebrated art and design. These are two of our favourite Newcastle walks that take in some of the art created in the public domain over the past 120 years.

### Newcastle Art Walk

This circular walk is around 1.5 miles (3km) and covers Northumberland Street and the centre of the city. Follow the map to discover abstract work by Austin Wright and Geoffrey Clarke and see the Pillar Man, as well as sculptures that celebrate and commemorate notable moments in Newcastle’s rich history. You will also see the Blue Carpet, an experimental piece designed to create a performance space near the Laing Art Gallery. Try this walk at night to enjoy each artwork from a different, illuminated perspective.

### NewcastleGateshead

The NewcastleGateshead walk strides over the River Tyne using the Swing Bridge and Millennium Bridge to connect 20th-century artwork in Newcastle and Gateshead. Explore both sides of the river and find art that challenges and pieces that blend seamlessly with the fabric of the city – like Tributary by John Maine RA. View sculptures on this walk and explore Newcastle and Gateshead’s varied history or celebrate the twin cities’ regeneration. Find a map here.

6. Exhibition Park
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Exhibition Park is a sprawling green space a short walk from the city centre. Created in the Victorian era, it saw expansion and development in time for the North East Coast Exhibition in the 1920s. Now you can begin or end your walk in Wylam Brewery and Tap Room, which stands in the Palace of the Arts – the last remaining building from the original exhibition. Follow the trails through the landscaped greenery and by the lake and enjoy the calm in the midst of the city. The nearest Metro station is Haymarket.

Planning a trip to Newcastle? Take a look at our Newcastle hotels to find somewhere close to all the best walking trails.”