The north east county of Tyne and Wear is brimming with cultural quayside cities and sandy North Sea beaches like Tynemouth Longsands where the surf is almost always up. Visit Tyne and Wear to discover cosmopolitan Newcastle and Gateshead museums and galleries for a dose of its Roman heritage, cross neon footbridges between redeveloped quays, or chant with the ‘Toon Army’ at a Magpies game - you'll soon feel like a true Geordie! Head to Sunderland for sparkling shopping malls and landscaped Victorian parks, not to mention more football, and stop by Washington to visit the Wetlands, one of the most unique things to do in Tyne and Wear.
Places to visit in Tyne and Wear
Top things to do on a Newcastle city break
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From the Angel of the North to the Victoria Tunnel, discover the best Newcastle landmarks and things to do on a city break to NewcastleGateshead.
Marvel at prehistoric cliffs and caves
The magnificent coastline of South Tyneside tells a story that stretches far beyond the stunning aesthetics of the golden sands and rugged cliffs.
Location: Marsden, South Tyneside
Walk in Roman footsteps at Arbeia Roman Fort
Britain’s biggest and best reconstruction of a Roman fort is the perfect place to immerse yourself in an ancient way of life.
Location: South Shields, South Tyneside
Visit the Angel of the North
Antony Gormley’s Angel of the North is one of the UK’s most famous pieces of public art.
Location: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear
Follow art trails around NewcastleGateshead
Throughout NewcastleGateshead you will discover public art in the most surprising of places from figurative sculptures to conceptual work.
Location: Newcastle, Tyne and Wear
September events: Test your fitness levels at The Great North Run
The Great North Run is an iconic half marathon with more than 54,000 runners registering to take part every year.
Location: Newcastle, Tyne and Wear
Rainy Day Activities: Sunderland Museum
Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens is a great place for the whole family to spend the day – and it’s free.
Location: Sunderland, Tyne and Wear
Animal antics at Down at the Farm
Down at the Farm is one of Sunderland's most popular farms, home to a wide range of rare breed animals including giant tortoises, alpacas, raccoons, donkeys and red deer.
Location: Sunderland, Tyne and Wear
Go Walrus hunting at Sunderland Museum
Discover the inspirational statue behind the Lewis Carroll poem Walrus and the Carpenter.
Location: Sunderland, Tyne and Wear
Master your bread-making skills at Blackfriars Restaurant
Visit England’s oldest dining room in Newcastle and leave with some expert cooking skills from a master baker.
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear
Go ghost hunting in Newcastle Castle
Uncover the horrifying history and hauntings of the castle from which Newcastle gets its name.
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear
Brighten up your autumn with Sunderland Illuminations
Don't mourn the arrival of longer, darker nights; let the North East coastal city of Sunderland fill your autumn with light and magic.
Location: Sunderland, Tyne and Wear
Pay homage to the written word in South Shields
Step inside The Word, National Centre for the Written Word, a state-of-the-art venue in South Shields.
Location: South Shields, South Tyneside
Enter the world of Anglo-Saxon Northumbria at Jarrow Hall
Discover the incredible story of Anglo-Saxon Northumbria and the extraordinary life of the Venerable Bede.
Location: Jarrow, South Tyneside, Tyne and Wear
