Top accessible things to do in Newcastle

Begin the tour at the iconic Newcastle Castle – where the city got its name. The historic Black Gate and Castle Keep have level access and some Blue Badge on-street parking. The Black Gate is fully accessible and has an external lift, but some of the upper levels of the Castle Keep aren’t accessible to wheelchair users.

Take time to explore the historic city centre of Newcastle, taking in its many attractions, such as the Discovery Museum - see accessibility information here - and Laing Art Gallery, the popular Grainger Market, as well as its great shopping and cafes.

For a special thing to do and an unforgettable dining experience, head for a pre-theatre dinner at Blackfriars Restaurant, in a former 13th-century Dominican friary. There is Blue Badge parking nearby, but note, Friars Street is a cobbled road.

Seeing a show at the Grade I-listed Theatre Royal in Newcastle is a special thing to do when visiting the city. It has wheelchair access and accessible seats available. There are Blue Badge parking bays on Hood Street and a loading bay for drop-off on Shakespeare Street. The theatre also hosts regular captioned, audio-described and relaxed performances.

Not far from the theatre, in the centre of the city, you’ll find the four-star Maldron Hotel, which is well-located for things to do in Newcastle. It has 14 accessible bedrooms, wet rooms and lifts to all floors. You can experience a 360 VR accessibility tour here. It doesn’t have its own car park, but there are car parks nearby.

Top of football fans’ things to do in Newcastle is a stadium tour of Newcastle United’s St James’ Park, in the city centre. Tours are wheelchair-accessible, apart from the pitch-side experience, and can be tailored to specific needs by prior arrangement. Blue Badge parking is available nearby.

From one park to another, slightly north in the city, you’ll come to Exhibition Park, a lovely green space with lots of wheelchair-friendly paths, an Urban Green Café and its own brewery – the Wylam Brewery in the Palace of Arts. The tap room is open Fridays to Sundays.

Back in the city centre, pop into the Tyneside Bar Cafe – a popular spot for lunch or dinner, with its menu championing local ingredients. It has accessible access and friendly staff.

Once fortified, head to the other side of the river, to Gateshead, where you can explore the Quayside, including the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, one of the biggest galleries of its kind in the world. A popular thing to do for locals and visitors alike, all exhibition spaces are accessible and a list of facilities is available on their website.

Leave time to catch a show or just explore The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, formerly known as Sage Gateshead, another popular free thing to do in the city. The enormous venue has an accessibility guide you can view here. It has parking, level access and accessible performances.