The Best Day Trips from Newcastle [2023]

The Best Day Trips from Newcastle [2023]
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Whether you’re a local, a student or a visitor thinking about taking day trips from Newcastle to explore north east England, I’m here to share with you all the best places to go.

You can take Newcastle day trips to discover parts of the city itself, or venture into Northumberland to see one of England’s best-kept secrets. But then I would say that – I was born in the county and grew up in Morpeth, a market town around 15 miles north of ‘The Toon’.

I spent a lot of time in the city as a teenager, staying for weekends in Newcastle at my cousin’s house in the suburbs. We went all over the area together, from the Quayside and Grainger Market in the city to the coast and more rural areas around Morpeth.

As I also had cousins in Cumbria, passing various sections of Hadrian’s Wall was a regular occurrence as we travelled between the north east and north west via the old Military Road, aka the B6318, the main route used before the A69 opened.

Later, the A69 led almost directly from my Newcastle cousin’s door to Brampton, a small town just outside Carlisle that was home to my aunt, uncle, cousins and grandmother. So sadly we no longer passed through the villages of Once Brewed and Twice Brewed.

Apart from taking organised day tours, you could also head south by train to see the compact city of Durham, a picture-perfect college town with a magnificent cathedral and one of the UK’s finest universities.

Or do as many locals do on a sunny summer’s day, and go to the coast, visiting places like Whitley Bay, Tynemouth and South Shields. In addition to rail services, Newcastle also has its own underground Metro system.

Covered in this guide are all the best Newcastle day tours taken on foot or by coach. These are all the top day trips from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne – come rain or shine!

Best day trips from Newcastle contents

Best Newcastle day trips comparison table

Key locationsTransportDurationPrice
St James’ ParkNone1.5 hoursClick here
Grainger Market, Castle, Quayside, Chinatown & stadium quarterWalking1.5 hoursClick here
Great North Museum, Segedunum fort & Hadrian’s Wall Coach4 hoursClick here
Hadrian’s Wall, Housesteads, Vindolanda & Twice Brewed InnCoach & 2.5 mile walk8 hoursClick here
Lindisfarne, Bamburgh, Warkworth, Alnmouth & AmbleCoach9 hoursClick here
*Average Get Your Guide score at time of writing

Best day trips from Newcastle – Top options

newcastle day trips

5 of the best day trips from Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Newcastle United St James’ Park tour

Best for – Football fans

  • In Newcastle
  • Duration: 1.5 hours

Newcastle United St James’ Park tour itinerary

  • Visit the Media Suite to see how match day is broadcast
  • Walk down the tunnel as your favourite footballers do
  • See inside the players’ home team dressing room

If you’re a fan of Premier League football, this is the tour for you. Gain exclusive glimpses inside one of the world’s most followed clubs as you tour the Media Suite, dressing room & tunnel at St James’ Park.

High points:

  • Souvenir included
  • Video & audio effects
  • Cancel 24 hours before tour for a full refund

Low points:

  • Travel not included
  • Some areas closed at certain times

Click here to view or book this Newcastle United stadium tour

Walking tour of Grainger Market, Quayside & Castle

Best for – Getting to know Newcastle

  • In Newcastle
  • 1.5 hours

Walking tour of Newcastle itinerary

  • Explore classical Grainger Town as well as Grainger Market
  • Discover the grounds of the medieval castle
  • See Newcastle’s Chinatown and the stadium quarter
  • Wander along the Quayside by the city’s famous bridges

If you want to get to grips with the character and geography of Newcastle, this walking tour is for you! Sites visited include Chinatown, the stadium quarter, Grainger Market, the castle and the Quayside by the Tyne.

High points:

  • Led by local Newcastle Tour Company
  • See lesser-known and famous city sights
  • Cancel 24 hours before tour for a full refund

Low points:

  • Takes place whatever the weather

Click here to view or book this Newcastle walking tour

Hadrian’s Wall, Segedunum & Great North Museum

Best for – Discovering the Roman Empire

  • From Newcastle
  • 4 hours

Segedunum, Hadrian’s Wall & Great North Museum itinerary

  • Go to Wallsend, formerly known as Segedunum
  • Walk on the wall & see inside Roman life
  • Explore the Great North Museum in Newcastle

If you want to delve into the north east’s Roman past and have half a day to spare, this tour is ideal. You’ll see a section of Hadrian’s Wall, learn how the Romans lived and discover the Great North Museum.

High points:

  • Expert guide & coach transport included
  • Segedunum Roman Fort entry covered
  • Cancel 24 hours before tour for a full refund

Low points:

  • No food or drinks included

Click here to view or book this half day Hadrian’s Wall tour

Hadrian’s Wall, Housesteads & Vindolanda + lunch

Best for – Exploring Roman remains

  • From Newcastle
  • 8 hours

Hadrian’s Wall, Vindolanda & Housesteads itinerary

  • Journey to Steel Rig before continuing to Housesteads on foot
  • Explore the Roman fort & its fascinating history
  • Stop in the village of Twice Brewed for a delicious pub lunch
  • Proceed to Vindolanda, an excavated Roman supply base

See the wild side of north east England on this tour of Hadrian’s Wall, including lunch in the interestingly-named village of Twice Brewed. You’ll also explore the Roman forts of Housesteads and Vindolanda.

High points:

  • Local pub lunch included
  • Visit Hadrian’s Wall & 2 Roman forts
  • Cancel 24 hours before tour for a full refund

Low points:

  • Drinks & snacks not included

Click here to view or book this Hadrian’s Wall tour from Newcastle

Tour of ‘Vera’ locations in Northumberland

Best for – Seeing the Northumbrian coastline

  • From Newcastle
  • 9 hours

‘Vera’ locations in Northumberland tour itinerary

  • Visit stunning coastal locations between Newcastle & Lindisfarne
  • Sights include Amble, Warkworth, Holy Island, Bamburgh & Alnmouth
  • See fishing ports, ancient castle ruins, windswept beaches & a clifftop fortress
  • Travel to 15 sites, including Vera’s fictional island home

It doesn’t make a lot of difference whether you’re a Vera fan or not – no one can fail to be mesmerised by the beautiful, rugged Northumbrian landscape. Nature lovers will also adore Lindisfarne’s wildlife.

High points:

  • Central Newcastle pick-up, coach transport & guide included
  • See the best castles, countryside & coastline of Northumberland
  • Cancel 24 hours before tour for a full refund

Low points:

  • Not suited to pregnant women
  • Lunch not included

Click here to view or book this Northumberland highlights tour

Create-your-own day trip from Newcastle

If none of the above appeal or you want to explore further, why not follow one of my suggested north east insider itineraries?

Durham

Durham is not to be missed, as anyone who’s read Bill Bryson’s books on the British Isles will know. When he first saw this small but perfectly-formed city, he fell in love with it, and was even Durham University’s chancellor between 2005 and 2011.

How to get from Newcastle to Durham

There are scores of trains per day from Newcastle Central Station to Durham. Fares are very low, so it’s just not worth driving, and the journey takes around 12 minutes each way.

What to see in Durham

Visit Durham Cathedral, the Norman castle and the Botanic Gardens.

Where to eat in Durham

Cafedral, First floor, Owengate, Durham DH1 3HB.

Guided tour of Durham

I recommend the Historic Walking Tour of Durham (2 hours).

The Coast

Do as the Geordies do and head to the coast for a walk along the golden beaches after exploring the town centres of the seaside resorts. You can get to Whitley Bay, Tynemouth or South Shields via the Tyne and Wear Metro system in minutes.

Alnwick

Alnwick is a quintessential Northumbrian town, packed with character and home to a castle that starred in the Harry Potter films. For unique shops, cosy pubs and lots of history, it’s one of the best day trips from Newcastle.

How to get from Newcastle to Alnwick

The train trip from Newcastle to Alnwick takes around half an hour, and rail services are affordable and frequent.

What to see in Alnwick

Make a point of seeing Alnwick Castle: there’s so much to do there.

Where to eat in Alnwick

Thai Vibe, 22 Narrowgate, Alnwick, NE66 1JG.

Which day trips from Newcastle will you take?

If you want to explore beyond the city during weekend getaways in Newcastle, are looking for day tours from Newcastle upon Tyne or want to discover ‘The Toon’ itself, I hope this guide has helped you decide where to go.

A from-Newcastle one day trip can take you into untamed Northumberland or to see one of the best Roman sites you’ll find anywhere. You can also see another side to the city by taking a walking tour or a trip to St James’ Park.

If you to take any of these day trips from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, I do hope you enjoy exploring my homeland!

Polly x

Find out all about the north east and nearby Edinburgh in these guides:

Note – This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy via these, I may earn a small fee. This has absolutely no effect on the price you pay. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 

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