View source for Newcastle upon Tyne

{{Short description|City in England}}
{{For|the parliamentary constituency|Newcastle-upon-Tyne (UK Parliament constituency)}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Newcastle upon Tyne
| settlement_type    = [[City status in the United Kingdom|City]] and [[metropolitan borough]]
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image |perrow=1 / 2 |total_width=275px |border=infobox |align=center
 |image1 = Newcastle-upon-Tyne-bridges-and-skyline cropped.jpg
 |caption1 = The [[Quayside]], with the [[Tyne Bridge]] to the left and the [[Gateshead Millennium Bridge|Millennium Bridge]] to the centre right
 |image2 = Buildings on Sandhill (geograph 6394694).jpg
 |caption2 = Buildings on Sandhill
 |image3 = Donjon Château Newcastle Tyne 4.jpg
 |caption3 = [[The Castle, Newcastle|The Castle]]
 |image4 = Monument Metro station, Newcastle (geograph 6499904).jpg
 |caption4 = [[Grainger Town]]
 |image5 = Théâtre Royal Newcastle Tyne 3.jpg
 |caption5 = [[Theatre Royal, Newcastle|Theatre Royal]]
 |image6 = St Mary’s Cathedral, Newcastle upon Tyne.jpg
 |caption6 = [[St Mary's Cathedral, Newcastle upon Tyne|St Mary's RC Cathedral]]
 |image7 = Centre civique Newcastle Tyne 3.jpg
 |caption7 = [[Newcastle Civic Centre|Civic Centre]]
}}
| imagesize          = 
| image_alt          = 
| image_caption      = 
| image_flag         = 
| flag_alt           = 
| image_seal         = 
| seal_alt           = 
| image_shield       = Arms of Newcastle upon Tyne City Council.svg
| shield_alt         = 
| shield_link        = 
| image_blank_emblem = 
| blank_emblem_size  = 
| blank_emblem_type  = 
| blank_emblem_link  = 
| etymology          = 
| nickname           = The Toon
| motto = {{force singular}} {{langx |la|Fortiter Defendit Triumphans |translation=Triumphing by Brave Defence}}
| image_map          = Newcastle upon Tyne UK locator map.svg
| mapsize            = 
| map_alt            = 
| map_caption        = Newcastle shown within [[Tyne and Wear]]
| pushpin_map        = 
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| coordinates        = {{coord|54.9738|-1.6131|region:GB_type:adm3rd|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint      = 
| coordinates_footnotes = 
| subdivision_type   = [[Sovereign state]]
| subdivision_name   = [[United Kingdom]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[Countries of the United Kingdom|Country]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[England]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[Regions of England|Region]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[North East England|North East]]
| subdivision_type3  = [[Ceremonial counties of England|Ceremonial county]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[Tyne and Wear]]
| subdivision_type4  = [[Historic counties of England|Historic county]]
| subdivision_name4  = [[Northumberland]]
| subdivision_type5  = [[City region (United Kingdom)|City region]]
| subdivision_name5  = [[North East Combined Authority|North East]]
| established_title  = Founded
| established_date   = 2nd century AD
| established_title1 = City status
| established_date1  = 1882
| established_title2 = [[Metropolitan borough]]
| established_date2  = [[Local Government Act 1972|1 April 1974]]
| named_for          = 
| seat_type          = Administrative HQ
| seat               = [[Newcastle Civic Centre]]
| parts_type         = 
| parts              = <!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes = <ref name="Council leadership">{{cite web |url=https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/local-government |title=How we run the city |website=Newcastle City Council |access-date=16 January 2024 |archive-date=16 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116144418/https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/local-government |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| government_type    = [[Metropolitan borough]]
| governing_body     = [[Newcastle City Council]]
| leader_title       = [[Executive arrangements|Executive]]
| leader_name        = [[Executive arrangements#Leader and cabinet|Leader and cabinet]]
| leader_title1      = [[Political make-up of local councils in the United Kingdom|Control]]
| leader_name1       = {{English district control|GSS=E08000021}}
| leader_title2      = [[Executive arrangements#Leader and cabinet|Leader]]
| leader_name2       = Karen Kilgour ([[Labour Party (UK)|L]])
| leader_title3      = [[List of mayors of Newcastle upon Tyne|Lord Mayor]]
| leader_name3       = Henry Gallagher
| leader_title4      = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MPs]]
| leader_name4       = {{Collapsible list | title = 5 MPs
 | [[Mary Glindon]] ([[Labour Party (UK)|L]])
 | [[Catherine McKinnell]] ([[Labour Party (UK)|L]])
 | [[Chi Onwurah]] ([[Labour Party (UK)|L]])
 | [[Joe Morris (politician)|Joe Morris]] ([[Labour Party (UK)|L]])
 | [[Emma Foody]] ([[Labour and Co-operative Party|L]])
 }}
<!-- Area -->| unit_pref          = Metric <!-- ALL fields with measurements have automatic unit conversion -->
| area_footnotes     = <ref>{{United Kingdom district population citation|area}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 115
| area_land_km2      = {{English district area|GSS=E08000021}}
| area_water_km2     = 
| area_rank          = [[List of English districts by area|{{English district area rank|GSS=E08000021}}]]
<!-- Population -->| population_footnotes = <ref name="popstats">{{United Kingdom district population citation}}</ref>
| population_as_of   = {{English statistics year}}
| population_total   = {{English district population|GSS=E08000021}}
| population_rank    = [[List of English districts by population|{{English district rank|GSS=E08000021}}]]
| population_density_km2 = {{English district density|GSS=E08000021}}
| population_demonym = {{Unbulleted list | Novocastrian | [[Geordie]] ([[Colloquialism|colloq.]]) }}
<!-- demographics (section 1) -->| demographics_type1 = Ethnicity <span style="font-weight:normal;">([[2021 United Kingdom census|2021]])</span>
| demographics1_footnotes = <ref name="2021 Nomis">{{NOMIS2021 |id=E08000021 |title=Newcastle upon Tyne Local Authority |access-date=13 July 2024}}</ref>
| demographics1_title1 = [[Ethnic groups in the United Kingdom|Ethnic groups]]
| demographics1_info1 = {{Collapsible list
 | 80.0% [[White people in the United Kingdom|White]]
 | 11.4% [[British Asians|Asian]]
 | 3.3% [[Black British people|Black]]
 | 2.3% [[Mixed (United Kingdom ethnicity category)|Mixed]]
 | 3.1% [[Ethnic groups in the United Kingdom|other]]
 }}
<!-- demographics (section 2) -->| demographics_type2 = Religion <span style="font-weight:normal;">(2021)</span>
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref name="2021 Nomis"/>
| demographics2_title1 = [[Religion in England|Religion]]
| demographics2_info1 = {{Collapsible list
 | 41.3% [[Religion in England#Christianity|Christianity]]
 | 40.8% [[Irreligion in the United Kingdom|no religion]]
 | 9.0% [[Islam in England|Islam]]
 | 1.4% [[Hinduism in England|Hinduism]]
 | 0.5% [[Sikhism in England|Sikhism]]
 | 0.5% [[Buddhism in England|Buddhism]]
 | 0.2% [[History of the Jews in England|Judaism]]
 | 0.4% [[Religion in England|other]]
 | 6.0% not stated
 }}
| timezone1          = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]]
| utc_offset1        = +0
| timezone1_DST      = [[British Summer Time|BST]]
| utc_offset1_DST    = +1
<!-- Codes -->| postal_code_type   = [[Postcodes in the United Kingdom|Postcode area]]
| postal_code        = {{Hlist | [[NE postcode area|NE]]1–7 | NE12–20}}
| area_code_type     = [[Telephone numbers in the United Kingdom|Dialling code]]
| area_code          = [[0191]]
| iso_code           = [[ISO 3166-2:GB|GB-NET]]
| blank1_name        = [[GSS coding system|GSS code]]
| blank1_info        = E08000021
| website            = {{URL|newcastle.gov.uk}}
| module             = 
| footnotes          = 
}}
'''Newcastle upon Tyne''', or simply '''Newcastle''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=en-uk-NewcastleUponTyne(ShortA).ogg|nj|uː|ˈ|k|æ|s|əl}} {{respell|new|KASS|əl}}, <small>[[Received Pronunciation|RP]]:</small> {{IPAc-en|ˈ|nj|uː|k|ɑː|s|əl|audio=En-gb-rp-Newcastle-upon-Tyne.ogg}} {{respell|NEW|kah|səl}}),<ref name="Wells2008">{{cite book|last=Wells|first=John C.|year=2008|title=Longman Pronunciation Dictionary|edition=3rd|publisher=Longman|page=539|isbn=9781405881180}}</ref> is a [[City status in the United Kingdom|cathedral city]] and [[metropolitan borough]] in [[Tyne and Wear]], England. It is England's northernmost city and metropolitan borough, located on the [[River Tyne]]'s northern bank opposite [[Gateshead]] to the south. It is the most populous settlement in the [[Tyneside]] conurbation and [[North East England]].<ref name="2021census">{{cite web|url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/dvc2257a/fig1/datadownload.xlsx|title=Figure 1: Explore population characteristics of individual BUAs|access-date=7 August 2021}}</ref>

Newcastle developed around a [[Roman Empire|Roman]] settlement called [[Pons Aelius]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-MkgAAAAMAAJ|author=George Patrick Welch|title=Britannia, the Roman Conquest and Occupation of Britain|publisher=Wesleyan University Press|date=1963|pages=165, 167, 277|isbn=978-0-598-26430-5 }}</ref> The settlement became known as ''Monkchester'' before taking on the name of [[The Castle, Newcastle|a castle built in 1080]] by [[William the Conqueror]]'s eldest son, [[Robert Curthose]]. It was one of the world's largest [[ship building]] and repair centres during the [[Industrial Revolution]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Shipbuilding in North East England.|url=https://englandsnortheast.co.uk/Shipbuilding.html|access-date=26 June 2020|website=England's North East}}</ref> Newcastle was historically part of the county of [[Northumberland]], but governed as a [[county corporate]] after 1400.<ref name="self57567"/><ref name="sepNewc"/><ref name=archivesMuseumSeparatedFromNorthumberland/><ref name=countyOfItself_Separated_1400/> In 1974, Newcastle became part of the newly created metropolitan county of [[Tyne and Wear]]. The local authority is [[Newcastle City Council]], which is a constituent member of the [[North East Combined Authority]].

==History==
{{Main|History of Newcastle upon Tyne}}

===Roman era===
The first recorded settlement in what is now Newcastle was [[Pons Aelius]] ("Aelian bridge"), a Roman fort and bridge across the [[River Tyne]]. It was given the family name of the [[Roman Emperor|Roman emperor]] [[Hadrian]], who founded it in the 2nd century AD. This rare honour suggests Hadrian may have visited the site and instituted the bridge on his tour of Britain. The population of Pons Aelius then is estimated at 2,000. Fragments of [[Hadrian's Wall]] are visible in parts of Newcastle, particularly along the West Road. The course of the "Roman Wall" can be traced eastwards to [[Segedunum]], a [[Castra|Roman fort]] in [[Wallsend]] – the "wall's end" – and to the separate supply fort of [[Arbeia]] in [[South Shields]], across the river from Hadrian's Wall.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://arbeiaromanfort.org.uk/ |title=Arbeia Roman Fort |access-date=25 March 2018}}</ref>

The extent of Hadrian's Wall was {{convert|73|mi|km}}, spanning the width of Britain; the Wall incorporated the [[Vallum (Hadrian's Wall)|Vallum]], a large rearward ditch with parallel mounds,<ref>{{cite web |author=The Megalithic Portal and Megalith Map |url=http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=18177 |title=C.Michael Hogan (2007) ''Hadrian's Wall'', ed. A. Burnham, The Megalithic Portal |publisher=Megalithic.co.uk |access-date=4 August 2010}}</ref> and was built primarily for defence and to prevent the incursion of [[Pict]]ish tribes from the north, and probably not as a fighting line for a major invasion. However, it seems that the Vallum stopped just west of Newcastle, where its role as a secondary line of defence was performed by the [[River Tyne]].<ref>Stephen Johnson (2004) ''Hadrian's Wall'', Sterling Publishing Company, Inc, 128 pages, {{ISBN|0-7134-8840-9}}</ref>
[[File:Newcastle schloss.jpg|thumb|upright|[[The Castle, Newcastle|Newcastle Castle]] [[Keep]] is the oldest structure in the city, dating back to at least the 11th century.]]

===Anglo-Saxon and Norman eras===
After the [[End of Roman rule in Britain|Roman departure from Britain]], completed in 410, Newcastle became part of the powerful [[Anglo-Saxon England|Anglo-Saxon]] kingdom of [[Northumbria]], and was known throughout this period as ''Munucceaster'' (sometimes modernised as ''Monkchester'').<ref name=Monkchester>{{cite web | last = Mackenzie | first = Eneas | title = ''Historical Account of Newcastle-upon-Tyne'' | website = british-history.ac.uk | year = 1827 | url = http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=43318 | access-date = 24 November 2008}}</ref>

Conflicts with the [[Danes (Germanic tribe)|Danes]] in 876 left the settlements along the River Tyne in ruins.<ref name="ncl.ac.uk"/> After the conflicts with the Danes, and following the [[Rebellion of 1088|1088 rebellion]] against the Normans, Monkchester was all but destroyed by [[Odo of Bayeux]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/the-war-and-bloodshed-of-our-historic-baronial-families-1-5680039|title=The war and bloodshed of our historic Baronial families|date=19 May 2013|publisher=Morpeth Herald|access-date=25 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325232125/https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/the-war-and-bloodshed-of-our-historic-baronial-families-1-5680039|archive-date=25 March 2018}}</ref>

Because of its strategic position, [[Robert Curthose]], son of [[William I of England|William the Conqueror]], erected a wooden [[The Castle, Newcastle|castle]] there in the year 1080.<ref name="ncl.ac.uk"/> The town was henceforth known as ''Novum Castellum'' or ''New Castle''.<ref name="ncl.ac.uk"/> The wooden structure was replaced by a stone castle in 1087.<ref name="ncl.ac.uk">{{cite web|last=Dodds |first=Graham |title=Origins of (the) New Castle upon Tyne |publisher=Newcastle University |url=http://www.ncl.ac.uk/library/special-collections/exhibitions/current-and-past-exhibitions/so/castle.php |access-date=18 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402141841/http://www.ncl.ac.uk/library/special-collections/exhibitions/current-and-past-exhibitions/so/castle.php |archive-date=2 April 2015 }}</ref> The castle was rebuilt again in 1172 during the reign of Henry II. Much of the keep which can be seen in the city today dates from this period.<ref name="ncl.ac.uk"/>

===Middle Ages===
Throughout the [[Middle Ages]], Newcastle was England's northern fortress. In 1400 Newcastle was separated from Northumberland for administrative purposes<ref name="self57567"/><ref name="sepNewc"/><ref name=archivesMuseumSeparatedFromNorthumberland/><ref name=countyOfItself_Separated_1400/> and made a [[county of itself]] by [[Henry IV of England|Henry IV]].<ref name="self57567">{{Cite book | last = Lewis | first = Samuel | chapter = Newbottle - Newcastle-upon-Tyne |title= A Topographical Dictionary of England | quote = separated from Northumberland, and made a county of itself, by Henry IV  |publisher = British History Online | year = 1848 | chapter-url = http://www.british-history.ac.uk/topographical-dict/england/pp379-389a | access-date = 13 July 2016}}</ref><ref name="sepNewc">{{cite web | url = http://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/newcastle-historical-account/pp601-611#p14 | title = The Corporation: Grants and charters |work=Historical Account of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Including the Borough of Gateshead | last = Mackenzie | first = Eneas | date = 1827 | via = British History Online | publisher = Mackenzie and Dent |location= Newcastle-upon-Tyne  | access-date = 1 May 2017
| quote = in 1400, by a charter, granted that Newcastle upon Tyne,... then belonging to the county of Northumberland, should be separated from thence, and be a county of itself}}</ref><ref name=archivesMuseumSeparatedFromNorthumberland>{{cite web |url=http://www.tyneandweararchives.org.uk/DServe2/dserve.exe?dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqCmd=Show.tcl&dsqDb=Catalog&dsqPos=0&dsqSearch=(((text)=%27city%20council%27)AND(RefNo=%27md.nc%27)) |title=Newcastle City Council |publisher=Tyne & Wear Archives & Museum |access-date=29 October 2019 |archive-date=5 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805205028/http://www.tyneandweararchives.org.uk/DServe2/dserve.exe?dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqCmd=Show.tcl&dsqDb=Catalog&dsqPos=0&dsqSearch=(((text)=%27city%20council%27)AND(RefNo=%27md.nc%27)) }}</ref><ref name=countyOfItself_Separated_1400/> Newcastle was given the title of the county of the town of Newcastle upon Tyne.<ref name="sepNewc2">{{cite web | url = http://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/newcastle-historical-account/pp601-611#p14 | title = The Corporation: Grants and charters |work=Historical Account of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Including the Borough of Gateshead | last = Mackenzie | first = Eneas | date = 1827 | via = British History Online | publisher = Mackenzie and Dent |location= Newcastle-upon-Tyne  | access-date = 1 May 2017
| quote = title of the county of the town of Newcastle upon Tyne }}</ref> The town had a new charter granted by [[Elizabeth I]] in 1589.<ref>[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=51171 Newbottle – Newcastle-upon-Tyne] British History Online – Retrieved 18 August 2009.</ref> A {{convert|25|ft|m|adj=mid|-high}} stone [[Newcastle town wall|wall]] was built around the town in the 13th century,<ref name=newc13thcent>{{cite web | last = Mackenzie | first = Eneas | title = Historical Account of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne | website = british-history.ac.uk | publisher = Mackenzie and Dent, Newcastle-upon-Tyne | year = 1827 | url = http://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/newcastle-historical-account/pp105-117 | access-date = 20 April 2015}}</ref> to defend it from invaders during the [[Border country|Border]] war against Scotland. The Scots king [[William the Lion]] was imprisoned in Newcastle in 1174, and [[Edward I of England|Edward I]] brought the [[Stone of Scone]] and [[William Wallace]] south through the town. Newcastle was successfully defended against the Scots three times during the 14th century.<ref name="self57567"/><ref name=countyOfItself_Separated_1400>{{cite web|url=http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/wwwfileroot/legacy/libraries/HistoryofNewcastlemainbody.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727114838/https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/sites/default/files/wwwfileroot/legacy/libraries/HistoryofNewcastlemainbody.pdf|archive-date=27 July 2018
| title=History of Newcastle upon Tyne|access-date=7 June 2014|year=2009|work=Local Studies Factsheet No. 6|publisher=Newcastle City Council|page=2}}</ref>

===16th to 19th centuries===
[[File:Newcastle-upon-Tyne from New Chatham engraving by William Miller after T Allom.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|left|An engraving by [[William Miller (engraver)|William Miller]] of Newcastle in 1832, as seen from [[Gateshead]]]]
From 1530, a royal act restricted all shipments of coal from [[Tyneside]] to [[Newcastle Quayside]], giving a monopoly in the coal trade to a cartel of Newcastle burgesses known as the [[The Hostmen of Newcastle-upon-Tyne|Hostmen]]. This monopoly, which lasted for a considerable time, helped Newcastle prosper and develop into a major town. The phrase ''[[Coals to Newcastle|taking coals to Newcastle]]'' was first recorded contextually in 1538.<ref name=coalsNewcastle>{{cite book |last = Morely |first = Paul |title = The North (And Almost Everything In It) |publisher = Bloomsbury |date = 6 June 2013 |page = [https://archive.org/details/northandalmostev0000morl/page/542 542] |isbn = 9780747578161 |url = https://archive.org/details/northandalmostev0000morl/page/542}}</ref> The phrase itself means a pointless pursuit.<ref name=coalsToNewcastle>{{cite book |last = Ayto |first = John |title = Oxford Dictionary of English Idioms |publisher = Oxford University Press|edition = 3rd |date = 8 July 2010 |page = 68 |isbn = 978-0199543786}}</ref> In the 18th century, the American entrepreneur [[Timothy Dexter]], regarded as an eccentric, defied this idiom. He was persuaded to sail a shipment of coal to Newcastle by merchants plotting to ruin him; however, his shipment arrived on the Tyne during a strike that had crippled local production, allowing him to turn a considerable profit.<ref name="knapp">{{cite book |last = Knapp |first = Samuel L. |title = Life of Lord Timothy Dexter: Embracing sketches of the eccentric characters that composed his associates, including "Dexter's Pickle for the knowing ones" |publisher = J. E. Tilton and Company |date = 1858 |location = Boston |url = http://search.abaa.org/dbp2/book204715555.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071202095808/http://search.abaa.org/dbp2/book204715555.html |archive-date = 2 December 2007 |df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="nash">{{cite book |last = Nash |first = Jay Robert |title = Zanies, The World's Greatest Eccentrics |url = https://archive.org/details/zaniesworldsgrea00nash |url-access = registration |publisher = New Century |date = 1982 |isbn=0-8329-0123-7}}</ref>

[[File:Victoria Tunnel (Newcastle) near Ouse Street 2010-02-19.jpg|thumb|right| [[Victoria Tunnel (Newcastle)|Victoria Tunnel]], built to transport coal<ref name=VTunnel201401>{{cite web |last = Hudson |first = Jules |title = Victoria Tunnel |quote = By 1935, every city in the UK had been given a document by the government, declaring that in the event of war, every city should have air raid protection&nbsp;... |publisher = BBC |date = 22 March 2013 |url =https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01n3kv4 |access-date = 21 January 2014}}</ref>]]
In the Sandgate area, to the east of the city, and beside the river, resided the close-knit community of [[keelmen]] and their families.<ref name=keelmen>{{cite web |last=Davison |first=Yvonne |title=Sandgate and the Keelmen |publisher=Newcastle University |url=http://www.ncl.ac.uk/library/special-collections/exhibitions/current-and-past-exhibitions/so/sandgate.php |access-date=17 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402141346/http://www.ncl.ac.uk/library/special-collections/exhibitions/current-and-past-exhibitions/so/sandgate.php |archive-date=2 April 2015 }}</ref> They were so called because they worked on the keels, boats that were used to transfer coal from the river banks to the waiting [[Collier (ship)|colliers]], for export to London and elsewhere. In the 1630s, about 7,000 out of 20,000 inhabitants of Newcastle died of [[Black Death in England|plague]], more than one-third of the population.<ref>{{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Plague |volume=21 |page=695}}</ref> Specifically within the year 1636, it is roughly estimated with evidence held by the [[Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne|Society of Antiquaries]] that 47% of the then population of Newcastle died from the epidemic; this may also have been the most devastating loss in any British city in this period.<ref name=Plag1636>{{cite web |last = Bower |first = Ian |title = Ebola and Plague in Newcastle in 1636 |publisher = Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums |date = 22 October 2014 |url = http://www.twmuseums.org.uk/engage/blog/ebola-and-plague-in-newcastle-in-1636/|access-date = 24 November 2014}}</ref>

[[File:The Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1961 (15657916212).jpg|alt=|thumb|Newcastle was once a major industrial centre, particularly for coal and shipping.]]
During the [[English Civil War]], the North declared for the King.<ref name=northCWar>{{cite web |last = <!--History.com Staff -->|title = English civil wars |work = History.com |publisher = A+E Networks |year = 2009 |url = http://www.history.com/topics/british-history/english-civil-wars |access-date = 20 June 2015}}</ref> In a bid to gain Newcastle and the Tyne, [[Oliver Cromwell|Cromwell]]'s allies, the Scots, captured the town of [[Newburn]]. In 1644, the Scots then captured the reinforced fortification on the Lawe in [[South Shields]] following a siege and the city was [[Siege of Newcastle|besieged for many months]]. It was eventually stormed ("with roaring drummes") and sacked by Cromwell's allies. The grateful King bestowed the [[motto]] {{lang|la|Fortiter Defendit Triumphans}} ("Triumphing by a brave defence") upon the town. Charles I was imprisoned in Newcastle by the Scots in 1646–47.<ref name=civilWar>{{cite web |title = Civil War |work = The Northern Echo |date = 10 March 2009 |url = http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/history/war/border/4189653.Civil_War/ |access-date = 17 April 2015}}</ref>

After the [[Acts of Union 1707|Union in 1707]], the City walls became obsolete, and gave way to an expansion of the city<ref>{{Cite web |title=Newcastle Town Walls {{!}} Co-Curate |url=https://co-curate.ncl.ac.uk/newcastle-city-walls/ |access-date=2025-11-14 |website=co-curate.ncl.ac.uk}}</ref>. Despite the Jacobite [[Jacobite rising of 1715|risings of 1715]] and [[Jacobite rising of 1745|1745]], fortifications gave way to industrial development. 

The extraction and processing of coal and iron created a series of specialised industries, such as steel manufacture and eventually steam power.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Coal Mining and Railways in the North East |url=https://englandsnortheast.co.uk/coal-railways-north-east/ |access-date=2025-11-14 |website=England's North East |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Newcastle also became a glass producer with a reputation for brilliant [[flint glass]].<ref>{{cite web |date=2 December 1994 |title=Glass (N) – Encyclopedia of Antiques |url=http://www.oldandsold.com/articles02/glass-n.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229100622/http://www.oldandsold.com/articles02/glass-n.shtml |archive-date=29 December 2010 |access-date=4 August 2010 |publisher=Oldandsold.com}}</ref> Glass was key in the industrial development of the Tyne and Wear region.<ref>{{Cite thesis |last=Ross |first=Catherine Mary |title=The development of the glass industry on the rivers Tyne and Wear, 1700-1900 |date=1982 |degree=Thesis |publisher=Newcastle University |url=http://theses.ncl.ac.uk/jspui/handle/10443/192 |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Newcastle City Centre 17.9.1917.jpg|thumb|left|Newcastle city centre, 1917, with [[St James' Park]] football ground above and left of centre]]
Newcastle opened its first [[lunatic asylum]] in 1767.<ref name=lunaticAsylum1767>{{cite book | last = Southwick | first =Michael | title =Newcastle-upon-Tyne: Fragments of the Past |volume=1 | location = Newcastle | publisher = Great North Children's Hospital | year = 2021 |quote=the Lunatic Asylum for the counties of Newcastle, Northumberland and Durham. It was erected by public subscription in 1767}}</ref> The asylum catered for people from the counties of Newcastle, Durham and Northumberland.<ref name=lunaticAsylum1767/>

[[The Newcastle Eccentrics of the 19th century]] were a group of unrelated people who lived in and around the centre of Newcastle and its Quayside between the end of the 18th and early/mid 19th century. They are depicted in a painting by [[Henry Perlee Parker]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://shop.artuk.org/eccentric-characters-of-newcastle-36381.html|title=Eccentric Characters of Newcastle|publisher=Art UK|access-date=21 July 2024}}</ref>

Newcastle was the country's fourth largest print centre after London, [[Oxford]] and [[Cambridge]],<ref name=pPressNewc>{{cite web| last = Maples| first = Ben| title = Things to Do in Newcastle| website = universitycompare.com| date = 12 July 2024| url = https://universitycompare.com/guides/city/newcastle
| access-date = 29 March 2025}}</ref><ref name=printPNewc1710>{{cite web| last = Johnson| first = Ben| title = Newcastle-upon-Tyne| quote = By the eighteenth century the printing industry was the fourth biggest in UK (after London, Oxford and Cambridge) and the Newcastle Gazette and the Newcastle Courant were the first newspapers in circulation in northern England when they were introduced in 1710 and 1711. | website = historic-uk.com| date = 29 March 2025| url = https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryMagazine/DestinationsUK/NewcastleuponTyne/| access-date = 29 March 2025}}</ref> and the [[Literary and Philosophical Society]] of 1793,<ref name="printing2010-07-26">{{cite web |title = We take a closer look at the vibrant city of Newcastle |quote = By the 18th century Newcastle was the country's fourth largest print centre after London, Oxford and Cambridge. Newcastle's Literary and Philosophical Society, founded in 1793 and now known as simply the Lit and Phil, predated the London Library by half a century. |url = http://domain2160104.sites.fasthosts.com/documents/LivingNorth.pdf |access-date = 26 July 2010 }}{{dead link |date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> with its erudite debates and large stock of books in several languages, predated the [[London Library]] by half a century.<ref name="printing2010-07-26"/> Some founder members of the [[Literary and Philosophical Society]] were abolitionists.<ref name=litPhil>{{cite web | url = http://collectionsprojects.org.uk/slavery/_files/research-zone/South_Shields_and_the_Slave_Trade.pdf | title = Remembering Slavery | last = Lilley | first = Tasmin | date = June 2008 | website = collectionsprojects.org.uk | access-date = 26 July 2021|archive-date = 24 October 2018 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20181024193102/http://collectionsprojects.org.uk/slavery/_files/research-zone/South_Shields_and_the_Slave_Trade.pdf| quote = }}</ref>{{self-published inline|date=March 2025}} 

A permanent military presence was established in the city with the completion of [[Fenham Barracks]] in 1806.<ref name=history>{{NHLE|num=1186173|desc=Former officers' mess, Fenham Barracks|access-date=29 September 2025}}</ref>

The [[great fire of Newcastle and Gateshead]] was a tragic and spectacular series of events starting on Friday 6 October 1854, in which a substantial amount of property in the two North East of England towns was destroyed in a series of fires and an explosion which killed 53 and injured hundreds.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://quaysidelives.ncl.ac.uk/2012/11/last-surviving-building-from-great-fire/ |title=Last surviving building from Great Fire |publisher=Quayside Lives |access-date=25 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630234941/http://quaysidelives.ncl.ac.uk/2012/11/last-surviving-building-from-great-fire/ |archive-date=30 June 2017 }}</ref>

The status of city was granted to Newcastle on 3 June 1882.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/history/recalling-fascinating-history-city-newcastle-14868748 |title=Recalling the fascinating history of the city of Newcastle – from A to Z |date=6 July 2018 |publisher=Chronicle Live |access-date=3 August 2020}}</ref> In the 19th century, [[shipbuilding]] and [[History of Newcastle upon Tyne#Locomotive manufacture|heavy engineering]] were central to the city's prosperity; and the city was a powerhouse of the [[Industrial Revolution]].<ref name=IndRev201401>{{cite web |title = The History of Newcastle upon Tyne |quote = Shipbuilding and heavy engineering developed fast and Newcastle became the powerhouse of the Industrial Revolution in Britain |publisher = information-britain.co.uk |url = http://www.information-britain.co.uk/history/town/Newcastle%20upon%20Tyne84/ |access-date = 23 January 2014 |archive-date = 4 February 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140204010128/http://www.information-britain.co.uk/history/town/Newcastle%20upon%20Tyne84/ |url-status = dead }}</ref> This revolution resulted in the urbanisation of the city.<ref name=Urb2014-01>{{cite web |title=A history of urbanisation in Britain |publisher=BBC Learning Zone |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/a-history-of-urbanisation-in-britain/7811.html |access-date=23 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106000437/http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/a-history-of-urbanisation-in-britain/7811.html |archive-date=6 January 2014}}</ref> In 1817 the Maling company, at one time the largest pottery company in the world, moved to the city.<ref name=pottery>{{cite web |title=Mailing pottery |publisher=Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums |url=http://www.twmuseums.org.uk/laing/northernspirit/maling-pottery/ |access-date=17 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411151215/http://www.twmuseums.org.uk/laing/northernspirit/maling-pottery/ |archive-date=11 April 2015}}</ref> The Victorian industrial revolution brought industrial structures that included the {{convert|2+1/2|mi|km|0|adj=on}} [[Victoria Tunnel (Newcastle)|Victoria Tunnel]], built in 1842, which provided underground wagon ways to the [[Jetty|staithes]].<ref name=VTunnel2014012>{{cite web |title=Tunnel History |publisher=Ouseburn Trust |url=http://ouseburntrust.org.uk/index.php?page=tunnel-history |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828034802/http://ouseburntrust.org.uk/index.php?page=tunnel-history |archive-date=28 August 2012 |access-date=21 January 2014 }}</ref> On 3 February 1879, Mosley Street in the city, was the first public road in the world to be lit up by the [[Street light|incandescent lightbulb]].<ref name=jswan2014061>{{cite web |url=http://home.frognet.net/~ejcov/jwswan.html |first=Edward J. |last=Covington |title=Sir Joseph Wilson Swan |publisher=home.frognet.net |access-date=16 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510005841/http://home.frognet.net/~ejcov/jwswan.html |archive-date=10 May 2011}}</ref>{{self-published inline|certain=y|date=March 2025}}<ref name=jswan2014062>{{cite web |url=http://www.rsc.org/Chemsoc/Activities/ChemicalLandmarks/UK/JosephSwan.asp |title=Sir Joseph Swan, The Literary & Philosophical Society of Newcastle |date=3 February 2009 |publisher=Royal Society of Chemistry |access-date=16 October 2010}}</ref> Newcastle was one of the first cities in the world to be lit up by electric lighting.<ref name=Mosely>{{cite web |title=Electric lighting |publisher=Newcastle University |url=http://www.ncl.ac.uk/library/special-collections/exhibitions/current-and-past-exhibitions/very_truly_yours/science/swan/electric_light/ |access-date=3 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606212620/http://www.ncl.ac.uk/library/special-collections/exhibitions/current-and-past-exhibitions/very_truly_yours/science/swan/electric_light/ |archive-date=6 June 2014 }}</ref> 

Innovations in Newcastle and surrounding areas included the development of [[Davy lamp|safety lamps]], [[Stephenson's Rocket]], [[William George Armstrong|Lord Armstrong]]'s artillery, [[Be-Ro]] flour,<ref name="bero2011">{{cite web |title=The Birth of Be-Ro |publisher=Be-Ro |date=1 August 2011 |url=http://www.be-ro.co.uk/f_about.htm |access-date=17 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512032733/http://www.be-ro.co.uk/f_about.htm |archive-date=12 May 2015}}</ref> [[Lucozade]],<ref>{{cite news|title=We did it first|url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/business/news/10317055.We_did_it_first/|work=The Northern Echo|date=27 March 2013}}</ref> [[Joseph Swan]]'s [[electric light]] bulbs, and [[Charles Algernon Parsons|Charles Parsons]]' invention of the [[steam turbine]], which led to the revolution of marine propulsion and the production of [[Electrical generator|cheap electricity]]. In 1882, Newcastle became the seat of an [[Diocese of Newcastle|Anglican diocese]], with [[Newcastle Cathedral|St. Nicholas' Church]] becoming its cathedral.<ref name="Cathedral1882">{{cite web |title = The Cathedral Church of St Nicholas |publisher = Newcastle Diocese |url = http://www.newcastle.anglican.org/people-and-places/our-cathedral.aspx |access-date = 17 April 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150621225337/http://www.newcastle.anglican.org/people-and-places/our-cathedral.aspx |archive-date = 21 June 2015 |df = dmy-all }}</ref>

===20th and 21st centuries===
Newcastle's public transport system was modernised in 1901 when [[Newcastle Corporation Tramways]] electric trams were introduced to the city's streets, though these were replaced gradually by trolley buses from 1935, with the tram service finally coming to an end in 1950.<ref name=transport1901-1950>{{cite web | title = Newcastle City Council: Transport | publisher = Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums | year = 2006 | url = http://www.tyneandweararchives.org.uk/DServe2/dserve.exe?dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqDb=Catalog&dsqCmd=show.tcl&dsqSearch=%28RefNo==%22MD.NC/TR%22%29 | access-date = 20 September 2015 | archive-date = 2 January 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160102111705/http://www.tyneandweararchives.org.uk/DServe2/dserve.exe?dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqDb=Catalog&dsqCmd=show.tcl&dsqSearch=%28RefNo%3D%3D%22MD.NC%2FTR%22%29 }}</ref>

The city acquired its first art gallery, the [[Laing Art Gallery]] in 1904, so named after its founder Alexander Laing, a Scottish wine and spirit merchant<ref name=alexanderLaing13Oct1904>{{cite web| first = Julie| last = Milne| title = More about Laing Art Gallery| publisher = [[Art UK]]| url = https://artuk.org/search/search/search/keyword:laing-art-gallery| access-date = 20 September 2015| df = dmy-all}}</ref> who wanted to give something back to the city in which he had made his fortune. Another art gallery, the [[Hatton Gallery]] (now part of [[Newcastle University]]), opened in 1925.<ref name=hattonGallery1925_1>{{cite web|title=About us |publisher=hattongallery.org.uk |url=https://hattongallery.org.uk/about/about-us |access-date=20 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016120204/https://hattongallery.org.uk/about/about-us |archive-date=16 October 2015}}</ref>

With the advent of the motor car, Newcastle's road network was improved in the early part of the 20th century, beginning with the opening of the Redheugh road bridge in 1901<ref name=redheughBridge1901>{{cite web|title=Redheugh Bridge (1901–1984) |publisher=Newcastle University |date=26 March 2004 |url=http://www.sine.ncl.ac.uk/view_structure_information.asp?struct_id=1468 |access-date=20 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402174825/http://www.sine.ncl.ac.uk/view_structure_information.asp?struct_id=1468 |archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref> and the [[Tyne Bridge]] in 1928.<ref name=tyneBridge1928>{{cite web | title = The Tyne Bridge |publisher = BBC 2 | date = 24 September 2014 | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/nationonfilm/topics/misc-work/tyne-bridge-construction-building.shtml | access-date = 20 September 2015}}</ref>

Efforts to preserve the city's historic past were evident as long ago as 1934, when the Museum of Science and Industry opened,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.culture24.org.uk/history-and-heritage/historic-buildings/art491342-Happy-birthday-Discovery-Museum-home-history|title=Happy birthday Discovery Museum: Pictures from Newcastle's home of history past &#124; Culture24|website=Culture24.org.uk|access-date=5 May 2021|archive-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507121550/https://www.culture24.org.uk/history-and-heritage/historic-buildings/art491342-Happy-birthday-Discovery-Museum-home-history}}</ref> as did the [[Holy Jesus Hospital#The first museum: The John George Joicey Museum (1950–1993)|John G Joicey Museum]] in the same year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/c/F189854|title=John G Joicey Museum, Newcastle upon Tyne|publisher=National Archives|access-date=25 March 2018}}</ref>

[[Council housing]] began to replace inner-city slums in the 1920s, and the process continued into the 1970s, along with substantial private house building and acquisitions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/stories-shocked-tyneside-high-rise-7236347|date=9 June 2014|publisher=The Chronicle|title=Stories that shocked Tyneside: The high rise and fall of a leader who got greedy|access-date=25 March 2018}}</ref>

Unemployment hit record heights in Newcastle during the [[Great Depression]] of the 1930s.
The city's last coal pit closed in 1956,<ref name= openCastSciCity2011>{{Citation | last = Wilkinson | first = Tom | title = Newcastle may see return to coal mining | newspaper = Independent | date = 4 October 2011 | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/newcastle-may-see-return-to-coal-mining-2365475.html | access-date = 4 July 2017}}</ref> though a temporary open cast mine was opened in 2013.<ref name= openCastSciCity2013>{{Citation | last = Evening Chronicle staff | title = Newcastle opencast mine quietly shifting 40,000 tonnes of coal | newspaper = chroniclelive.co.uk | date = 19 January 2013 | url = http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/local-news/newcastle-opencast-mine-quietly-shifting-1351399 | access-date = 4 July 2017}}</ref> The temporary open cast mine shifted 40,000 tonnes of coal, using modern techniques to reduce noise, on a part of the City undergoing redevelopment.<ref name= openCastSciCity2013/> The slow demise of the shipyards on the banks of the [[River Tyne]] happened in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thejournal.co.uk/culture/arts/rise-fall-tynes-shipyards-4707080|title=The rise and fall of Tyne's shipyards|date=3 January 2008|publisher=The Journal|access-date=25 March 2018|archive-date=25 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325232135/http://www.thejournal.co.uk/culture/arts/rise-fall-tynes-shipyards-4707080}}</ref>
[[File:Newcastle Central from Manors geograph-2389652-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg|thumb|right|View northwards from the Castle Keep, towards Berwick-on-Tweed in 1954]]
[[File:Newcastle castle keep across the River Tyne to Gateshead geograph-2613573-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg|thumb|right|Panorama from Newcastle castle keep across the River Tyne to Gateshead in 1954]]

During the Second World War, the city and surrounding area were a target for air raids as heavy industry was involved in the production of ships and armaments. The raids caused 141 deaths and 587 injuries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.culture24.org.uk/history-and-heritage/military-history/world-war-two/tra27968|title=A Shipbuilding Target - Newcastle And Tyneside in World War Two &#124; Culture24|website=Culture24.org.uk|access-date=5 May 2021|archive-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507122649/https://www.culture24.org.uk/history-and-heritage/military-history/world-war-two/tra27968}}</ref> A former French consul in Newcastle called Jacques Serre assisted the German war effort by describing important targets in the region to [[Erich Raeder|Admiral Raeder]] who was the head of the German Navy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/lifestyle/nostalgia/wwii-betrayal-french-consul-newcastle-1407132|title=WWII betrayal of French Consul in Newcastle|first=Ray |last=Marshall|date=16 November 2011|work=nechronicle}}</ref>

The public sector in Newcastle began to expand in the 1960s. The federal structure of the [[University of Durham]] was dissolved. That university's college in Newcastle, which had been known as King's College, became the University of Newcastle upon Tyne (now known as [[Newcastle University]]), which was founded in 1963,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ncl.ac.uk/about/history/|title=History of the University|access-date=22 September 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071002232323/http://www.ncl.ac.uk/about/history/|archive-date=2 October 2007}}</ref> followed by Newcastle Polytechnic in 1969; the latter received university status in 1992 and became the University of Northumbria at Newcastle (now known as [[Northumbria University]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/northumbria-university |title=Northumbria University World University Rankings &#124; THE |publisher=Timeshighereducation.com |access-date=20 September 2018}}</ref>

Further efforts to preserve the city's historic past continued in the later 20th century, with the opening of Newcastle Military Vehicle Museum in 1983 and [[North Tyneside Steam Railway|Stephenson Railway Museum]] in 1986. The Military Vehicle museum closed in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/newcastles-military-vehicle-museum-sale-1406577|title=Newcastle's Military Vehicle Museum for sale|date=3 November 2011|work=nechronicle}}</ref> New developments at the turn of the 21st century included the [[Centre for Life|Life Science Centre]] in 2000 and [[Gateshead Millennium Bridge|Millennium Bridge]] in 2001.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.localhistories.org/newcastle.html |title=A History of Newcastle |publisher=Localhistories.org |access-date=4 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140626084348/http://localhistories.org/newcastle.html |archive-date=26 June 2014 }}</ref>

Based at [[St James' Park]] since 1886, [[Newcastle United F.C.]] became [[Football League]] members in 1893.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nufc.co.uk/page/Club/History/ClubHistory/0,,10278~2108987,00.html |title=The Early Years of Newcastle United: 1881 – 1939 |publisher=Newcastle United F.C. |access-date=4 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708235433/http://www.nufc.co.uk/page/Club/History/ClubHistory/0%2C%2C10278~2108987%2C00.html |archive-date=8 July 2016 }}</ref> They have won four top division titles (the first in 1905 and the most recent in 1927), six [[FA Cup]]s (the first in 1910 and the most recent in 1955), the [[Inter-Cities Fairs Cup]] in 1969 and most recently the [[EFL Cup|League Cup]] in 2025, their first domestic trophy since 1955.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nufc.co.uk/page/Club/History/Records |title=Newcastle United: Club Records |publisher=Newcastle United F.C. |access-date=4 March 2012}}</ref> They broke the world transfer record in 1996 by paying £15&nbsp;million for [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]] and [[England national football team|England]] striker [[Alan Shearer]], one of the most prolific goalscorers of that era.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7976524.stm |work=BBC News |title=Archive – Shearer joins Newcastle in 1996 | date=1 April 2009}}</ref>

In 2017, Newcastle was the venue for the 2017 Freedom City festival. The 2017 Freedom City festival commemorated the 50 years since [[Martin Luther King Jr.|Martin Luther King]]'s visit to Newcastle, where King received his honorary degree from [[Newcastle University]].<ref name=freedomCity2017_1>{{cite news | last = Whetstone | first = David | title = Newcastle's iconic Tyne Bridge is to host the spectacular Freedom on the Tyne finale| newspaper = Chronicle | location = Newcastle | publisher = chroniclelive.co.uk | date = 4 October 2017 | url = https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/newcastles-iconic-tyne-bridge-host-13715946| access-date = 11 July 2018}}</ref><ref name=honDegreeKing>{{cite news | last = Whetstone | first = David | title = Statue of Dr Martin Luther King has been unveiled in Newcastle by his great friend| newspaper = Chronicle | location = Newcastle | publisher = chroniclelive.co.uk | date = 13 November 2017 | url = https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/statue-dr-martin-luther-king-13896213| access-date = 11 July 2018}}</ref><ref name=freedomCity>{{cite web | url = http://freedomcity2017.com/ | title = Freedom City 2017 | last = freedomCity2017 Staff | website = freedomcity2017.com | publisher = Newcastle University | access-date = 11 July 2018 | archive-date = 30 July 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180730083234/http://freedomcity2017.com/ }}</ref> In 2018 Newcastle hosted the Great Exhibition of the North, the largest event in England in 2018. The exhibition began on 22 June with an opening ceremony on the River Tyne, and ended on 9 September with the [[Great North Run]] weekend. The exhibition describes the story of the north of England through its innovators, artists, designers and businesses.<ref name=riverCeremonyOpeninExh2018>{{cite news | last = Holland | first = Daniel | title = Spectacular Tyne water fountain for Great Exhibition of the North will become a reality | newspaper = Chronicle | location = Newcastle | publisher = chroniclelive.co.uk | date = 31 May 2018 | url = https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/spectacular-tyne-water-fountain-great-14725095 | access-date = 11 July 2018}}</ref><ref name=exOfNorth2018>{{cite news | last = Staff | title = Great Exhibition of the North | newspaper = Chronicle | location = Newcastle | publisher = chroniclelive.co.uk | url = https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/great-exhibition-of-the-north | access-date = 11 July 2018}}</ref>

In 2019, various travel sites named Newcastle to be the friendliest city in the UK.<ref name="chroniclelive">{{cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/travel-tourism/travel-site-names-newcastle-friendliest-17029988|author=Simon Meechan|title=Travel site names Newcastle the friendliest city in the United Kingdom|website=Chronicle Live|date=4 October 2019|access-date=18 January 2021}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Side - Tyne Bridge.jpg|thumb|right|Side, a street in Newcastle near the Tyne Bridge]]
Since 1974, Newcastle has been a part of the [[metropolitan county]] of [[Tyne and Wear]] in [[North East England]]. The city is located on the north-western bank of the [[River Tyne]], approximately {{convert|46|mile}} south of the border with Scotland.
 
The ground beneath the city is formed from [[Carboniferous]] [[Stratum|strata]] of the Middle Pennine Coal Measures Group — a suite of [[sandstone]]s, [[mudstone]]s and [[coal seam]]s which generally dip moderately eastwards. To the west of the city are the Upper Pennine Coal Measures and further west again the sandstones and mudstones of the Stainmore Formation, the local equivalent of the [[Millstone Grit]].<ref>''Bedrock Geology UK North'', 1:625,000 scale geological map published by British Geological Survey</ref>

In large parts, Newcastle still retains a [[medieval]] street layout. Narrow alleys or '[[chare]]s', most of which can only be traversed by foot, still exist in abundance, particularly around the [[Quayside|riverside]]. Stairs from the riverside to higher parts of the city centre and the extant [[Newcastle Castle Keep|Castle Keep]], originally recorded in the 14th century, remain intact in places. Close, Sandhill and [[Quayside]] contain modern buildings as well as structures dating from the 15th–18th centuries, including [[Bessie Surtees House]], the Cooperage and Lloyds Quayside Bars, Derwentwater House and House of Tides, a restaurant situated at a Grade I-listed 16th century merchant's house at 28–30 Close.

The city has an extensive [[Neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] centre referred to as Tyneside Classical,<ref name="Tyneside Classical">{{cite web
 | title = GRAINGER TOWN, Tyneside Classical
 | quote = hundreds of fine Georgian and stylish Victorian buildings which have led to its architecture being referred to as "Tyneside Classical".
 | url = http://northeast.greatbritishlife.co.uk/article/north-east-life-newcastle-grainger-town-grey-street-eldon-square-chinatown-eldon-garde-17318/
 | access-date = 26 July 2010
| archive-date = 23 August 2011
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110823095119/http://northeast.greatbritishlife.co.uk/article/north-east-life-newcastle-grainger-town-grey-street-eldon-square-chinatown-eldon-garde-17318/
 }}</ref> largely developed in the 1830s by [[Richard Grainger]] and [[John Dobson (architect)|John Dobson]]. More recently, Newcastle architecture considered to be Tyneside classical has been extensively restored. Broadcaster and writer [[Stuart Maconie]] described Newcastle as England's best-looking city<ref>{{Cite news
 |last         = Maconie
 |first        = Stuart
 |author-link   = Stuart Maconie
 |title        = Stuart Maconie reveals..why it's great up North..
 |quote        = Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle remain, bolder brighter and more beautiful than ever. You can't move in Manchester for boutique hotels, Leeds has got a Harvey Nichols and Newcastle is now the best-looking city in England.
 |work         = Daily Mirror
 |location     = UK
 |date         = 8 February 2008
|url          = https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/2008/02/08/stuart-maconie-reveals-why-it-s-great-up-north-89520-20312679/
 |access-date   = 4 July 2008
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20081006204722/http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/2008/02/08/stuart-maconie-reveals-why-it-s-great-up-north-89520-20312679/
 |archive-date = 6 October 2008
|df           = dmy-all
}}</ref><ref>
{{Cite book
 |date=February 2007
 | title = Pies and Prejudice
 | last = Maconie
 | first = Stuart
 | author-link = Stuart Maconie
 | publisher=[[Ebury Press]]
 | isbn = 978-0-09-191022-8
}}</ref> and the German-born British scholar of architecture, [[Nikolaus Pevsner]],<ref name="Pevsner2010-07-26">{{cite web
 | title = Grainger Town... Grey Street, Sir Nikolaus Bernhard Leon Pevsner
 | quote = Grey Street was described as 'one of the finest streets in England' by Sir Nikolaus Bernhard Leon Pevsner (1902–1983) the German-born British scholar of history of art and, especially, of history of architecture.
 | url = http://northeast.greatbritishlife.co.uk/article/north-east-life-newcastle-grainger-town-grey-street-eldon-square-chinatown-eldon-garde-17318/
 | access-date = 26 July 2010
| archive-date = 23 August 2011
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110823095119/http://northeast.greatbritishlife.co.uk/article/north-east-life-newcastle-grainger-town-grey-street-eldon-square-chinatown-eldon-garde-17318/
 }}</ref> describes [[Grey Street, Newcastle|Grey Street]] as one of the finest streets in England. In 1948 the poet [[John Betjeman]] said of Grey Street, "As for the curve of Grey Street, I shall never forget seeing it to perfection, traffic-less on a misty Sunday morning."<ref name=greyStBetjeman>{{cite web | url = https://www.forbes.com/sites/carltonreid/2020/05/15/parking-cull-and-pocket-parks-for-englands-finest-street-as-newcastle-plans-post-pandemic-future| title =Parking Cull And Pocket Parks For England's Finest Street As Newcastle Plans Post-Pandemic Future
 | last = Reid| first =Carlton | date = 15 May 2020| work =Forbes | access-date =15 May 2020 }}</ref> The street curves down from [[Grey's Monument]] towards the valley of the [[River Tyne, England|River Tyne]] and was voted England's finest street in 2005 in a survey of [[BBC Radio 4]] listeners.<ref>{{cite web
 | title = Around Tyne. Grey Street
 |publisher=BBC
 | date = 13 December 2007
| url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/tyne/content/panoramas/360_greystreet.shtml
 | quote = Grey Street in Newcastle was voted the best street in Britain by Radio 4 listeners.
 | access-date = 9 July 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
 |title=Good Case Study – Grey Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne
 |publisher=BBC radio 4
 |url=http://www.streetsofshame.org.uk/case-study-good.htm
 |quote=Said by many to be amongst the greatest streets in 'England if not Europe', this gently curving and rising street has been 'sensitively restored and improved in the last decade'.
 |access-date=9 July 2008
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080807163347/http://www.streetsofshame.org.uk/case-study-good.htm
 |archive-date=7 August 2008
}}</ref> In the Google Street View awards of 2010, Grey Street came 3rd in the British picturesque category.<ref name="google street view">{{Cite news
 | title = Google Street View awards 2010 | newspaper=The Guardian | date = 8 March 2010 | url = https://www.theguardian.com/travel/gallery/2010/mar/08/google-street-view?picture=360124038| access-date = 8 March 2010 | location=London
 }}</ref> A portion of [[Grainger Town]] was demolished in the 1960s to make way for the [[Eldon Square Shopping Centre]], including all but one side of the original [[Old Eldon Square|Eldon Square]] itself.
{{wide image|NewCastle-KeepTower360.jpg|1100px|360° panoramic shot taken from the top of the Keep}}
Immediately to the north-west of the city centre is [[Leazes Park]], first opened to the public in 1873<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ncl.ac.uk/library/special-collections/exhibitions/current-and-past-exhibitions/so/parks.php|title=Current and past exhibitions – University Library – Newcastle University|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807015118/http://www.ncl.ac.uk/library/special-collections/exhibitions/current-and-past-exhibitions/so/parks.php|archive-date=7 August 2016}}</ref> after a petition by 3,000 working men of the city for "ready access to some open ground for the purpose of health and recreation". Just outside one corner of this is [[St James' Park]], the stadium home of [[Newcastle United FC]] which dominates the view of the city from all directions.

[[File:St James Park Newcastle as seen from south of the River Tyne.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7|View of [[St James' Park]] on the skyline and surrounding buildings, as seen from Gateshead]]

Another major [[Green belt|green space]] in the city is the [[Town Moor, Newcastle upon Tyne|Town Moor]], lying immediately north of the city centre. It is larger than London's [[Hyde Park, London|Hyde Park]] and [[Hampstead Heath]] put together<ref name=townmoo1>{{cite web|title=Insight: Taking a closer look at the Town Moor |quote=land which covers an area larger than London's Hyde Park and Hampstead Heath |publisher=[[Northumbria University]] |url=http://northumbria.ac.uk/insight/896829 |access-date=17 September 2008}}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name=townmoo2>{{cite web
 |title       = Newcastle Breaks
 |quote       = Town Moor, which is larger and wider than Hampstead Heath and Hyde Park
 |publisher   = latebreaks.com
 |url         = http://www.latebreaks.com/destinations/countries/Newcastle_Breaks.html
 |access-date  = 17 September 2008
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20090115035647/http://www.latebreaks.com/destinations/countries/Newcastle_Breaks.html
 |archive-date = 15 January 2009
}}</ref> and the [[Freedom of the City|freemen of the city]] have the right to graze cattle on it.<ref name = townmoo1/><ref name = townmoo2/> The right extends to the pitch of [[St. James' Park]], [[Newcastle United|Newcastle United Football Club]]'s ground; this is not exercised, although the Freemen do collect rent for the loss of privilege. Honorary freemen include [[Bob Geldof]],<ref name=BobGeldof2010-09-17>{{cite web|title=Honorary Freedom – Citations – Bob Geldof |publisher=newcastle.gov.uk |url=http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/lmfreemencit |access-date=17 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091215061946/http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/lmfreemencit |archive-date= 15 December 2009 }}</ref> [[King Harald V]] of Norway,<ref name=KingHNorway>{{cite web|title=Honorary Freedom – Citations – King Harald V of Norway |quote=to mark the 40th anniversary of the official opening of the Civic Centre by his father HM King Olaf V and to recognise and celebrate the close links between Newcastle and Norway over many years |publisher=newcastle.gov.uk |url=http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/lmfreemencit |access-date=17 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091215061946/http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/lmfreemencit |archive-date= 15 December 2009 }}</ref> [[Bobby Robson]],<ref name=SirBobby2010-09-17>{{cite web|title=Honorary Freedom – Citations – Sir Bobby Robson |quote=in recognition of his long and outstanding career across Europe, his role as an ambassador for the North East and Newcastle, and his contribution to the culture and life of the City |publisher=newcastle.gov.uk |url=http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/lmfreemencit |access-date=17 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091215061946/http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/lmfreemencit |archive-date= 15 December 2009 }}</ref> [[Alan Shearer]],<ref name="AlanShearer2010-09-17">{{cite web|title=Honorary Freedom – Citations – Alan Shearer |publisher=newcastle.gov.uk |url=http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/lmfreemencit |access-date=17 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091215061946/http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/lmfreemencit |archive-date= 15 December 2009 }}</ref> the late [[Nelson Mandela]]<ref name=Mandela2010-09-17>{{cite web|title=Honorary Freedom – Citations – Nelson Mandela |publisher=newcastle.gov.uk |url=http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/lmfreemencit |access-date=17 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091215061946/http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/lmfreemencit |archive-date= 15 December 2009 }}</ref> and the [[Royal Shakespeare Company]].<ref name="RoyalShakespeare">{{cite web|title=Honorary Freedom – Citations – Royal Shakespeare Company |publisher=newcastle.gov.uk |url=http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/lmfreemencit |access-date=17 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091215061946/http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/lmfreemencit |archive-date= 15 December 2009 }}</ref> [[The Hoppings]] funfair, said to be the largest [[travelling funfair]] in Europe, is held here annually in June.<ref name="Hop2010-09-17">{{Cite book| last = Lanagan |first = Paul |title = The Hoppings Fair on Newcastle Town Moor |quote =. Thought to be the largest travelling fairground in Europe, it takes place in the last full week of June... |publisher=Books of the North | date = 15 May 2010| page = 128 |isbn = 978-0-9555059-0-4}}</ref>

In the south-eastern corner of the Town Moor is [[Exhibition Park, Newcastle|Exhibition Park]], which contains the only remaining pavilion from the [[North East Coast Exhibition|North East Coast Exhibition of 1929]]. From the 1970s until 2006 this housed the Newcastle Military Vehicle Museum; which closed in 2006. The pavilion is now being used as a [[microbrewery]] and concert venue for [[Wylam Brewery]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Coreena Ford |url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/business/business-news/check-out-workers-finishing-wylam-11214241 |title=Check out workers finishing off Wylam Brewery's transformation of the Palace of Arts |publisher=Chronicle Live |date=20 April 2016 |access-date=26 February 2017}}</ref>

=== Ouseburn ===
The wooded gorge of the [[Ouseburn]] in the east of the city is known as [[Jesmond Dene]] and forms another recreation area, linked by Armstrong Park and Heaton Park to the [[Ouseburn Valley]], where the river finally reaches the [[River Tyne, England|River Tyne]].

The springtime [[dawn chorus (birds)|dawn chorus]] at 55 degrees latitude has been described as one of the best in the world.<ref name=dawnChorus/> The dawn chorus of the [[Jesmond Dene]] green space has been professionally recorded and has been used in various workplace and hospital rehabilitation facilities.<ref name=dawnChorus>{{cite news |last = Watson |first = Chris | title = Dawn chorus |work=BBC News |date = 7 April 2008 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/tyne/content/articles/2008/04/01/dawn_chorus_feature.shtml | access-date = 10 April 2015}}</ref>

===Quayside===
[[File:Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne.jpg|thumb|Quayside architecture, showing the historic [[Guildhall, Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle Guildhall]] with its white turret]]
The area around the [[River Tyne|Tyne]] Gorge, between Newcastle on the north bank and [[Gateshead]] on the south bank, is the famous Newcastle-Gateshead [[Quayside]]. It is famed for its series of dramatic bridges, including the [[Tyne Bridge]] of 1928 which was built by [[Dorman Long]] of [[Middlesbrough]], [[Robert Stephenson]]'s [[High Level Bridge, River Tyne|High Level Bridge]] of 1849, the first road/rail bridge in the world, and the [[Swing Bridge, River Tyne|Swing Bridge]] of 1876.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/665382/Newcastle-upon-Tyne|title=Newcastle upon Tyne|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|date=3 December 2023 }}</ref>

Large-scale [[Urban renewal|regeneration]] efforts have led to the replacement of former shipping premises with modern new office developments; an innovative tilting bridge - the [[Gateshead Millennium Bridge]] - integrated the Quayside more closely with the Gateshead Quayside, home to the [[BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art]] (the venue for the [[Turner Prize]] 2011)<ref name=TurnerPrize2010>{{cite web
 | title = Turner Prize to leave London for BALTIC
 | quote = The Turner Prize will not be held at a Tate venue for the first time in 25 years in 2011 when it heads to the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art
 | website = M&H online
 | date = 17 September 2010
| url = http://www.mandh-online.com/news/content/1315/turner_prize_to_leave_london_for_baltic
 | access-date = 17 September 2010
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100919165506/http://www.mandh-online.com/news/content/1315/turner_prize_to_leave_london_for_baltic
 | archive-date = 19 September 2010
| df = dmy-all
 }}</ref> and the [[Norman Foster, Baron Foster of Thames Bank|Norman Foster]]-designed [[The Sage Gateshead|Sage Gateshead]] music centre. The Newcastle and Gateshead Quaysides are now a thriving, cosmopolitan area with bars, restaurants, hotels and public spaces.

{{wide image|Tyne_quayside_2.1.jpg|1100px|Seen here in 2008 on the Quayside is a Tyne Salmon Cube at right, an art exhibit celebrating  [[River Tyne]] salmon, which has since been removed<ref name=salmonliek>{{cite news|last=Hunt |first=Amy |title=Art mixing with nature in the wild |quote="The Tyne is England's best salmon-fishing river, and this is something the North East should be really proud of, but it is so much more than a fishery." |newspaper=Evening Chronicle |date=11 December 2007 |url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/the-environment/go-green-news/2007/12/11/art-mixing-with-nature-in-the-wild-72703-20234813/ |access-date=1 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080707004653/http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/the-environment/go-green-news/2007/12/11/art-mixing-with-nature-in-the-wild-72703-20234813/ |archive-date=7 July 2008}}</ref>}}

===Grainger Town===
{{Main|Grainger Town}}

[[File:Newcastle England, Grainger Street c. 1906.jpg|thumb|right|Grainger Street, circa 1906]]
The historic heart of Newcastle is the Grainger Town area. Established on classical streets built by [[Richard Grainger]], a builder and developer, between 1835 and 1842, some of Newcastle upon Tyne's finest buildings and streets lie within this area of the city centre including [[Grainger Market]], [[Theatre Royal, Newcastle|Theatre Royal]], [[Earl grey|Grey]] Street, Grainger Street and [[John Clayton (town clerk)|Clayton]] Street.<ref name=ggrmrkt2>{{cite web
 |title       = History of the Grainger Market
 |quote       = Richard Grainger, builder and developer, planned and constructed some of Newcastle's finest buildings and streets during 1830s including Grainger Market, Theatre Royal, Grey Street, Grainger and Clayton Street.
 |publisher   = Newcastle.gov.uk
 |url         = http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/market_customers_grainger_history
 |access-date  = 3 March 2011
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20100825132008/http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/market_customers_grainger_history
 |archive-date = 25 August 2010
|df          = dmy-all
}}</ref> These buildings are predominantly four stories high, with vertical dormers, domes, turrets and spikes. Richard Grainger was said to 'have found Newcastle of bricks and timber and left it in stone'.<ref name=GgrMrkt1>{{cite web
 |title       = History of the Grainger Market
 |quote       = Richard Grainger was said to 'have found Newcastle of bricks and timber and left it in stone.'
 |publisher   = newcastle.gov.uk
 |url         = http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/market_customers_grainger_history
 |access-date  = 3 March 2011
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20100825132008/http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/market_customers_grainger_history
 |archive-date = 25 August 2010
|df          = dmy-all
}}</ref> Of Grainger Town's 450 buildings, 244 are [[listed building|listed]], of which 29 are grade I and 49 are grade II*.
[[File:Earl Grey atop his monument (geograph 2368405).jpg|thumb|upright|left|Grey's Monument]]

[[Grey's Monument]], which commemorates Prime Minister [[Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey|Earl Grey]] and his [[Reform Act 1832]], stands above Monument Metro Station and was designed and built by [[Edward Hodges Baily]] and [[John and Benjamin Green|Benjamin Green]]. Hodges, who also built [[Nelson's Column]], designed and built the statue,<ref name = "Baily2010-2010-07-26">{{cite web
 | title = GRAINGER TOWN, Greys Monument, Edward Hodges Baily
 | quote = His statue by sculptor Edward Hodges Baily (also responsible for Nelson's Column) tops a column, Grey's Monument, of {{convert|41|m|ft|abbr=off}}. It has remained a favourite meeting place since it was unveiled in 1838.
 | url = http://northeast.greatbritishlife.co.uk/article/north-east-life-newcastle-grainger-town-grey-street-eldon-square-chinatown-eldon-garde-17318/
 | access-date = 26 July 2010
| archive-date = 23 August 2011
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110823095119/http://northeast.greatbritishlife.co.uk/article/north-east-life-newcastle-grainger-town-grey-street-eldon-square-chinatown-eldon-garde-17318/
 }}</ref> and the monument plinth was designed and built by Benjamin Green.<ref name="BenjaminGreen2010-07-26">{{cite web
 | title = Newcastle Upon Tyne: The Architecture...; Greys Monument Centrepiece
 | quote = The centrepiece is Grey's Monument, designed in 1838 by Benjamin Green
 | access-date =26 July 2010
| url = http://history.knoji.com/newcastle-upon-tyne-the-architecture-of-an-historic-city/
 }}</ref>

The Grainger Market replaced an earlier market originally built in 1808 called the Butcher Market.<ref name =Grain201308/> The Grainger Market itself, was opened in 1835 and was Newcastle's first indoor market.<ref name=ggrmrkt3/> At the time of its opening in 1835 it was said to be one of the largest and most beautiful markets in Europe.<ref name=ggrmrkt3/> The opening was celebrated with a grand dinner attended by 2000 guests, and the Laing Art Gallery has a painting of this event.<ref name=ggrmrkt3/> With the exception of the timber roof which was destroyed by a fire in 1901 and replaced by latticed-steel arches the Market is largely in its original condition.<ref name=ggrmrkt3>{{cite web
 |title       = History of the Grainger Market
 |publisher   = Newcastle.gov.uk
 |url         = http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/market_customers_grainger_history
 |access-date  = 3 March 2011
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20100825132008/http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/market_customers_grainger_history
 |archive-date = 25 August 2010
|df          = dmy-all
}}</ref> The Grainger Market architecture, like most in Grainger Town, which are either grade I or II listed, was listed grade I in 1954 by English Heritage.<ref name =Grain201308>{{cite web| title = Grainger Market| url = http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-304574-grainger-market- | publisher = britishlistedbuildings.co.uk | access-date =28 August 2013}}</ref>

The development of the city in the 1960s saw the demolition of part of [[Grainger Town]] as a prelude to the modernist rebuilding initiatives of [[T. Dan Smith]], the leader of [[Newcastle City Council]]. A corruption scandal was uncovered involving Smith and [[John Poulson]], a [[Real estate developer|property developer]] from [[Pontefract]], West Yorkshire, and both were imprisoned. Echoes of the scandal were revisited in the late 1990s in the [[BBC TV]] mini-series, ''[[Our Friends in the North]]''.<ref>Flannery, Peter. ''Retrospective – An interview with the creators of the series''. Included as a bonus feature on the ''[[Our Friends in the North]]'' DVD release. (BMG DVD 74321 941149).</ref>

====Chinatown====
[[File:Porte Chinatown Newcastle Tyne 5.jpg|thumb|Newcastle's Chinatown arch|alt=A red gold and blue Chinese arch over a busy city centre street]]
Newcastle's thriving [[Chinatown, Newcastle|Chinatown]] lies in the north-west of [[Grainger Town]], centred on Stowell Street. A new Chinese arch, or ''[[paifang]]'', providing a landmark entrance, was handed over to the city with a ceremony in 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/chinese-new-year-2015-newcastle-8518677|title=Chinese New Year 2015 Newcastle: Guide to shops and restaurants in Chinatown|first=Sarah |last=Jeffery|date=26 January 2015|work=nechronicle}}</ref>

===Housing===
The [[Tyneside flat]] was the dominant housing form constructed at the time when the industrial centres on Tyneside were growing most rapidly. They can still be found in areas such as South Heaton in Newcastle but once dominated the streetscape on both sides of the Tyne.<ref>{{cite web|title=Heaton (HMOs & Tyneside flats)|url=https://newcastleareas.wordpress.com/heaton-tyneside-flats/|website=Newcastle residential areas|date=28 December 2012|access-date=10 January 2016}}</ref> Tyneside flats were built as terraces, one of each pair of doors led to an upstairs flat while the other led into the ground-floor flat, each of two or three rooms. A new development in the Ouseburn valley has recreated them; Architects Cany Ash and Robert Sakula were attracted by the possibilities of high density without building high and getting rid of common areas.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Williams|first1=Francesca|title=The rise, fall and rise of the Tyneside flat|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-26868399|work=BBC News |access-date=10 January 2016}}</ref>

In terms of housing stock, the authority is one of few authorities to see the proportion of detached homes rise in the 2010 Census (to 7.8%), in this instance this was coupled with a similar rise in flats and waterside apartments to 25.6%, and the proportion of converted or shared houses in 2011 renders this dwelling type within the highest of the five colour-coded brackets at 5.9%, and on a par with [[Oxford]] and [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]], greater than [[Manchester]] and [[Liverpool]] and below a handful of historic densely occupied, arguably overinflated markets in the local authorities: [[Harrogate]], [[Cheltenham]], [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]], inner London, [[Hastings]], [[Brighton]] and [[Royal Tunbridge Wells]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/census/2011/census-data/2011-census-interactive-content/index.html |title=2011 Census Interactive |publisher=ons.gov.uk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129132219/http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/census/2011/census-data/2011-census-interactive-content/index.html |archive-date=29 January 2016 }}</ref>

Significant Newcastle [[housing developments]] include [[Ralph Erskine (architect)|Ralph Erskine]]'s the [[Byker Wall]] designed in the 1960s, and now [[Listed building|Grade II* listed]]. It is on [[UNESCO]]'s list of outstanding 20th-century buildings.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://architectuul.com/architecture/byker-wall|title=Byker Wall|website=Architectuul.com|access-date=5 May 2021}}</ref> The Byker Redevelopment has won the first [[Veronica Rudge Green Prize in Urban Design]] in 1988.<ref>
{{cite web |title= Veronica Rudge Green Prize in Urban Design |website= gsd.harvard.edu |url= https://www.gsd.harvard.edu/urban-planning-design/fellowships-prizes-and-travel-programs/veronica-rudge-green-prize-in-urban-design/ |access-date= Oct 16, 2024 }}
</ref>

===Climate===
Newcastle has an [[Oceanic climate|oceanic]] climate ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''[[Oceanic climate|Cfb]]''). Data in Newcastle was first collected in 1802 by the solicitor [[James Losh]].<ref name=tyneWeather1800s>{{cite news | last = Henderson| first =Tony | title =The remarkable record of what Newcastle's weather was like some 200 years ago | newspaper =Chronicle | location = Newcastle, England| language =en | publisher = chroniclelive.co.uk | date = 24 November 2019| url =https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/james-losh-newcastle-weather-jesmond-17298083
 | access-date = 8 March 2020 }}</ref> Situated in the [[rain shadow]] of the [[North Pennines]], Newcastle is amongst the driest cities in the UK. Temperature extremes recorded at Newcastle Weather Centre include {{convert|37.0|C|F}} set in July 2022<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.climatestotravel.com/climate/england/newcastle#:~:text=The%20highest%20record%20is%2037,%C2%B0F)%20in%20August%202003 | title=Newcastle climate: Weather by month, temperature, rain - Climates to Travel }}</ref> down to {{convert|-14.0|C|F}} on 29 December 1995.<ref>{{cite web |publisher = TuTiempo | url= https://en.tutiempo.net/climate/1995/ws-32433.html | title = 1995 temperature}}</ref> Newcastle can have cool to cold winters, though usually warmer than the rural areas around it, and the winters are often compensated for by warm summers, with very long daylight hours in the summer months, longer than all other major English cities. Newcastle upon Tyne shares the same latitude as [[Copenhagen]], southern Sweden and [[Moscow]].

The nearest weather station to provide sunshine statistics is at Durham, about {{convert|14|mi|km|0}} south of [[Newcastle City Centre]]. Durham's inland, less urbanised setting results in night-time temperature data about 1 degree cooler than Newcastle proper throughout the year.
{{Weather box
|location = Newcastle, 1991–2020, ([[Durham, England|Met Office Durham]]) Extremes Newcastle 1974–2005
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
|Jan record high C= 14.5
|Feb record high C= 16.3
|Mar record high C= 20.7
|Apr record high C= 22.7
|May record high C= 27.2
|Jun record high C= 30.4
|Jul record high C= 27.9
|Aug record high C= 32.5
|Sep record high C= 26.2
|Oct record high C= 25.0
|Nov record high C= 17.5
|Dec record high C= 16.2
|year record high C= 
|Jan high C = 6.9
|Feb high C = 7.8
|Mar high C = 9.9
|Apr high C = 12.5
|May high C = 15.4
|Jun high C = 18.0
|Jul high C = 20.2
|Aug high C = 19.9
|Sep high C = 17.4
|Oct high C = 13.5
|Nov high C = 9.7
|Dec high C = 7.1
|year high C = 13.2
|Jan mean C = 4.1
|Feb mean C = 4.6
|Mar mean C = 6.2
|Apr mean C = 8.3
|May mean C = 10.9
|Jun mean C = 13.6
|Jul mean C = 15.8
|Aug mean C = 15.6
|Sep mean C = 13.3
|Oct mean C = 10.0
|Nov mean C = 6.6
|Dec mean C = 4.2
|year mean C = 9.5
|Jan low C = 1.3
|Feb low C = 1.4
|Mar low C = 2.5
|Apr low C = 4.1
|May low C = 6.5
|Jun low C = 9.3
|Jul low C = 11.3
|Aug low C = 11.3
|Sep low C = 9.2
|Oct low C = 6.5
|Nov low C = 3.6
|Dec low C = 1.4
|year low C = 5.7
|Jan record low C= -13.3
|Feb record low C= -8.4
|Mar record low C= -7.3
|Apr record low C= -2.9
|May record low C= -0.5
|Jun record low C= 2.7
|Jul record low C= 6.1
|Aug record low C= 5.3
|Sep record low C= 2.9
|Oct record low C= -2.7
|Nov record low C= -8.0
|Dec record low C= -8.8
|year record low C= 
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 51.8
|Feb precipitation mm = 44.6
|Mar precipitation mm = 41.1
|Apr precipitation mm = 51.2
|May precipitation mm = 44.4
|Jun precipitation mm = 61.0
|Jul precipitation mm = 60.9
|Aug precipitation mm = 66.5
|Sep precipitation mm = 56.9
|Oct precipitation mm = 63.4
|Nov precipitation mm = 73.0
|Dec precipitation mm = 61.0
|year precipitation mm = 675.7
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 11.8
|Feb precipitation days = 9.9
|Mar precipitation days = 8.6
|Apr precipitation days = 9.1
|May precipitation days = 8.6
|Jun precipitation days = 9.9
|Jul precipitation days = 10.7
|Aug precipitation days = 10.3
|Sep precipitation days = 9.4
|Oct precipitation days = 11.8
|Nov precipitation days = 12.0
|Dec precipitation days = 12.0
|year precipitation days = 124.1
|Jan sun = 60.9
|Feb sun = 84.4
|Mar sun = 121.7
|Apr sun = 160.8
|May sun = 187.1
|Jun sun = 167.1
|Jul sun = 174.3
|Aug sun = 167.3
|Sep sun = 135.3 
|Oct sun = 98.9
|Nov sun = 64.6
|Dec sun = 57.6
|year sun = 1480.0
|source 1 = Met Office<ref name=NewcastleStats>{{cite web
 |url         = https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/location-specific-long-term-averages/gcwzefjyd
 |title       = Durham 1991–2020 averages
 |work        = Station, District and regional averages 1991–2020
 |publisher   = [[Met Office]]
 |access-date  = 9 August 2025
|df          = dmy-all
}}</ref>
|source 2 = Starlings Roost Weather<ref name=srw>{{cite web
 |url         = https://www.roostweather.com/ukobs/temp_station_extreme_map.php
 |title       = Monthly Temperature Extremes
 |publisher   = Roost Weather
 |access-date  = 9 August 2025
|df          = dmy-all
}}</ref>
|date=August 2025

}}
{{Weather box
| name         =  Newcastle, United Kingdom (1981–2010) <!-- Add a name to the weather box in template namespace to show VTE editing options. -->
| width        =  <!-- Width parameter for wikitable, default width=100%. Set width=auto to fit the table in the next available space automatically. -->
| collapsed    =  <!-- Any entry in this line will make the template initially collapsed. Leave blank or remove this line for uncollapsed. -->
| metric first = yes
| single line  = yes <!-- Any entry in this line will display metric and imperial units in the same cell. Leave blank or remove this line for separate table rows. -->
| location     =  Newcastle, United Kingdom (1981–2010) <!-- Mandatory field, location the climate data was taken, usually an airport. -->
<!-- Average high temperatures -->
| Jan high C  =8.2
| Feb high C  =8.5
| Mar high C  =10.2
| Apr high C  =12.1
| May high C  =14.9
| Jun high C  =17.2
| Jul high C  =19.1
| Aug high C  =18.9
| Sep high C  =17.0
| Oct high C  =13.8
| Nov high C  =10.6
| Dec high C  =8.5
| year high C =
<!-- Mean daily temperature -->
| Jan mean C  =5.4
| Feb mean C  =5.4
| Mar mean C  =6.8
| Apr mean C  =8.2
| May mean C  =10.7
| Jun mean C  =13.2
| Jul mean C  =15.1
| Aug mean C  =15.0
| Sep mean C  =13.2
| Oct mean C  =10.5
| Nov mean C  =7.6
| Dec mean C  =5.7
| year mean C =
<!-- Average low temperatures -->
| Jan low C  =2.5
| Feb low C  =2.3
| Mar low C  =3.3
| Apr low C  =4.2
| May low C  =6.5
| Jun low C  =9.2
| Jul low C  =11.1
| Aug low C  =11.0
| Sep low C  =9.4
| Oct low C  =7.1
| Nov low C  =4.5
| Dec low C  =2.9
| year low C =
| rain colour  =  green <!-- Enter "green" for green rainfall colours, "none" for no colours, remove this line for blue colouring. -->
| Jan rain mm  =106.6
| Feb rain mm  =74.8
| Mar rain mm  =80.4
| Apr rain mm  =63.2
| May rain mm  =66.8
| Jun rain mm  =68.3
| Jul rain mm  =60.5
| Aug rain mm  =81.8
| Sep rain mm  =73.6
| Oct rain mm  =100.0
| Nov rain mm  =105.3
| Dec rain mm  =101.9
| year rain mm =
<!-- Average number of rainy days -->
| Jan rain days  =14.2
| Feb rain days  =10.6
| Mar rain days  =12.7
| Apr rain days  =10.4
| May rain days  =11.2
| Jun rain days  =10.1
| Jul rain days  =10.0
| Aug rain days  =11.3
| Sep rain days  =10.0
| Oct rain days  =13.0
| Nov rain days  =13.4
| Dec rain days  =13.2
| year rain days =
<!-- Mandatory fields, source -->
| source = WMO<ref name="WMO">{{cite web |url= https://worldweather.wmo.int/en/city.html?cityId=29|title= World Weather Information Service|publisher= WMO|access-date=2 July 2023 }}</ref>
}}

===Environment===
{{main|North East Green Belt}}

The city is located within the centre of the North East Green Belt, also known as the Tyne and Wear Green Belt.<ref>{{cite web|title=Planning for the Future Core Strategy and Urban Core Plan for Gateshead and Newcastle upon Tyne 2010–2030 – Adopted March 2015|url=https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/sites/default/files/wwwfileroot/planning-and-buildings/planning-policy/planning_for_the_future_core_strategy_and_urban_core_plan_2010-2030.pdf|website=Newcastle.gov.uk|access-date=22 January 2018|archive-date=16 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116081218/https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/sites/default/files/wwwfileroot/planning-and-buildings/planning-policy/planning_for_the_future_core_strategy_and_urban_core_plan_2010-2030.pdf}}</ref>

The green belts stated aims<ref>{{cite web|title=Core Strategy and Urban Core Plan – Section 3 Strategic Policies – Chapter 12 People and Place|url=https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/sites/default/files/wwwfileroot/planning-and-buildings/planning-policy/section_3_-_strategic_policies.pdf|website=Newcastle.gov.uk|access-date=22 January 2018|archive-date=22 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122134206/https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/sites/default/files/wwwfileroot/planning-and-buildings/planning-policy/section_3_-_strategic_policies.pdf}}</ref> are to:

* ''Prevent the merging of settlements''
* ''Safeguard the countryside from encroachment''
* ''Check unrestricted [[urban sprawl]]''
* ''Assist in urban regeneration in the city-region by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land''

The green belt surrounds [[Brunswick Village]], [[Dinnington, Tyne and Wear|Dinnington]], Callerton, [[Hazlerigg]], [[Throckley]], [[Walbottle]], and [[Woolsington]]. Popular locations such as Ryton Island, Tyne Riverside Country Park, the city's golf courses, [[Newcastle Racecourse]], and [[Newcastle International Airport]] fall inside the green belt.

The city has been recognised for its commitment to environmental issues, with a programme planned for Newcastle to become "the first [[carbon neutrality|carbon neutral]] city"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.managenergy.net/products/R338.htm |title=Case Study: Newcastle, the first carbon-neutral town – UK on the ManagEnergy Website |publisher=Managenergy.net |date=13 July 2010 |access-date=4 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620071043/http://managenergy.net/products/R338.htm |archive-date=20 June 2010 }}</ref> however, those plans have been revised and they now hope to be carbon neutral by 2050.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/your-council-and-democracy/policies-plans-and-performance/our-policies-and-plans/council-plan/big|title=Big considerations|website=Newcastle City Council|access-date=24 November 2016}}{{Dead link|date=January 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==Culture==

===Nightlife===
[[File:The_Gate_Newcastle.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|The Gate complex on Newgate Street is a nightlife destination.]]
''The [[Rough Guides|Rough Guide]] to Britain'' placed Newcastle upon Tyne's nightlife as Great Britain's number one [[tourist attraction]].<ref name=rGuideNo1NLife>{{cite book | last =Andrews | first = Robert | title =The Rough Guide to Britain | publisher = Rough Guide Travel Guides | edition = 6| date =31 July 2006 | location =United Kingdom | language =en | isbn =9781843536864 }}</ref> In the [[Tripadvisor]] Travellers' Choice Destination Awards for Nightlife destinations, Newcastle was awarded third place in Europe (behind [[London]] and [[Berlin]])<ref name="tripadvisor2010-08-12">{{cite web |title = Tripadvisor Unveils Travellers' Best Destinations- Party Hard in London and Newcastle |quote = tourists a good time too with Newcastle coming third, followed by Dublin in fourth position and Edinburgh in seventh. |location = London, U.K. |publisher=Tripadvisor.co.uk |date = 4 May 2010 |url = http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/PressCenter-i205-c1-Press_Releases.html}}</ref> and seventh place in the world.<ref name="Tripadvisor2-2010-08-12">{{cite web |title = Tripadvisor Unveils Travellers' Best Destinations – The World Nightspots |quote = New Orleans has been identified as having the best nightlife in the world... London comes in at number five in the world and Newcastle number seven. |publisher=Tripadvisor |date = 4 May 2010 |url = http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/PressCenter-i205-c1-Press_Releases.html |access-date = 12 August 2010}}</ref> In July 2023 Newcastle was voted the best city in the UK for food, fashion and nightlife.<ref name=vibesJuly2023>{{cite web
| url = https://metro.co.uk/2023/07/30/newcastle-voted-best-uk-city-for-vibes-but-dont-look-now-stoke-on-trent-19216808/
| title = Newcastle voted best UK city for vibes
| last = Coleman
| first = Liam
| date = 30 July 2023
| website = metro.co.uk
| access-date =
| quote = A survey asked 2,000 residents in the UK’s largest cities to rate the different ‘vibes’ in their area. Newcastle scored highest for seven out of the nine in total – including being the most welcoming city and having the best pub scene.}}</ref>

There are many bars on the [[Bigg Market]] and its adjoining streets. Other areas popular for nightlife include Collingwood Street (commonly referred to as the 'Diamond Strip' due to its concentration of high-end bars). Neville Street, the [[Newcastle railway station|Central Station]] area, Osborne Road in [[Jesmond]] and the wider [[Ouseburn]] area are home to a variety of younger metropolitan bars. "[[The Gate, Newcastle|The Gate]]", located on Newgate Street, has become a popular venue for late-night entertainment in the past decade and a half.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Gate |url=http://www.thegatenewcastle.co.uk/|access-date=19 December 2006}}</ref> Newcastle's [[Gay community|'pink triangle']] is concentrated on Times Square, surrounded by the [[Centre for Life]].<ref>{{cite web|title=About |work=newcastlegay.co.uk right|url=http://www.newcastlegay.co.uk/about.php |access-date=3 January 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Gay Village/Pink Triangle |publisher=pubsnewcastle.co.uk |url=http://www.pubsnewcastle.co.uk/GayVillage.html|access-date=19 December 2006}}</ref>
[[File:Bigg Market, west side (geograph 1693051).jpg|thumb|[[Bigg Market]]]]

===Food===
Bakery chain [[Greggs]] was founded, and is headquartered, in Newcastle and has the greatest number of Greggs stores [[per capita]] in the world.<ref name="chroniclelive4">{{cite news|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/pasty-three-newcastle-revealed-greggs-11887605|first1 = Sonia | last1 = Sharma | first2 = Patrick E | last2 = Scott|title=A pasty or three: Newcastle revealed as the Greggs capital of Britain|newspaper=Chronicle Live|date=14 September 2016|access-date=21 March 2022}}</ref> Local delicacies include [[pease pudding]] and [[stottie cake]].

In 1967, London based [[The Smith's Snackfood Company|Smith's Crisps]] created Salt & Vinegar flavour crisps which were first produced by their Newcastle based subsidiary [[Tudor Crisps]] and tested in Tudor's home market of north-east England before being launched nationally.<ref>{{cite news |title=From salt and vinegar crisps to the offside rule: 12 gifts the North East gave the world |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/salt-vinegar-crisps-offside-rule-12380648 |access-date=5 September 2022 |work=Evening Chronicle}}</ref>

In 2010, Osborne Road in [[Jesmond]] was awarded fourth place in the UK Google Street View awards for the "foodie" category.<ref name="google street view"/> Newcastle has its own [[Chinatown]].

Additionally, the city has a wide variety of cuisines available including [[Greek food|Greek]], [[Mexican food|Mexican]], [[Spanish food|Spanish]], [[Indian food|Indian]], [[Italian food|Italian]], [[Persian food|Persian]], [[Japanese food|Japanese]], [[Malaysian food|Malaysian]], [[French food|French]], [[American food|American]], [[Mongolian cuisine|Mongolian]], [[Moroccan food|Moroccan]], [[Thai cuisine|Thai]], [[Polish food|Polish]], [[Vietnamese cuisine|Vietnamese]] and [[Lebanese cuisine|Lebanese]]. There has also been a noticeable growth in Newcastle's [[gourmet]] restaurant industry in recent years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sugarvine.com/Newcastle/index.asp |title=Restaurants in Newcastle & North East restaurants, eating out, places to eat in Newcastle & North East restaurant guide UK |publisher=Sugarvine.com |access-date=4 August 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Akbars Restaurant Birmingham |url=http://www.thegourmetsociety.co.uk/rest.php?search=yes&page=1&shoi=0&show_county=15 |title=Restaurants in Birmingham, Newcastle, Nottingham, Derby – The Gourmet Society UK |publisher=Thegourmetsociety.co.uk |access-date=4 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013183108/http://thegourmetsociety.co.uk/rest.php?search=yes&page=1&shoi=0&show_county=15 |archive-date=13 October 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://leaveatip.co.uk/docs/getrest.php?cities=Newcastle |title=The people's Newcastle Restaurant Guide |publisher=Leaveatip.co.uk |access-date=4 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125010418/http://leaveatip.co.uk/docs/getrest.php?cities=Newcastle |archive-date=25 November 2010 }}</ref>

===Theatre===
The city has a proud history of theatre. [[Stephen Kemble]] of the well-known [[Kemble family]] managed the original Theatre Royal, Newcastle for fifteen years (1791–1806). He brought members of his famous acting family such as [[Sarah Siddons]] and [[John Philip Kemble|John Kemble]] out of London to Newcastle. Stephen Kemble guided the theatre through many celebrated seasons. The original Theatre Royal in Newcastle was opened on 21 January 1788 and was located on Mosley Street.<ref name="theatreRoyal1788">{{cite web | url = http://www.newcastlegateshead.com/whats-on/theatres-royal-exhibition-at-theatre-royal-p797591 | title = Theatres Royal Exhibition at Theatre Royal | website = newcastlegateshead.com | access-date = 6 March 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170306035012/http://www.newcastlegateshead.com/whats-on/theatres-royal-exhibition-at-theatre-royal-p797591 | archive-date = 6 March 2017 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> It was demolished to make way for Grey Street, where its replacement was built. 
[[File:Theatre Royal in Newcastle (6710178097).jpg|thumb|upright=1.21|The [[Theatre Royal, Newcastle|Theatre Royal]], Grey Street]]
The city still contains many theatres. The largest, the [[Theatre Royal, Newcastle|Theatre Royal]] on Grey Street, first opened in 1837, designed by [[John and Benjamin Green]].<ref name="JBGreen">{{cite web
 | title = Newcastle Upon Tyne: The Architecture... Theatre Royal, John and Benjamin Green
 | quote = The principal event is the Theatre Royal (1837) by John and Benjamin Green who had designed the Literary and Philosophical Society's building.
 | url = http://factoidz.com/newcastle-upon-tyne-the-architecture-of-an-historic-city/
 | access-date = 26 July 2010
| archive-date = 6 August 2010
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100806010130/http://factoidz.com/newcastle-upon-tyne-the-architecture-of-an-historic-city
 }}</ref> It has hosted a season of performances from the [[Royal Shakespeare Company]] for over 25 years, as well as touring productions of West End musicals.<ref>{{cite web |title=History |work=Theatre Royal |url=http://www.theatreroyal.co.uk/about_us/history.html |access-date=21 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070706171750/http://www.theatreroyal.co.uk/about_us/history.html |archive-date=6 July 2007 }}</ref> The [[Tyne Theatre and Opera House]] hosts smaller touring productions, whilst other venues feature local talent. [[Northern Stage, Newcastle upon Tyne|Northern Stage]], formally known as the Newcastle Playhouse and Gulbenkian Studio, hosts various local, national and international productions in addition to those produced by the Northern Stage company.<ref>{{cite news|title=Curtain rises at new city theatre |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/5284740.stm |date=25 August 2006 |access-date=12 August 2007}}</ref> Other theatres in the city include the [[Live Theatre Company|Live Theatre]], the [[People's Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne|People's Theatre]], Alphabetti Theatre, Gosforth Civic Theatre, and the [[Jubilee Theatre]]. [[NewcastleGateshead]] was voted in 2006 as the arts capital of the UK in a survey conducted by the [[Artsworld]] TV channel.<ref>{{cite news|title=North East voted 'arts capital' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/6216475.stm |work=BBC News |date=29 December 2006 |access-date=18 August 2007}}</ref>

===Literature and libraries===
[[File:Newcastle City Library.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|right|[[Newcastle City Library]] on New Bridge Street West]]
[[File:Newcastle Lit & Phil DSCN1768.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.75|[[Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle upon Tyne]]]]Newcastle has a strong reputation as a poetry centre. The [[Morden Tower]], run by poet [[Tom Pickard]], is a major venue for poetry readings in the North East, being the place where [[Basil Bunting]] gave the first reading of ''[[Briggflatts]]'' in 1965.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mordentower.org/ |title=Morden Tower Home Page |publisher=Mordentower.org |access-date=4 August 2010 |archive-date=16 March 2010 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100316195625/http://www.mordentower.org/ }}</ref>

The [[Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle upon Tyne]] (popularly known as the 'Lit & Phil') is the largest independent library outside London, housing more than 150,000 books. Its music library contains 8,000 CDs and 10,000 LPs.<ref name=litandPhil20110208>{{Cite news
 |last=Glover
 |first=Andrew
 |title=Alexander Armstrong in appeal to save Lit and Phil
 |quote=The Lit and Phil is the largest independent library outside London, housing more than 150,000 books. Its music library contains 8,000 CDs and 10,000 LPs. The society was founded early in 1793 as a 'conversation club', with an annual subscription of one guinea. The current building was built in 1825.
 |newspaper=The Journal
 |publisher=ncjMedia, Trinity Mirror
 |date=8 February 2011
|url=http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2011/02/08/alexander-armstrong-in-appeal-to-save-lit-and-phil-61634-28133303/
 |access-date=8 February 2011
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110215165559/http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2011/02/08/alexander-armstrong-in-appeal-to-save-lit-and-phil-61634-28133303/
 |archive-date=15 February 2011
}}</ref><ref name=Litandphilorguk>{{cite web
 |title=Lit and Phil – Welcome
 |quote=The Literary & Philosophical Society (Lit & Phil) is the largest independent library outside London, housing over 150,000 books.
 |publisher=litandphil.org.uk
 |year=2011
 |url=http://www.litandphil.org.uk/html_pages/LP_home.html
 |access-date=8 February 2011
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100502065937/http://www.litandphil.org.uk/html_pages/LP_home.html
 |archive-date= 2 May 2010
}}</ref> The current Lit and Phil premises were built in 1825 and the building was designed by John and Benjamin Green.<ref name="JBGreen"/> Operating since 1793 and founded as a 'conversation club,' its lecture theatre was the first public building to be lit by electric light, during a lecture by [[Joseph Swan]] on 20 October 1880.<ref name=litandPhil20110208/>

The old City library designed by [[Basil Spence]],<ref name=BasilSpence>{{cite web
| title = Sir Basil Spence – Building Notes
| publisher = canmore.rcahms.gov.uk
| url = http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/286495/details/tyne+and+wear+newcastle+upon+tyne+city+library/
| access-date = 15 November 2013
| archive-date = 29 April 2014
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140429162421/http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/286495/details/tyne+and+wear+newcastle+upon+tyne+city+library/
}}</ref> was demolished in 2006<ref name=BasilSpence/> and replaced. The new building opened on 21 June 2009<ref name=AvisonLibrary/> and was named after the 18th-century local composer [[Charles Avison]]; the building was first opened by [[Herbert Loebl|Dr Herbert Loebl]].<ref name=AvisonLibrary>{{cite web | title = City Library | quote = On Sunday 21 June 2009 the building was formally dedicated by Dr Herbert Loebl | publisher = Newcastle.gov.uk | date = 11 June 2013 | url = http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/leisure-libraries-and-tourism/libraries/city-library | access-date = 15 November 2013 | archive-date = 5 November 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131105063639/http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/leisure-libraries-and-tourism/libraries/city-library }}</ref> In November 2009, it was officially opened by Queen [[Elizabeth II]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2009/10/28/queen-to-open-the-great-north-museum-and-city-library-61634-25030958/ |title=Queen to open the Great North Museum and City Library |publisher=The Journal |date=2009-10-28 |accessdate=2009-11-08 |archive-date=7 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307113241/http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2009/10/28/queen-to-open-the-great-north-museum-and-city-library-61634-25030958/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[Seven Stories]], the National Centre for Children's Books, opened in 2005 in the [[Ouseburn Valley]].<ref name=sstories201102>{{Cite news
 |last         = Brown
 |first        = Jonathon
 |title        = Delight as 'lost' Enid Blyton book is discovered
 |newspaper    = The Independent
 |location     = UK
 |date         = 23 February 2011
|url          = https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/delight-as-lost-enid-blyton-book-is-discovered-2222818.html
 |access-date  = 23 February 2011
|archive-date = 24 February 2011
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110224040258/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/delight-as-lost-enid-blyton-book-is-discovered-2222818.html
 }}</ref><ref name=Wilson2010>{{cite news |title=Jacqueline Wilson Helps Birthday Celebrations|first= Ruth|last= Lawson|newspaper= The Evening Chronicle|date= 20 August 2010|url= http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2010/08/20/jacqueline-wilson-helps-birthday-celebrations-72703-27102876/}}</ref>

===Festivals and fairs===
In either January or February, [[Chinatown, Newcastle|Newcastle's Chinatown]] becomes the focus point of celebrations for the [[Chinese New Year]] with carnivals and parades.

The Newcastle Science Festival, now called [[Newcastle ScienceFest]], returns annually in early March.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newcastlesciencefest.com/ |title=Newcastle Science Festival – Home |publisher=Newcastlesciencefest.com |access-date=4 August 2010 |archive-date=30 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090830184104/http://www.newcastlesciencefest.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The Newcastle [[Beer Festival]], organised by [[Campaign for Real Ale|CAMRA]] takes place in April each year.<ref>{{cite web | title=Beer Festival | publisher=cannybevvy.co.uk | url=http://www.cannybevvy.co.uk/Beer_Festival/beer_festival.html | access-date=20 January 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080213092807/http://www.cannybevvy.co.uk/Beer_Festival/beer_festival.html | archive-date=13 February 2008 }}</ref> [[Evolution Festival]], a music festival that attracted tens of thousands of attendees, took place in May from 2002 until 2013 and was described as "the biggest festival Tyneside has ever staged".<ref>{{cite news|title=Evolution Festival postponed for one year|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-26142833|access-date=10 July 2016|work=BBC News|date=12 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Barr |first1=Gordon |title=Festival hits Dizzee heights |url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music/festival-hits-dizzee-heights-1571989 |access-date=10 July 2016 |work=[[Evening Chronicle]] |date=7 April 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914115216/http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music/festival-hits-dizzee-heights-1571989 |archive-date=14 September 2016 }}</ref> The This Is Tomorrow festival now takes place over the spring bank holiday and is in the same location. The biennial [[AV Festival]] of international electronic art, featuring exhibitions, concerts, conferences and film screenings, is held in March. The North East Art Expo, a festival of art and design from the regions professional artists, is held in late May.<ref name=artExpo2>{{cite news | last = Whetstone | first = David | title = Expo gives artists and makers a showcase | newspaper = The Journal | location = Newcastle | publisher = thejournal.co.uk | date = 3 April 2008 | url = http://www.thejournal.co.uk/culture/arts/expo-gives-artists-makers-showcase-4505979 | access-date = 24 May 2017 | archive-date = 7 November 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171107004639/http://www.thejournal.co.uk/culture/arts/expo-gives-artists-makers-showcase-4505979 }}</ref><ref name=artExpoNe1>{{cite web | url = http://northeastexpo.co.uk/ | title = North East Expo – Autumn 2017 | website = northeastexpo.co.uk| publisher = northeastexpo | access-date = 24 May 2017}}</ref>

[[The Hoppings]], the largest annual collection of travelling fairs in Europe, comes together on [[Town Moor, Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle Town Moor]] every June. The event has its origins in the [[Temperance movement in the United Kingdom|Temperance Movement]] during the early 1880s, and coincides with the annual [[Horse racing|race week]] at High Gosforth Park.<ref>{{cite web |title=Town Moor Hoppings |publisher=newcastle.gov.uk |url=http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/wwwfileroot/localstudies/factsheets/Factsheet3Hoppings.pdf |date=September 2004 |access-date=20 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227084006/http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/wwwfileroot/localstudies/factsheets/Factsheet3Hoppings.pdf |archive-date=27 February 2008 }}</ref> Newcastle Community Green Festival, which claims to be the UK's biggest free community [[Environmental science|environmental]] festival, also takes place every June, in [[Leazes Park]].<ref>{{cite web | title=History of the Festival | publisher=newcastlegreenfestival.org.uk | url=http://www.newcastlegreenfestival.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=40 | access-date=20 January 2008 | archive-date=13 January 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080113214143/http://www.newcastlegreenfestival.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=40 }}</ref> The Cyclone Festival of Cycling takes place within, or starting from, Newcastle in June.<ref>{{cite web | title=Cyclone Festival of Cycling| url=https://cyclonecycling.com | access-date=14 August 2020 | df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name=cyclone2008>{{cite web | title=What is it? | publisher=northernrockcyclone.co.uk | url=http://www.northernrockcyclone.co.uk/about.asp | access-date=20 January 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217184407/http://www.northernrockcyclone.co.uk/about.asp | archive-date=17 December 2007 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> The Northern Pride Festival and Parade is held in [[Leazes Park]] and in the city's Gay Community in mid July. The Ouseburn Festival, a family oriented weekend festival near the city centre, incorporating a "Family Fun Day" and "Carnival Day", is held in late July.<ref>{{cite web | title=Ouseburn Festival home page | publisher=ouseburnfestival.org | url=http://www.ouseburnfestival.org/index.htm | access-date=25 January 2008 | url-status=usurped | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070523090242/http://ouseburnfestival.org/index.htm | archive-date=23 May 2007 }}</ref>

Newcastle [[Mela]], held on the late [[August Bank Holiday]] weekend, is an annual two-day multicultural event that blends drama, music and food from [[Punjabi culture#Modern Punjabi Culture|Punjabi]], [[Culture of Pakistan|Pakistani]], [[Bengal#Culture|Bengali]] and [[Hindu]] cultures.<ref>{{cite web |title=What is the Mela ? |publisher=newcastle.gov.uk |url=http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/mela_what |access-date=25 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026103201/http://newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/mela_what |archive-date=26 October 2007 }}</ref> NewcastleGateshead also holds an annual International Arts Fair. The 2009 event was held in [[Sage Gateshead|The Glasshouse]] Music and Arts Centre (then called Sage Gateshead), designed by [[Norman Foster, Baron Foster of Thames Bank|Norman Foster]].<ref>{{cite web | title=NewcastleGateshead Arts Fair home page | publisher=ngartfair.com | url=http://www.ngartfair.com/ | access-date=25 January 2008 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20030416181002/http://www.ngartfair.com/ | archive-date=16 April 2003 }}</ref> In October, there is the Design Event festival—an annual festival providing the public with an opportunity to see work by regional, national and international designers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Introducing Design Event |publisher=design-event.co.uk |url=http://www.design-event.co.uk/index.htm |access-date=22 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080212052802/http://www.design-event.co.uk/index.htm |archive-date=12 February 2008 }}</ref>
The SAMA Festival, an East Asian cultural festival is also held in early October.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.samafestival.org |title=NewcastleGateshead 6–12 October 2008 |publisher=SAMA Festival |date=24 July 2008 |access-date=4 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090811011606/http://www.samafestival.org/ |archive-date=11 August 2009 }}</ref>

===Music===
{{See also|List of bands and musicians from Newcastle Upon Tyne}}[[File:Sting in April 2018.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|[[Sting (musician)|Sting]], principal songwriter, lead singer and bassist for English rock band [[The Police]]]]
Newcastle's vernacular music was a mixture of [[Music of Northumbria|Northumbrian folk music]] and nineteenth-century songs with dialect lyrics, by writers such as [[George "Geordie" Ridley]], whose songs include one which became an unofficial Tyneside national anthem, "[[Blaydon Races]]".

The 1960s saw the internationally successful rock group [[The Animals]] emerge from Newcastle night spots such as Club A-Go-Go<ref name=Theanimals1962ClubAGogo>{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Roger |title=Club A'GoGo |quote=The Animals also recorded a live album at the Gogo and even wrote a song about the place. |publisher=readysteadygone.co.uk |url=http://www.readysteadygone.co.uk/club-agogo-newcastle/ |access-date=15 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100406045312/http://www.readysteadygone.co.uk/club-agogo-newcastle/ |archive-date=6 April 2010 }}</ref> on Percy Street. Other well-known acts with connections to the city include [[Sting (musician)|Sting]],<ref name=Sting2010-08-15>{{cite web |last=Christy |first=Duncan |title=Stephen Hannock painting commissioned by Sting to be displayed in Newcastle's Laing Art Gallery this autumn.... |publisher=Sting.com (Official Site) |date=10 November 2008 |url=http://www.sting.com/news/news.php?uid=6142 |access-date=15 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128152804/http://sting.com/news/news.php?uid=6142 |archive-date=28 November 2010 }}</ref> [[Bryan Ferry]],<ref name =Ferry2010-08-15>{{cite web |title=Superstar Bryan Ferry talks about his early days in Newcastle and how the North East shaped his life |publisher=ne4me.co.uk |date=9 November 2009 |url=http://www.ne4me.co.uk/celebrities-3/superstar-newcastle-shaped-102.html |access-date=15 August 2010 |archive-date=11 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100211160552/http://www.ne4me.co.uk/celebrities-3/superstar-newcastle-shaped-102.html }}</ref> [[Dire Straits]]<ref name =Direstraits2010-08-15>{{Cite news|title=Dire Straits given plaque honour |publisher=BBC |date=4 December 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8394556.stm |access-date=15 August 2010}}</ref> and more recently [[Maxïmo Park]].<ref name=Maximo2010-08-15>{{cite web|title=Maximo Park Limited Edition Bottles of Brown Ale |publisher=ilikemusic.com |year=2007 |url=http://www.ilikemusic.com/rock/Maximo_Park_LIMITED_EDITION_Brown_Ale-4366 |access-date=15 August 2010}}</ref> There is also a thriving [[underground music]] scene that encompasses a variety of styles, including [[drum and bass]], [[doom metal]] and [[post-rock]].

[[Lindisfarne (band)|Lindisfarne]] are a folk-rock group with a strong [[Tyneside]] connection. Their most famous song, "[[Fog on the Tyne]]" (1971), was covered by [[Geordie]] ex-footballer [[Paul Gascoigne]] in 1990. [[Venom (band)|Venom]], reckoned by many to be the originators of [[black metal]] and extremely influential to the [[extreme metal]] scene as a whole, formed in Newcastle in 1979. [[Folk metal]] band [[Skyclad (band)|Skyclad]], often regarded as the first folk metal band, also formed in Newcastle after the break-up of [[Martin Walkyier]] thrash metal band, [[Sabbat (English band)|Sabbat]]. [[Andy Taylor (guitarist)|Andy Taylor]], former lead guitarist of [[Duran Duran]] was born here in 1961. [[Brian Johnson]] was a member of local rock band [[Geordie (band)|Geordie]] before becoming the lead vocalist for Australian band [[AC/DC]].<ref name="92kqrs">{{cite news |title=Back in Black Becomes 2nd Best-Selling Album in the World |url=https://www.92kqrs.com/2019/12/10/back-in-black-becomes-2nd-best-selling-album-in-the-world/ |access-date=28 September 2020 |work=92 KQRS |date=10 December 2019}}</ref>

[[File:Mark Knopfler Zwolle 2013.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|[[Dire Straits]] frontman [[Mark Knopfler]]. His song "[[Local Hero (album)|Local Hero]]" is played at St. James Park before the start of every [[Newcastle United]] home game.<ref name="Newcastle">Anthony Bateman (2008). "Sporting Sounds: Relationships Between Sport and Music". p. 186. Routledge</ref>]]
Newcastle is the home of [[Kitchenware Records]] (c. 1982),<ref name=Kitchenware2010-08-15>{{cite web|title=Welcome To Kitchenware Records |quote=Kitchenware Records was established in 1982 in Newcastle... |work=Music |publisher=Kitchenware Records |url=http://www.kitchenwarerecords.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030502062032/http://www.kitchenwarerecords.com/ |archive-date=2 May 2003 |access-date=15 August 2010 }}</ref> previously home to acclaimed bands such as [[Prefab Sprout]], [[Martin Stephenson and the Daintees]] and [[The Fatima Mansions]]. The members of [[Lighthouse Family]] met at Newcastle University; the music video for their hit single "[[High (Lighthouse Family song)|High]]" features the city's [[Tyne Bridge]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Lighthouse Family - High (Official Video) |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=taOL5HJdx1A |access-date=25 June 2022 |agency=YouTube }}</ref>

The 1990s boom in [[progressive house]] music saw the city's [[Global Underground]] record label publish mix CDs by the likes of [[Sasha (DJ)|Sasha]], [[Paul Oakenfold]], [[James Lavelle]], and [[Danny Howells]] recording mix compilations. The label is still going strong today with offices in London and New York, and new releases from [[Deep Dish (band)|Deep Dish]] and [[Adam Freeland]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Global underground is 10 |quote=Global Underground has become more than an internationally renowned dance music label. It's become a way of life. This is an impressive legacy – especially for an independent label based in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in the North of England. |url=http://www.globalunderground.co.uk/news_detail.php?ID=110 |access-date=20 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515014426/http://www.globalunderground.co.uk/news_detail.php?ID=110 |archive-date=15 May 2008 }}</ref>

Newcastle's leading classical music ensemble is the [[Royal Northern Sinfonia]], which was founded in 1958 and performed regularly at Newcastle City Hall until 2004. Nowadays it is based at [[The Sage Gateshead|The Sage, Gateshead]].

ICMuS, [[Newcastle University]]'s music department, has been a driving force for music in the region, producing innovative work, organising concerts and festivals, instigating the first degree programme in folk music in the British Isles, and engaging creatively with communities in the region.

===Concert venues===
[[File:Newcastle Townscape Approaching The Metro Radio Arena (geograph 3344915).jpg|alt=|thumb|Metro Radio Arena]]
The largest venue used for music concerts is St James Park, home of Newcastle United, which has also previously been used for Rugby League games and the Olympic Games. The second largest [[music venue]] in Newcastle is the 11,000-seat [[Metro Radio Arena Newcastle|Utilita Arena Newcastle]], which opened in 1995 and hosts major pop and rock concerts.<ref name=indthrive /><ref>{{cite news|last1=Barr|first1=Gordon|title=It's ten years of rockin' the Toon|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/its-ten-years-rockin-toon-1597043|access-date=11 July 2016|work=[[Evening Chronicle]]|date=15 November 2005}}</ref> [[Newcastle City Hall]] is one of the oldest venues in the region and "attracts big names who are often legends of the past".<ref name=indthrive /> Both of the city's universities have venues that mainly host [[indie music|indie]] and [[Alternative rock|alternative]] bands.<ref name=indthrive>{{cite news|title=Newcastle's music scene: where bands thrive|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/uk/newcastles-music-scene-where-bands-thrive-6103622.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/uk/newcastles-music-scene-where-bands-thrive-6103622.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=11 July 2016|work=[[The Independent]]|date=14 April 2006}}</ref>

On 14 October 2005, the 2,000 capacity [[NX Newcastle]] opened. It had previously been a music venue in the 1960s, hosting concerts by [[The Beatles]] and [[The Who]].<ref name=o2academy>{{cite news|last1=Wonfor|first1=Sam|title=The O2 Academy in Newcastle prepares to celebrate its 10th birthday in style in October|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/o2-academy-newcastle-prepares-celebrate-9866948|access-date=10 July 2016|work=[[Evening Chronicle]]|date=16 August 2015}}</ref> The new venue was headlined by [[The Futureheads]] on the opening night and known as the Carling Academy for a number of years, then as the O2 Academy. Since opening the venue has hosted performances by major bands and solo musicians including [[Adele]], [[Arctic Monkeys]], [[Katy Perry]], [[The Libertines]], [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]] and [[Amy Winehouse]].<ref name=lookbig>{{cite news|last1=Duke|first1=Simon|title=O2 Academy Newcastle is 10: A look at the big names who've entertained|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/o2-academy-newcastle-10-look-10258227|access-date=11 July 2016|work=[[Evening Chronicle]]|date=14 October 2015}}</ref>
[[File:O2 Academy, corner of Westgate Road and Clayton Street (geograph 2189844).jpg|thumb|NX Newcastle, then called O2 Academy Newcastle]]
The [[Riverside (music venue)|Riverside]] music venue on Melbourne Street, open from 1985 until 1999, notably hosted [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]'s first European show in 1989.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Morton|first1=David|title=Kurt Cobain died on this day in 1994: We recall Nirvana's first ever UK gig at Newcastle Riverside|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/history/kurt-cobain-died-day-1994-11134504|access-date=10 July 2016|work=[[Evening Chronicle]]|date=5 April 2016}}</ref> The venue also welcomed [[Oasis (band)|Oasis]], [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]], [[David Bowie]] and [[The Stone Roses]] and was named Best Regional Venue by [[New Musical Express|NME]] in 1993.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Wonfor|first1=Sam|title=Bright future ahead for live music|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music/bright-future-ahead-live-music-1603478|access-date=10 July 2016|work=[[Evening Chronicle]]|date=27 January 2004}}</ref> Riverside has also been the subject of a book, ''Riverside: Newcastle's Legendary Alternative Music Venue''.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Plater|first1=Hazel|last2=Taylor|first2=Carl|title=Riverside: Newcastle's Legendary Alternative Music Venue|date=27 October 2011|publisher=Tonto Books|isbn=978-1907183195}}</ref>

In 2016 open-air concerts took place at Times Square for the first time, including performances from [[Maxïmo Park]], [[Ocean Colour Scene]] and [[Catfish and the Bottlemen]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Maine|first1=Sammy|title=Maximo Park set to play huge homecoming show|url=https://www.nme.com/news/maximo-park/92925|access-date=10 July 2016|work=[[Evening Chronicle]]|date=12 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Jeffrey|first1=Sarah|title=Ocean Colour Scene to celebrate 20th anniversary of Moseley Shoals at Times Square gig|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/ocean-colour-scene-celebrate-20th-11489101|access-date=10 July 2016|work=[[Evening Chronicle]]|date=17 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Jeffrey|first1=Sarah|title=Catfish and the Bottlemen to play open air gig in Times Square Newcastle this summer|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/catfish-bottlemen-play-open-air-11563368|access-date=10 July 2016|issue=4 July 2016}}</ref>

The small music venue Think Tank? was a nominee for Best Small Venue in NME in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|title=Finalists revealed in NME's search for Britain's Best Small Venue with Jack Daniel's 2015 |url=https://www.nme.com/news/various-artists/89447 |access-date=10 July 2016 |work=[[New Musical Express|NME]] |date=2 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007061717/http://www.nme.com/news/various-artists/89447 |archive-date= 7 October 2016 }}</ref> [[The Cluny]] in [[Ouseburn Valley]] is "one of the most important venues for breaking bands in the region".<ref name=evoemergingvenues>{{cite news|last1=Jeffery|first1=Sarah|title=Evolution Emerging 2016: A guide to the music festival's ten Newcastle venues|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/evolution-emerging-2016-guide-music-8965446|access-date=11 July 2016|work=[[Evening Chronicle]]|date=16 May 2016}}</ref> Trillians Rock Bar is well-noted for its rock and [[metal music|metal]] shows,<ref name=indthrive /> and The Head of Steam is a 90-capacity basement venue described as "one of Newcastle's staple venues".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lawson|first1=Ruth|title=Newcastle city centre The Head of Steam music venue relaunches|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music/newcastle-city-centre-head-steam-6204913|access-date=11 July 2016|work=[[Evening Chronicle]]|date=18 October 2013}}</ref>

===Independent cinema===
[[File:High Friar Lane at the Tyneside Cinema (geograph 2810241).jpg|alt=|thumb|upright=0.75|[[Tyneside Cinema]], designed and built by Dixon Scott, great uncle of [[Ridley Scott|Ridley]] and [[Tony Scott]]<ref name=RidTonScottcinema/>]]
Newcastle has multiple independent cinemas, including the famous [[Tyneside Cinema]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tynesidecinema.co.uk/ |title=Tyneside Cinema |access-date=18 July 2010}}</ref> located on Pilgrim Street. It originally opened as the 'Bijou News-Reel Cinema' in 1937, and was designed and built by Dixon Scott, great-uncle of film directors [[Ridley Scott]]<ref name=RidTonScottcinema>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/tyne/content/articles/2008/05/30/ridley_scott_profile_feature.shtml |title=Profiles – Sir Ridley Scott |publisher=[[BBC Tyne]] |date=30 May 2008 |access-date=18 July 2010}}</ref> and [[Tony Scott]]. The Pilgrim Street building was refurbished between November 2006 and May 2008; during the refurbishment works, the cinema relocated to the [[Old Town Hall, Gateshead]]. In May 2008 the Tyneside Cinema reopened in the restored and refurbished original building.<ref name=tynescinem>{{cite web
 |title        = Cinema Bids Au Revoir
 |date         = 11 April 2008
|url          = http://www.gateshead.gov.uk/Council%20and%20Democracy/news/News%20Articles/Cinema%20Bids%20Au%20Revoir%20to%20Gateshead.aspx
 |access-date   = 23 February 2011
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110724162459/http://www.gateshead.gov.uk/Council%20and%20Democracy/news/News%20Articles/Cinema%20Bids%20Au%20Revoir%20to%20Gateshead.aspx
 |archive-date = 24 July 2011
|df           = dmy-all
}}</ref> The site currently houses three cinemas, including the restored Classic<ref name=tynesidecinclassic>{{cite web
 | title = The Classic
 | publisher = tynesidecinema.co.uk
 | quote = the Classic is a magnificently restored auditorium which features balcony seating in its Classic Circle
 | url = http://www.tynesidecinema.co.uk/hire/spaces/the-classic
 | access-date = 23 February 2011
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110305211813/http://www.tynesidecinema.co.uk/hire/spaces/the-classic
 | archive-date = 5 March 2011
}}</ref> —the United Kingdom's last surviving news cinema still in full-time operation—alongside two new screens, and dedicated education and teaching suites.

As well as this, the city is home to The Side Cinema and Star and Shadow Cinema which are both small venues which have built up cult audiences of film fans.

=== Landmarks ===
Its landmarks include the [[Tyne Bridge]]; the [[Swing Bridge, River Tyne|Swing Bridge]]; [[The Castle, Newcastle|Newcastle Castle]]; [[Newcastle Cathedral]], [[St Mary's Cathedral, Newcastle-upon-Tyne|St Mary's Cathedral]], [[Church of St Thomas the Martyr, Newcastle|St Thomas' Church]]; [[Grainger Town]] including [[Grey's Monument]] and the [[Theatre Royal, Newcastle|Theatre Royal]]; the [[Gateshead Millennium Bridge|Millennium Bridge]]; [[St James' Park]]; [[Chinatown, Newcastle|Chinatown]]; and [[Fernwood House]].

==Media==

===TV and film===
{{See also|Category:Films set in Newcastle upon Tyne|Category:Television shows set in Newcastle upon Tyne}}
The earliest known film featuring some exterior scenes filmed in the city is ''[[On the Night of the Fire]]'' (1939),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/lifestyle/nostalgia/forget-carter-night-fire-first-2636161|title=Forget Get Carter, On the Night of the Fire was first so-called film noir based in Newcastle|date=16 April 2013|work=nechronicle}}</ref> though by and large the action is studio-bound. Later came ''[[The Clouded Yellow]]'' (1951) and ''[[Payroll (film)|Payroll]]'' (1961), both of which feature more extensive scenes filmed in the city. The gangster thriller ''[[Get Carter]]'' (1971) was shot on location in and around Newcastle and offers an opportunity to see what Newcastle looked like in the early 1970s.<ref name="Get Carter">{{Cite news
 | title = Tinseltoon: Get Carter
 | location = Newcastle |publisher=BBC
 | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/tyne/content/articles/2008/05/21/get_carter_film_feature.shtml
 | access-date = 4 July 2010}}</ref> The city was also backdrop to another gangster film, the [[film noir]] ''[[Stormy Monday (film)|Stormy Monday]]'' (1988), directed by [[Mike Figgis]] and starring [[Tommy Lee Jones]], [[Melanie Griffith]], [[Sting (musician)|Sting]] and [[Sean Bean]].<ref name="Sting2010-07-04">{{Cite news | title = Stormy Monday | publisher = Sting | url = http://www.sting.com/discog/?v=v&a=1&id=340 | access-date = 4 July 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101216162535/http://www.sting.com/discog/?v=v&a=1&id=340 | archive-date = 16 December 2010 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> As well as this, Newcastle was used as the location for ''[[I, Daniel Blake]]'' (2016) which won the [[Palme d'Or]] award at [[Cannes Film Festival]] as well as the [[British Academy of Film and Television Arts|BAFTA]] for [[BAFTA Award for Outstanding British Film|Outstanding British Film]].

The city has been the setting for films based around football; films such as ''[[Purely Belter]]'' (2000),<ref name="Purely Belter1">{{Cite news
 | title = Tinseltoon: Purely Belter
 |publisher=BBC
 | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/tyne/content/articles/2008/05/23/film_locations_purely_belter_feature.shtml | access-date = 4 July 2010}}</ref> ''[[The One and Only (2002 film)|The One and Only]]'' (2002)<ref name="The One and Only 2010-07-04">{{Cite news
 | title = The one and only
 | newspaper = The Journal
 | url = http://www.journallive.co.uk/culture-newcastle/film-reviews/2002/10/13/our-bid-s-the-one-and-only-61634-12279456/
 | access-date = 4 July 2010
 | archive-date = 18 January 2012
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120118081806/http://www.journallive.co.uk/culture-newcastle/film-reviews/2002/10/13/our-bid-s-the-one-and-only-61634-12279456/
 }}</ref> and ''[[Goal! (film)|Goal!]]''<ref name="Goal 2010-07-04">{{cite web
 | title = Hollywood on Tyne
 |publisher=BBC
 | year = 2004
 | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/tyne/hollywood_on_tyne/goal/goal_launch.shtml
 | access-date = 4 July 2010}}</ref> have all been focused around Tyneside. The comedy ''[[School for Seduction]]'' (2004), starring [[Kelly Brook]] was also filmed in Newcastle.<ref name="SchoolFor">{{cite web
 | title= School For Seduction
 |publisher=BBC
 | year = 2004
 | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2004/08/25/school_for_seduction_2004_review.shtml
 | access-date = 4 July 2010}}</ref>

The [[Bollywood]] film ''[[Hum Tum Aur Ghost]]'' (2010) was shot on location in Newcastle's city centre and features key scenes in and around [[Grainger Town]].<ref name="HumTumAurGhost">{{Cite news
 | last = Mahmood
 | first = Shabnam
 | title = Newcastle makes Bollywood impact
 |publisher=BBC
 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/tyne/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8587000/8587240.stm
 | access-date = 4 July 2010
| date=25 March 2010}}</ref> The film ''[[Public Sex (film)|Public Sex]]'' (2009) was shot in and around Newcastle, and features several scenes under and around the [[Tyne Bridge]].

Crime drama ''[[Harrigan (film)|Harrigan]]'' (2013) was filmed in the city as well as [[Gateshead]] and [[Teesside]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thejournal.co.uk/culture/film-tv/harrigan-film-turns-focus-north-6056288|title=Harrigan film turns focus on North East crime in the seventies|first=Barbara|last=Hodgson|date=18 September 2013|work=journallive|access-date=25 March 2015|archive-date=19 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319215436/http://www.thejournal.co.uk/culture/film-tv/harrigan-film-turns-focus-north-6056288}}</ref>

===Print media===
Local newspapers that are printed in Newcastle include [[Trinity Mirror]]'s ''[[Evening Chronicle]]'' and ''[[The Journal (Newcastle upon Tyne newspaper)|The Journal]]'', the ''[[Sunday Sun]]'' as well as the ''[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]'' freesheet. ''[[The Crack (magazine)|The Crack]]'' is a monthly style and [[listings magazine]] similar to London's ''[[Time Out (magazine)|Time Out]]''. The adult comic ''[[Viz (comic)|Viz]]'' originated in [[Jesmond]] and includes many references to Newcastle, and ''The Mag'' is a fanzine for Newcastle United supporters.

===Television===
[[BBC North East and Cumbria]] is based to the north of the city on Barrack Road, [[Spital Tongues]], in a building known as the Pink Palace.<ref name="pink">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/tyne/content/articles/2006/04/26/bbc_newcastle_tours_feature.shtml |title=Take a look around |publisher=BBC Tyne |access-date=21 September 2006}}</ref> It is from here that the [[BBC|Corporation]] broadcasts the ''[[BBC Look North (North East and Cumbria)|Look North]]'' television regional news programme and [[BBC Local Radio|local radio]] station [[BBC Radio Newcastle]].

[[File:Tyne Tees, City Road.jpg|thumb|left|Two converted warehouses provided the base for Tyne Tees on City Road until 2005.]]
[[ITV Tyne Tees]] was based at City Road for over 40 years after its launch in January 1959.<ref name="crs">{{cite web|first=Andrew |last=Bowden |title=City Road |url=http://www.transdiffusion.org/tmc/cityroad/studios/cityroad.php |date=1 May 2007 |access-date=17 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903142247/http://www.transdiffusion.org/tmc/cityroad/studios/cityroad.php |archive-date= 3 September 2011 }}</ref> In 2005 it moved to a new facility on The Watermark business park next to the MetroCentre in Gateshead.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Fond Farewell |work=City Road |url=http://www.transdiffusion.org/tmc/cityroad/history/farewell.php |access-date=19 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080518003939/http://www.transdiffusion.org/tmc/cityroad/history/farewell.php |archive-date=18 May 2008 }}</ref> The entrance to studio 5 at the City Road complex gave its name to the 1980s music television programme, ''[[The Tube (1982 TV series)|The Tube]]''.<ref name="crs" />

===Radio===
[[Independent Local Radio]] stations include [[Hits Radio North East]]  and sister station [[Greatest Hits Radio North East]]. [[Capital North East]] broadcasts across Newcastle and the [[North East England]] region.<ref>{{cite web|title=Capital FM North East |url=http://capitalfm.com/tyneandwear |access-date=11 March 2012 }}{{dead link|date=April 2017|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> [[Heart North East]] and [[Smooth North East]] also broadcast from the city.
[[File:BBC Newcastle.jpg|thumb|BBC Newcastle]]
[[NE1fm]] launched in June 2007, the first full-time [[community radio]] station in the area.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Radio station launch |work=Evening Chronicle |url=http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/chroniclelive/eveningchronicle/chroniclearchive/2007/06/07/radio-station-launch-50081-19260930/ |date=7 July 2007 |access-date=21 September 2007}}</ref>

Newcastle Student Radio is run by students from both of the city's universities during term time.<ref>{{cite web |title=Student media |publisher=Newcastle University |url=http://www.ncl.ac.uk/undergraduate/life/union/media.htm |access-date=22 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080330182738/http://www.ncl.ac.uk/undergraduate/life/union/media.htm |archive-date=30 March 2008 }}</ref> Radio Tyneside<ref>{{cite web
 |title       = Radio Tyneside
 |publisher   = radiotyneside.co.uk
 |url         = http://www.radiotyneside.co.uk/2010/Home.php
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20120819083446/http://www.radiotyneside.co.uk/2010/Home.php
 |archive-date = 19 August 2012
|df          = dmy-all
}}</ref> has been the voluntary [[hospital radio]] service for most hospitals across Newcastle and Gateshead since 1951.<ref>{{cite web
 |title=Hospedia
 |work=Newcastle NHS Hospedia page
 |url=http://www.newcastle-hospitals.org.uk/patient-guides/patient-services_hospedia.aspx
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120906034800/http://www.newcastle-hospitals.org.uk/patient-guides/patient-services_hospedia.aspx
|archive-date=6 September 2012
}}</ref><ref name="radiotyneside">{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotyneside.co.uk/f18/main/posts/article.php?post_ref=20|title=Newsdesk|website=Radio Tyneside|access-date=18 January 2021|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122221000/https://www.radiotyneside.co.uk/f18/main/posts/article.php?post_ref=20}}</ref><ref name="ofcom">{{cite web|url=https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/112405/March-2018-community-radio-licence-awards.pdf|author=Susan Williams|publisher=Ofcom|date=29 March 2018|title=Community radio – Eight community radio licence awards: March 2018 |access-date=18 January 2021}}</ref>
The city also has a Radio Lollipop station based at the Great North Children's Hospital in the Newcastle [[Royal Victoria Infirmary]].

===City-centre Wi-Fi===

Newcastle was one of the first cities in the UK to have its city centre covered by free [[Wi-Fi|wireless internet]] access. It was developed and installed at the end of 2006 and went active in March 2007.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Newcastle joins UK 'wireless city' revolution |publisher=24dash.com |url=http://www.24dash.com/news/Central_Government/2006-11-13-Newcastle-joins-UK-wireless-city-revolution |access-date=29 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109024413/http://www.24dash.com/news/Central_Government/2006-11-13-Newcastle-joins-UK-wireless-city-revolution |archive-date=9 January 2009 }}</ref>

==Economy==
{{See also|List of companies based in Newcastle upon Tyne}}
The city's economy is diverse with major economic output in science, finance, retail, education, tourism, and nightlife. Newcastle is one of the UK [[Core Cities Group|Core Cities]], as well as part of the [[Eurocities]] network.<ref name="coreCity">{{cite web|title=Core Cities|website=corecities.com|publisher=Core Cities|url=http://www.corecities.com|access-date=8 April 2007}}</ref><ref name="euroCity2">{{cite web|title=Eurocities|publisher=eurocities.org|url=http://www.eurocities.org|access-date=19 August 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928110159/http://www.eurocities.org/main.php|archive-date=28 September 2007}}</ref><ref name="euroCity">{{cite web|title=Newcastle-Gateshead|website=eurocities.eu|publisher=eurocities|url=http://www.eurocities.eu/eurocities/members/member&id=58|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130412001617/http://www.eurocities.eu/eurocities/members/member%26id%3D58|archive-date=12 April 2013|access-date=17 September 2015 }}</ref>

Newcastle played a major role during the 19th-century [[Industrial Revolution]], and was a leading centre for coal mining, shipbuilding, engineering, munitions and manufacturing. [[Heavy industry|Heavy industries]] in Newcastle declined in the second half of the 20th century; with office, service and retail employment now becoming the city's staples.

Today, Newcastle's economy contributes around £13&nbsp;billion to the UK [[Gross value added|GVA]].<ref name="RegionalGVA">{{cite web|url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_economy/Regional_GVA_December_2007.pdf|title=Regional GVA December 2007 (Page 7)|access-date=13 April 2009|publisher=[[Office for National Statistics]]|year=2007}}</ref> This figure is mostly produced by corporate activity in [[Newcastle upon Tyne City Centre|the city centre]].

The city's thriving nightlife is estimated to be worth £340 million per year, and consequently is seen as a major contributor to Newcastle's economy.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Whitfield|first=Graeme|date=26 August 2020|title=Newcastle's nightlife in danger of "imminent collapse", club bosses warn|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/newcastles-nightlife-danger-imminent-collapse-18834052|access-date=9 March 2021|website=ChronicleLive|language=en}}</ref>

The UK's first [[biotechnology]] village, the [[Centre for Life]], is located by [[Newcastle railway station|Central Station]]. The village is the first step in the City Council's plans to transform Newcastle into a science city.<ref>{{cite web |title=Newcastle Science City |url=http://www.newcastlesciencecity.com/ |work=Newcastle Science City.com |access-date=8 April 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070416133100/http://www.newcastlesciencecity.com/ |archive-date=16 April 2007 }}</ref>

===Retail===
[[File:Northumberland Street, Newcastle upon Tyne (geograph 3068884).jpg|alt=|thumb|South entrance of [[Northumberland Street]], now pedestrianised]][[File:Old Eldon Square, Newcastle upon Tyne (geograph 3064279).jpg|thumb|
[[Old Eldon Square]], the [[Eldon Square Shopping Centre]] is built around it and takes its name from it.]]
In 2010, Newcastle was positioned ninth in the retail centre expenditure league of the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.caci.co.uk/492.aspx |title=Retail Footprint 2010 reveals Britain's shopping successes and strugglers |date=21 May 2010 |publisher=CACI |access-date=18 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100618210926/http://www.caci.co.uk/492.aspx |archive-date=18 June 2010 }}</ref> There are several major shopping areas in [[Newcastle City Centre]]. The largest of these is the [[Eldon Square Shopping Centre]], one of the largest city centre shopping complexes in the UK.<ref name="Eldon Square2010-07-26">{{cite web
 | title = Grainger Town... Eldon Square
 | url = http://northeast.greatbritishlife.co.uk/article/north-east-life-newcastle-grainger-town-grey-street-eldon-square-chinatown-eldon-garde-17318/
 | access-date = 26 July 2010
| archive-date = 23 August 2011
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110823095119/http://northeast.greatbritishlife.co.uk/article/north-east-life-newcastle-grainger-town-grey-street-eldon-square-chinatown-eldon-garde-17318/
 }}</ref> It has one of the largest [[John Lewis & Partners]] stores in the UK. This John Lewis branch was formerly known as [[Bainbridge's|Bainbridge]], established in 1838, often cited as the world's first [[department store]].<ref name="Bain20130101">{{cite news | last = Marshall | first = Ray| title = Remember When: Superstore; Remembering Bainbridge's – a world first. | newspaper = Evening Chronicle| publisher = thefreelibrary.com | date = 5 April 2008 | url = http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Remember+When%3A+SUPERSTORE%3B+Remembering+Bainbridge's+-+a+world+first.-a0177495747 | access-date = 15 October 2013}}</ref> Emerson Bainbridge (1817–1892),<ref name="Bain2013102">Anne Pimlott Baker, 'Bainbridge, Emerson Muschamp (1817–1892)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, January 2010 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/56163, accessed 29 April 2011]</ref> a pioneer and the founder of Bainbridge,<ref name="Bain2013103">{{cite web | last = Moreno | first = Shonquis | title = An Introduction to Retail Design| publisher = dwell.com | date = November 2010 | url = http://www.dwell.com/design-101/article/introduction-retail-design| access-date = 15 October 2013}}</ref> sold goods via department, a new arrangement of trade for that time. The Bainbridge official ledgers reported revenue by department, giving birth to the name department store.<ref name="Bain2013102" /><ref name="Bain2013103" /> Eldon Square is currently undergoing a full redevelopment. A new bus station, replacing the old underground bus station, was officially opened in March 2007.<ref>
{{cite news| title = MP opens £11m bus station upgrade
 |work=BBC News | date = 15 March 2007
|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/6455505.stm
 | access-date = 24 November 2007}}</ref> The wing of the centre, including the undercover Green Market, near Grainger Street was demolished in 2007 so that the area could be redeveloped.<ref>{{cite news| title = Last day for city centre market
 |work=BBC News |date = 26 January 2007 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/6295487.stm
 |access-date = 24 November 2007}}</ref> This was completed in February 2010 with the opening of a [[Debenhams]] department store as well as other major stores including [[Apple store|Apple]], [[Hollister Co.|Hollister]] and [[Guess (clothing)|Guess]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.retail-week.com/property/newcastles-eldon-square-opens-170m-extension/5010482.article|title=Newcastle's Eldon Square opens £170m extension|work=Retail Week}}</ref>
[[File:Central Arcade, Newcastle upon Tyne.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|Central Arcade, Newcastle upon Tyne]]
The main shopping street in the city is [[Northumberland Street]]. In a 2004 report, it was ranked as the most expensive shopping street in the UK for rent, outside London.<ref>
{{cite news |title=Fifth Avenue tops shops rich list |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3954649.stm |date=26 October 2004 | access-date = 19 December 2006}}</ref> It is home to two major department stores including the first and largest [[Fenwick (department store)|Fenwick]] department store, which houses some of the most luxurious [[designer labels]], and one of the largest [[Marks and Spencer]] stores outside London. Both stores have entrances into Eldon Square Shopping Centre.

Other shopping destinations in Newcastle include Grainger Street and the area around [[Grey's Monument]], the relatively modern Eldon Garden and [[Monument Mall]] complexes, [[Central Arcade]] and the traditional [[Grainger Market]]. On Blackett Street can be found the [[silversmith]] [[Reid & Sons]] which was established in the city in 1788.<ref name="silvercollection">{{cite web|url=http://www.silvercollection.it/ENGLAREID&SONS.html|website=silvercollection.it|title=Reid & Sons, silversmiths in Newcastle and London |access-date=18 January 2021}}</ref> Outside the city centre, the largest suburban shopping areas are [[Gosforth]] and [[Byker]]. From 2007, inside [[Kingston Park]], on the edge of Newcastle, the [[Tesco]] store was the largest [[Tesco#Hypermarkets|Tesco hypermarket]] in the UK<ref>{{cite news| title = The continued rise of Tesco non-food |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6257331.stm |date=16 January 2007 | access-date = 19 January 2008 |first=Andy |last=Dangerfield}}</ref> — for a period of time.
Close to Newcastle, the largest indoor shopping centre in Europe, the [[MetroCentre (shopping centre)|MetroCentre]], is located in [[Gateshead]].

==Population==
[[File:Newcastle upon Tyne population pyramid.svg|thumb|Newcastle upon Tyne population pyramid in 2021]]
[[File:St. Georges Church Jesmond Newcastle.jpg|alt=|thumb|upright=0.75|[[Jesmond]] has become an affluent area and is popular with students.]]
[[File:NE-Arthur's Hill Stanhope Street 8965.JPG|thumb|Stanhope Street in [[Arthur's Hill]] is home to one of the largest Asian communities in [[North East England]].]]
[[File:Traffic on Gosforth High Street, Newcastle.jpg|alt=|thumb|upright=0.75|[[Gosforth]] High Street in the north of the city]]
According to the ONS, Newcastle had a population of 293,000 in 2015.<ref name="pop2015">{{cite web | url = https://www.ons.gov.uk/file?uri=/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/datasets/populationestimatesforukenglandandwalesscotlandandnorthernireland/mid2015/ukmye2015.zip | title = MYE3 population change for local authorities UK 2015.xls | date = 6 October 2016 | website = ons.gov.uk | publisher = gov.uk | access-date = 24 May 2017}}</ref> Tyneside (made up of Newcastle and the surrounding [[metropolitan boroughs]] of [[Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead|Gateshead]], [[North Tyneside]] and [[South Tyneside]]) has a population of approximately 880,000, making it the eighth most populous urban area in the UK.<ref name="pop">{{cite web|last=Pointer|first=Graham|title=The UK's major urban areas|url=http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/fertility-analysis/focus-on-people-and-migration/december-2005/focus-on-people-and-migration---focus-on-people-and-migration---chapter-3.pdf|access-date=8 April 2007|publisher=statistics.gov.uk}}</ref> The wider [[metropolitan area]] of Tyneside-[[Wearside]] has a population of approximately 1,122,000.

Additionally, Newcastle is home to a large temporary population of students from [[Newcastle University|Newcastle]] and [[Northumbria University|Northumbria]] universities. Areas of suburban Newcastle with significant student populations include [[Jesmond]], [[Shieldfield]], [[Gosforth]], [[Sandyford, Newcastle upon Tyne|Sandyford]], [[Spital Tongues]] and [[Heaton, Newcastle|Heaton]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.roseworth.co.uk/article/2020/1/15/what-its-like-being-a-student-in-newcastle|title=What's it like to be student in Newcastle?|last=Roseworth|website=Roseworth Student Lettings|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320100511/https://www.roseworth.co.uk/article/2020/1/15/what-its-like-being-a-student-in-newcastle|archive-date=20 March 2020|access-date=9 February 2020}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year || colspan="2" |Population
|-
| 1801 || style="text-align:right;"|{{bartable|33,322||0.001}}
|-
| 1851 || style="text-align:right;"|{{bartable|80,184||0.001}}
|-
| 1901 || {{bartable|246,905||0.001}}
|-
| 1911 || {{bartable|293,944||0.001}}
|-
| 1921 || {{bartable|309,820||0.001}}
|-
| 1931 || {{bartable|326,576||0.001}}
|-
| 1941 || {{bartable|333,286||0.001}}
|-
| 1951 || {{bartable|340,155||0.001}}
|-
| 1961 || {{bartable|323,844||0.001}}
|-
| 1971 || {{bartable|308,317||0.001}}
|-
| 1981 || {{bartable|272,923||0.001}}
|-
| 1991 || {{bartable|277,723||0.001}}
|-
| 2001 || {{bartable|259,573||0.001}}
|-
| 2011 || {{bartable|292,200||0.001}} 
|- 
| 2019<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/datasets/populationestimatesforukenglandandwalesscotlandandnorthernireland|title = Estimates of the population for the UK, England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - Office for National Statistics}}</ref> || {{bartable|302,820||0.001}}
|}

===Demographics===
====Age====
According to the same statistics, the average age of people living in Newcastle is 37.8 years, compared to the national average being of 38.6 years.

====Religion====
From the 2011 Census, two significant religions could be identified in the city: [[Christians|Christian]] and [[Muslims|Muslim]]. 56.6% of Newcastle identified as Christian and 6.3% as Muslim.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ethnicity in the North East (report) |work=Government Office North East |url=http://www.gos.gov.uk/nestore/docs/peoplecomms/ethnicity.pdf |access-date=11 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071128100245/http://www.gos.gov.uk/nestore/docs/peoplecomms/ethnicity.pdf |archive-date=28 November 2007 }}</ref> Over 28% stated they have [[Irreligion|no religious affiliation]].

====Ethnicity and nationality====
According to the 2011 census,<ref>{{NOMIS2011|id=1119884888|title=Newcastle upon Tyne Built-up area|access-date=8 February 2018}}</ref> the metropolitan borough of Newcastle upon Tyne was predominately [[White people|white]], representing 85.3% of the population (including non-British white). [[Asian people|Asians]] made up 9.8% of the population (2.3% [[Pakistani]], 1.7% '[[Bangladeshis|Bangladeshi]]', 1.8% '[[Indian people|Indian]]', 2.2% '[[Chinese people|Chinese]]', 1.8% 'Asian other'). [[Black people]] make up a small proportion of the population (1.7% 'Black African', 0.1% 'Black Caribbean' and 0.1% 'Black other'), as do mixed race groups at 1.6% (0.6% 'Asian and White', 0.3% 'White and Caribbean', 0.3% 'White and African', 0.4% 'White and Other'). The last significantly sized ethnic community in Newcastle is '[[Arab]]' at 0.9%. The remainder of the population, 0.5%, represent other ethnicities.

Large populations of ethnic minorities can be found in areas such as [[Elswick, Tyne and Wear|Elswick]], [[Wingrove, Newcastle upon Tyne|Wingrove]] and [[Arthurs Hill]].<ref name="ukcensusdata">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ukcensusdata.com/newcastle-upon-tyne-e08000021|title=Newcastle upon Tyne - UK Census Data 2011|website=UK Census Data|access-date=5 May 2021|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624130608/https://www.ukcensusdata.com/newcastle-upon-tyne-e08000021|url-status=dead}}</ref>

According to the 2011 UK Census, those born outside the UK were mainly from India (3,315), China (3,272), Pakistan (2,644), [[Bangladesh]] (2,276), Poland (1,473), Germany (1,357), Nigeria (1,226), Iran (1,164), Hong Kong (1,038) and Ireland (942).<ref name="ukcensusdata" />
In the North East, Newcastle was the most ethnically diverse district followed by Middlesbrough.

There are also small but significant Chinese, Jewish and [[Eastern Europe]]an populations. The [[International Organization for Migration]] states there are estimated to be between 500 and 2,000 [[Bolivians in the United Kingdom|Bolivians]] in Newcastle, one of the largest populations in any city in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iomlondon.org/doc/mapping/Bolivia%20%20Mapping%20Report.pdf |date=July 2007 |title=Mapping Exercise: Bolivia |publisher=International Organization for Migration |location=London |access-date=29 November 2008 |ref=CITEREFInternational Organization for Migration2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080709053359/http://www.iomlondon.org/doc/mapping/Bolivia%20%20Mapping%20Report.pdf |archive-date=9 July 2008}}</ref><ref name="BoliviansLondNewcEding">{{cite web | url = http://unitedkingdom.iom.int/sites/default/files/doc/mapping/IOM_BOLIVIA.pdf | title = Bolivians in the UK: 1.2 Geographical Location and Spread of the Bolivian Community | date = July 2007 | website = unitedkingdom.iom.int | publisher = International Organisation for Migration | access-date = 21 July 2017 | quote = Bolivians who have recently arrived in the UK are concentrated in London, with a small number going to Newcastle. Long-term residents are more widely dispersed across the country. Some live in London and neighbouring areas... number live in Newcastle and Edinburgh (see figure 1). | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170315194317/http://unitedkingdom.iom.int/sites/default/files/doc/mapping/IOM_BOLIVIA.pdf | archive-date = 15 March 2017 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! rowspan="3" |Ethnic Group
! colspan="10" |Year
|-
! colspan="2" |1981 estimations<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/ethnicityin1991c0000unse |title=Ethnicity in the 1991 census: Vol 3 - Social geography and ethnicity in Britain, geographical spread, spatial concentration and internal migration |date=1996 |publisher=London : HMSO |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-0-11-691655-6}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |1991 census<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":412">Data is taken from United Kingdom [http://casweb.ukdataservice.ac.uk/index.htm Casweb Data services] of the United Kingdom [http://casweb.ukdataservice.ac.uk/step1.cfm 1991 Census on Ethnic Data for England, Scotland and Wales] (Table 6)</ref>
! colspan="2" |2001 census<ref>{{cite web |title=Office of National Statistics; 2001 Census Key Statistics |url=http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/census-2001-key-statistics/local-authorities-in-england-and-wales/local-authorities-ks06--ethnic-group.xls |access-date=2021-09-07 |website=webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk |archive-date=5 January 2016 |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20160105160709/http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/census-2001-key-statistics/local-authorities-in-england-and-wales/local-authorities-ks06--ethnic-group.xls |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2011 census<ref name=":36">{{Cite web |title=2011 Census: Ethnic Group, local authorities in England and Wales |url=http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/2011-census/key-statistics-for-local-authorities-in-england-and-wales/rft-table-ks201ew.xls |access-date=2021-12-15 |website=webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk |archive-date=5 January 2016 |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20160105160709/http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/2011-census/key-statistics-for-local-authorities-in-england-and-wales/rft-table-ks201ew.xls |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2021 census<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ethnic group - Office for National Statistics |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/datasets/TS021/editions/2021/versions/1/filter-outputs/d2f0a39a-75b6-4995-b4bd-a5b68ff79027#get-data |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=www.ons.gov.uk}}</ref>
|-
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
![[White people in the United Kingdom|White]]: Total
!274,972
!97.2%
!266,824
!95.9%
!241,684
!93.1%
!239,533
!85.5%
!240,002
!80%
|-
|White: [[White British|British]]
|–
|–
|–
|–
|235,259
|90.6%
|229,520
|81.9%
|223,567
|74.5%
|-
|White: [[White Irish|Irish]]
|–
|–
|–
|–
|1,733
|
|1,826
|
|1,895
|0.6%
|-
|White: [[White Gypsy or Irish Traveller|Gypsy or Irish Traveller]]
|–
|–
|–
|–
|–
|–
|163
|
|332
|0.1%
|-
|White: Roma
|–
|–
|
|
|
|
|
|
|1,031
|0.3%
|-
|White: [[Other White|Other]]
|–
|–
|–
|–
|4,692
|
|8,024
|
|13,177
|4.4%
|-
![[British Asian|Asian or Asian British]]: Total
!6,314
!2.2%
!9,281
!3.3%
!13,243
!5.1%
!27,107
!9.7%
!34,128
!11.3%
|-
|Asian or Asian British: [[British Indians|Indian]]
|1,851
|
|2,388
|
|3,098
|
|5,072
|
|7,304
|2.4%
|-
|Asian or Asian British: [[British Pakistanis|Pakistani]]
|2,367
|
|3,196
|
|4,842
|
|6,364
|
|8,753
|2.9%
|-
|Asian or Asian British: [[British Bangladeshis|Bangladeshi]]
|612
|
|1,426
|
|2,607
|
|4,692
|
|7,248
|2.4%
|-
|Asian or Asian British: [[British Chinese|Chinese]]
|821
|
|1,220
|
|1,871
|
|6,037
|
|5,382
|1.8%
|-
|Asian or Asian British: Other Asian
|663
|
|1,051
|
|825
|
|4,942
|
|5,441
|1.8%
|-
![[Black British people|Black or Black British]]: Total
!807
!
!1,020
!
!959
!0.4%
!5,160
!1.8%
!9,921
!3.3%
|-
|Black or Black British: [[British African-Caribbean people|Caribbean]]
|173
|
|211
|
|133
|
|217
|
|340
|0.1%
|-
|Black or Black British: [[British African-Caribbean people|African]]
|418
|
|528
|
|738
|
|4,664
|
|8,555
|2.9%
|-
|Black or Black British: [[Classification of ethnicity in the United Kingdom|Other Black]]
|216
|
|281
|
|88
|
|279
|
|1,026
|0.3%
|-
![[Mixed (United Kingdom ethnicity category)|Mixed or British Mixed]]: Total
!–
!–
!–
!–
!2,290
!0.9%
!4,279
!1.5%
!6,920
!2.4%
|-
|Mixed: White and Black Caribbean
|–
|–
|–
|–
|398
|
|830
|
|915
|0.3%
|-
|Mixed: White and Black African
|–
|–
|–
|–
|403
|
|859
|
|1,378
|0.5%
|-
|Mixed: White and Asian
|–
|–
|–
|–
|912
|
|1,609
|
|2,600
|0.9%
|-
|Mixed: Other Mixed
|–
|–
|–
|–
|577
|
|981
|
|2,027
|0.7%
|-
!Other: Total
!778
!
!1074
!
!1,360
!0.5%
!4,098
!1.5%
!9,156
!3.1%
|-
|Other: Arab
|–
|–
|–
|–
|–
|–
|2,602
|
|4,175
|1.4%
|-
|Other: Any other ethnic group
|–
|–
|
|
|1,360
|0.5%
|1,496
|
|4,981
|1.7%
|-
!Ethnic minority: Total
!7,899
!2.8%
!11,375
!4.1%
!
!
!
!
!
!
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
!Total
!282,871
!100%
!278,199
!100%
!259,536
!100%
!280,177
!100%
!300,127
!100%
|}

===Geordies===
{{Main|Geordie}}

The [[regional nickname]] for people from Newcastle and the surrounding area is [[Geordie]]. The [[Latin]] term ''Novocastrian'' can equally be applied to residents of [[Newcastle (disambiguation)|any place called Newcastle]], although it is most commonly used for ex-pupils of the city's [[Royal Grammar School, Newcastle|Royal Grammar School]].<ref>[http://ona.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk/ RGS Alumni – the ''Old Novocastrians' Association''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070113015507/http://ona.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk/ |date=13 January 2007 }}. Retrieved 14 January 2007.</ref>

====Dialect====

The dialect of Newcastle is also referred to as [[Geordie]]. It contains a large amount of vocabulary and distinctive words and pronunciations not used in other parts of the United Kingdom. The Geordie dialect has much of its origins in the language spoken by the [[Anglo-Saxons|Anglo-Saxon]] populations who migrated to and conquered much of England after the end of Roman Imperial rule. This language was the forerunner of [[Modern English]]; but while the dialects of other English regions have been heavily altered by the influences of other foreign languages—particularly [[Latin]] and [[Norman language|Norman French]]—the Geordie dialect retains many elements of the old language. An example of this is the pronunciation of certain words: "dead", "cow", "house" and "strong" are pronounced "deed", "coo", "hoos" and "strang"—which is how they were pronounced in the Anglo-Saxon language. Other Geordie words with Anglo-Saxon origins include: "larn" (from the Anglo-Saxon "laeran", meaning "teach"), "burn" ("stream") and "gan" ("go").<ref name="GeordieOrigins">{{cite web | title=North East dialect origins and the meaning of 'Geordie' | work=northeastengland.talktalk.net | url=http://www.northeastengland.talktalk.net/GeordieOrigins.htm | access-date=5 February 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224114420/http://www.northeastengland.talktalk.net/GeordieOrigins.htm | archive-date=24 February 2008 }}</ref>

According to the [[British Library]], "Locals insist there are significant differences between Geordie and several other local dialects, such as [[Pitmatic]] and [[Mackem]]. Pitmatic is the dialect of the former mining areas in County Durham and around Ashington to the north of Newcastle upon Tyne, while Mackem is used locally to refer to the dialect of the city of Sunderland and the surrounding urban area of Wearside".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bl.uk/british-accents-and-dialects/articles/geordie-a-regional-dialect-of-english|title=Geordie: A regional dialect of English|website=The British Library|access-date=5 May 2021|archive-date=5 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505185130/https://www.bl.uk/british-accents-and-dialects/articles/geordie-a-regional-dialect-of-english|url-status=dead}}</ref>

"Bairn" and "hyem", meaning "child" and "home", respectively, are examples of Geordie words with origins in Scandinavia;<ref name="bairnHyemScandinavianOrig">{{cite web | url = http://libguides.ncl.ac.uk/c.php?g=130223&p=850959 | title = Geordie dictionary | last = University Staff | date = 23 October 2017 | website = libguides.ncl.ac.uk | publisher = Newcastle University Library | access-date = 31 March 2018 | quote = Hyem: Home (of Scandinavian origin)}}</ref> ''barn'' and ''hjem'' are the corresponding modern Norwegian and Danish words. Some words used in the Geordie dialect are used elsewhere in the Northern United Kingdom. The words "bonny" (meaning "pretty") and "[[Stotting|stot]]" ("bounce") are used in Scots;   "aye" ("yes") and "nowt" (IPA:/naʊt/, rhymes with ''out'', "nothing") are used elsewhere in [[Northern England]]. Many words, however, appear to be used exclusively in Newcastle and the surrounding area, such as "canny" (a versatile word meaning "good", "nice" or "very"), "hacky" ("dirty"), "netty" ("toilet"), "hockle" ("spit").<ref>{{cite web |title=Newcastle English ("Geordie") – Vocabulary |work=une.edu.au |url=http://www.une.edu.au/langnet/definitions/geordie.html#vocab-hce |access-date=5 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071025061829/http://www.une.edu.au/langnet/definitions/geordie.html#vocab-hce |archive-date=25 October 2007 }}</ref>

===Health===
[[File:Peacock Hall, Royal Victoria Infirmary - geograph.org.uk - 1762074.jpg|thumb|[[Royal Victoria Infirmary]]]]
According to research from 2011, public health and levels of deprivation in Newcastle upon Tyne was generally worse than average in England.<ref>{{cite web |title=Newcastle upon Tyne Health Profile 2011 |work=North East Public Health Observatory |url=http://www.apho.org.uk/resource/view.aspx?RID=105182 |access-date=9 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003060621/http://www.apho.org.uk/resource/view.aspx?RID=105182 |archive-date=3 October 2011 }}</ref> As levels of deprivation is considerably higher than the nationwide average, sociologists argue that as a result, the [[life expectancy]] for both men and women is lower than the nationwide average. There is significant discrepancy between life expectancies in wealthy areas and deprived areas, with life expectancy up to 14.3 years lower for men and 11.1 years lower for women in deprived areas than in wealthy areas.<ref>Slope Index of Inequality published on 5 January 2011</ref> From 2015 to 2019 Newcastle became relatively more deprived according to the Index of Multiple Deprivation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/our-city/statistics-and-intelligence |title=Statistics and intelligence |publisher=Newcastle City Council |access-date=28 September 2021 |archive-date=8 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008122727/https://newcastle.gov.uk/our-city/statistics-and-intelligence |url-status=dead }}</ref>

From 2001 to 2011, as with all UK cities all-cause mortality rates have fallen, life expectancy has increased. Early death rates from cancer and from heart disease and stroke have fallen but remain worse than the England average.

Almost 21.9% of Year 6 children are clinically obese. In 2014/5, 35.9% of 10 to 11-year-olds were classified as overweight or obese, in comparison to a national average of 33.2%.<ref>{{cite web|author=Tom Sheldrick |url=http://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2016-03-21/the-scale-of-the-north-easts-childhood-obesity-problem/ |title=The scale of the North East's childhood obesity problem &#124; Tyne Tees – ITV News |publisher=Itv.com |date=21 March 2016 |access-date=26 February 2017}}</ref> 54.9% of pupils meet the recommendation of at least three hours each week on school sport. Levels of [[teenage pregnancy]] are higher than the nationwide average. In 2011, [[GCSE]] attainment amongst school children was worse than the England average.<ref name="GCSE_2011">{{cite web | url = https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/your-council-and-democracy/statistics-and-census-information/equality-statistics-research-and-information | title = Children and Young People | date = 2011 | website = newcastle.gov.uk | publisher = gov.uk | access-date = 26 April 2017 | archive-date = 4 April 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160404193355/http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/your-council-and-democracy/statistics-and-census-information/equality-statistics-research-and-information }}</ref> Estimated numbers of adults 'healthy eating' are lower than the England average.<ref>{{cite web |title=Newcastle upon Tyne Health Profile 2012 |work=North East Public Health Observatory |url=http://www.apho.org.uk/resource/view.aspx?RID=142094 |access-date=29 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529113245/http://www.apho.org.uk/resource/view.aspx?RID=142094 |archive-date=29 May 2015 }}</ref> Rates of smoking-related deaths<ref name="Smok2012">{{cite web | url = http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/11-north-east-people-die-4414231 | title = 11 North East people die every day due to smoking | last = Helen Rae | date = 25 June 2012 | website = thejournal.co.uk | access-date = 26 April 2017 | archive-date = 5 April 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170405170415/http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/11-north-east-people-die-4414231 }}</ref> and hospital stays for alcohol-related harm are higher than average.<ref name="chroniclelive2">{{cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/health/how-bad-you-live-alcohol-12292575|author=Katie Dickinson|title=How bad is where you live for alcohol and drugs abuse? Tap in your postcode to find out|website=Chronicle Live|date=8 December 2016|access-date=18 January 2021}}</ref>

Newcastle remains one of the few major cities in England to supply [[Water fluoridation|fluoridated water]]; this scheme is directed by [[Northumbrian Water Group|Northumbria Water plc.]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/11430233/The-extent-of-water-fluoridation-in-the-UK.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/11430233/The-extent-of-water-fluoridation-in-the-UK.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=The extent of water fluoridation in the UK|last=Reporter|first=Telegraph|journal=Daily Telegraph|date=24 February 2015|access-date=11 February 2018|issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Newcastle has two large teaching hospitals: the [[Royal Victoria Infirmary]] and the [[Freeman Hospital]], which is also a pioneering centre for [[Organ transplant|transplant surgery]].

In a report, published in early February 2007 by the Ear Institute at the [[University College London]] and [[Widex]], Newcastle was named as the noisiest city in the whole of the UK with an average noise level of 80.4 [[decibel]]s. The report claimed that these noise levels would have a negative long-term impact on the health of the city's residents.<ref>{{cite news|title=Noisy Newcastle tops league table |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/6320799.stm |access-date=3 February 2007 | date=2 February 2007}}</ref> The report was criticised, however, for attaching too much weight to readings at arbitrarily selected locations, which in Newcastle's case included a motorway underpass without pedestrian access.<ref>{{cite web |title=Noise study gets an ear-bashing |work=Evening Chronicle |url=http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/tm_headline=noise-study-gets-an-ear-bashing&method=full&objectid=18564076&siteid=50081-name_page.html |access-date=21 February 2007 |archive-date=18 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118023615/http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/tm_headline%3Dnoise-study-gets-an-ear-bashing%26method%3Dfull%26objectid%3D18564076%26siteid%3D50081-name_page.html }}</ref> As well as numerous parks, open spaces, and extensive riverside areas, puzzlingly the report also overlooked the 1000-acre [[Town Moor, Newcastle upon Tyne|Town Moor]] at the heart of the city. Larger than London's Hyde Park and Hampstead Heath combined,<ref name="chroniclelive3">{{cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/town-moor-newcastle|title=Town Moor Newcastle - News, views, gossip, pictures, video|website=Chronicle Live|access-date=18 January 2021}}</ref> and even larger than New York's [[Central Park]], the town moor dates back to the 12th century, with the land tenure and its use being regulated by an Act of Parliament.

==Sport==
[[File:SJP-NUFCvMUFC(27 Dec 21).jpg|thumb|St James' Park during a match between Newcastle United and Manchester United]]
The city has a strong sporting tradition.

=== Football ===
The [[Premier League]] [[Association football|football]] club, [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]], has been based at [[St James' Park]] since the club was established in 1892, although any traces of the original structure are now long gone as the stadium now holds more than 52,000 seated spectators, being England's seventh-largest football stadium.<ref name="bbc360">{{cite web|title=St James' Park |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/tyne/content/panoramas/360_stjames.shtml |access-date=17 September 2007}}</ref> The city also has [[non-League football]] clubs, [[Newcastle Benfield FC|Newcastle Benfield]], [[West Allotment Celtic F.C.|West Allotment Celtic]], [[Team Northumbria F.C.|Team Northumbria]] and [[Heaton Stannington F.C.|Heaton Stannington]].

There is a women's football team, Newcastle United Women's Football Club, founded in 1989.<ref name="nuwfc">{{cite web
| title = Newcastle United's Women's Football Club: History
| publisher = nuwfc
| url =http://nuwfc.com/archives/452
| access-date =22 October 2012}}</ref>

The [[London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games|2012 London Olympic committee]] selected Newcastle as one of the UK host venue cities,<ref name="olymp11">{{cite web
 |title       = Olympics 2012 – Newcastle
 |publisher   = newcastlecitywatch.co.uk
 |url         = http://www.newcastlecitywatch.co.uk/olympics-2012
 |access-date  = 5 August 2012
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20120729000805/http://www.newcastlecitywatch.co.uk/olympics-2012
 |archive-date = 29 July 2012
|url-status  = usurped
 |df          = dmy-all
}}</ref><ref name="olymp2">{{cite web
 |title       = Olympics – Host Council for London 2012
 |publisher   = Newcastle.gov.uk
 |url         = http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/leisure-libraries-and-tourism/tourism-and-travel/olympics-raising-flag-2012
 |access-date  = 5 August 2012
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20111201033244/http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/leisure-libraries-and-tourism/tourism-and-travel/olympics-raising-flag-2012
 |archive-date = 1 December 2011
|df          = dmy-all
}}</ref> with the stadium St James' Park hosting 9 matches in both the [[Football at the 2012 Summer Olympics|men's and women's football]].<ref name="olymp3">
{{cite web
| title = St James' Park celebrates one year to go
| publisher = london2012.com
| url = http://www.london2012.com/photos/galleryid=1252914/#james-park-celebrates-one-year
| access-date = 5 August 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120803180312/http://www.london2012.com/photos/galleryid=1252914/#james-park-celebrates-one-year
| archive-date = 3 August 2012
| df = dmy-all
}}
</ref>

=== Athletics ===
Newcastle hosts the start of the annual [[Great North Run]], the world's largest [[half marathon|half-marathon]]<ref name="largeHalfMarathon">{{cite web| url = https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-half-marathon| title = Who The Great North Run| last = Staff| date = 7 September 2014| website = guinnessworldrecords.com| access-date = 24 March 2022}}</ref> in which participants race over the [[Tyne Bridge]] into [[Gateshead]] and then towards the finish line {{convert|13.1|mi|km}} away on the coast at [[South Shields]].<ref>
{{cite news
 | title = Great North Run
 |work=BBC News
 | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/cumbria/content/articles/2004/07/26/great_north_run_feature.shtml
 | access-date = 17 September 2007
}}
</ref> Another athletic event is the {{convert|5.9|mi|km|adj=on}} [[Blaydon Race]] (a road race from Newcastle to [[Blaydon]]), which has taken place on 9 June annually since 1981, to commemorate the celebrated [[Blaydon Races]] horse racing.<ref>
{{cite news
 | title = Runners set for traditional race
 |work=BBC News
 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/6736805.stm
 | date = 9 June 2007
| access-date = 17 September 2007
}}</ref>

=== Rugby union ===
The [[Newcastle Red Bulls]] are the only [[rugby union]] team in [[North East England]] to have played in the [[Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]. They play at [[Kingston Park Stadium]] in the northern suburb of Kingston Park. 1996 Pilkington Shield winners [[Medicals RFC]] are also based in Newcastle.

Newcastle upon Tyne was one of the 11 host cities for the [[2015 Rugby World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/cities|title=Rugby World Cup|publisher=rugbyworldcup.com|access-date=6 January 2015|archive-date=5 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905054818/http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/cities}}</ref> St James' Park hosted three matches;
* South Africa v. Scotland (3 October 2015)
* New Zealand v. Tonga (9 October 2015)
* Samoa v. Scotland (10 October 2015)

=== Rugby league ===
[[Newcastle Thunder]] (formerly [[Newcastle Thunder|Gateshead Thunder]]) are a professional [[rugby league]] club based in the city who now also play at [[Kingston Park Stadium]]. They currently play in the [[League 1 (rugby league)|Kingstone Press League 1]]. Since 2015, the [[Super League]] [[Magic Weekend]] has been played annually in the city at St James' Park.

===Cricket===
There are a number of [[cricket]] clubs in the area including Newcastle Cricket Club, Newcastle City, South Northumberland, Blagdon Park, Benwell Hill, Benwell & Walbottle, Cowgate, Kirkley, Seaton Burn and United Stars.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://newcastlecc.org.uk/|title=Newcastle CC|access-date=18 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://newcastlecity.play-cricket.com/|title=Newcastle City CC|access-date=18 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.southnorth.co.uk/|title=South Northumberland CC|access-date=18 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.benwellhill.co.uk/|title=Benwell Hill CC|access-date=18 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://seatonburn.play-cricket.com/home|title=Seaton Burn CC|access-date=18 October 2024}}</ref>

===Hockey===
There are a number of [[field hockey|hockey]] clubs in the city that compete in the [[Women's England Hockey League]], the [[Yorkshire Hockey Association|Yorkshire and North East Hockey League]] and the [[British Universities and Colleges Sport|BUCS league]]. These include Newcastle Hockey Club, Newcastle Medics Hockey Club, [[Newcastle University]] Hockey Club and [[Northumbria University]] Hockey Club.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newcastlehockeyclub.com/|title=Newcastle Hockey Club |access-date=18 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.englandhockey.co.uk/clubs/newcastle-hc|title=England Hockey - Newcastle Hockey Club |access-date=18 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://newcastlemedics.com/|title=Newcastle Medics Hockey Club |access-date=18 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.englandhockey.co.uk/clubs/newcastle-medics-hc|title=England Hockey - Newcastle Medics Hockey Club |access-date=18 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nuhc.co.uk/|title=Newcastle University Hockey Club |access-date=18 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.englandhockey.co.uk/clubs/newcastle-university-hc|title=England Hockey - Newcastle University Hockey Club |access-date=18 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://northumbriasport.com/sport/hockey|title=Northumbria University Hockey Club |access-date=18 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.englandhockey.co.uk/clubs/northumbria-university-hc|title=England Hockey - Northumbria University Hockey Club |access-date=18 October 2024}}</ref>

=== Horse racing ===
Newcastle has a [[Newcastle Racecourse|horse racing course]] at [[Gosforth Park]].<ref name="Horse racing">{{cite web
| title = History of Gosforth Park
| publisher = newcastle-racecourse.co.uk
| url =http://www.newcastle-racecourse.co.uk/about-us/history.php
| access-date =22 October 2012}}</ref>

=== Basketball ===
The city is home to the [[Newcastle Eagles]] professional basketball team who play their home games at the Vertu Motors Arena, having previously hosted their home games at Sport Central, a sports venue belonging to Northumbria University. The Eagles are the most successful team in the history of the [[British Basketball League|British Basketball League (BBL)]].<ref name="Eagles2014">{{cite web| title = Newcastle Eagles| publisher = chroniclelive.co.uk| url = http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/newcastle-eagles | access-date = 27 November 2014}}</ref>

=== Motorsports ===
The city's [[Motorcycle speedway|speedway]] team [[Newcastle Diamonds]] were based at Brough Park in [[Byker]], a venue that is also home to [[greyhound racing]].

=== Ice hockey ===
The [[Newcastle Warriors]] were a professional [[ice hockey]] team that played the 1995–96 season in the [[British Hockey League]]. The [[Newcastle Vipers]] were also a professional ice hockey team in the [[British National League (1996–2005)|British National League]] from 2002 and then the [[Elite Ice Hockey League]] between 2005 and 2011 (when the team folded).

==Transport==
{{main|Transport in Tyne and Wear}}

===Air===
{{Main|Newcastle International Airport}}

[[File:Aircraft at Newcastle Airport.jpg|thumb|Aircraft at Newcastle International Airport]]

[[Newcastle International Airport]] is situated on the northern outskirts of the city at [[Woolsington]], near to [[Ponteland]]. It is the largest and busiest airport in [[North East England]] and the second largest and busiest in [[Northern England]] (behind [[Manchester Airport|Manchester]]), handling over five million passengers per year. {{As of|2007}}, Newcastle Airport operated flights to 90 destinations worldwide.<ref>{{cite web
 |title       = Destinations & Offers
 |publisher   = newcastleairport.com
 |url         = http://www.newcastleairport.com/Destinations/Destinations.htm?Version=access
 |access-date  = 8 December 2007
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20071107042853/http://www.newcastleairport.com/Destinations/Destinations.htm?Version=access
 |archive-date = 7 November 2007
|df          = dmy
}}</ref>
The airport is serviced by numerous airlines including [[British Airways]], [[Jet2.com|Jet2]], [[easyJet]], [[Emirates (airline)|Emirates]], [[Ryanair]], [[Air France]], [[TUI Airways]], [[Loganair]], [[KLM]] and [[Eurowings]].

The airport is connected to Central Newcastle by the [[Tyne and Wear Metro]], with an average journey between [[Central Station Metro station]] and [[Newcastle Airport Metro station]] taking approximately 20 minutes.

===Rail===
[[File:Portico, Newcastle Central Station, 29 November 2010.jpg|thumb|Central Station]]
[[Newcastle railway station|Newcastle Central Station]] is a principal stop on the [[East Coast Main Line]] and [[Cross Country Route]].

Train operator [[London North Eastern Railway]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Passengers see East Coast switch |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7134314.stm |date=8 December 2007 |access-date=8 December 2007}}</ref> provides a half-hourly frequency of trains to [[London King's Cross railway station|London King's Cross]], with a variable journey time of between two and three hours, and north to Scotland with all trains calling at [[Edinburgh Waverley railway station|Edinburgh Waverley]] and a small number of trains extended to [[Glasgow Central railway station|Glasgow Central]], [[Aberdeen railway station|Aberdeen]] and [[Inverness railway station|Inverness]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalexpresseastcoast.com/Documents/Timetables/Full%20Timetables/Full_timetable_2008.pdf |title=East Coast Train Timetable 18 May – 13 December 2008 |publisher=National Express East Coast |access-date=4 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217142957/http://www.nationalexpresseastcoast.com/Documents/Timetables/Full%20Timetables/Full_timetable_2008.pdf |archive-date=17 December 2008 }}</ref> [[CrossCountry]] links Newcastle with destinations in [[Yorkshire]], the [[Midlands]] and the [[South West England|South West]]. [[TransPennine Express]] operates services to the [[North West England|North West]]. [[Northern Trains]] provide local and regional services.

In 2014, work was completed on refurbishing the station's historic entrance.<ref name="Portico2014">{{cite news| last = Lognonne| first = Ruth| title = Newcastle Central Station's new look is unveiled| newspaper = The Journal| publisher = thejournal.co.uk| date = 7 April 2014| url = http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/newcastle-central-stations-new-look-6927208| access-date = 24 June 2014| archive-date = 12 July 2014| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140712044732/http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/newcastle-central-stations-new-look-6927208}}</ref> 
Glazing was placed over the historic arches and the Victorian architecture was enhanced; transforming the 19th century public portico.<ref name="Portico2014" /> The station is one of only six Grade One listed railway stations in the UK.<ref name="Portico2014" /> Opened in 1850 by [[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Queen Victoria]], it was the first covered railway station in the world and was much copied across the UK. It has a [[neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] façade, originally designed by the architect John Dobson, and was constructed in collaboration with [[Robert Stephenson]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Trainshed, Central Station, Newcastle|publisher=The Victorian Web |url=http://www.victorianweb.org/art/architecture/misc/21.html|date=20 July 2006|access-date=8 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212011548/http://www.victorianweb.org/art/architecture/misc/21.html|archive-date=12 December 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=The Life of Robert Stephenson – a Timeline| publisher=The Robert Stephenson Trust | url=http://www.robertstephensontrust.com/time.htm| access-date=8 December 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071204082741/http://www.robertstephensontrust.com/time.htm| archive-date=4 December 2007}}</ref> The station sightlines towards the Castle Keep, whilst showcasing the curvature of the station's arched roof.<ref name="Portico2014" /> The first services were operated by the [[North Eastern Railway (UK)|North Eastern Railway]] company.

The other mainline station in Newcastle is [[Manors railway station|Manors]], exclusively served by [[Northern Trains]].

===Metro===
{{Main|Tyne and Wear Metro}}

[[File:Tyne & Wear Metro diagram.png|thumb|Map of the Tyne and Wear Metro]]
The city is served by the [[Tyne and Wear Metro]], a system of suburban and underground railways covering much of Newcastle and the surrounding [[metropolitan boroughs]]. It was opened in five phases between 1980 and 1984, and was Britain's first urban light rail transit system.<ref>{{cite web |title=History of public transport |publisher=nexus.org.uk |url=http://www.nexus.org.uk/wps/wcm/connect/Nexus/Nexus/Press+office/Transport+history/ |access-date=14 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926225849/http://www.nexus.org.uk/wps/wcm/connect/Nexus/Nexus/Press%2Boffice/Transport%2Bhistory/ |archive-date=26 September 2007 }}</ref> The network was developed from a combination of existing and newly built tracks and stations, with deep-level tunnels constructed through Central Newcastle.<ref>{{cite web | title=Newcastle-upon-Tyne | publisher=urbanrail.net | url=http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/new/newcstle.htm | access-date=14 January 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118230522/http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/new/newcstle.htm | archive-date=18 January 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Tyne and Wear Metro | publisher=thetrams.co.uk | url=http://www.thetrams.co.uk/tyneandwear/ | access-date=14 January 2008}}</ref> A [[Queen Elizabeth II Metro Bridge|bridge]] was built across the Tyne, between Newcastle and Gateshead, and opened by [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]] in 1981.<ref>{{cite web | title=SINE Project, Structure Details for Queen Elizabeth II Bridge | publisher=Newcastle University | url=http://sine.ncl.ac.uk/view_structure_information.asp?struct_id=964 | access-date=14 January 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515144420/http://sine.ncl.ac.uk/view_structure_information.asp?struct_id=964 | archive-date=15 May 2011 }}</ref> Extensions to the network were opened in 1991 and 2002.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tyne and Wear Metro |publisher=nexus.org.uk |url=http://www.nexus.org.uk/wps/wcm/connect/Nexus/Nexus/Press+office/Media+briefing+notes/Nexus+-+Tyne+and+Wear+Metro |access-date=14 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929091637/http://www.nexus.org.uk/wps/wcm/connect/Nexus/Nexus/Press%2Boffice/Media%2Bbriefing%2Bnotes/Nexus%2B-%2BTyne%2Band%2BWear%2BMetro |archive-date=29 September 2007 }}</ref> It is operated directly by [[Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive|Nexus]], carrying over 37&nbsp;million passengers a year.<ref>{{cite web | title=Getting Around | publisher=newcastlegateshead.com | url=http://www.newcastlegateshead.com/147/Getting_Around.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061123234635/http://www.newcastlegateshead.com/147/Getting_Around.html | archive-date=23 November 2006 | access-date=14 January 2008 }}</ref> In 2004, the company [[Marconi Company|Marconi]] designed and constructed the mobile radio system to the underground Metro system.<ref name="Metromobileradio1">{{cite web
 |title       = Mobile Coverage to Newcastle Metro System
 |quote       = Marconi undertook the negotiation, feasibility, design and construct of the mobile radio system to the underground parts of the Newcastle Metro.
 |publisher   = paul-walton.co.uk
 |url         = http://paul-walton.co.uk/projects.aspx
 |access-date  = 28 February 2011
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110824032316/http://paul-walton.co.uk/projects.aspx
 |archive-date = 24 August 2011
|df          = dmy-all
}}</ref> The Metro system was the first in the UK to have mobile phone antennae installed in the tunnels.<ref name="Metromobileradio2">{{Cite news
 | title = Mobile sounds of the underground
 | quote = it would be the first time complete coverage had been provided to a UK underground system.
 |publisher=BBC
 | date = 17 February 2004
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/3495413.stm
 | access-date = 28 February 2011}}</ref>

The Metro consists of two lines. The Green line begins at [[Newcastle Airport Metro station|Newcastle Airport]], goes through Central Newcastle and into the [[City of Sunderland]], terminating at [[South Hylton Metro station|South Hylton]]. The yellow line starts at [[St James Metro station|St James]], runs north of the river alongside [[Byker]] towards [[Whitley Bay]], before returning to Central Newcastle, then connecting to [[Gateshead Interchange]] before finally terminating at [[South Shields Metro station|South Shields]].

The system is currently undergoing a period of refurbishment and modernisation, entitled '[[Tyne and Wear Metro#Current developments|Metro: All Change]].' The programme has replaced all ticket machines and introduced ticket gates at the busiest stations – part of the transition to smart ticketing. All Metro trains are being completely replaced<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nexus.org.uk/newmetrotrains|title=New Metro Trains|access-date=3 April 2025}}</ref> and most stations are undergoing improvement works (or in some cases complete reconstruction, for example [[North Shields Metro station|North Shields]]). In addition; tracks, signalling and overhead wires are also being overhauled.<ref name="Metro2014-2">{{cite web| title = Metro: all change| publisher = nexus.org.uk |year = 2014 | url = http://www.nexus.org.uk/our-major-projects/metro-all-change | access-date = 27 November 2014}}</ref> Longer-term plans include further extensions to the system. Proposed routes include to Newcastle's west end, to the [[Cobalt Business Park]] in North Tyneside, to the Metrocentre in Gateshead and to additional locations in Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland. Several of the proposed routes would require trams as opposed to the current light rail trains.<ref name="Metro2014-1">{{cite web | last = Lognonne | first = Ruth | title = Government agrees to talks on Tyne and Wear Metro expansion | publisher = thejournal.co.uk | date = 9 May 2014 | url = http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/government-agrees-talks-tyne-wear-7097956 | access-date = 27 November 2014 | archive-date = 29 November 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141129001056/http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/government-agrees-talks-tyne-wear-7097956 }}</ref>

===Road===
[[File:Tyne Bridge (6710172163).jpg|thumb|[[Tyne Bridge]]]]
Major roads in the area include the [[A1 road (Great Britain)|A1]] (Newcastle Gateshead Western Bypass), stretching north to [[Edinburgh]] and south to London; the [[A19 road|A19]] heading south past [[Sunderland, Tyne and Wear|Sunderland]] and [[Middlesbrough]] to [[York]] and [[Doncaster]]; the [[A69 road|A69]] heading west to [[Carlisle, Cumbria|Carlisle]]; the [[A696 road|A696]], which becomes the [[A68 road|A68]] heads past [[Newcastle International Airport|Newcastle Airport]] and up through central [[Northumberland]] and central [[Scottish Borders]], the [[A167 road|A167]], the old "Great North Road", heading south to [[Gateshead]], [[Chester-le-Street]], [[Durham, England|Durham]] and [[Darlington]]; and the [[A1058 road|A1058]] "Coast Road", which runs from [[Jesmond]] to the east coast between [[Tynemouth]] and [[Cullercoats]]. Many of these designations are recent—upon completion of the Western Bypass, and its designation as the new line of the A1, the roads between this and the A1's former alignment through the [[Tyne Tunnel]] were [[Great Britain road numbering scheme|renumbered]], with many city centre roads changing from a 6-prefix<ref>{{cite web| title=Newcastle Map Scans | publisher=rural-roads.co.uk | url=http://www.rural-roads.co.uk/oldmaps/newcastle/newcastle.shtml | access-date=9 December 2007}}</ref> to their present 1-prefix numbers. In November 2011 the capacity of the Tyne Tunnel was increased when a project to build a second road tunnel and refurbish the first tunnel was completed.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.newtynecrossing.info/
|title=New Tyne Crossing Web-site
|access-date=16 January 2012
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107044334/http://www.newtynecrossing.info/
|archive-date=7 January 2012
}}</ref>

'''Bus'''

Bus services in Newcastle upon Tyne and the surrounding boroughs part are coordinated by the [[Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive]].<ref name="NexusBus">{{cite web |title=Nexus – Bus |publisher=nexus.org.uk |url=http://www.nexus.org.uk/wps/wcm/connect/Nexus/Bus |access-date=13 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071228133453/http://www.nexus.org.uk/wps/wcm/connect/Nexus/Bus |archive-date=28 December 2007 }}</ref> [[Stagecoach North East]] is the primary bus operator in the city, running city services between both the West and East ends, with some services extending out to the [[MetroCentre (shopping centre)|MetroCentre]], [[Killingworth]], [[Wallsend]] and [[Ponteland]]. [[Go North East]] provides the majority of services to and from the south of the Tyne, linking Newcastle with [[Gateshead]], [[South Tyneside]], [[Sunderland, Tyne and Wear|Sunderland]], and [[County Durham]]. [[Arriva North East]] runs numerous services to the north of city, [[North Tyneside]] and [[Northumberland]]. Additionally, [[QuayLink]] connects Newcastle and Gateshead to the Quayside. [[Newcastle coach station|Newcastle Central coach station]] is the city's main hub for long-distance services, such as those operated by [[National Express Coaches|National Express]].

Other major bus departure points are Pilgrim Street (for buses running south of the Tyne via [[Gateshead]]), and Blackett Street/Monument for services to the East and West of the city. Many bus services also pass [[Newcastle railway station|Newcastle Central Station]], a major interchange for rail and metro services.<ref>{{cite web |title=Full timetable list |publisher=nexus.org.uk |url=http://www.nexus.org.uk/wps/wcm/connect/16-19/Bus/Timetables/ |access-date=13 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070826160756/http://www.nexus.org.uk/wps/wcm/connect/16-19/Bus/Timetables/ |archive-date=26 August 2007 }}</ref>

===Cycling===
Newcastle is accessible by several mostly traffic-free [[cycle route]]s that lead to the edges of the city centre, where cyclists can continue into the city by road, using [[Bus lane|no car lanes]]. The traffic-free [[Sea to Sea Cycle Route|C2C]] cycle route runs along the north bank of the [[River Tyne]], enabling cyclists to travel off-road to [[North Shields]] and [[Tynemouth]] in the east, and westwards towards [[Hexham]].

Suburban cycle routes exist, which use converted trackbeds of former industrial [[wagonway]]s and industrial railways. A network on [[Tyneside]]'s suburban Victorian waggonways is being developed.<ref name="TynesideWaggonways">{{cite web| last = Henderson| first = Tony| title = Memories appeal for Tyneside waggonways project| publisher = thejournal.co.uk| date = 20 December 2013| url = http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/mining-memories-appeal-tyneside-waggonways-6433744| access-date = 21 February 2014| archive-date = 27 February 2014| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140227223807/http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/mining-memories-appeal-tyneside-waggonways-6433744}}</ref> A network of signed on-road cycle routes is being established,<ref name="Newcyc1402-2" /> including some designated on-road cycle lanes that will lead from the city centre to the suburbs of [[Gosforth]], [[Heaton, Newcastle|Heaton]] and [[Wallsend]].

Newcastle has a growing culture of bicycle usage. Newcastle is also home to a cycling campaign, called the 'Newcastle Cycling Campaign.'<ref name="Newcyc1309-1" /> The ideal of the organisation is to model other European cities like [[Amsterdam]] and [[Copenhagen]].<ref name="Newcyc1309-1">{{cite web| title = Welcome to Newcastle Cycling Campaign| publisher = newcycling.org | url = http://newcycling.org/| access-date = 4 September 2013}}</ref> The aims of the organisation, within the constitution are: To raise the profile of cycling, especially [[utility cycling]] around the city;<ref name="Newcyc1309-2" /> to educate decision makers over the benefits of cycling;<ref name="Newcyc1309-2" /> to promote equality.<ref name="Newcyc1309-2">{{cite web|title=Annual Report 2012/13 |publisher=newcycling.org |url=http://newcycling.org/sites/default/files/Constitution_NewCycling.pdf |access-date=4 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223174430/http://newcycling.org/sites/default/files/Constitution_NewCycling.pdf |archive-date=23 February 2014}}</ref>

Following guidelines set in the National Cycling strategy, Newcastle first developed its cycling strategy in 1998.<ref name="Newcyc1402-1">{{cite web|title=Delivering Cycling Improvements in Newcastle A ten-year strategy 2011–22 – Background |publisher=newcycling.org |url=http://newcycling.org/sites/default/files/CyclePlan10Year.pdf |access-date=21 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223172137/http://newcycling.org/sites/default/files/CyclePlan10Year.pdf |archive-date=23 February 2014}}</ref> {{As of|2012}}, the city council's social aims and objectives for cycling include: highlighting the usage of cycling to cut city congestion and educating that cycling promotes healthy living<ref name="Newcyc1402-2">{{cite web|title=Delivering Cycling Improvements in Newcastle A ten-year strategy 2011–22 – Vision, aims and objectives |publisher=newcycling.org |url=http://newcycling.org/sites/default/files/CyclePlan10Year.pdf |access-date=21 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223172137/http://newcycling.org/sites/default/files/CyclePlan10Year.pdf |archive-date=23 February 2014}}</ref> The authority also has infrastructure aims and objectives which include: developing on road cycle networks on quieter streets; making safer routes on busier streets; innovating and implementing contraflows on one way streets; developing the existing off-road cycle route networks and improve signage; joining up routes that are partially or completely isolated; Increase the number of cycle parking facilities; working with employers to integrate cycling into workplace travel plans; link the local networks to national networks.<ref name="Newcyc1402-2" />

===Water===
[[DFDS Seaways]] runs a ferry service to [[IJmuiden]], near [[Amsterdam]] in The Netherlands,<ref name="DFDS">{{cite web|title=Ferry to Holland|url=https://www.dfdsseaways.co.uk/ferry-routes/ferry-to-holland|publisher=DFDS Seaways|access-date=14 August 2017}}</ref> from Newcastle International Ferry Terminal (located in [[North Shields]]). The [[Newcastle–Bergen–Stavanger ferry|DFDS ferry service]] to [[Gothenburg]], Sweden, ceased at the end of October 2006 and their service to [[Newcastle–Bergen–Stavanger ferry|Bergen and Stavanger]], Norway was terminated in late 2008. The company cited high fuel prices and new competition from [[Low-cost carrier|low-cost air services]] as the cause. However, since summer 2007, Thomson cruise lines have included Newcastle as a departure port on its Norwegian and Fjords cruise.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thelocal.se/article.php?ID=4805&date=20060906 |title=DFDS scraps Newcastle-Gothenburg line |work=The Local |date=7 September 2006 |access-date=21 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070828100914/http://www.thelocal.se/article.php?ID=4805&date=20060906 |archive-date=28 August 2007 }}</ref>

==Government==
{{Main|Newcastle City Council}}

[[File:Newcastle civiccentre 06.jpg|thumb|[[Newcastle Civic Centre]], meeting place of the City Council]]
Newcastle is a [[metropolitan borough]] with [[City status in the United Kingdom|city status]], governed by [[Newcastle City Council]]. There are six [[civil parish]]es within the city boundaries, at [[Blakelaw and North Fenham]], [[Brunswick Village|Brunswick]], [[Dinnington, Tyne and Wear|Dinnington]], [[Hazlerigg]], [[North Gosforth]], and [[Woolsington]], which form an additional tier of local government for their areas. The rest of the city is an [[unparished area]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Election Maps |url=https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/election-maps/gb/ |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=29 March 2024}}</ref>

The city council is based at [[Newcastle Civic Centre]] in [[Haymarket, Newcastle|Haymarket]], which opened in 1968.

===Administrative history===
Newcastle was an [[ancient borough]]. It is said to have been made a borough by [[William II of England|William II]] (reigned 1087–1100), although the earliest known charter was granted by [[Henry II of England|Henry II]] (reigned 1154–1189). In 1400, a new charter from [[Henry IV of England|Henry IV]] gave the borough the right to hold its own courts and appoint its own [[sheriff]]s, making it a [[county corporate]], independent from the [[Sheriff of Northumberland]].<ref name=1835commissioners>{{cite book |title=Report of the Commissioners Appointed to Inquire into the Municipal Corporations in England and Wales: Appendix 3 |date=1835 |pages=1633–1635 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N3FTAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA1633 |access-date=29 March 2024}}</ref> Whilst administratively independent, Newcastle was still deemed part of the [[Ceremonial counties of England|geographical county]] of Northumberland for the purposes of [[Lord-lieutenant|lieutenancy]] until 1974.<ref>{{cite book |title=Militia Act |date=1882 |page=21 |publisher=Sweet & Maxwell |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N4pCAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA2-PA21 |access-date=18 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Northumberland: Diagram showing administrative boundaries, 1972 |url=https://maps.nls.uk/view/241243837 |website=National Library of Scotland |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=29 March 2024}}</ref>

The Northumberland [[assizes]] were held at [[The Castle, Newcastle|the Castle]] in Newcastle, and subsequently at the [[Moot Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne|Moot Hall]], built within the castle site in 1811.<ref>{{NHLE|desc=Moot Hall, Castle Garth|num=1116297|grade=I|access-date=29 March 2024}}</ref> The Moot Hall also served as the meeting place of [[Northumberland County Council]] from its creation in 1889 until 1981 when the county council moved to [[Morpeth, Northumberland|Morpeth]].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=48579|page=5337|date=10 April 1981}}</ref> Newcastle was therefore sometimes described as the [[county town]] of Northumberland,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bell |first1=James |title=A new and comprehensive gazetteer of England and Wales |date=1835 |page=254 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WwoHAAAAQAAJ&pg=RA1-PA254 |access-date=29 March 2024}}</ref> although that title was also claimed by [[Alnwick]], where [[knights of the shire]] were elected until the [[Reform Act 1832]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Penny Cyclopaedia, Volumes 15–16 |date=1839 |publisher=Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ns5PAAAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA316 |page=316 |access-date=29 March 2024}}</ref>

[[File:Guildhall, Quayside frontage - geograph.org.uk - 1732959.jpg|thumb|left|[[Guildhall, Newcastle upon Tyne|Guildhall]], built 1655: Town council's headquarters until 1863]]
Until the 1830s the borough just covered the four parishes of [[All Saints' Church, Newcastle upon Tyne|All Saints]], [[St Andrew's Church, Newcastle upon Tyne|St Andrew]], [[St John the Baptist Church, Newcastle upon Tyne|St John]], and [[Newcastle Cathedral|St Nicholas]].<ref name=1835commissioners/> The [[parliamentary borough]] (constituency) was enlarged in 1832 to also take in [[Byker]], [[Elswick, Newcastle upon Tyne|Elswick]], [[Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne|Heaton]], [[Jesmond]] and [[Westgate, Newcastle upon Tyne|Westgate]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Parliamentary Boundaries Act |date=1832 |page=353 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Uq0uAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA353 |access-date=29 March 2024}}</ref> The municipal boundaries were enlarged to match the constituency in 1836, when Newcastle was reformed to become a [[municipal borough]] under the [[Municipal Corporations Act 1835]], which standardised how most boroughs operated across the country.<ref>{{cite book |title=Municipal Corporations Act |date=1835 |pages=457 |url=https://archive.org/details/statutesunitedk35britgoog/page/456/mode/2up |access-date=29 March 2024}}</ref>

Newcastle was awarded city status in 1882. When elected county councils were established in 1889, Newcastle was considered large enough to provide its own county-level services, and so it was made a [[county borough]].<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government Act 1888|year=1888|chapter=41}}</ref> The city boundaries were enlarged on several occasions, notably in 1904 when it absorbed [[Benwell]], [[Fenham]] and [[Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne|Walker]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Local Government Board's Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 13) Act 1904 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Edw7/4/162/contents/enacted |website=legislation.gov.uk |publisher=The National Archives |access-date=29 March 2024}}</ref> and in 1935 when it absorbed [[Kenton, Newcastle upon Tyne|Kenton]] and parts of neighbouring parishes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Newcastle upon Tyne Municipal Borough / County Borough |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10108913#tab02 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=29 March 2024}}</ref> In 1906 the city was given the right to appoint a [[List of mayors of Newcastle upon Tyne|Lord Mayor]].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=27936|page=5232|date=31 July 1906}}</ref>

In 1974, the county borough was replaced by a larger metropolitan borough within the new county of Tyne and Wear. The borough gained the area of the former [[Urban district (England and Wales)|urban districts]] of [[Gosforth]] and [[Newburn]], and the parishes of Brunswick, Dinnington, Hazlerigg, North Gosforth and Woolsington. It also gained the Moot Hall, which until 1974 had been an [[exclave]] of the administrative county of Northumberland surrounded by the city.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government Act 1972|year=1972|chapter=70|schedule=1|access-date=25 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Metropolitan Districts (Names) Order 1973|year=1973|number=137}}</ref> Newcastle's city status was transferred to the enlarged borough at the same time.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=46255|page=4400|date=4 April 1974}}</ref>

From 1974 until 1986, the city council was a lower-tier district authority, with [[Tyne and Wear County Council]] providing county-level services. The county council was abolished in 1986, since when the city council has again provided both district-level and county-level services, as it had done when it was a county borough prior to 1974. Some functions are provided across Tyne and Wear by joint committees with the other districts. The county of Tyne and Wear continues to exist as a [[ceremonial county]] for the purposes of lieutenancy, but has had no administrative functions since 1986.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government Act 1985|year=1985|chapter=51|access-date=29 March 2024}}</ref>

Between 2014 and 2018, Newcastle was part of the [[North East Combined Authority (2014–2024)|North East Combined Authority]]. In 2018 after disputes with some of the other councils, it left to create the [[North of Tyne Combined Authority]], which it was a part of until 2024. Since 2024 the council has been a member of the [[North East Combined Authority]], which replaced both combined authorities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=North East devolution deal |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/north-east-devolution-deal--2 |access-date=29 March 2024 |website=gov.uk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The North East Mayoral Combined County Authority (Establishment and Functions) Order 2024|year=2024|number=402|access-date=6 May 2024}}</ref>

===Coat of arms===
Newcastle's coat of arms dates back to the fourteenth century, and can be described as [[Canting arms|canting]]: ''Gules three castles triple towered argent''. The [[Supporter (heraldry)|supporters]] are two [[seahorse]]s, reflecting the fact that the city developed as a port. The [[Crest (heraldry)|crest]] is another three-towered silver castle with a gold demi-lion guardant on it holding the [[flag of England]] in pennant form. The [[motto]] is the [[Latin language|Latin]] phrase ''Fortiter Defendit Triumphans'' (Triumphing by brave defence), and was added in the 1640s after Newcastle successfully resisted a Scottish invasion during the [[English Civil War]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/local-government/your-elected-representatives/lord-mayor-newcastle/coat-arms-and-civic-insignia |title=Coat of Arms and Civic Insignia - Newcastle upon Tyne's Coat of Arms |website=Newcastle City Council |language=en |access-date=10 July 2025}}</ref>

The arms should not be confused with the similar arms of the [[Coat of arms of Aberdeen|Scottish city of Aberdeen]], which has towers instead of castles and a royal tressure.

===UK Parliament===
Newcastle is represented by three elected [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Members of Parliament]] (MPs) in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]], the lower house of the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]]. All three current MPs are from the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]].
{| class="wikitable"
|+
![[Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West (UK Parliament constituency)|Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West]]
![[Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend (UK Parliament constituency)|Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend]]
![[Newcastle upon Tyne North (UK Parliament constituency)|Newcastle upon Tyne North]]
|-
|[[Chi Onwurah]]
|[[Mary Glindon]]
|[[Catherine McKinnell]]
|-
|[[File:Official portrait of Chi Onwurah MP crop 2, 2024.jpg|frameless|upright=0.75]]
|[[File:Official portrait of Mary Glindon MP crop 2, 2024.jpg|frameless|upright=0.75]]
|[[File:Official portrait of Catherine McKinnell MP crop 2, 2024.jpg|frameless|upright=0.75]]
|-
|[[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]]
|[[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]]
|[[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]]
|}

===EU referendum===
In the [[2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum]], Newcastle voted for the United Kingdom to remain in the [[European Union]], with a ratio of 51:49 in favour of remain, compared to a national ratio of 48:52 in favour of leave.<ref name="independent2">{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/eu-referendum-results-newcastle-upon-tyne-declares-narrow-victory-remain-a7098711.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/eu-referendum-results-newcastle-upon-tyne-declares-narrow-victory-remain-a7098711.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=EU referendum results: Newcastle upon Tyne declares narrow victory for Remain &#124; The Independent|website=The Independent|date=24 June 2016|access-date=18 January 2021}}</ref>

==Education==
===Schools and colleges===
{{See also|List of schools in Newcastle upon Tyne}}

Newcastle has 74 primary schools and 20 secondary schools, of which 13 are [[Local education authority|LEA]]-funded and 7 are fee-paying [[independent school]]s.

There are a number of critically acclaimed [[state school|state]] secondary schools, including [[Walker Riverside Academy]], [[Gosforth Academy]], [[Jesmond Park Academy]], [[St Cuthbert's High School]], [[St Mary's Catholic School, Newcastle upon Tyne|St Mary's Catholic School]], [[Kenton School]], [[Sacred Heart Catholic High School (Newcastle upon Tyne)|Sacred Heart]], [[Excelsior Academy]], [[Walbottle Academy]] and [[Benfield School]].

The largest [[co-education]]al independent school is the [[Royal Grammar School, Newcastle upon Tyne|Royal Grammar School]]. The largest girls' independent school is [[Newcastle High School for Girls]]. Both schools are located on the same street in [[Jesmond]]. [[Newcastle School for Boys]] is the only independent boys' only school in the city and is situated in Gosforth. Other independent schools include [[Dame Allan's School, Newcastle upon Tyne|Dame Allan's School]].

[[Newcastle College]] is the largest general [[further education]] (FE) college in [[North East England]] and is a [[Beacon Status]] college. There are also two smaller FE colleges in Newcastle.

===Universities===
The city has two major universities – [[Newcastle University]] and [[Northumbria University]].

Newcastle University has its origins in the [[Durham University]] School of Medicine and Surgery, established in 1834.
It became fully independent on 1 August 1963, forming the University of Newcastle upon Tyne (now simply Newcastle University). It is a [[red brick university]] and is a member of the [[Russell Group]], an association of research-intensive UK universities, often considered to represent the best UK universities.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.russellgroup.ac.uk/ |title=The Russell Group |publisher=The [[Russell Group]] |access-date=29 March 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=History |publisher=Newcastle University |url=http://www.ncl.ac.uk/about/history/unihistory.phtml |access-date=22 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070912093004/http://www.ncl.ac.uk/about/history/unihistory.phtml |archive-date=12 September 2007 }}</ref> It won the [[Sunday Times University of the Year|''Sunday Times'' University of the Year]] award in 2000.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Alastair |last=McCall |title=King of the Castle |format=Reprint on Newcastle University's website |work=Sunday Times |url=http://www.ncl.ac.uk/press.office/award.html |date=17 September 2000 |access-date=22 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070918021604/http://www.ncl.ac.uk/press.office/award.html |archive-date=18 September 2007 }}</ref> It was awarded the Gold Award in the [[Teaching Excellence Framework]] (TEF), one of only ten Russell Group universities to achieve the Gold TEF rating.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/university-teaching-scores-russell-group-improvements-government-rankings-tef-a8386321.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/university-teaching-scores-russell-group-improvements-government-rankings-tef-a8386321.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Elite universities improve teaching scores after requesting to be judged again in government rankings|author=Eleanor Busby|work=[[The Independent]]|date=6 June 2018}}</ref>

Northumbria University has its origins in Newcastle Polytechnic, established in 1969 and becoming the University of Northumbria at Newcastle in 1992 as part of the UK-wide process in which polytechnics became new universities. Northumbria University was voted 'Best New University' by ''[[The Times]]'' Good University Guide 2005. It holds the Silver TEF Award.

===Museums and galleries===
There are several museums and galleries in Newcastle, including the [[Centre for Life]]<ref name="centerlife201102">{{cite web |title=Life – A Center For World Class Science |url=http://www.life.org.uk/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208004616/http://www.life.org.uk/ |archive-date=8 February 2011 |access-date=23 February 2011 |publisher=Center For Life}}</ref> with its Science Village;<ref name="science">{{cite web |title=Welcome to the Centre for Life science village |url=http://www.life.org.uk/science-village |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720163209/http://www.life.org.uk/science-village |archive-date=20 July 2011 |access-date=23 February 2011 |publisher=Center For Life |df=dmy-all}}</ref> the [[Discovery Museum]]<ref name="discmus201102">{{cite web |title=Discovery museum |url=http://www.britainsfinest.co.uk/museums/museums.cfm/searchazref/80001259NEWA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127160513/http://www.britainsfinest.co.uk/museums/museums.cfm/searchazref/80001259NEWA |archive-date=27 November 2010 |access-date=23 February 2011 |publisher=britainsfinest.co.uk}}</ref> a museum highlighting life on Tyneside, including Tyneside's shipbuilding heritage, and inventions which changed the world; the [[Great North Museum]];<ref name="GreatNorth201102">{{cite web |title=Great North Museum |url=http://www.aboutbritain.com/hancockmuseum.htm |access-date=23 February 2011 |publisher=aboutbritain.com}}</ref> in 2009 the [[Museum of Antiquities (Newcastle upon Tyne)|Newcastle on Tyne Museum of Antiquities]] merged with the Great North Museum (Hancock Museum);<ref name="MusAntiquities">{{cite web |year=2009 |title=Newcastle on Tyne Museum of Antiquities |url=http://www.romanobritain.org/9-sites/ste_newcastle_museum_of_antiquities.htm#.U_4MyCY1jIU |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020164453/http://www.romanobritain.org/9-sites/ste_newcastle_museum_of_antiquities.htm#.U_4MyCY1jIU |archive-date=20 October 2014 |access-date=27 August 2014 |publisher=romanobritain.org}}</ref> [[Seven Stories]], the National Centre for Children's Books;<ref name="sstories201102" /><ref name="Wilson2010" /> The Side Gallery opened in 1977 and displayed historical and contemporary photography from around the world and Northern England but it closed in 2023.<ref name="SideGallery201311">{{cite web |title=Side Gallery |url=http://www.amber-online.com/sections/side-gallery |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012083011/http://www.amber-online.com/sections/side-gallery |archive-date=12 October 2013 |access-date=15 November 2013 |publisher=AmberOnline |quote=Since opening in 1977, the gallery's been committed to documentary in the tradition of the concerned photographer – our own production/commissions in the North of England and the historical and contemporary work from around the world... |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Fundraiser tries to save 'inspirational' gallery |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3grz8x0m09o |website=BBC News |date=5 April 2023 |access-date=10 August 2025}}</ref> Another former attraction was the Newburn Motor Museum which opened in 1979 but closed during the Covid pandemic.<ref name="NewbMMhome">{{cite web |title=Newburn Motor Museum |url=https://newburnmotormuseum.weebly.com/ |access-date=7 January 2020 |publisher=Newburn Motor Museum}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Holland |first1=Daniel |title=Newcastle former car museum could become housing in plans |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25109483.newcastle-former-car-museum-become-housing-plans/ |website=The Northern Echo |date=23 April 2025 |access-date=10 August 2025}}</ref>

The [[Laing Art Gallery]], similarly to other art galleries and museums around the world, has collections digitised on the [[Google Cultural Institute]],<ref name="CulturalInstitute20131217">{{cite news |last=Whetstone |first=David |date=16 December 2013 |title=Newcastle's Laing Art Gallery opens online to viewers around the world |newspaper=The Journal |location=North East England |url=http://www.thejournal.co.uk/culture/arts-culture-news/newcastles-laing-art-gallery-opens-6408056 |access-date=17 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216205613/http://www.thejournal.co.uk/culture/arts-culture-news/newcastles-laing-art-gallery-opens-6408056 |archive-date=16 December 2013 |quote=The gallery has joined the White House, the Palace of Versaille and other museums and galleries around the world}}</ref><ref name="CulturalInstitute201312172">{{cite web |title=Laing Art Gallery |url=https://artsandculture.google.com/partner |access-date=17 December 2013 |work=Art Collections}}</ref> an initiative that makes important cultural material accessible online.

==Religious sites==
{{See also|Diocese of Newcastle|Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle|North East Jewry}}[[File:Newcastle upon Tyne, England.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Newcastle Cathedral|St Nicholas' Cathedral]], as seen from the [[Newcastle Castle Keep|Castle]]]]
Newcastle has three cathedrals, the [[Anglican]] [[Newcastle Cathedral|St Nicholas']], with its elegant [[lantern tower]] of 1474, the [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] [[St Mary's Cathedral, Newcastle upon Tyne|St Mary's]] designed by [[Augustus Welby Pugin]] and the [[Coptic Orthodox Church in Britain and Ireland|Coptic Orthodox]] Cathedral in [[Fenham]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.resourcescentreonline.co.uk/fc-chr-or-coptic.html |title=Coptic Orthodox Faith Contacts – North East Religious Learning Resources Centre |publisher=Resourcescentreonline.co.uk |access-date=4 August 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120910090721/http://www.resourcescentreonline.co.uk/fc-chr-or-coptic.html |archive-date=10 September 2012 }}</ref> All three cathedrals began their lives as parish churches. St Mary's became a cathedral in 1850 and St Nicholas' in 1882. Another prominent church in the city centre is the [[Church of St Thomas the Martyr, Newcastle|Church of St Thomas the Martyr]] which is unique as the only [[Church of England]] church without a parish and which is not a [[Royal Peculiar|peculiar]].

One of the largest [[Evangelicalism|evangelical]] [[Anglican]] churches in the UK is [[Jesmond Parish Church]], situated a little to the north of the city centre.

Newcastle is home to the only [[Baháʼí Faith|Baháʼí]] Centre in North East England; the centre has served the local Baháʼí community for over 25 years and is located close to the Civic Centre in [[Jesmond]].

Newcastle was a prominent centre of the [[Plymouth Brethren]] movement up to the 1950s, and some small congregations still function. Among these are at the Hall, Denmark Street and Gospel Hall, St Lawrence.

[[St Andrew's Church, Newcastle upon Tyne|The Parish Church of St Andrew]] is traditionally recognised as 'the oldest church in this town'.<ref name=oldparish12012>{{cite web
| title = St. andrews church
| quote = Bourne, indeed, is of opinion that it was built before king David was born; because, according to tradition, it is the oldest church in town, and St. Nicholas', it is admitted, was erected before the time of king Henry I. But as the church of St. Nicholas was burnt down in 1216, this church may be the oldest ecclesiastical building in Newcastle...
| publisher = british-history.ac.uk (From: 'St Andrew's church', Historical Account of Newcastle-upon-Tyne...(1827), pp. 323–341.)
 | year = 1827
 | url = http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=43357
| access-date = 15 August 2012}}</ref> The present building was begun in the 12th Century and the last addition to it, apart from the vestries, was the main porch in 1726.<ref name =oldparish22012>{{cite web
| title = The Parish Church of St Andrew
 | publisher = standrewsnewcastle.org.uk
 | url = http://www.standrewsnewcastle.org.uk/
| access-date = 15 August 2012}}</ref> It is quite possible that there was an earlier church here dating from Saxon times. This older church would have been one of several churches along the River Tyne dedicated to St Andrew, including the [[Hexham Abbey|Priory church]] at Hexham.<ref name = oldparish22012/> The building contains more old stonework than any other church in Newcastle. It is surrounded by the last of the ancient churchyards to retain its original character. Many key names associated with Newcastle's history worshipped and were buried here. The church tower received a battering during the [[History of Newcastle upon Tyne#Stuart period|Siege of Newcastle]] by the Scots who finally breached the Town Wall and forced surrender. Three of the cannonballs remain on site as testament to the siege.<ref name = oldparish22012/>

==Notable people==
{{Main|List of people from Newcastle upon Tyne}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
*[[Alfie Williams (actor)|Alfie Williams]], child actor, born in the city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=28 Years Later star Alfie Williams: 'You start to feel the fear when you're getting chased' |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/alfie-williams-28-years-later-child-star-danny-boyle-b1233831.html |last=Block |first=India |date=2025-06-19 |access-date=2025-06-19 |archive-date=2025-06-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250620142757/https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/alfie-williams-28-years-later-child-star-danny-boyle-b1233831.html |website=[[Evening Standard|London Evening Standard]] |url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Charles Avison]], the leading British composer of concertos in the 18th century, was born in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1709 and died there in 1770.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newcastlecollection.newcastle.gov.uk/charles-avison|title=Newcastle Collections – Charles Avison|access-date=3 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407080506/http://newcastlecollection.newcastle.gov.uk/charles-avison|archive-date=7 April 2015}}</ref>
*[[Basil Hume]], [[Archbishop of Westminster]], was born in the city in 1923.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/obituary-cardinal-basil-hume-1100741.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/obituary-cardinal-basil-hume-1100741.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | location=London | work=The Independent | first=Paul | last=Vallely | title=Obituary: Cardinal Basil Hume | date=18 June 1999}}</ref>
*Vice Admiral [[Cuthbert Collingwood, 1st Baron Collingwood|Cuthbert Collingwood]], 1st Baron Collingwood, was born in the city.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cuthbert Collingwood, 1st Baron Collingwood |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Cuthbert-Collingwood-1st-Baron-Collingwood |website=Britannica|date=22 February 2024 }}</ref>
*[[Sir Lowthian Bell, 1st Baronet|Isaac Lowthian Bell]], [[ironmaster]], metallurgist, and member of parliament, was born in the city in 1816.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sir Isaac Lowthian Bell |url=https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/people/cp128708/isaac-lowthian-bell |website=Science Museum Group Collection}}</ref>
*[[William Armstrong, 1st Baron Armstrong|Lord Armstrong]], engineer and industrialist, was born in the city.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sir William George Armstrong |url=https://mininginstitute.org.uk/about-us/past-presidents-of-the-institute/sir-william-george-armstrong/ |website=The Mining Institute}}</ref>
*[[George Stephenson]], engineer and father of the modern steam railways, established his factory in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/George-Stephenson|title=George Stephenson &#124; Biography, Locomotives, & Facts &#124; Britannica|date=5 June 2023 }}</ref>
*[[Robert Stephenson]], also an engineer, lived in the city.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Stephenson, Robert |volume= 25 | page= 889}}</ref>
*[[Sir Charles Parsons]], engineer and inventor of the steam turbine, established his factory in the city.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.birrcastle.com/inventionsAndExperiments.asp |title= Chronology of Charles Parsons |publisher= Birr Castle Scientific and Heritage Foundation |access-date= 3 January 2009 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081225130458/http://www.birrcastle.com/inventionsAndExperiments.asp |archive-date= 25 December 2008 }}</ref> 
*[[Sir Joseph Swan]], inventor of the incandescent light bulb, managed a business in the city.<ref name=RPSGB.org.uk>{{Cite web|title=Pharmacy&nbsp;— the mother of invention?&nbsp;— Sir Joseph Swan (1828–1914)|url=http://RPSGB.org.uk/informationresources/museum/exhibitions/themotherofinvention/swanphot.html|website=RPSGB.org.uk|publisher=[[Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain]] (RPSGB)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060924214648/http://rpsgb.org.uk/informationresources/museum/exhibitions/themotherofinvention/swanphot.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 September 2006|access-date=11 January 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref> 
*[[Rowan Atkinson]], actor and comedian, studied at [[Newcastle University]].<ref name=RowanA2014>{{cite web| title = Rowan Atkinson biography| publisher = biography.com | url = http://www.biography.com/people/rowan-atkinson-9191636| access-date = 7 February 2014}}</ref>
*[[Jony Ive|Sir Jonathan Ive]], industrial designer, who studied at [[Northumbria University|Newcastle Polytechnic]] (now [[Northumbria University]]).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/apple-design-genius-jonathan-ive|title=A Rare Look at Design Genius Jony Ive: The Man Behind the Apple Watch|last=Sullivan|first=Robert|date=1 October 2014|work=Vogue|access-date=1 November 2018|language=en}}</ref>
*[[Basil Bunting]], modernist poet, worked at Newcastle Evening Chronicle.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bunting |first=Basil |url=http://www.bloodaxebooks.com/titlepage.asp?isbn=1852245271 |title=Title Page – Basil Bunting: Complete Poems |publisher=Bloodaxe Books |access-date=4 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100309231748/http://www.bloodaxebooks.com/titlepage.asp?isbn=1852245271 |archive-date= 9 March 2010 }}</ref>
*[[Peter Taylor, Baron Taylor of Gosforth|Peter Taylor]], Lord Chief Justice, born in the city.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://mobile.nytimes.com/1997/05/01/world/lord-taylor-of-gosforth-is-dead-chief-english-appeals-judge-66.html?referer=https://www.google.com/|title=Lord Taylor of Gosforth Is Dead; Chief English Appeals Judge, 66|newspaper=The New York Times|date=1 May 1997}}</ref>
*[[Eça de Queiroz]], Portuguese writer, was a diplomat in Newcastle from late 1874 until April 1879 - his most productive literary period.<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2000/dec/23/biography1 | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=Consul yourself | date=22 December 2000 | access-date=7 April 2010}}</ref>
*[[Abhisit Vejjajiva]], former [[Prime Minister of Thailand]], was born in the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/feb/24/thai-pm-admits-british-nationality|title=Thai PM admits British nationality|work=The Guardian|date=24 February 2011}}</ref>
*[[Agustín Fernández Sánchez|Agustín Fernández]], composer, has been based in the city since 1995, teaching at [[Newcastle University]] and occasionally collaborating with [[Royal Northern Sinfonia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://filarmonika.com/collections/augustin-fernandez|title=Augustín Fernandez|publisher=Filarmonika Music Publishing|access-date=9 December 2024}}</ref>
*[[Cheryl (singer)|Cheryl]], musician, born in the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/cheryl-cole-mn0003331193|title=Cheryl Cole|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=30 November 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201090507/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/cheryl-cole-mn0003331193|archive-date=1 December 2016}}</ref>
*[[Eric Burdon]], musician, born in the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/eric-burdon-declares-more_b_3566476|title=Eric Burdon Declares More|first1=Steven|last1=Rosen|date=9 July 2013|website=HuffPost|access-date=12 April 2019|archive-date=12 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412153631/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/eric-burdon-declares-more_b_3566476|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Sting (musician)|Sting]], musician, attended St Cuthbert's Grammar School.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/history/sting-rock-superstar-wallsend-born-11960485.amp|title=Sting, the rock superstar from Wallsend, was born 65 years ago|date=30 September 2016|newspaper=Chronicle Live|access-date=9 December 2024}}</ref>
*[[Mark Knopfler]], musician, attended Gosforth Grammar School.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/mark-knopfler-who-attended-school-8837705.amp|title=Mark Knopfler, who attended school in Newcastle, releases his new album on Monday|date=14 March 2015|newspaper=Chronicle Live|access-date=9 December 2024}}</ref>
*the [[Lighthouse Family]], musicians, formed in the city.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/lighthouse-family-reveal-how-formed-17247758|title=
The Lighthouse Family reveal how they formed in Newcastle and chose their name|date=13 November 2019|newspaper=Chronicle Live|access-date=9 December 2024}}</ref>
*[[Jeffrey Dunn]], musician, born in the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://guitarstreams.com/musician/jeffrey-dunn/|title=Jeffrey Dunn (aka Mantas) |publisher= Guitar Streams
|access-date=9 December 2024}}</ref>
*[[Brian Johnson]], musician, member of the band, Geordie, formed in the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.noise11.com/news/brian-johnsons-former-band-geordie-is-still-a-thing-and-they-have-a-new-song-20230116|title= Brian Johnson's Former Band Geordie Is Still A Thing And They Have A New Song |date= 16 January 2023 |publisher=Noise11.com|access-date=9 December 2024}}</ref>
*[[Alan Hull]], musician, born in the city.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-alan-hull-1582853.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220506/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-alan-hull-1582853.html |archive-date=6 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Obituary: Alan Hull|date=20 November 1995|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|accessdate=9 October 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
*[[Sakima (singer)|Sakima]], musician, born in the city.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thefourohfive.com/music/article/sakima-interviewed-141|title=The 405 meets Sakima|url-status=dead|last=Buck|first=Courtney|date=19 November 2014|work=[[The 405 (magazine)|The 405]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007223056/https://www.thefourohfive.com/music/article/sakima-interviewed-141|archive-date=7 October 2018}}</ref>
*[[Neil Tennant]], musician, attended St Cuthbert's Grammar School.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/dream-fame-helped-star-survive-1530628|title=Dream of fame helped star survive bullying|date=10 April 2006|newspaper=Chronicle Live|access-date=9 December 2024}}</ref>
*[[Hank Marvin]], musician, former pupil of Rutherford Grammar School.<ref name=MarvWelch2007>{{cite web | last = Lamb | first = Liz | title = I wanted to play clarinet |publisher=chroniclelive.co.uk | date =5 June 2007 | url = http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/wanted-play-clarinet-1497620 | access-date = 16 June 2015}}</ref> 
*[[Bruce Welch]], musician, former pupil of Rutherford Grammar School.<ref name=MarvWelch2007/> 
*[[Charlie Hunnam]], actor, born in the city.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/charlie-hunnam/bio/144223| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113164136/http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/charlie-hunnam/bio/144223| title=Charlie Hunnam: Biography| work=[[TV Guide]]| archive-date=13 November 2014| access-date=14 May 2018}}</ref>
*[[James Scott (actor)|James Scott]], actor, born in the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://daysofourlives.about.com/od/castbiographies/p/jamesscott.htm |title=Profile of James Scott|publisher=Days of our lives|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514141423/http://daysofourlives.about.com/od/castbiographies/p/jamesscott.htm |archive-date=14 May 2013 }}</ref> 
*[[Ant & Dec]], entertainers, both born in the city.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/ant-dec-from-heres-background-17231719.amp|title=Where are Ant and Dec from? Here's the background story of the famous Geordie duo|date=10 November 2019|newspaper=Chronicle Live|access-date=9 December 2024}}</ref>
*[[Michael Carrick]], footballer, worked for Newcastle United.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tescoskills.thefa.com/Coaches/GraemeCarrick |title=Graeme Carrick |publisher=The Football Association |access-date=20 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319184054/http://tescoskills.thefa.com/Coaches/GraemeCarrick |archive-date=19 March 2012 }}</ref>
*[[Alan Shearer]], footballer, born in the city.<ref>{{cite book|last = Hugman|first = Barry J.|title= The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005|publisher = Queen Anne Press|year = 2005| page = 556| isbn = 1-85291-665-6 }}</ref>
*[[David Scott Cowper]], multiple circumnavigator, works in the city.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://goldengloberace.com/skippers/david-scott-cowper/|title=David Scott-Cooper|publisher=Golden Globe Race|access-date=9 December 2024}}</ref>
*[[Peter Higgs]], [[List of Nobel laureates in Physics|Nobel Prize winning physicist]], who researched the mass of subatomic particles, born in the city.<ref name=Higgs201310>{{cite news| title = Profile: Peter Higgs | publisher = BBC | date = 8 October 2013 | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24444515 | access-date = 8 October 2013}}</ref>
*[[Pac (wrestler)|Benjamin Satterley]], wrestler, was born in the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/wwe/blog/wwe-watch-adrian-neville-visits-his-mum-in-newcastle-but-what-does-she-reveal-about-nxt-superstar|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122094346/http://www.mtv.co.uk/wwe/blog/wwe-watch-adrian-neville-visits-his-mum-in-newcastle-but-what-does-she-reveal-about-nxt-superstar|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 January 2015|title=WWE Exclusive: Adrian Neville's Mum Reveals All As He Returns Home to Newcastle|website=MTV.co.uk|date=20 January 2015|access-date=18 August 2015}}</ref> 
*[[John Dunn (pipemaker)|John Dunn]], inventor of the keyed [[Northumbrian smallpipes]], lived and worked in the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bagpipesociety.org.uk/articles/2019/chanter/winter/in-praise-of-old-pipes/|title=In praise of old pipes|publisher=The Bagpipe Society|access-date=9 December 2024}}</ref>
*[[Kathryn Tickell]], the celebrated Northumbrian piper and composer, has longstanding associations with Newcastle as a resident, frequent performer at [[Sage Gateshead]] and lecturer at [[Newcastle University]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ncl.ac.uk/press/articles/archive/2013/02/successfornewcastleatfolkmusicawards.html|title=Success for Newcastle at Folk Music Awards|date=February 2013 |publisher=Newcastle University|access-date=9 December 2024}}</ref>
*[[Freddy Shepherd]], former chairman of [[Newcastle United F.C.]] for ten years, lived in Jesmond in Newcastle upon Tyne until his death in 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/freddy-shepherd-sells-la-sagesse-5382346|title=Freddy Shepherd sells La Sagesse for around £10m|newspaper=Chronicle Live|date=30 July 2013| access-date=9 December 2024}}</ref>
*[[Tosan Evbuomwan]], NBA basketball player.<ref name=spears>{{cite web |last=Spears |first=Marc J. |title=Princeton's Tosan Evbuomwan has 'come a long way' to the Sweet 16 |url=https://andscape.com/features/princetons-tosan-evbuomwan-has-come-a-long-way-to-the-sweet-16/ |website=Andscape |access-date=2 February 2024 |date=23 March 2023}}</ref>
*[[Sara Qaed]], Bahraini political cartoonist who lives in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.derstandard.de/story/2000134154222/sara-qaed-karikaturen-zur-pandemie|access-date= 2025-09-01|title=Sara Qaed: Karikaturen zur Pandemie|language=German|work=Der Stanard}}</ref>
*[[Anne Reid]], actress who was born in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?cite=PzOUiXmIck5egiklVTragQ&scan=1|title=Index entry: Births June 1935 |access-date= 2025-06-03|work=FreeBMD|publisher=ONS}}</ref>}}

==International relations==
===Twin towns – sister cities===
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in the United Kingdom}}
Newcastle upon Tyne is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:

* [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]], Australia<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/twintownnewcaus |title=Newcastle, Australia |publisher=Newcastle City Council |access-date=18 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110109123618/http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/twintownnewcaus |archive-date=9 January 2011 }}</ref>
* [[Atlanta, Georgia]], U.S. (1977)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.atlantaga.gov/client_resources/international/ascc2003.pdf |title=2003 Annual Report |publisher=Atlanta Sister Cities Commission |access-date=18 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713040712/http://www.atlantaga.gov/client_resources/international/ascc2003.pdf |archive-date=13 July 2010 }}</ref>
* [[Groningen (city)|Groningen]], Netherlands<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gemeente.groningen.nl/english/city-twinning/newcastle-upon-tyne |title=City Twinning – Newcastle upon Tyne |publisher=Gemeente Groningen |access-date=18 July 2010}}</ref>
* [[Bergen, Norway|Bergen]], Norway (1968)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/twintownbergen |title=Bergen, Norway |publisher=Newcastle City Council |access-date=18 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227021254/http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/twintownbergen |archive-date=27 December 2008 }}</ref><ref name="BergenNewcTree">{{Citation | last = NRK | title = Prime Minister cuts Christmas tree for Newcastle | newspaper = The Norway Post | date = 13 November 2013 | url = http://www.norwaypost.no/news-politics/29184-prime-minister-cuts-christmas-tree-for-newcastle | access-date = 8 October 2016 | archive-date = 11 October 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161011185717/http://www.norwaypost.no/news-politics/29184-prime-minister-cuts-christmas-tree-for-newcastle | url-status = dead }}</ref>
* [[Gelsenkirchen]], Germany (1948)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.edinburgh.diplo.de/Vertretung/edinburgh/en/02/Veranstaltungen/Gelsenkirchen__Seite.html |title=Gelsenkirchen and Newcastle celebrate 60 years as sister cities |publisher=German Consulate General Edinburgh |access-date=18 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091002023910/http://www.edinburgh.diplo.de/Vertretung/edinburgh/en/02/Veranstaltungen/Gelsenkirchen__Seite.html |archive-date=2 October 2009 }}</ref>
* [[Haifa]], Israel<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/twintownisrael |title=Haifa, Israel |publisher=Newcastle City Council |access-date=18 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110109122501/http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/twintownisrael |archive-date=9 January 2011 }}</ref>
* [[Nancy, France|Nancy]], France (1954)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/twintownnancy |title=Nancy, France |publisher=Newcastle City Council |access-date=18 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100124065509/http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/twintownnancy |archive-date=24 January 2010 }}</ref><ref name="Archant twinning 3">{{cite web|url=http://www.completefrance.com/language-culture/twin-towns|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705094933/http://www.completefrance.com/language-culture/twin-towns |title=British towns twinned with French towns ''[via WaybackMachine.com]''|access-date=20 July 2013|archive-date=5 July 2013|work=Archant Community Media Ltd}}</ref>
* [[Taiyuan]], China (1985, unilaterally terminated by Newcastle upon Tyne in 2022)<ref name="newcastle">{{cite web|url=https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/our-city/newcastles-international-relationships|title=Newcastle's International Relationships &#124; Newcastle City Council|website=newcastle.gov.uk|access-date=18 January 2021|archive-date=16 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216172653/https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/our-city/newcastles-international-relationships|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=太原：英国纽卡斯尔因新疆问题终止中国姊妹城市关系 (Taiyuan: UK's Newcastle upon Tyne terminated sister city partnership over Xinjiang issue)|url=https://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/uk-63509476|work=BBC News Chinese|date=2022-11-04|access-date=2022-11-05|language=zh-cn}}</ref>

===Other agreements===
Newcastle has a "friendship agreement" with the American city of [[Little Rock, Arkansas]].<ref>{{cite press release |title=Nine Youth From Little Rock Depart for Visit to Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, United Kingdom |date=9 July 2007 |publisher=City of Little Rock |url=http://www.littlerock.org/CityManager/Divisions/PublicRelations/MediaReleases.aspx?ID=178 |access-date=4 February 2008}}</ref> Since 2003, it has had a "special cooperation agreement" with the Swedish city of [[Malmö]].<ref name="Malmö twinning">{{cite web|url=http://www.malmo.se/Kommun--politik/Sa-arbetar-vi-med.../Omvarld/Internationellt-arbete/Vanorter.html|title=Vänorter|publisher=Malmö stad|language=sv|access-date=6 November 2013|archive-date=23 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223130358/http://malmo.se/Kommun--politik/Sa-arbetar-vi-med.../Omvarld/Internationellt-arbete/Vanorter.html}}</ref> Furthermore, Newcastle participated in the 1998 summit of worldwide [[Newcastle (disambiguation)|cities named Newcastle]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://newcastlesoftheworld.com/about/ |title=About |website=newcastlesoftheworld.com |access-date=2 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203030346/https://newcastlesoftheworld.com/about/ |archive-date=3 February 2019 }}</ref> which led to friendship agreements with the following places:

*[[Neuburg an der Donau]], Germany
*[[Neuchâtel]], Switzerland
*[[Neufchâteau, Vosges]], France 
*[[New Castle, Delaware]], United States
*[[New Castle, Indiana]], United States
*[[New Castle, Pennsylvania]], United States
*[[Newcastle-under-Lyme]], England
*[[Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal]], South Africa
*[[Shinshiro]], Japan

===Foreign consulates===
The following countries have [[consulate|consular representation]] in Newcastle: Denmark,<ref name=newcDenmark201802>{{cite web
 | url = http://storbritannien.um.dk/en/travel-and-residence/other-consular-matters/danish-consulates-and-vice-consulates-in-the-uk/
 | title = Danish Consulates and Vice-Consulates in the UK – Newcastle Upon Tyne
 | website = storbritannien.um.dk
 | publisher = storbritannien
 | access-date = 19 February 2018
 | archive-date = 19 February 2018
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180219031313/http://storbritannien.um.dk/en/travel-and-residence/other-consular-matters/danish-consulates-and-vice-consulates-in-the-uk/
 }}</ref> Finland, Romania,
Belgium,<ref name =belgium21512>{{cite web
| title = Consulate of Belgium in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| publisher = belgium.visahq.co.uk
| url = http://belgium.visahq.co.uk/embassy/United-Kingdom/
| access-date = 21 May 2012}}</ref> France,<ref name=france21512>{{cite web
 |title       = Honorary Consul in Newcastle -Upon-Tyne
 |publisher   = ambafrance-uk.org
 |url         = http://www.ambafrance-uk.org/Consul-Honoraire-a-Newcastle-Upon.html
 |access-date  = 12 May 2012
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20130517050139/http://www.ambafrance-uk.org/Consul-Honoraire-a-Newcastle-Upon.html
 |archive-date = 17 May 2013
|df          = dmy-all
}}</ref> Germany,<ref name=germany21512>{{cite web
 |title        = Regional PAC chairman, Jo Chexal, honoured
 |publisher    = soroptimist-ukpac.org
 |date         = 12 May 2009
|url          = http://www.soroptimist-ukpac.org/news/show/28/
 |access-date   = 21 May 2012
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20130413133431/http://www.soroptimist-ukpac.org/news/show/28
 |archive-date  = 13 April 2013
|df           = dmy-all
}}</ref> Iceland,<ref name =Iceland21412>{{cite web
| title = Iceland Consulate, United Kingdom
| publisher = iceland.visahq.co.uk
| url = http://iceland.visahq.co.uk/embassy/United-Kingdom/
| access-date = 21 May 2012}}</ref> Italy,<ref name=Italy21512>{{cite web
| title = Honorary Consulate of Italy in Newcastle
| publisher = embassy-finder
| url = http://embassy-finder.com/italy_in_newcastle_united-kingdom
| access-date = 21 May 2012}}</ref> Norway,<ref name=Norway21512>{{cite web
| title = Bestowing the Order of Merit on the Honorary Norwegian Vice-Consul in Newcastle Upon Tyne
| publisher = Norway.org.uk
| date = 18 May 2012
| url = http://www.norway.org.uk/News_and_events/Current-Affairs/Bestowing-the-Order-of-Merit-on-the-Honorary-Norwegian-Consul-in-Newcastle-Upon-Tyne/
| archive-url = https://archive.today/20121224114502/http://www.norway.org.uk/News_and_events/Current-Affairs/Bestowing-the-Order-of-Merit-on-the-Honorary-Norwegian-Consul-in-Newcastle-Upon-Tyne/
| archive-date = 24 December 2012
| access-date = 21 May 2012
}}</ref> and Sweden.<ref name=sweden21512>{{cite web
| title = Sweden Consulate, United Kingdom
| publisher = sweden.visahq.co.uk
| url = http://sweden.visahq.co.uk/embassy/United-Kingdom/
| access-date = 21 May 2012}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|North East England}}
* [[List of tallest buildings and structures in Newcastle upon Tyne]]
* [[List of public art in Newcastle upon Tyne]]
* [[List of Freemen of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne]]
* [[Duke of Newcastle]]

==References==
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
{{refbegin}}
* ''Tyneside: A History of Newcastle and Gateshead from Earliest Times'', Alistair Moffat and George Rosie, Mainstream Publishing (10 November 2005), {{ISBN|1-84596-013-0}}
* ''[http://www.openbookpublishers.com/product/398/tyneside-neighbourhoods--deprivation--social-life-and-social-behaviour-in-one-british-city Tyneside Neighbourhoods: Deprivation, Social Life and Social Behaviour in One British City]'', Daniel Nettle, Open Book Publishers, (2016), {{ISBN|9781783741885}}
* ''History of Northumberland and Newcastle-upon-Tyne'', Leslie W. Hepple, Phillimore & Co Ltd (1976), {{ISBN|0-85033-245-1}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Newcastle upon Tyne}}
{{Wikivoyage|Newcastle_upon_Tyne}}
* [http://www.newcastlegateshead.com/ Official NewcastleGateshead Tourism Site]
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/tyne/ BBC Tyne] BBC Local website

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Newcastle Upon Tyne}}
[[Category:Newcastle upon Tyne| ]]
[[Category:Cities in North East England]]
[[Category:Former civil parishes in Tyne and Wear]]
[[Category:Metropolitan boroughs of Tyne and Wear]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 2nd century]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in North East England]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns of the North Sea]]
[[Category:Ports and harbours of Tyne and Wear]]
[[Category:Ports of the Staple]]
[[Category:Towns in Tyne and Wear]]
[[Category:Trading posts of the Hanseatic League]]