What are the best things to do in Newcastle as a student?
Before moving to a new city, you may want to consider the surrounding area, ensuring you get the most out of your university experience. And Newcastle is no exception. With a student population of about 42,000, Newcastle is a great place to explore outside of the university, boasting cultural landmarks as well as popular food and drink venues.
This guide will look at the best things to do in Newcastle as a student, including cultural places of interest, and how to choose the right student accommodation.
Newcastle landmarks
Known for its picturesque views and iconic sights like the River Tyne and Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Newcastle has several landmarks that interest tourists and students.
St James Park
St James Park is home to Newcastle United football club and is England's 8th largest football stadium. The ground has been home to Newcastle United since 1892, and seats just over 52,000.
Newcastle Castle
With a Grade I listed Stone Keep and home to a former prison, Newcastle Castle is nestled within the city centre and easily accessible. The Castle Keep, as it stands today, is built on the site that gave Newcastle its name, with a vast history dating back to the Romans.
As a student in Newcastle, you should consider certain factors that will benefit your stay. This includes the most popular areas in Newcastle for students, what is included in the price, and the room type.
Find out more about the different student accommodation options in Newcastle here.
Food and drink
The Northeast city offers a variety of iconic dishes, including Pease pudding and the traditional Newcastle Brown Ale. Most notably, Newcastle is the birthplace of the popular bakery chain Greggs, with the first shop opening in Gosforth in 1951.
Blackfriars
Blackfriars is believed to be the oldest purpose-built dining room in the United Kingdom, dating back to 1239. The banquet hall hosts a variety of events, including cookery classes and weddings, and has a comprehensive menu full of classic English dishes.
Newcastle is also known for its vibrant nightlife and status as a party destination. Popular areas for pubs and bars include Newcastle Quayside and the city centre.
Culture
As a heavily populated student city, Newcastle has many things to do with cultural importance.
Victoria Tunnel
For something completely different, consider exploring Newcastle in a unique way. The Victoria Tunnel is a preserved 19th-century wagonway that runs beneath the city; from Town Moor to the River Tyne.
The Biscuit Factory
The Biscuit Factory is a contemporary art gallery that is home to the largest commercial art, craft, and design gallery in the United Kingdom. Once a Victorian warehouse, The Biscuit Factory presents over 250 collections of work and is in Newcastle’s cultural district, Ouseburn.
Newcastle Lit and Phil Society
Based on Neville Street and in proximity to Newcastle Central Station, the Lit and Phil Society is the largest library in the UK outside of London. With a large collection of historical books, the space is not just used as a quiet reading room, but also for poetry sessions, lectures, and live music.
If you are interested in exploring a cultural city, Durham is just a short train journey away from Newcastle, and offers a variety of things to do. Many students decide to live and study in Durham due to its historical importance and university reputation.
At Mansion Student, we provide Durham student accommodation conveniently located to some of the city's top amenities. With easy access to Newcastle and Durham's city centre, our student accommodation (Ernest Place) provides tenants everything they need, from modern facilities to a glass-encompassed sky lounge and rooftop terrace.
Arrange a viewing at one of our student accommodation properties here.
Art, music, and film
The Baltic Centre
Along with The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle also has The Baltic Centre, a contemporary art gallery. The once-flour mill has since been converted into a contemporary art gallery that hosts some of the most current modern art pieces and performances.
Sage Gateshead
The Sage Gateshead is a popular concert venue located by the River Tyne. The venue consists of three performance spaces, with views of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, the Tyne Bridge, and Newcastle Quayside. Past artists include James Brown, Blondie, and the Pet Shop Boys.
Tyneside cinema
Built as a newsreel theatre in the 1930s, Tyneside Cinema has maintained a niche selection of British and international films compared to other larger cinema chains.
How Mansion Student can help
Since 2007, Mansion Student has acquired, developed and maintained modern student accommodations throughout some of the most popular student cities in the United Kingdom. We prioritise your welfare during your stay, and will help you through every stage of the booking and tenancy period. Browse through our different student accommodation locations below:
· Student Accommodation Nottingham
· Student Accommodation Durham
· Student Accommodation Dundee
· Student Accommodation Coventry
If you are interested in staying at any of our student accommodations, arrange a viewing here to ensure you are completely happy with the property before booking.
Contact Mansion Student today for more information about booking accommodation, or call us at 0800 652 7844
Frequently asked questions
What is the best place to live as a student in Newcastle?
Depending on your preferences, you may decide to live in certain areas in Newcastle based on its location, the nightlife, local amenities, fun things to do, and university facilities. Popular student areas include Ouseburn, Sandyford, and Newcastle city centre.
Find out more about the most popular student areas in Newcastle here.
What is there to do in Newcastle at night?
Newcastle is known for its vibrant nightlife that hosts various student nights for all types of music tastes. Popular nightlife areas include Greys Street, known as the “Diamond Strip”, Newcastle Quayside and Jesmond.
Find out more about Newcastle nightlife here.
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