Top places to include in your Newcastle adventure

Northeast England is a vibrant hub of attractions and sites. If you’re making the journey up to Newcastle, it’s worth working your way through some of the city’s surrounding sites, seeing as you’ll already be up there!

Newcastle itself has plenty of sites to keep you occupied, but if you’ve got a hire car and a few days of your trip spare to do some exploring, the surrounding hills and coast reveal lots to fill an itinerary. Many are easily accessible by car on day trips from the city. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s hit the road and start exploring some sites that you can build into your trip to Newcastle and the North East:

Hadrian’s Wall

Hadrian’s Wall is a world-renowned historic site that is a must-visit if you’re heading north. Built by the Romans in AD122, Hadrian’s Wall is a well-preserved border of the Roman Empire and became a World Heritage Site in 1987.

The Wall extends over 73 miles and has 80 milecastles (one every 0.95 miles) and 17 larger forts spread out.

From Newcastle, you haven’t got to go far to immerse yourself in history. The ‘wall’s end’ (the fort of Segedunum can be found in Wallsend, a Newcastle suburb. Notable stop-off points as you travel east are the Roman town of Corbridge, Chesters Roman Fort & Museum and Housesteads fort.

Beamish

Beamish is a famous open-air museum just 10 miles south of Newcastle. The living museum tells the story of life in North East England throughout the 1820s, 1900s and 1940s.

The buildings you see as you walk through Beamish are not replicas. They have, in fact, been brought from around the region and rebuilt – completing a real sense of history! Visit the sweet shop, go for a drink in the pub and take a steam train ride through the Georgian landscape.

Families needn’t look any further for a fun-filled day!

Bamburgh Castle

One hour’s drive north of Newcastle is Bamburgh Castle. Occupying the coast, this imposing castle is a building of historic and general interest. The grandeur of the castle itself is only matched by the breath-taking coastal views that surround it.

At present, the castle is home to the Kings of Northumbria but areas of the castle were opened to the public in the mid-1900s.

North Pennines

The driving distance between to North Pennines from Newcastle is around 33 miles. And trust us, it’s well worth it! Be prepared for unmatched views, unspoilt villages and remote nature.

This landscape boasts scattered waterfalls and heather moors. It’ no surprise that North Pennines is both a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Britain’s first UNESCO European and Global Geopark.

Explore the valleys and villages or simply go for a scenic ride along the A686, widely considered one of the greatest UK driving routes. Enjoy!

Newcastle car hire

Looking for a car to make it easier to get around all of the attractions surrounding Newcastle? Green Motion has electric, hybrid and low emissions cars available for your next trip.

Our Newcastle car hire branch is located just ten minutes away from the airport on Brunswick Industrial Estate. If you would like to champion low-emission vehicle, use our online booking system to browse the car options available to you.