Newcastle, Tyne and Wear travel information
Newcastle Tyne and Wear England
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As the largest city in the northeast of England, Newcastle has always been a heavily populated area. The name Newcastle dates back to around 1080 when the importance of the area as a port was realised and a fortification built in the form of a wooden fort known as the ‘New Castle’. The keep and the Black Gate can still be seen today, and along with the town walls that surround the city dating back to around the thirteenth century, are just two examples of the many areas of historical interest around the city. In fact later in Victorian times Newcastle was thought to be one of the country’s finest town centres and even today a huge number of classical listed buildings make this a very picturesque city.
Newcastle has been always been an important industrial and commercial centre over the centuries, throughout good times and bad. The main industries have been based around the exporting of coal, steel manufacturing, shipbuilding and engineering. The local industries took a sudden downward turn after WW II and it is only really in recent years that true rejuvenation of the area has really happened on a grand scale. Vast sums of money have been spent on the area, with the most noticeable new addition of the impressive Gateshead Millennium Bridge.
Another of the most successfully revitalised areas of the city has to be the Quayside. Where this area used to function as an industrial hub thanks to its close location to the River Tyne, it is now more concerned with leisurely facilities and is home to many of the areas best bars and restaurants. On Sunday mornings the area sees a different type of activity in the form of a local market that attracts large crowds all looking for a bargain.
Excellent transport links including an international airport have also helped to encourage new business to the area. Just as the genuine warmth of the Geordies and their legendary love of great nightlife has also attracts many visitors to Newcastle, where you’ll find plenty to occupy their time.
