It’s not open for debate – Newcastle is the best city in the UK (if not the world) – end of…

If you still need convincing – here are 10 reasons that prove my point:

1. 15 minute city

Accessible Newcastle (Picture: Getty)

Newcastle is the smallest big city in the world! It is so accessible, you can walk across it in 15 minutes but, as you would expect being the capital of North East England, it has everything you would expect of a major European regional capital city: culture, heritage, great night life and fabulous retail. We even have cows grazing on the town moor, an expanse of greenery in the heart of the city which is bigger than Hyde Park and Hampstead Heath combined and bigger than New York’s Central Park.




2. Bridges

Iconic (Picture: NE1 Ltd)

Many cities can boast beautiful bridges, but we have seven within the space of half a mile, all visible from our world famous Quayside. The Tyne Bridge is an international icon and was the basis for Australia’s Sydney Harbour Bridge opened five years later.

3. World firsts

Again, not meaning to brag – but for centuries Newcastle has led the way in innovation. From the first locomotive which gave birth to the industrial revolution and the coal that powered it, to the electric light bulb – they were all developed here in Newcastle. The first turbine driven ship, the Turbinia was developed on Tyneside, the first street lit by electric light was Mosely Street in Newcastle and our Metro system was Britain’s first modern light railway system and is still the second largest Metro system in the UK.

Other notable innovations include Lucozade and Wispa Bars, all developed thanks to ingenious Geordies.

Five years before EH Bailey completed his other, lesser known work, Nelson’s column in Trafalgar Square, Newcastle got its iconic statue of Earl Grey that sits atop the monument on Grey Street, voted the best street in the UK.

4. Continued innovation

Newcastle continues to innovate (Picture: AFP)

Our contribution to world firsts is by no means historic. Newcastle continues to lead the way in a range of different fields – in Newcastle, an eminent orthopaedic surgeon has just been the first to create a pelvis using 3D printing technology and Life, the international centre for life sciences is at the cutting edge of medical and life science developments.

5. Architecture

(Picture: NE1 Ltd)

As well as having the best street in the UK, Grey Street, Newcastle has the highest ratio of Grade I and II* buildings as a proportion of all our listed buildings. Who can argue with the great John Betjeman who rated Newcastle’s Grey Street over London’s Regent Street for its majesty and perfection.

6. Surely, we must also have the best quality of life

Hadrian’s Wall is just a short distance away (Picture: Getty)

There’s so much more to the city than its international party reputation, although we’re immensely proud of this as well, but where else can you surf in the morning at Blue Flag beaches and in the afternoon be skiing up at Weardale in the Pennines, not to mention the staggeringly beautiful Northumbrian coastline,World Heritage sites of Hadrian’s Wall and Durham Cathedral and Harry Potter’s castle, aka Alnwick Castle, all within a short distance away.



7. There’s never a dull moment in Newcastle

NE1 Fashion Week (Picture: NE1 Ltd)

That’s another thing to love about this bustling city, it even has its own packed city centre events programme. In May, we have our very own NE1’s Newcastle Fashion Week, come the summer, there’s free open air film screenings at the Monument Movies and twice a year Newcastle hosts NE1’s Restaurant Week which allows you to dine out at some of the city’s swankiest restaurants for only £10 or £15 per head. And, with more restaurants per square mile than any other city in the North of England – the only problem you’ll have is deciding which to choose.

8. Quayside Seaside

Quayside Seaside (Picture: NE1 Ltd)

You know its summer when the deck chairs are out on Newcastle’s pop up beach, Quayside Seaside. Five square metres of beautiful white sand, equipped with its own beach volleyball court, deckchairs, palm trees, not to mention the buckets and spades that are freely available for sand castle building and general beach tomfoolery.

The beach is a free addition to the Quayside and provides a great place to enjoy your lunch and enjoy the views of the river, its famous bridges, Newcastle City Marina and the cityscape which includes the iconic Sage building and Baltic art gallery.

9. Talking of art galleries and culture

Theatre Royal (Picture: Getty)

We’ve got it coming out of our ears. The Baltic art gallery staged the Turner prize in 2011, and Newcastle’s Grade 1 listed Theatre Royal is the northern home of the RSC that takes up residency here each year and plays to packed audiences. Music aficionados are spoilt for choice with venues running the gamut from the Metro Radio Arena and the international Sage to intimate haunts for up and coming artists and performers. St James’ Park, home to Newcastle United football club, (more below) is also re-launching its musical events programme with Kings of Leon taking to the hallowed turf on Saturday 31 May for the first date of their European tour


10. To football

FOOTBALL! (Picture: Tony Marshall/Getty Images)

The Magpies, The Toon, The Geordies, call it what you will, Newcastle United Football Club, unlike many of its Premiership contemporaries remains in its original site in the heart of the city with a stadium that dominates the skyline and the lives of its ardent supporters. Its fortunes may waver but the support is steadfast.

11. It may sound clichéd but it is true – Newcastle is the friendliest place on earth

The friendly city (Picture: YouTube)

If Carlsberg did cities…Newcastle would be it. Speak to someone on the Metro platform, or in one of the city’s restaurants, bars or shops and they’ll be happy to chat. The city is uber friendly, knows how to party and is one of the safest cities in England. I rest my case!

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