Why you should arrange a trip to Newcastle before Christmas
#This is a collaborative post
I may be a Brummie born and bred, but I love to travel around the country with my family, and at Christmas time, I love it even more. So many of our cities here in the UK have SO much to offer, and during November and December, they all seem to come to life, with loads of attractions to visit and explore.
One of my favourite cities to visit at Christmas is Newcastle and with my close friend being a Geordie born and bred, we always look to visit by rail, with the train travelling from London Kings Cross to Newcastle. We then meet our friend at the station, and pack as much as we can into one short weekend.
Here my low down on the best places to visit in Newcastle this Christmas.
Embracing your inner Potterhead at Alnwick Castle
As massive Harry Potter fans, a visit to Newcastle wouldn’t be complete without a day trip to Alnwick Castle. Children and adults, muggles and wanabe wizards alike, can get involved with their very own broomstick training session, right on the spot where Harry Potter first flew on his broom in Harry Potter & The Philosopher’s Stone. With an eccentric professor and some fantastic photo opportunities, this is one of the Harry Potter locations you must tick off your bucket list!
Photo from Alnwick Castle website.
Ice Skating at Life Science Centre
Every winter, the Life Science Centre hosts a huge outdoor ice skating rink on Times Square with combo tickets available that gain you access to the centre and skating for not much difference in price. Open 7 days a week and with a magical festive feel just like you’ve been whisked into the movies, the girls absolutely love getting their skates on for a festive twirl or two. (I wont mention the fact that Mike is fairly similar to Bambi on the ice – oops I just did).
St James’ Park with Santa
The home of Newcastle United football club, this football stadium becomes all the more festive once the winter months arrive. Not only does this extra special stadium tour allow you to get behind the scenes to where some of their favourite players hang out, but children then get to meet Santa himself in the Media Suite – before receiving a gift and lanyard from Santa, and having a snap taken with the big man and Monty Magpie, the loveable Newcastle United mascot.
Newcastle Christmas Market
Although I am a little biased and love Birmingham’s German Christmas Market, Newcastle’s has a lot to shout about too. Starting at Grey’s monument, but also extending down Blackett and Northumberland Street, the Newcastle Christmas market opened on the 16th November and will be there right up until New Years’ Eve. With over 70 stalls and independent traders selling food, drink and gifts from all over the world – if this doesn’t make you feel festive nothing will.
Fun for the whole family, there is also a traditional carousel, a 30m thrilling tobogan slide, a helter skelter and a ski lodge themed bar, serving festive drinks and mulled wine.
Are you based in Newcastle? What other festive bucketlist locations would you recommend?
