What kind of day trips from Edinburgh by train are there?

Scotland has a great network of railways that make day trips from Edinburgh by train simple. For the most part, there’s just one operator (ScotRail) as well, so you don’t have to worry about getting on the wrong one.

Whether you just want to make a short hop and go for a walk somewhere new, or fancy a lie down on the beach, we’ve got you covered.

Aberdour & The Fife Coast

Did you know that the beach is just a 30-minute train trip from Edinburgh? Simply hop on a train to Aberdour and you can enter a completely different world. The beautiful sights begin before you’ve even left the station:

What better way to start one of these day trips from Edinburgh by train than by arriving at a station adorned with hanging baskets and beautiful flower arrangements? In fact, the village has won a Britain in Bloom award and has over 80 volunteers making sure that the entire community keeps looking spick and span.

It’s just a short walk down to Black Sands, which faces the Firth of Forth and gives great views back towards Edinburgh and Arthur’s Seat:

This is definitely a good one if you fancy a walk. If you’d prefer some more peaceful surroundings, then you can head to Silver Sands. It’s connected to Black Sands by the Fife Coastal Path, or it’s a 15-minute walk if you’re coming from the station directly:

Silver Sands is great if you just want to lie back and relax. It has a wee cafe too, so you can enjoy a cold drink on a warm day (or a hot one if you’ve decided to have a bracing stroll in the colder months!)

You could pay a visit to Aberdour Castle & Gardens, too. It’s one of the oldest standing Castles in Scotland, with some parts dating back to the 1100s. Over the years, different families added their own touch to the castle, giving a real insight into the fashions and attitudes of the time. We can’t forget the beautifully-kept grounds, either:

Getting There

Ready to make this one of your next day trips from Edinburgh by train? The fares are pretty simple. It’s £8 for a day return that’s valid after 09:15 on weekdays (any time weekends and Bank Holidays).

Trains leave twice every hour, and the trip takes around 30 minutes. On a Sunday, the trains run hourly. The most common route to Silver Sands beach (via the station car park) has no step-free access, so you’ll need to bear this in mind if you’re travelling with kids and a buggy. Instead, you’ll need to go via Main Street to join Hawkcraig Road.

Linlithgow

This is one of the quickest and simplest day trips from Edinburgh by train. You can be there in less than 20 minutes! So, what is there to do in Linlithgow?

If you want some peace and quiet (and to get your step count in) then you can take a walk around Linlithgow Loch:

It’s just over two miles and should take you around an hour. It’s pretty level too, so this makes it a nice and easy afternoon stroll with the family, the dog, or if you just want to have a leg stretch. Keep an eye out for wildlife, as well. The loch itself is home to a lot of water birds, such as the rare Great-Crested Grebe.

You can also take a look at the magnificent Linlithgow Palace:

It’s just re-opened to the public after a two-year renovation project (as of June 2023), and it’s a fascinating building to explore. Did you know that the Palace is the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots? Construction began in 1424, and it served as a Royal Residence for over 300 years.

Getting There

Looking to visit a royal residence for one of your next day trips from Edinburgh? A day return ticket is £9.20 if you’re travelling after 09:15 on weekdays (any time on weekends and Bank Holidays).

You’ll find four trains an hour on weekdays (with more during peak times), six per hour on Saturdays and four per hour on Sundays.

Glasgow

While Edinburgh might be Scotland’s capital, it’s Glasgow that takes the crown for Scotland’s largest city. It has a plethora of free museums, parks and more, so it’s a no-brainer if you’re looking for action-packed day trips by train from Edinburgh.

One of the longest-running and largest museums in the city is the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. You’ll find 22 different galleries to explore (and the odd plane suspended from the ceiling):

What’s more, it’s completely free to visit. Whether you want to know more about Dutch art, Ancient Egypt or Scotland’s very own Charles Rennie Macintosh, there’s something for everyone to learn about and enjoy.

Is a hundred years not old enough for you? The Glasgow Botanic Gardens have been a part of the city since 1817, and they’ve been at their current spot since 1839:

The gardens are home to over 9,000 plants. Not only are the gardens a great (and free) place to visit, but they’re a key part of the effort to preserve many endangered species of plant in the face of climate change.

We know that Glasgow is full of things to see and do, and that we couldn’t squeeze everything in here. Don’t worry though, you can take a look at our guide to a Day Trip to Glasgow if you’re after some more inspiration.

Getting There

If you’re travelling on a weekend, or outside of the evening peaks, then it’ll cost £14.20 for an Off-Peak Day Return. This means that you can travel after 09:15, and then return before 16:43 and after 18:16. It’s valid all the time on weekends and Bank Holidays.

An Off-Peak Return is £19.10. It has the same restrictions on a morning weekday, but you can return whenever you like in the evening. Finally, an Anytime Day Return is £27.60 if you want to be up bright and early on a weekday.

The fastest trains go to Glasgow Queen Street and take around 50 minutes. You’ll find four trains per hour in weekday peak hours, as well as on Saturdays. Two trains run every hour during weekday Off-Peak hours and on Sundays.

Pitlochry

This is one of the longest day trips from Edinburgh by train, but it’s great if you want to get away from it all. Pitlochry is just on the edge of the Tay Forest Park (and not far from the Cairngorms National Park). So, what is there to do?

You can take a walk across the Pitlochry Dam and Fish Ladder and pop into the visitor centre to learn more about how the area generates hydroelectricity. The fish ladder sees over 5,000 salmon come upstream to breed every year, too. It was once feared that building the dam back in 1947 would wreck the tourist trade here. It’s actually done the opposite!

You can take all of this in on a simple circular walk around the town. Don’t forget to take in the views of the River Tummel, including the 12th-century hamlet of Port na Craig:

Looking for more places to walk? You’re spoilt for choice. There’s an entire network of Pitlochry Walks to take you out into the wilderness. Whether you want your day trips from Edinburgh by train to be a gentle look at nature or a bracing hike into the hills, you’re sure to find the one for you.

Getting There

A day return is £24.20 and it’s valid after 8am on weekdays (anytime weekends and Bank Holidays). Trains run roughly every hour or two, though you’ll need to change at Perth or Stirling for some trips. Direct trains leave Edinburgh in the morning at 08:33 and 10:36 (Monday to Saturday) and take just under two hours.

On a Sunday, the best direct train for a day trip leaves Edinburgh at 09:25.

Stirling

Finally, let’s take a look at Stirling. It’s one of the best choices for day trips from Edinburgh by train if you want to explore the history of Scotland. It’s less than an hour away, too.

The main attraction is of course Stirling Castle. The Battle of Bannockburn took place within sight of the castle walls, and it’s had a front seat for many events in Scotland’s history:

Just a short walk away from the castle is the Church of the Holy Rude. It’s the second-oldest building in Stirling (after the castle) and was established in 1129:

Do you prefer your history to be a little darker? Take a look at the Old Town Jail. It isn’t all doom and gloom though, as the building was once home to a sweet factory.

It’s £10.60 for a day return ticket that’s valid after 09:15 on weekdays (anytime weekends and Bank Holidays). For most of the day, you’ll find two trains per hour on this route, and the trains take around 50 minutes.

Is there anything else I should know?

Ready for some more inspiration? We’ve written lots more content all about day trips by train. Whether you’re travelling from Newcastle, Leeds, London, Glasgow or around Kent, we’re sure to have something for you. Don’t forget that there are plenty of advantages when it comes to leaving the car at home.

Here at SmartSplit, we know how difficult it can be to navigate the world of train tickets. Why not check out our pages on the best time to travel for cheap tickets and the best First Class train next? If you’re looking to get to Edinburgh first, we also have a guide to cheap train tickets to Edinburgh.

Thinking of taking a trip soon? You can book it all with SmartSplit. We’ll be sure to show you the slower and cheaper options, so you can get the best value fare for your journey.

Changed your mind? Need to travel on a different day? No problem at all. You can change or refund your ticket (if it’s refundable) without any extra fees.

_{^{All fares stated on this page are for ONE adult with no Railcard discount and were correct at 12:00 27/06/23. All times stated were correct at the time of writing. They’re subject to change at any time and SmartSplit are not responsible for any loss or disappointment incurred as a result of the information provided. Always check before you travel.}}

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What sort of day trips from Leeds by train are there?

No matter what you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered. Our day trips from Leeds could take you on a walk down a peaceful canal, on a journey down memory lane or enjoying some great food and drink. Let’s take a look at what we’ve discovered.

Knaresborough

You’ve probably heard of its neighbour, Harrogate, but have you considered day trips from Leeds to Knaresborough? It’s a little more tranquil and peaceful, but you won’t be short of things to see and do.

Why not start with a stroll down to the River Nidd? It’s a great place to admire the railway viaduct that you’ll have just passed over, if you’ve come from Leeds:

You could also pop into Knaresborough Castle & Museum. It’s just a short walk (and a climb) along the river. It’s a Norman Castle, and the climb is worth it for the views down the river valley.

If you head down the river and under the railway viaduct, you’ll find Mother Shipton’s Cave. It’s England’s oldest tourist attraction, and it was the home of Mother Shipton, a Tudor prophetess. Legend has it that she foretold the fates of various rulers both during and after her lifetime. She even predicted the Great Fire of London.

Fancy a trip? Two trains per hour run from Leeds to Knaresborough, and they take roughly 45 minutes to complete the drip. Day Return tickets start at £10.60.

Marsden and the Huddersfield Narrow Canal

It’s time to head right to the edge of West Yorkshire. If you want to embrace the great outdoors, then this is one of the perfect day trips from Leeds for you. Marsden is situated on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. At its summit, this is actually the highest canal in Great Britain:

It’s also the point where both trains (and boats) need to cross the Pennines to reach Manchester. So, you can get up close and personal with the railway, and learn more about the Standedge Tunnels, where the trains rush in and out of, and the boats, hopefully don’t rush in and out of:

If you head in the other direction, it’s a pleasant hour-so-walk back towards Slaithwaite along the canal. Alternatively, you could head inland towards the Butterley Reservoir.

Looking to get exploring? You can reach Marsden in as little as 35 minutes with a change at Huddersfield, once every hour. 

Saltaire

Our next stop is Saltaire. The area was built by Sir Titus Salt in 1851, so that his workers in Salts Mill could live in better conditions than the slums of neighbouring Bradford. The name ‘Saltaire’ is simply his surname, and the name of the passing river – the River Aire!

Nowadays, the main attraction continues to be Salts Mill. In the modern day, it serves as an art gallery and a place to learn about the history of Saltaire and the impact that it had as a prominent textile-making hub. You’ll find a shop selling local goods, too:

If you’re after something a little more tranquil, just pop a little further down the road. You’ll soon find yourself at the Leeds & Liverpool Canal:

From here, it’s possible to walk all the way to Skipton or Leeds. Or, you might just prefer to take in your surroundings and have a walk over towards Robert’s Park…

Is Saltaire worth its salt? You can find out with just a 15-minute train ride from Leeds. A Day Return starts at £6.30.

The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway

How do you like the sound of day trips from Leeds by train…that take you to another train? This one looks just a little bit different, though:

The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway links Keighley, Oakworth, Haworth and Oxenhope with a variety of heritage trains. You could have a steam train, a diesel one (like we did) or a more familiar-looking Pacer train.

Along the way, you can learn about the history of the railway, and get up close and personal with the trains that run along the route. Don’t forget to stop off at Ingrow West to visit the Museum of Rail Travel, or pop into the Exhibition Shed at Oxenhope:

Meanwhile, Oakworth Station is famous for starring in The Railway Children, which was released in 1970. The entire railway is a true time capsule, and operates just as it did back before it closed in 1962. By 1968, an army of volunteers had it operating again! Keep an eye out for Damems Station, too. It’s got the shortest railway platform in the UK:

Trains link Leeds to Keighley at least twice every hour. The journey typically takes 25 minutes, and Day Return fares start at £8.20. You can find out more about the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, including their operating days and times, on their website. You can also reach our next destination by taking the hourly B3 bus from the line’s terminus at Oxenhope…

Hebden Bridge

Hebden Bridge has it all. Beautiful scenery, some great places to walk and a plethora of independent shops and cafes to fill your boots in. It was even rated as the Greatest Town in Europe! With friendly touches like this, it’s easy to see why:

If you do choose to have a wander along the canal, much like other places on this list, you can go rather far! This is the Rochdale Canal, after all. You could walk it all the way through the Pennines and into Manchester City Centre, if you were so inclined.

A little closer to Hebden Bridge, you could also go exploring around Hardcastle Crags. It’s around a 35-minute walk from the station to the beginning of the area. It has 15 miles of paths to explore though, so it might take you a little longer than 35 minutes to cover it all!

You can’t have day trips from Leeds without some decent grub and a good drink to wash it down. Hebden Bridge is home to Vocation Brewery, which serves its own craft beer, loaded fries and burgers:

You can take the train from Leeds to Hebden Bridge four times every hour and the trains take 40 to 50 minutes.

Is there anything else I should know?

Ready for some more inspiration? We’ve written lots more content all about day trips by train. Whether you’re travelling from Newcastle, London, Edinburgh, Glasgow or around Kent, we’re sure to have something for you. Don’t forget that there are plenty of advantages when it comes to leaving the car at home.

The final thing we’d recommend is using the SmartSplit website to book your next adventure. We’re completely independent, so we’re happy to ‘tell you like it is’ when it comes to rail fares. Not only that, but we’ll show you the slower, cheaper options that some websites won’t.

Don’t forget that we don’t charge any fees, either. That includes if you change your mind and want to travel on a different day. If your ticket is refundable, we’ll refund it fee-free, too!

_{^{All information on this page is issued in good faith and was correct at 31/08/2023. All fares quoted for were for ONE adult and were the Off-Peak Day Return fare. Information is subject to change at any time and SmartSplit are not responsible for any loss or disappointment incurred as a result of the information provided.}}

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What beaches are there to visit by train?

Lots! But here are our five favourites. They’re spread up and down the country, so you’re sure to find one that’s within reach.

Aberdour – Silver Sands & Black Sands

We’re starting north of the Scottish border for these top beaches to visit by train. You’re able to get to Aberdour from Edinburgh in just 30 minutes! If you take a short walk through the village and down to the Firth of Forth, you’ll reach Black Sands:

This is definitely a good one if you fancy a walk. If you’d prefer some more peaceful surroundings, then you can head to Silver Sands. It’s connected to Black Sands by the Fife Coastal Path, or it’s a 15-minute walk if you’re coming from the station directly:

Silver Sands is one of the great beaches to visit by train if you just want to lie back and take it all in. It faces towards the south east too. This means that you’ll get plenty of sunshine when the weather is right.

Saltburn

Saltburn beach is just a few minutes from the station, so it’s one of the ideal beaches to visit by train. You can reach it by a unique Cliff Lift, too.

Whether you want to relax on this huge stretch of beach, take a walk along the cliffs or feel the breeze along the pier, there’s something for everyone. Of course, it’s home to a classic arcade, too.

This part of the country is full of beautiful beaches. In fact, the beach in Saltburn extends all the way through Marske, up to Redcar and South Gare Lighthouse. Thinking of taking a visit? It’s less than half an hour by train from Middlesbrough, and hourly trains link it to York and Manchester, too.

West Kirby

There are very few places like West Kirby. You can take a stroll around the marine lake and take in the views across the River Dee. That’s Wales in the distance:

If you’re feeling more adventurous, then you can walk across the sand-flats to Hilbre Island. It’s about a two-mile trip and you’ll need to check the tide times before you go. It’s worth the walk, as you could see seals, whales and even dolphins!

West Kirby is a great beach to visit by train, as it’s linked to Liverpool by frequent Merseyrail services. They run up to every 15 minutes, and it’s around a 30-minute ride. Once you get to the station, it’ll take around five minutes to get to the seafront.

Seaford

We’re off to the South Coast of England, now. Seaford is just a stone’s throw from Brighton, and it has plenty to offer. For one, it has this huge stretch of beach:

It’s quite a stony beach, so it’s more suited for a stroll than building sandcastles, but don’t worry. You’ll find a number of sandpits along the promenade if your little ones want to get creative.

Want to get your steps in, instead? Seaford marks the beginning of the Seaford Head Nature Reserve. You can admire some impressive cliff formations along the way:

It’s around a 35-minute trip to Seaford from Brighton. If you’re coming from London, it’s just over an hour and a half. It’ll take you around 10 minutes along flat pavements to walk from the station to the beach.

Carbis Bay

Finally, we’re taking you to the far South West of Cornwall. Welcome to Carbis Bay, which is just a short hop from the more famous St Ives. Driving isn’t ideal around these parts, and the roads can be narrow and congested.

So, if you want to reach the beautiful blue waters and white sands of Carbis Bay, it’s the perfect beach to visit by train. The sub-tropical plants in the area can make you feel like you’re almost in another country entirely!

It’s served by the St Ives Branch Line, which will take you to St Erth. From here, direct trains run to Penzance, Plymouth, Exeter and London. Carbis Bay station itself is a very short walk from the beach.

Is there anything else I should know?

Thinking of taking a trip soon? You can book it all with SmartSplit. We’ll be sure to show you the slower and cheaper options, so you can get the best value fare for your journey.

Looking for more day trip inspiration? We’ve taken trips to Newcastle, Glasgow and Liverpool, so that you can have a smarter adventure.

Changed your mind? Need to travel on a different day? No problem at all. You can change or refund your ticket (if it’s refundable) without any extra fees.

The post Our Top Five Beaches to Visit by Train appeared first on SmartSplit.co.uk.

Getting There

Newcastle is situated on the East Coast Mainline between London and Edinburgh, so it’s easy to get to. You’ve plenty of choice as well, with some routes having multiple operators to choose from. Here’s what you can expect from a selection of key destinations:

• London – From London, LNER operate twice per hour, and Lumo run several times per day. If you’re travelling in a group or with a lot of luggage, LNER is your best bet, as they have quite a few more table seats. They have a lot more luggage space as well! Travelling alone, as a couple or just travelling light? Lumo is a great choice for the budget-conscious. Their trains run non-stop from London or Stevenage to Newcastle, too

• Edinburgh is served by LNER and Lumo, too. You can also choose from CrossCountry and TransPennine Express. If you want a quieter train, TransPennine Express can be a good bet. This is because most of their trains to Scotland start and finish in Newcastle, so you can the have first pick of seats. York also has trains operated by LNER, CrossCountry and TransPennine Express

• If you’re coming from places such as Carlisle and Middlesbrough, then you’ll catch a Northern train. Look out for last-minute deals on ‘Advance’ tickets! They often sell them right up to departure of the train, so you could still save compared to buying a more flexible ticket.

The Main Sights – the City Centre

Newcastle Cathedral

First of all, let’s take a look at a few of the main sights. If you take a left turn out of the station and continue for a couple of blocks, you’ll reach Newcastle Cathedral, also known as The Cathedral Church of St. Nicholas. St Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors and boats, which makes sense considering how important the River Tyne was, and continues to be for the city.

The current building was completed in 1350 and was heavily restored in 1777. It’s open every day (free entry) between 8am and 6pm, so you can pop in and take a look for yourself!

Newcastle Castle

Now, if you walk just a little further, you’ll find Newcastle’s Castle Keep and the Black Gate. This does answer the obvious question of whether Newcastle literally does have a castle! There’s been a castle here since Roman times, but this one dates from around 1177. From the 1500s to the 1700s, parts of the castle were used as a prison, and there were even some private houses within its grounds.

Nowadays, you can visit both of the attractions, which form part of Newcastle Castle. At the time of writing (February 2023) it’s open from Thursday to Sunday, and an adult ticket costs £9.95.

If you’re interested in tracing the history of Newcastle as a fortress, you could also search for parts of the old town walls. You’ll find a fairly complete section of the West Wall near Stowell Street, situated on the edge of Chinatown. It’s just a short walk from other City Centre attractions.

Grey Street

Heading back to the Cathedral, you can continue onwards a little to Grey Street. It’s undoubtedly one of the most beautiful streets you’ll find in a British city, and it was even rated the best street in the UK by Radio 4 listeners in 2010!

It was designed and built by Richard Grainger in the 1830s, and houses a variety of bars and restaurants. Most famously though, you’ll find the Theatre Royal at the very top.

Grey’s Monument

This brings us nicely to the last main sight on our whistle-stop tour, which is Grey’s Monument. It was built in 1838 to commemorate Charles Earl Grey’s work in passing the Great Reform Act of 1832, which increased the number of people able to vote in elections.

Nowadays, the Monument is the focal point of Newcastle. It functions as a Speakers Corner and plays host to events, performances, protests and more all year round. No matter the day of the week, there’ll probably be something gannin’ on!

Museums & Art Galleries

Newcastle is full of them! Most importantly, there’s a great deal of free ones, which is what we’re going to focus on. In the City Centre itself, you’ll find three attractions worth popping into…

The Great North Museum

Previously known as the Hancock Museum, the Great North Museum focuses on a mixture of natural history and the teaching of other world cultures.

You can learn about the wildlife of Newcastle and the wider region, and what makes it so special. Don’t miss the replica of a T-Rex either, we’ve checked and it doesn’t bite!

If you’re coming to the museum with your little ones, there’s a dedicated Mouse House to bring the rest of the exhibitions to life.

At the moment, it’s open between 10 and 5 every day. To reach the museum, you can walk to it or take the Tyne & Wear Metro from the station to Haymarket (two stops, five minutes).

You can find out more on the museum website.

The Discovery Museum

If you’d like to know more about the recent history of Newcastle, then the Discovery Museum is right up your alley. Located on St James’ Boulevard (turn left out of the station and continue straight on for around five minutes), it contains a variety of exhibitions about Newcastle, the river and its industry.

The centrepiece of the museum is the Turbinia, which was the world’s first Steamship, built in 1894. At the time, it was easily the fastest ship in the world, too. The ship itself was built in Wallsend, which is just a short distance down the river from Newcastle. Up until 2006, Wallsend was building ships that sailed to every corner of the world. A look at this list of ships built by one company there shows you just how powerful this small Tyneside town once was!

The Newcastle Story exhibition will take you through the history of the city from the Roman era to the present day, with all of the fascinating changes that came with it. Another feature is Destination Tyneside, which is the only permanent exhibition in the UK which tells the story of migrants who’ve made Newcastle and the wider region their home.

Of course, there’s something for the kids as well. The interactive Science Maze brings science and engineering to life. Whether that’s through exploring shadows and illusions, or having a go at a game of air hockey!

Right now, you can visit the Discovery Museum every day between 10 and 4 (11 and 4 weekends, closed Bank Holidays). You can find out more about everything on offer on the museum’s website.

The Laing Art Gallery

When you think of a traditional art gallery, something like the Laing Art Gallery will come to mind. The funds to build the gallery were left by Alexander Laing, so that it could be founded in 1901. He didn’t actually leave any art to it, but said that “by the liberality of the inhabitants [of Newcastle] it would soon be supplied with pictures and statuary for the encouragement and development of British Art.”

Sure enough, he was right! You’ll find a wealth of work by artists local and not-so-local. Artefacts from Newcastle and photography collections of the local area in times past have also featured before.

You can find out more about the gallery’s collection on their website. While most exhibitions are free, there might be a small charge for temporary ones. It’s open from 10 til 4:30 Monday to Saturday, and it’s located just off New Bridge Street – just a stone’s throw from Grey’s Monument and the rest of the City Centre.

The Quayside

The Quayside and the River Tyne have always been the lifeblood of Newcastle. In times past, it was teeming with industry. But, as this declined, the Quayside underwent a complete transformation. Nowadays, it’s a centre for hospitality, art and culture and just generally a great place to have a wander. Even today, Geordies always have a special place for the Tyne in their hearts. As the famous song goes, the fog on the Tyne is aal mine, aal mine!

The Bridges

Newcastle is famous for its bridges. As the old joke goes, there’s only one place that has the same number of bridges – Gateshead, on the other side of the river!

On the Quayside itself, there’s four main bridges that you’ll see:

• The Millennium Bridge was opened in 2001. It’s the newest addition to the river and gives pedestrian and cycle access from one side to the other. The bridge formed part of the redevelopment of the Quayside and was designed to link new developments on each side (such as the Baltic, more on that below!) When something needs to get down the river, it’s able to tilt up in the air and let it pass, as well.

• The iconic Tyne Bridge is an unmistakable symbol of Tyneside. Linking commuters from north to south (and vice versa), many locals say they know they’re home when they go past those green arches. It was opened in 1928, and is also home to around 700 pairs of nesting Kittiwakes, which can make quite the racket when you walk under the bridge! They’re part and parcel of the River Tyne experience.

• The Swing Bridge does exactly what it says on the tin. It can swing on a pivot to let any river traffic through! While in theory this can happen, the decline of industry on the river means that it’s a rare occurrence these days. Back when it was opened in 1876, it was also the largest swing bridge in the world.

• Finally, we have the fascinating High Level Bridge. Built in 1849, it actually has two decks. The bottom deck (within the structure itself) is for buses and taxis, while the top deck (exposed to the elements!) is for trains. Usually the only trains that use the bridge are those between Newcastle and Middlesbrough. If you choose to have a walk along the bridge, look out for the many ‘love-locks’ next to the path!

The Baltic

If the art in the Laing Art Gallery isn’t quite for you, then you might enjoy what’s on offer in the Baltic. Originally a flour mill, it was converted to an art gallery in 2002. It’s located on the Gateshead side of the Quayside, right next to the Millennium Bridge.

It features guest exhibitions from a variety of artists around the world, who can choose to express themselves in an almost endless number of ways. Take a look at this exhibition by Hew Locke which was on display when we visited:

It might look a little ‘unusual’ at first, but it’s actually a look at ‘processions’ and how they form the cycle of life. You can find out more here. Above all, Baltic is about thinking ‘outside the box’.

If you’d like a view down the river, then head up to the fifth floor:

If the weather’s nice, you’ll also find an outdoor viewing terrace on the fourth floor. It’s also home to more nesting Kittiwakes, just like the ones under the Tyne Bridge!

The Baltic is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 til 6 and entry is free.

The Sage Gateshead

As the name suggests, The Sage Gateshead is located on the south side of the river. Containing three performance halls, it was designed as a concert hall and musical education centre, opened in 2004. It’s also designed to be ‘acoustically perfect’, meaning that the different halls can be adapted to suit any kind of music.

If you’re not seeing a performance there, it’s still possible to have a wander inside. You’ll find a cafe and gift shop, as well as some pleasant views of the river. Just know that at the moment, the only way to access it from Newcastle is by walking over the Swing Bridge. Once you’re over the bridge, turn left and then cross the road to follow a path that leads up to the venue. Despite there being bus stops outside the Sage Gateshead, they’re no longer in use by any regular bus service.

The patch of land to the east of the venue will soon become the site of The Sage, which will be a brand-new arena. It’ll also house an international conference centre, bars, restaurants and hotels. The Gateshead side of the Quayside will truly become a hub for culture and the arts!

Eating and Drinking

Newcastle is a true melting pot of different cultures and cuisines, so it’s impossible to list them all. You can try local specialities and a famous stottie cake in the Grainger Market, while Chinatown has a plethora of restaurants serving traditional dishes from across Asia. Put simply, if you fancy it, somewhere will offer it!

The city also has a thriving craft beer scene. You’ll find little hidden bars like The Wobbly Duck in Old Eldon Square, which serve local specialities in a cosy and inviting atmosphere:

If you’re looking for somewhere near the station though, we have a couple of picks. For some tasty Mexican-inspired food, you could try Zapatista. They were Newcastle’s first Mexican-inspired burrito bar when they first opened over a decade ago.

Choose from burritos, nachos or chilli, with a wealth of options to make it your own. You can expect change from a tenner and a hearty meal to go with it. We tried the beef chilli:

You can find Zapatista on Grainger Street, just two minutes from the station. Alternatively, there’s another branch on Ridley Place, in the north end of the City Centre.

If you’d prefer to fuse craft beer and fresh pizza together, look no further than the Newcastle Tap. It’s located just over the road from the station’s taxi rank and serves an ever-changing selection of local and world beers.

Along with the drinks, you’ll of course find the pizza. The Newcastle Tap has its own pizza oven and the option to ‘half and half’ your pizza if you can’t decide on just one type of topping! Pizzas start at around £9 and work their way up to £14-£15. You can click here to find out more.

Heading Further Afield

Of course, Newcastle is just a small flavour of what Tyneside has to offer. Here’s some of the other things that you could do in a day if you come to visit:

• Take the Tyne & Wear Metro to Tynemouth. Along with a stunning coastline, you can take a look at the ruins of the historic Priory and sample some classic Fish and Chips
• Jump on bus 21 to the Angel of the North. The largest sculpture of an angel in the world, it was completed in 1998 and designed by Antony Gormley. If you come by train from the south, you’ll catch a glimpse of it on the right hand side. But what could beat getting up close and personal to the 246 foot tall behemoth?
• You could also take the Metro to Wallsend to visit Segudunum Roman Fort. Did you know that Wallsend Metro Station is the only station in the world to have dual English and Latin signage?

However you choose to experience Newcastle, you can travel smarter with SmartSplit. Book tickets with us and you won’t pay any fees if you need to change your plans.

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