Things To Do In Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne, affectionately known as “The Toon,” offers an exciting array of activities and attractions tailored to students. From cultural hotspots to lively nightlife, there’s something for everyone.

Our top things to do in Newcastle as a student

Visit Newcastle Castle

Dive into history at Newcastle Castle, where you can explore mediaeval dungeons and climb the ancient battlements for panoramic views of the city. Student discounts are often available.

Immerse Yourself in Culture

Discover Newcastle’s cultural scene with a visit to museums like the Great North Museum and the Laing Art Gallery. Many offer free admission for students, making it an affordable day out.

Experience the Nightlife

Newcastle is renowned for its legendary nightlife. Explore the bars and clubs along the Bigg Market, Collingwood Street (aka “The Diamond Strip”), and the Ouseburn Valley for unforgettable nights out.

Enjoy Green Spaces

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city at Jesmond Dene, a tranquil park with woodland walks, a petting zoo, and a stunning waterfall. It’s the perfect spot for picnics or relaxing with friends.

Catch a Match

Experience the electric atmosphere of a Newcastle United football match at St James’ Park. Student tickets are available for selected games, offering an affordable way to cheer on the Toon Army.

Sample Local Cuisine

Treat your taste buds to Geordie delights like the famous Greggs sausage roll or indulge in hearty pub grub at one of Newcastle’s traditional pubs. Don’t forget to try a stottie—a local speciality.

Explore Quirky Quayside Markets

Browse through the stalls at Newcastle’s Quayside Market, held every Sunday, where you can find everything from handmade crafts to local produce. It’s a great way to support local artisans and soak up the lively atmosphere.

Our top things to do for free in Newcastle as a student

Stroll Along the Quayside

Enjoy a scenic walk along the Quayside, taking in iconic landmarks like the Millennium Bridge and the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art. It’s the perfect spot for Instagram-worthy photos.

Explore Grainger Town

Lose yourself in the charming streets of Grainger Town, filled with independent shops, cosy cafes, and vibrant street art. Don’t miss Grey Street, often hailed as one of the most beautiful streets in England.

Explore Ouseburn Valley

Immerse yourself in Newcastle’s creative side by exploring Ouseburn Valley. Admire colourful street art, visit art galleries like the Biscuit Factory (free entry), and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of this artistic hub.

Visit Jesmond Dene

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city with a visit to Jesmond Dene, a tranquil park featuring woodland walks, a petting zoo, and a beautiful waterfall. It’s the perfect spot for a relaxing day out in nature.

Discover Free Museums

Newcastle is home to several museums and galleries offering free admission. Don’t miss the Great North Museum, the Laing Art Gallery, and the Discovery Museum, where you can learn about the city’s history, art, and culture.

Enjoy Live Music

Experience Newcastle’s thriving music scene without spending a penny by checking out free gigs and performances at local venues like The Cluny and The Cumberland Arms.

With its vibrant culture, rich history, and lively nightlife, Newcastle offers an unforgettable student experience. Embrace all that The Toon has to offer and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Take a River Cruise

Enjoy a different perspective of the city by taking a nighttime river cruise along the River Tyne. Admire the illuminated bridges and landmarks while enjoying drinks and live music onboard.

Watch a Comedy Show

Laugh the night away at one of Newcastle’s comedy clubs or venues hosting stand-up comedy nights. The Stand Comedy Club and Jesterval Comedy Festival are popular choices for a night of hilarity.

Experience Late-Night Dining

Newcastle boasts a diverse culinary scene, with many restaurants and eateries open late into the night. From traditional Geordie fare to international cuisine, there’s something to satisfy every craving.

Visit a Casino

Test your luck at one of Newcastle’s casinos, such as Aspers Casino or Grosvenor Casino. Enjoy a thrilling night of gaming with a variety of table games, slot machines, and poker tournaments.

Attend a Theatre Show

Catch a late-night performance at one of Newcastle’s theatres or performing arts venues. From drama and comedy to musicals and dance, there’s always something captivating to see on stage.

Explore Quayside Night Market

On selected nights, Quayside Market transforms into a bustling night market featuring local artisans, street food vendors, and live entertainment. It’s a fantastic way to experience Newcastle’s creative energy after dark.

Take a Ghost Tour

Discover Newcastle’s darker side with a spooky ghost tour of the city’s historic streets and haunted landmarks. Hear chilling tales of ghosts, ghouls, and paranormal activity as you explore Newcastle by night.

Enjoy a Late-Night Walk

Take a stroll along the Quayside or through Newcastle’s charming streets, soaking up the atmosphere of the city at night. The illuminated bridges and architecture create a magical ambience after dark.

Our Student’s Story

Don’t listen to us when we talk about how much Vita Student do for our students. Listen to our genuine residents about their time living with us. Here we spoke to Mahmood who lives in our Newcastle Westgate building. Mahmood spends his time away from uni working on his freelance video editing business so we spoke to him about balancing his business with his full-time studies and why he enjoys living at Vita Student.

Hi Everyone,

Vita Student is a very friendly environment and I love living here. Since moving in, I’ve made a lot of new friends, perhaps way too many friends! I never had an issue with meeting new people since I’m a content creator and I consider myself to be very sociable. The events schedule makes it easy too.

I heard about Vita before I even moved in as it’s very popular in the city of Newcastle. I love the Westgate Road Vita and after viewing, decided it was definitely the best one for me. It has a lot of character in it and amazing social spaces, not to mention the staff. They always make sure we’re safe and they’re super cool with us. Basically the staff in Westgate Road are EVERYTHING.

What I like most about Vita Student is they’re always bringing us new ideas for events and activities so it never gets boring. The Roller Disco Party was something out of this planet. It gave me flashbacks of Old R&B music which I really like. It had a flashy environment and I couldn’t help but grab my camera and make this video.

Life in Vita Newcastle, a student’s perspective

I picked up my camera out of boredom about 7 years ago and fell in love with making videos. I like how I can tell stories to people, just like how people read books. It became my profession 3 years ago when I decided to freelance with this job. I met my best-friend (the model in the video) 2 years ago when we started working together. We set up a YouTube channel and Instagram account to promote our videos and showcase our work. We collaborate with other businesses that require our help in promoting themselves via visual video. We love what we do and therefore we have fun by making funny videos on YouTube and music videos on Instagram, it doesn’t seem like work.

My advice for content creators in universities is to keep pursuing what you enjoy and pushing to achieve what you want. I fell for videography due to many reasons. The main one being my love for the people I work with. They’re as ambitious as I am and we all work together to create and release videos for our channels each time. I love story telling so when it comes to editing, I usually sit alone in my room silently for a long time before it goes live. I then release it to the internet and I feel everyone then communicates with me through the comments and by enjoying the videos I release which is a really amazing feeling. 

Mahmood AlHashimi