The North-Eastern city of Newcastle is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne and is a vibrant and bustling city with a rich history worth investigating. The castle and keep for which the city takes its name is a fine example of a northern keep and hints at the wider regions long and eventful history. Although the stunning coastline nearby is not known as a popular beach destination (due to the weather), it is popular with walkers and outdoor sports enthusiasts. Newcastle is known as the cultural centre of the north and lovers of film, music and theatre will find the city buzzing with events that will suit them. Those visiting the city on a shoestring budget will be glad to hear that the area represents great value for money and there are plenty of attractions that won’t cost much making Newcastle a great place to visit.

Perhaps the best place to start when visiting Newcastle is the castle keep. It is one of the best preserved Norman keeps left in the UK, and is located in the historical heart of the city. It is a fascinating reminder of Newcastle’s turbulent past and is an interesting building to explore. Entry is reasonably priced at £4 and the castle boasts some outstanding views of the river and bridges from its rooftop. The Black Gate is another important building still standing in modern Newcastle and is worth having a look at. Historically important, architecturally complex and visually attractive, the Black Gate is the home of the Society of Antiquaries and has been for over 100 years.

Newcastle has loads of theatres, there are actually more theatres per head than anywhere else in the country. The city is celebrated for its diverse schedule of plays and performances. Newcastle’s Theatre Royal is the regional home of the Royal Shakespeare Company and is located in a beautiful grade A listed building. The theatre presents over 380 performances to over 300,000 people per year. It has a reputation for being one of the finest theatres in the UK and is on the schedules of many of the world’s best touring theatre acts. Tickets are reasonably priced and it is highly recommended that you find out what is on – the Theatre Royal offers something for everyone. Newcastle also has a reputation for being a poetry centre and The Morden Tower frequently puts on poetry readings. Many international poets and some more experimental musical acts perform at the venue for very reasonable prices. Visitors to Newcastle on a shoestring budget looking for an evening’s entertainment should definitely look to the Morden Tower.

A great museum for visitors on a budget is The Great North Museum where admission is free. The museum incorporates collections from various Newcastle museums and includes a huge interactive model of Hadrian’s Wall. There are also displays illustrating the diversity of animal and plant kingdoms, a life-size dinosaur skeleton, a planetarium, Ancient Greek artefacts and Egyptian mummies. Innovative touch screen technology helps bring to life the exhibitions and displays. There is something for everyone to enjoy within the museum and it comes highly recommended.

Newcastle’s nightlife is considered legendary and was famously named Britain’s best tourist attraction by the Rough Guide to Britain. It is hard to dispute such an accolade when visiting the city centre in the evening and there is plenty to suit everyone’s taste. The Quayside area of the city centre has a high concentration of pubs and clubs that offer great value for money. Newcastle is known for its great food too and there is a large range of culinary highlights to choose from. The Bigg Market area of the centre has some great budget eating options, including Al Basha which serves cheap Lebanese food and has friendly service. Another great eating option is the Settledown Café, offering sandwiches and salads. Friendly service is commonplace in Newcastle and the locals are known for their welcoming spirit. Newcastle even has its own food festival, EAT!, a quirky and imaginative event that proves food festivals aren’t only for connoisseurs .

All in all, Newcastle offers a wide range of great activities for those visiting on a budget. You can get a real sense of Newcastle’s history and how the modern city has developed. Plenty of culture and budget eating places means Newcastle comes alive at night like nowhere else and there is something for everyone in this vibrant and diverse northern city.

	Written by :
	Jemma is a news & research reporter for compareandsave.com.Having worked as a journalist on a number of personal finance websites; she now spends time researching and commenting on UK personal finance stories and investigating new ways to help our readers save money.  For press enquiries, please visit our Media Centre page.