Itineraries

Back

The Capital of World-Class Culture

Culture pours out of every inch of North East England, which has become renowned for the quality and vibrancy of its arts scene.

You only need to travel 20 minutes by Metro, car or bus to reach NewcastleGateshead and visit one of the most iconic quaysides in the world. Home to the internationally acclaimed BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art with its ever-changing calendar of diverse and wonderful international exhibitions, and near-neighbour Sage Gateshead music centre, home of the Royal Northern Sinfonia. 

Standing proudly nearby is the Gateshead Millennium Bridge - the world's first tilting bridge, a relatively new addition to the river's famous line of now seven distinguished bridges. 

Ten minutes walk away, the stately Laing Art Gallery has an eclectic collection of world-famous art from Lowry to Rosetti. And in the nearby coastal city of Sunderland there's another little-known gem, the National Glass Centre. It's a stunning, modern building set on the banks of the River Wear, just a short walk away from Sunderland's stretch of golden coastline in one direction and Empire Theatre in the other. 

A magnificent 19th-century French château, created by John and Josephine Bowes, is just a short journey away. The Bowes Museum, set in 100 acres of accessible parklands and gardens, houses permanent collections of fine arts spanning five centuries, and world-class temporary exhibitions such as the recent premiere of the work of fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. 

Did you know...? The astonishing mechanical Silver Swan at the Bowes Museum is operated just once a day at 2.00pm. Crowds have flocked to this 40-second clockwork performance for over 240 years. 

World-Class Culture

View