What to do in the Toon as a solo woman?

It’s getting colder, and Newcastle is more magical than ever – but what is there for you to do?

Before I moved to England’s northernmost city, I was very reliant on my friends for social activities, and I rarely ventured out by myself. But, since moving to university in Newcastle, I have found my independence, and I now seek out solo pursuits in the Toon. So, how would I spend the perfect solo day in Newcastle, I hear you ask? Well… I’m about to tell you.

Firstly, I would take a walk down from the city centre to Quayside and along the River Tyne. This is a lovely introduction to the city itself, with lovely views. If you find yourself on Quayside on a Sunday between the times of 9-4, there are markets lining the dock, with multiple vendors ranging from food to handcrafted goods, books, artwork and more! All products are reasonably priced, and I would highly recommend the ‘Geordie Banger‘ stall, selling homemade sausages and hot dogs – perfect for warming up on a cold Sunday morning!

Continuing along Quayside, I always find myself heading into the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, an art facility offering dynamic and ever-changing exhibits. Welcoming visitors free of charge, it is a perfect place for any art lovers wanting to experience the modern art scene that Newcastle has to offer. A great view of the river and bridges is a huge plus for the Baltic!

I believe Newcastle has an abundance of independent bookshops, offering every genre of book you could think of. One of my personal favourites is ‘Books for Amnesty’, located on Westgate Road. Serving the local community for over a decade, they are constantly being donated new books, making each visit completely different from the last. They are a mere four-minute walk from Central Station, making it the perfect stop on your journey back to the city centre from the river. Another I frequent is ‘1b Books‘. Slightly further out in the suburb of Heaton, this bookshop sells predominantly queer fiction and non-fiction books, offering representation to queer communities throughout the city.

At this point, you’re probably starting to get hungry! So, my lunch suggestion would be Dot Bagels, situated in Claremont Teahouse, adjacent to the university campus. With additional stores in Jesmond and Heaton’s Chillingham Road, these bagels truly taste like you have been transported to the Big Apple. With combos such as ‘Salt on Chilli Rd’ and ‘New York Parmo’, my personal favourite is ‘The NFC’ – Nashville fried buttermilk chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch, gherkins, and green goddess slaw. There really is something for everyone! They are available to eat in or takeaway, depending on your mood. There is a lovely green space opposite (by the Civic Centre) if you decide to enjoy your food in the fresh air.

No trip to Newcastle is complete without a visit to the home of the black and white army, St James’ Park Football Stadium. Located a stone’s throw away from the city centre and metro station, this is the perfect afternoon activity when in the Toon. Stadium tours start at £30 for over-16s if you want to get a behind-the-scenes view of what goes on in the best stadium in England (my opinion, but still…). If you happen to be in Newcastle on a game day and can’t get a ticket, almost all pubs in the city centre stream the game. Most recognisable is ‘The Strawberry‘, just around the corner from St James’ Park itself.

My last recommendation for Newcastle is one that most people don’t even realise is possible: climbing Grey’s Monument! The Monument can be found at the intersection of Grey St, Blackett St, and Grainger St. Standing at 41 metres tall and built in 1838, its intention was to recognise Charles Grey, Prime Minister of the UK from 1830 to 1834.

You definitely need to be organised to get tickets, as they are only available to book on the first Saturday of each month. But, they are only £7, so an absolute bargain in my opinion! You get a stunning and unique view of Newcastle from above, after climbing the 164 stairs, of course!

So, that is my guide to a perfect day spent in Newcastle Upon Tyne. Will you be visiting? If so, I hope you love it as much as I do.

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