Where To Find 9 Free Things To Do in Newcastle

Planning a UK city break? With plenty of free sights and attractions to discover, plus a complimentary abundance of Geordie charm to enjoy, Newcastle is a great option for a weekend away that won’t break the bank. From free museums and galleries to iconic landmarks and peaceful parks, we’ve picked nine fabulous things to do for no-cost sightseeing on a budget-friendly city break in Newcastle.

If you’re watching the pennies, it’s good to know that free things to do in Newcastle include complimentary travel for up to three kids aged 11 and under on the speedy, efficient Tyne and Wear Metro, making exploring the city with family even more wallet-friendly. The service has two routes; the green line is handy for visitors as it connects hotels near Newcastle International Airport with city-centre stops Haymarket, Monument and Central Station, near the major sights. The yellow line has stops at Manors, Byker and Wallsend if you’re visiting attractions around suburban Ouseburn.

Newcastle has a plethora of free museums and art galleries to choose from, offering all the insider info on an ever-changing city with a history that dates back two millennia. Most of them have a schedule of changing exhibitions too, so you’ll get to see something new every time you visit.

One of the best free things to do in Newcastle is to visit its famous BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art on the south bank of the River Tyne. Converted from an old flour mill in 2002, this must-see contemporary gallery holds six airy and bright floors of thought-provoking, constantly changing blockbuster exhibitions and (occasionally mind-boggling) shows by up-and-coming artists. If the kids don’t quite get some of the more outlandish art installations, distract them with free activities in the Learning Lounge on the second floor.

• South Shore Road, Gateshead NE8 3BA
• Open Wed–Sun 10am–6pm
• 10 minutes’ walk from Gateshead town centre

Learn all about Tyneside life – from its rich seafaring heritage to the current regional focus on producing green energy – with the help of fascinating interactive displays. Kids can dress up as Viking warriors, listen to fairy stories and fly through space on the FX Simulator (there is a small charge for the latter), but pride of place goes to the steam-powered Turbinia, launched in 1897 and once the fastest ship in the world; she’s the first exhibit you see on entering the museum.

• Blandford Square, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4JA
• Open Mon–Fri 10am–4pm; Sat–Sun 11am–4pm
• 7 minutes’ walk from Central Station

Formerly the Hancock, the Great North Museum on the university campus is another top recommendation for free things to do in Newcastle. This engaging museum offers an educational experience for all ages, where life-size models of a T-Rex, elephant and shark, Ancient Egyptian mummies and fragments of Hadrian’s Wall sit in carefully curated displays. For a small charge, you can also discover the secrets of the galaxy in stomach-churning 4D at the Planetarium.

• Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4PT
• Open Mon–Fri 10am–5pm; Sat 10am–4pm, Sun 11am–4pm
• 5 minutes’ walk from Haymarket bus station

Along with zero-cost walking tours of the city, there are verdant parks to explore, a very famous sculpture to admire and a bustling quayside to discover – all fun things to do in Newcastle and all good for the pocket.

Newcastle’s most unique spectacle and Britain’s largest sculpture, the Angel of the North is a must-see on your budget city break in the city, and what’s more, it’s a completely free attraction! Constructed in 1998 and the handiwork of British sculptor extraordinaire Sir Antony Gormley, the Angel is an iconic feature on the skyline as you approach Newcastle by car. The sculpture towers at 20 metres tall and weighs in at 200 tonnes; its wingspan is almost as wide as a jumbo jet.

• Durham Road, Low Eighton, Gateshead NE9 7TY
• Open 24/7
• Bus 21 from Newcastle Eldon Square bus station to Durham Road

You can have more free outdoor adventures in this historic park, a peaceful respite from the bustle of the city centre laid out along the River Ouseburn in the 19th century. The 3-km slither of leafy garden sits in a winding valley and is rich in wildlife; look out for red squirrels and darting kingfishers as you follow winding footpaths along the river past eye-catching follies, bridges and waterfalls. Kid-friendly activities include a play area, alpacas and pot-bellied pigs to feed at the petting farm and a boating lake (a charge applies for the latter). Fancy staying in an equally verdant landscape? Mercure Newcastle George Washington Hotel Golf & Spa is just 15 minutes from the city centre and set in the grounds of an 18-hole championship golf course.

• Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7DZ
• Open 24/7; café and loos open 10am-3:30pm
• 15 minutes’ walk from South Gosforth Metro

Once a bustling commercial dock, the Quayside has been gloriously rejuvenated and today a stroll alongside the dazzling River Tyne is one of the best free things to do in Newcastle. It’s lined with some of the city’s top eateries, and the popular Sunday Market has food stalls selling filled stotties – local bread rolls – and street food. As you walk, have a gander at The Glasshouse concert hall with its undulating steel roof, and admire the ornate Victorian brickwork of the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art – you’ll also pass the soaring steel span of the Tyne Bridge, and the sinuous contemporary curves of Gateshead Millennium Bridge.

• Newcastle Quayside NE1
• Open 24/7
• Metro to Monument

Days out with the kids don’t have to cost a fortune either; here are some suggestions of free things to do in Newcastle with children of all ages. Don’t forget that the museums and galleries mentioned above all have free admission too, and are a great way to keep youngsters entertained on rainy days. If you’re keen to save on the cost of your trip, pack a picnic. You can pick up fresher-than-fresh ingredients at busy city-centre Grainger Market.

Tucked under the spans of a red-brick Victorian viaduct, Ouseburn Farm is a fantastic community-led petting farm where your kids can cuddle goats and piglets, collect eggs from the free-range hens and feed adorable lambs in season. Its purpose is to support less-privileged members of society – there are regular workshops for youngsters and adults with learning disabilities – and the farm is easily accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs.

• Ouseburn Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 2PA
• Open Tue–Sun 10am–3pm
• Metro to Manors or Byker

Standing at the eastern end of mighty Hadrian’s Wall, which marched 117 km across northern England, Segedunum offers visitors a hands-on and immersive introduction to Roman Britain with its wall remains, reconstructed bath house and 35-metre-high tower with views over the site. Information is cleverly delivered in bite-sized pieces (there are lots of slightly gory displays that will appeal to youngsters), and kids can dress up in Roman togas for photo ops, build Roman walls and arches, or join craft workshops in the school holidays.

• Buddle Street, Wallsend, Tyne & Wear NE28 6HR
• Open in summer daily 10am–5pm; winter Mon–Sat 10am–3pm
• Admission £6.95 and free to visitors aged under 22
• Metro to Wallsend

Another family attraction in the cultural quarter of Ouseburn, Seven Stories is a must-visit for bookworm families keen to inspire a love of literature in their offspring. As well as inspiring story-telling sessions, kids can dress up as their favourite character, put on a shadow-puppet show and even try on a pair of giant undergarments. Among the bright, colourful temporary displays, a recent innovation is the digital exhibition with a host of original illustrations bringing characters like the Gruffalo to life.

• 30 Lime Street, Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 2PQ
• Open Mon–Tue, Thur–Sun 10am–5pm in term time; daily 10am–5pm during school holidays
• Admission free but tickets required for some exhibitions and events
• Metro to Manors or Byker

Whether you’re admiring contemporary art, walking along the Quayside or discovering local history, there’s no shortage of ways to experience Newcastle's charm without spending a penny. What are you waiting for?