By Erica Crompton
Newcastle’s walking tours, hosted by knowledgeable volunteers, are a superb way to take in a city before really digging into it. Our tour guide on this drizzly morning is Laurence, a sprightly figure full of energy and facts about Newcastle. We begin atop the city centre streets, at the Earl Grey monument, which shoots up into the grey Northern skies.
We are soon meandering our way through historical architecture and shiny eighteenth century tiled shopping centres to Grainger Market, where Marks and Spencer once had a stall before it enjoyed its current mega-fame. This very M&S stall – with its original gold and green facade – remains to this day, selling seconds (I had to stop our tour briefly to check out the fuchsia, frilly tunic dress!)
As we wander through Grainger market, we are taken further back into history with a majestic cathedral flanked by a statue of Queen Victoria and the sandstone remains of a castle, perhaps once known as the ‘New-Castle’ or so I guessed.
As the heavens open and it begins to pour, the end of our tour in marked over the Tyne Bridge as we overlook the Millennium bridge where we are heading for dinner near later. We shelter and chat for a little while.
Who knew refuge from the rain could be found with such views, such historical references and an abundance of camaraderie?
- To learn more about Newcastle’s Walking Tours visit newcastlegateshead.com/newcastle-city-guides
