What's on in Tyne And Wear

Tyne and Wear County is located in the north east of England and is a metropolitan county made up of five boroughs: City of Sunderland, City of Newcastle Upon Tyne, Gatreshead, North Tyneside and South Tyneside. It is bounded on the east by the North Sea, in the south by County Durham and in the north by Northumberland. An independent and passionate region with friendly locals and an isolated, windswept beauty Tyne and Wear is a mostly metropolitan and industrial county, more about its cities than the landscape.

But what cities, with Newcastle recently voted the best nightspot in the world and with a sporting rivalry between Sunderland and Newcastle to match any around the world. Most areas have moved on from their industrial roots to achieve successful regeneration and Tyne and Wear is now known for its award winning beaches, vibrant and bustling cities, excellent museums and world-famous galleries.

Highlights of the region include the city of Sunderland and the museums celebrating its industrial heritage of glass-making, coal mining and ship building, its wonderful boutique shops and restaurants and its charming Victorian streets. Sunderland Art Gallery features delightful paintings by L.S. Lowry, as well as famous Victorian masterpieces and other surprising curiosities from around the world.

Also worth a visit are the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art, the National Glass Centre on the River Wear and the North East Aircraft Museum. For a bit of open space and coast, head to South Shields for its beguiling coastal setting, gigantic piers at the mouth of the Tyne, its Victorian water pumping station and derelict windmill, and the extensive beaches and sand dunes and National Trust protected Leas. Check out Marsden Bay with one of the largest seabird colonies in Britain and endless beautiful coastal scenery further along the coast.

Last but not least there is Newcastle itself, the best night-spot in Britain, with arguably the best shops in Northern England too. Newcastle is a stunning and crazy city (along with Gateshead) and whether it’s the artwork at the Baltic center and Biscuit Factory or the Angel of the North; or whether you visit the Discovery Museum or even the old Castle Garth Keep, Newcastle is a fascinating mix of the industrial and the hip and will show you a good time.

New Found Glory

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Roy Chubby Brown

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Skrillex

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Melanie C

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Joan Baez

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