Things to do for Young People
Parks
Exhibition Park
Exhibition park is situated just north and a short walk from the city centre.
- There are two tennis courts and a basketball court.A fenced playground with safety surface, equipment consists of swings, slides, climbing units, spring toys and seating (note all equipment is inspected regularly and is inspected annually by an independent expert)
- Boating lake - Rowing boats for hire to the public
- Crazy Golf - Open for hire to the public during the spring and summer months.
- Refreshments are available at the park café open during spring and summer months. throughout the summer but limited times in the winter.
- Skatepark - This has been developed at the main entrance to Exhibition Park.
Find out more on Parks and Gardens...
Leazes Park
Leazes Park is Newcastle's oldest park and is just metres away from the city centre. There is an area of grassy moorland with plenty of trees and in the centre of the park there is a boating lake with boats for hire. Also available are public access tennis courts, a bowling green, and street basketball courts.
Find out more on Parks and Gardens...
Attractions
Castle Keep
- Castle Garth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1RQ.
- View Location
- Tel. 0191 2327938.
- Open daily (April to September) 9.30am to 5.30pm (October to March) 9.30am to 4.30pm
- Adults £1.50, Children 50p. Find out more...
City Sightseeing NewcastleGateshead
- View Starting Location
- Between 10am-4pm from March to December. Times and days vary, check before visit.
- Adults £7, OAP £ 6, Child (age 5-15) £3.50, Family (2 adults and up to 3 children) £17.50
Open top bus tours of NewcastleGateshead starting from Newcastle Central Station in Neville Street. This is a hop-on-hop-off service with tickets lasting 24 hours. The tour duration is 90 minutes which is split into two linked tours. Both tours start and finish at Central Station.
Newcastle Discovery
- Blandford House, Blandford Square, Newcastle NE1 4JA
- View Location
- Tel. 0191 232 6789
- Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2pm-5pm
- Admission free
Wide variety of experiences for all the family, home of the Turbinia, the world’s first turbine-powered vessel. Hands on science gallery.
Life Science Centre
- Centre for Life, Times Square, Newcastle NE1 4EP
- View Location
- Tel. 0191 243 8210
- Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-6pm (last admission 4pm)
- Adults £6.95, Children £4.50, Concessions £5.50, Family ticket £19.95
Inspires curiosity and encourages you to question and uncover new things about life. Life Centre promotes the discovery, understanding and enjoyment of the world around us alongside contemporary science issues. Explore exhibitions, watch live demonstrations, read about the latest science news, see shows in a unique Dome Theatre and enjoy special events that include family activities, lectures and debates. In Nov-Jan there is usually an outdoor skating rink.
Seven Stories, Centre for the Children’s Book
- 30 Lime Street, Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle NE1 2PQ
- View Location
- Tel. 0845 272 0777
- Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm (Thurs till 6pm) Sun 11am-5pm
- Adults (17 and over) £5, Children (16 and under) £4, Family (2 adults/2 children) £15
Seven Stories is where our rich heritage of British children's books is collected, explored and celebrated. Books are our inspiration for all kinds of exhibitions, activities and events, for seeing and hearing, making and doing, writing and drawing, music and drama and much more.
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Cinemas
Empire Newcastle
- The Gate, Newgate Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 5TG
- View Location
The Empire Newcastle is a 10 screen cinema located in The Gate leisure Complex on Newgate Street in the heart of the city centre. Before or after the screening, there are a wide variety of eateries and bars to choose from catering for most styles of cuisine.
Odeon Gateshead
- Russell Way, Metro Centre, Gateshead NE11 9YZ
- View Location
- Filmline 0871 2244 007
An 11-screen cinema based in an out of town Shopping Complex which has its own bus and rail stations with direct access to Blue Quadrant where the cinema is located.
Tyneside Cinema
Tyneside Cinema on Pilgrim Street in the city centre is being refurbished and is temporarily operating from Gateshead Old Town Hall.
- West Street Gateshead NE8 1AD
- View Location
- Tel 0191 232 8289
An independent cinema, the Tyneside offers an exciting and diverse choice of screenings, from Hollywood blockbusters to art house and foreign films that never make it to the multiplexes. There are also special educational events to encourage awareness, enjoyment, and appreciation of film. Popular hits for all the family every Saturday at 1.30pm. Each child will receive a free lolly and entry into a special prize raffle with their cinema ticket! Metro to Gateshead then head for the river or if you’re up for it, it’s just a 15 minute walk over the Tyne Bridge to the Old Town Hall. Head over the bridge, under the railway arches and the Old Town Hall is directly ahead of you. The Entrance to the Cinema is on West Street.
Bowling
Newcastle Bowl
- Westgate Rd, Newcastle, NE4 8RN
- View Location
- Tel 0191 273 0236
- Open daily 10am-12pm, (except Xmas day).
- 16 bowling lanes, can be glow in the dark.
- Licensed bar, snack bar and children’s bumper lanes.
- Charges: Before 6pm adult £3.40 / child £2.50, after 6pm £4.10 adults and children £2.75. Weekend price may vary.
- Shoe hire – Adults £1/ child 70p.
Megabowl
- Metro Centre, Gateshead, NE11 9XY
- View Location
- Tel 0191 460 0444
- Open Mon-Fri 10am-midnight.
- Adults £4.95, 16’s & under - £3.95 per game, family £19.95. Booking recommended.
XS Superbowl
- Whitley Road, Benton, NE12 9SR
- View Location
- Tel 0191 215 0901
- Open daily 10am-12am.
- Adult £3.55, under 16’s £2.55 and shoe hire £1.
Children’s bumper lanes, a games area, bar with childrens licence until 7pm, pool tables and a fast food diner are amongst the facilities available whilst bowling.
Cycle hire
Tyne Bridge Bike Hire
- Guildhall Visitor Information Centre, Quayside.
- View Location
- Tel 0191 277 2441
Hire a bike and discover amazing Tyneside! There is so much on the banks of the Tyne and you can see it all by bicycle, mostly on traffic-free paths! You can also hire us to drop you and your bike off at the start of the many excellent long distance cycle routes in the North. Office is open for bookings and answering your questions 10.00am to 5.00pm every day between Easter and October. Open at weekends throughout the year and off-season mid-week bookings available by prior arrangement.
Newburn Leisure Centre
- Grange Road, Newburn, NE15 8ND.
- View Location
- Tel 0191 264 0014
Newcastle Central Station Cycle Hire
- Left Luggage, Central Station, Neville Street NE1 5DL.
- View Location
- Tel 0191 233 1616
- Left luggage office has two mountain bikes for hire @ £10 per day with £50 deposit. Bookable in advance.
- Open: Mon-Sat 08.00-20.00, Sun 09.00-20.00.
Walkway Tent Store
- Sea Road, South Shields
- Tel 0191 455 6313 or Tourist Centre on 0191 454 6612 SUMMER ONLY
Whickham Thorns Centre
- Market Lane, Dunston, Gateshead NE11 9NX
- View Location
- Tel 0191 433 5767
Karting
Outdoor Junior Go-Karting
- Castle Mania, Coquet Enterprise Park, Amble, Northumberland, NE65 OPE.
- View Starting Location
- Tel 01665 714 888
- Open Easter – Oct only, actual times vary. Minimum height 1.2 metres. Ring for prices
Top Gear Indoor Karting
- The Circuit, 13 Renny’s Lane, Gilesgate Moor, Durham, DH1 2RS.
- View Starting Location
- Tel 0191 386 0999
- Practice lapping, Grand Prix meets, endurance racing and kart shop.
- Mon-Fri 12pm-9pm, Sat/Sun 9am-7pm. Ring for prices.
Paintball
Delta Force Paintball
- Newelwood, Blagdon Lane, Cramlington, Northumberland NE23 8AU.
- View Starting Location
- Tel 0800 917 0821 / 01483 211 194
- Paintball played near Cramlington with all the latest equipment and many themed settings. Ring for prices.
Paintballing Valley
Based at ‘Top Gear Indoor Karting’ see above. Tel 0191 383 0164. Ring for prices.
Top Gun Paintball
- Wearside Cottage, Spawell Road, Axwell Park, Blaydon, NE21 6RS
- View Starting Location
- Over 12’s only. Tea & coffee provided.
- £15 per head half day, inc 200 balls &all equipment. £30 full day, inc 400 balls, all equipment &a KFC.
Quasar Laser
Quasar at Megabowl
- Garden Walk, Metro Centre, Gateshead. NE11 9XY
- View Location
- Tel 0191 460 0444
- £5 per half hour, £8 for one hour per person. Session lasts 20 minutes 6 people max.
- Monday – Friday 4pm – 10pm, open longer in holidays.
Quasar
- Pier Parade, South Shields, NE33 2JS.
- View Location
- Tel 0191 455 3885
- Open daily 10am-10pm. £3.50 per person, no advance booking necessary. Minimum 4 people, maximum 34.
Fun Fairs
Ocean Beach Pleasure Park
- 23 The Foreshore, South Shields. NE33 2LD.
- View Location
- Tel 0191 465 1617
Amusement Arcade & Tenpin Bowling open all year round. Rides weekends from early March, open every day on school hols & BH until end of September. Call for opening times. Excellent variety of kids, family and white knuckle rides to choose from. Six large arcades with all the latest video and gambling games as well as prizes.
Football
Newcastle United Match Tickets
- St James’ Park, Newcastle, NE1 4ST
- View Starting Location
- Tel 0191 261 1571
Tickets available to non season ticket holders from box office number.
Newcastle United Tours
- Newcastle United Football Club, Strawberry Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4ST
- View Starting Location
- Tel 0870 850 8074
Full tours of St.James Park taking in all the sights from the Directors Box to the Dugout. Includes visit to the museum. Available every day (excluding match days) at 11am & 1.30pm. Tours last approx 90 minutes. Adults £10, Conc. £7, Family £34 (up to 2 adults and 3 children). Book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Newcastle United Museum
- Newcastle United Football Club, Strawberry Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4ST
- View Starting Location
- Tel 0870 850 8074
A wonderful walk through Black and White history, with items on display including Jackie Milburn and George Robledo's FA Cup winners' medals, Michael Owen's hat – trickball from England's famous 5-1 win over Germany, and other great mementos from stars like Alan Shearer, Malcolm Macdonald and Len White.
Open 9.30am-4pm Mon-Sat and 11am-4pm Sundays. Admission £4 adults, £2 concessions.
Leisure Centres and Swimming Pools
Eldon Leisure
- High Friars, Eldon Square, NE1 7XY.
- View Location
- Tel 0191 277 1277 / 232 5917
- Mon – Thurs 9am – 10.30pm, Fri 9am – 8pm, Sat 9am - 6pm, Sun 9am – 7pm.
- Aerobics, badminton, climbing wall, health suite, five-a-side, indoor bowls, keep fit, line dancing, sauna and sun beds, squash, table tennis, trampolining, afternoon dance, martial arts run by various clubs. Disabled toilets, lift and low level telephone.
- Reductions with citycard.
City Pool
- Northumberland Road, NE1 8SE.
- View Location
- Tel 0191 232 1981
- Mon 8.30am-7.15pm, Tue-fri 7.30am-7pm (app), Sat 8.30am-2pm
- 25 metre Competition pool and small teaching pool, sauna suite, sunbed suite, Turkish suite, fitness room, lessons, 50+, golden years and aqua fit. Reductions with Citycard.
East End Pool
- Hadrian Square, Byker Newcastle Upon Tyne NE6 1AL
- View Location
- Tel: 0191 278 8444
- http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/newcastleleisure.nsf/a/centres
Two swimming pools a sauna, Impulse Fitness Suite and fitness classes, It has a range of high tech equipment and a cardio theatre. We also have fun activities too. Public swim and fun sessions come complete with waves and bubbles. Other community swimming pools in Newcastle can be found on the website.
Wet n Wild Water Park
- Rotary Way, North Shields, NE29 6DA
- View Location
- Tel 0191 296 1444
- Open daily all year round, times vary.
- Generally open between 10am-9.30pm Mon–Thurs &10am-9.00pm Fri-Sun.
- 1 mile from Tyne Tunnel, Percy Main Metro is about five minute away.
Please ring for current charges & to confirm opening. Waterpark fun in North Shields. Find out more...
Club Nights
Baja Beach Club
- Pipewell Gate, Quayside Gateshead, NE8 2BJ
- View Location
- Tel 0191 477 6205
Candy Shack is held for young clubbers on the last Wednesday of every month at Baja Beach Club. It’s your chance if you are aged 13-17years to come out and party with over 1600 other young people. DJs come together every month playing the very best in modern day dance anthems, R&B classics & the very best party tracks. Tickets must be purchased in advance from Woolworths in Gateshead town centre and Metrocentre & The Nexus Travelshop inside Monument Metro Station in Newcastle for £6 each. No tickets at the door.
Blu Bambu
- Bigg Market, NE1 1UW
- View Location
- Tel 0191 261 5811
Sweet is a club night staged in association with Metro Radio for 12-17 year olds held on the last Tuesday of each month 6.30pm-9.30pm Tickets are £6 and are available from Woolworths, Clayton Street, Newcastle and Metrocentre, Gateshead
Stage Door @ Cosmic Ballroom
- Stowell Street, NE1 4XQ
- View Location
- Tel 0191 232 2313
- Under-18 night every Monday 6.30-9.30. Entrance £3.50 Drinks £1 (Alcohol free)
Internet Access
Newcastle Tourist Information Centre
- 8-9 Central Arcade, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 5BQ
- View Location
- Tel 0191 277 8000
- Open Mon-Fri 9.30am-5.30pm, Sat 9am-5.30pm, Closed Sun
- 15-60 minutes internet access for free
- Printing available 10p per sheet
- This service is available until summer 2009 when the new City Library opens.
Guildhall Visitor Centre
- Guildhall, Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3AF
- View Location
- Open Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 9am-4pm.
- 15 minutes internet access for free.
- Printing available 10p per sheet
Customer Service Centre
- Civic Centre, Sandyford Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8PU
- View Location
- Tel 0191 232 8520
- Open Mon-Fri 8.30am-4.30pm
- 15-60 minutes internet access available for free
- Printing available 10p per sheet
- This service is available until summer 2009 when the new City Library opens
Skateboarding
Skateboard park located near the main (South) entrance of Exhibition Park (See Parks)
