An all Girls Weekend in Newcastle

Newcastle is a combination of modern and historic and is famous for its shopping and incredible nightlife. Not forgetting the beautiful architecture, the stunning quayside with its waterfront bars and superb restaurants and cafes. Everything you need to make the perfect girls weekend away.

Shopping in Newcastle:

A girly weekend away isn’t complete without some retail therapy, and has been said that northerners have a canny eye for the original and value for money, which is reflected in the amazing assortment of shops- from boutique to designer labels.

The most renowned shopping centre is the Metro Centre in Gateshead, which undoubtedly has the title of being one of the largest shopping and leisure complex in Europe. The centre offers an exclusive shopping experience incorporating high street outlets, department stores and speciality shops in relaxed atmospheric surroundings. The shopping centre is easily accessible, located on the A1 (M), only 10 minutes from the city centre by car with free parking. If you’re coming directly from the Central Train station there is a bus service that runs consecutively (no. 100), and a direct train service.

Eldon Square is the centre of shopping and dining in Newcastle and is located in the vibrant heart of the city centre. Shop in style in a centre that offers exciting shopping opportunities in a fantastic environment, with over 140 stores, including Fenwick (which provides a free personal shopping service) and John Lewis, providing incredible choice, quality and service.  Set in the middle of Newcastle you can’t miss it. 

Situated next to Grey’s Monument right in the core of the town, Monument Mall is a four-storey shopping arcade and food mall, enclosed in a modern structure with a glass dome, directly above the Monument metro station, meaning you don’t have to walk far in order to get the latest fashion trends at your fingertips, while benefitting from the variety of food establishments readily available to sit down, put your feet up and enjoy a rest from shopping.

If you’re looking for less mainstream shopping Newcastle has to offer, take a stroll to Princess Square and visit Cruise, to enjoy a classic friendly shopping experience, of designer labels, with the nearby Japanese tea salon just off Monument Square, for a light refreshment. Tucked away in a cobbled alley leading off Grey Street is Attica, a vintage store exhibiting beautiful handmade leather handbags and quirky accessories complemented with a cheery jazz soundtrack.

Enjoy a girly weekend in Newcastle:

After a long day perusing the local shops and boutiques you might want to pamper yourself, by booking into a sleek spa offering a variety of relaxing treatments. A popular choice is Serenity in the City, situated a short metro journey to Jesmond, where you can indulge and escape from the busy life of the city, and followed by a speedy manicure in preparation for the evening’s events.

If your evening’s events are delving into the legendary nightlife that Newcastle possesses, then you will have plenty to choose from, voted No. 1 for nightlife by the Rough Guide 2006, the possibilities are endless. The popular area of the Quayside, young, loud and lively offers a variety of trendy bars with the nearby Sea club, always a good place to end up. As an alternative you can check out the enchantment of Jesmond, for the Osbourne Road experience. This area is sociable, fashionable and less frantic than the Quayside of Bigg Market.

Whatever your preference, whether you want to sit in a bar and relax with a cold beer, a glass of pinot noir or finish the night with cocktails. Why not try relaxing on the roof terrace of an well known cocktail bar, such as Tokyo, the city’s grooviest bar in Newcastle, then enjoy the radiance of the city and truly feel like an Angel of the North.

- K.N -