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 | Newcastle upon Tyne Shopping | Tips 1 - 10 of 34 |  |
When it was built the Metro Centre was the biggest shopping mall in Europe. I think it was briefly overtaken by Lakeland and possibly others but it’s recently expanded and is now making the same claim. Whatever – it’s pretty huge, and you’ll need plenty of stamina and a real enthusiasm for shopping to do it justice!
There are apparently nearly 330 shops (no I haven’t counted them for myself!) and these include most of the major high street names plus quite a few smaller and more individual shops. Some of the latter are located in two slightly twee indoor “streets” known as the Village and the Forum.
The major department stores include Debenhams, House of Fraser and Marks & Spencer; my favourite UK fashion chain Monsoon has a large branch; there’s Gap, Next, Wallis and so on ……
To help you navigate the mall is divided into four colour zones, each on two floors. You can approach this place in several ways:
We try to be systematic if we’re there for a serious shopping trip, e.g. during the sales, so take each zone in turn, one floor at a time.
If you’re looking for a particular shop or type of shop there are plenty of maps (located at each junction).
Or you could just start walking and see what you stumble across!
[This isn't "what to buy", which is entirely up to you, as they have just about everything, but VT wouldn't allow me to put all this in the section above!]
In addition to the shops there are plenty of places to eat, from fast food outlets to quite decent family style restaurants – try the Mediterranean Village area for somewhere with a bit more character. And if you’re bored with all that shopping, the Metro Centre also has an eleven-screen cinema, a bowling centre and Metroland – an indoor funfair. At certain times of year entertainment is laid on for children, eg a panto show at Christmas.
Parking at the Metro Centre is free and there’s plenty of it, though you may have to hunt for a space if you don’t come early when the sales are on. The lots are colour-coded in the same way as the malls, so make sure you remember whether you’re in the blue, yellow, green or red car-park and use the exit from the corresponding mall when you want to go home – or you could be wandering outside for a long while! Alternatively take the bus – there’s a regular shuttle from the city centre (Monument and Central Station) or from Gateshead Metro station.
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An older alternative to the Metro Centre is the Eldon Square shopping centre in the middle of the city. It isn’t as big or in my opinion so comfortable an experience, but its central location can’t be beaten. There are many of the usual high street names here, though some prefer a location outside on Northumberland Street. The biggest attractions are probably the two big department stores, Fenwick and House of Fraser, which are both very good and worth a visit.
On the whole I find the Eldon Square centre a bit over-crowded, especially on a Saturday – both walking the concourses and attempting to get into the changing rooms in the most popular shops to try clothes on.
There are a number of small cafes and a pub – my own favourite for a coffee and a cake is the café in the middle of the newer Eldon Garden extension, which is slightly quieter than the main part. The centre has just recently had some improvement work done and I spotted some new restaurants on the west side of the old Eldon Square on my last visit which will be a welcome addition to the facilities.
That same old Eldon Square was largely pulled down in the 1970s to make way for this centre, something I gather caused a furore at the time and I’m sure wouldn’t be allowed nowadays. One side is still intact to give a flavour of what it once was, as is the Charles Hartwell's bronze statue of St. George and dragon, a World War 1 memorial. Theme: OtherAddress: Newcastle city centreDirections: Metro to Monument (exit straight into the centre), or Haymarket, 5 mins away. Buses go to both of these, and to the bus station under the centre. We don't usually drive but there are several multi-storey car parks nearby, all well signposted.Website: http://eldon-square.co.uk
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This lovely Edwardian shopping arcade in the centre of the city makes a great contrast to the more modern shopping experience of the Eldon Square complex. It is located in the Central Exchange Building, which fills the triangle made by Grainger Street, Grey Street and Market Street. This building dates from 1906, when they were rebuilt following a fire. The arcade opens on to all three of the surrounding streets, with ornate frontages dating from 1840. The arcade is decorated with Burmantofts tiles in shades of yellow, brown and buff.
Nowadays the shops here are modern ones. One of the most noteworthy is Windows, a Newcastle institution, which stocks a comprehensive range of sheet music and musical instruments as well as CDs. It’s a good place to find recordings by local artists such as Lindisfarne, Kathryn Tickell, Alex Glasgow or Billy Fane.
Other shops in the arcade at present include Lush (all natural soaps and other bath-time goodies), Office (one of my favourite shoe shop chains) and Space NK. But even if you’re not in the mood for shopping it’s worth a visit to see this beautiful relic of Victorian Newcastle. Theme: OtherDirections: Nearest Metro station is Monument - it's only a few steps away along Grey or Grainger streets
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Although it has been recently refurbished, this market in the centre of town retains much the same character and range of stalls that it has held for years. It’s a good place to come for fresh fruit and vegetables, and there are several butchers selling locally produced meat from the farms of Northumberland. But in addition to these there are a number of idiosyncratic Newcastle establishments. These include the Weigh House, where you can be weighed for a charge of 10p – many locals go regularly to check up on their weight. There is also a very early branch of Marks & Spencer, dating back to 1895 when it was a Penny Bazaar – this is the world's smallest Marks and Spencer store. These days the items on sale cost rather more than a penny but there are still end of range bargains to be had.
Another long-standing institution is Robinsons, a second-hand book stall, while the Northern Optical Company has been here since 1894. You’ll also find a couple of good haberdashery stalls (fabrics and sewing materials), a Chinese foodstuffs shop (a recent addition) and tobacconists, including the aptly-named Cheap Tab Shop – “tab” is Geordie for cigarette.
By the way, you may also find locals referring to this as the "covered-in market", for obvious reasons, but the signs all say Grainger Market so don't be misled. Theme: OtherDirections: Entrances in Nelson, Market and Grey streets
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This is a must-visit shop for any sports fan. It has an extensive range of books, all with a sporting theme, and many other sports-related items too.
The focus is firstly on Newcastle United (inevitably!), secondly on football in general and thirdly on other sports. There is a large selection of old football programmes featuring most of the league teams in England and Scotland, and a similar range of fanzines. There are usually also some fascinating football memorabilia on sale, again with a particular emphasis on Newcastle United – on a recent visit I spotted a framed Newcastle shirt signed by Alan Shearer (for £230) and another, unframed, signed by several players for £200. Other items include postcards of Newcastle and of football stadia around the country, black and white Newcastle United flags, mugs and key rings and much more.
The shop also runs a travel club for Newcastle fans wishing to go to away matches, with very reasonable fares on their coaches. And if you don’t have a chance to visit they do a very good and comprehensive mail order service from their website. I know I sound as if I’m on commission but I’m not – it’s just a very good shop run by people who know and have a passion for their subject!
Prices vary from 50p for a postcard to several hundred pounds for signed shirts, as described above. Many of the books are signed too, and these usually cost no more than an unsigned copy from elsewhere.
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As you walk round Newcastle you're bound to be struck by the large number of people (men and women, boys and girls) who wear the Newcastle United football strip. I'm not talking only about people on their way to a football match, but shopping on a Saturday morning, going to the pub on a Friday night, to church on a Sunday morning (yes, really!) and so on. If you'd like to blend in, or just want a sporting-related souvenir of your visit here, head for one of the official Newcastle United club shops to be found in several places in the town:
~ at the football stadium, naturally (and with the biggest selection by some way)
~ in the Monument Mall, near the Monument and Metro station of the same name
~ in the Eldon Square and Metro shopping centres, although these last two are rather small and cramped
The obvious choice is a black and white top, but for something cheaper you could look for a scarf or woolly hat, pictures of the players, a mug or beer glass, pen or key chain ...
Or if you really want to proclaim yourself a fan, it's possible to decorate a whole room in black and white stripes ;)
A short-sleeved football shirt is currently £30, a long-sleeved version £45. Woolly hats cost from £4 to £10 and scarves £6 or £7. A mug is £4 and a pencil 50p, so there really is something for every purse Theme: Sporting GoodsDirections: see above
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If you’re not keen on shopping malls there’s still plenty of choice on the streets of Newcastle. The main shopping street is probably Northumberland Street, which runs between the Haymarket and Monument Metro stations. Shops along here include H&M, Marks & Spencer, W H Smith, Next, HMV and many other well-known chains. There’s also one of Newcastle’s largest department stores, Fenwick’s. The windows here are one of the highlights of a Geordie child’s Christmas as they do excellent displays with moving figures telling a traditional story. Theme: OtherDirections: Head south from the Haymarket
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The Metro Centre is one of the largest shopping and leisure complex in Europe. Attractions include Metroland, Europe's largest indoor theme park, a bowling alley Megabowl, a multi screen cinema, more than 50 restaurants, bars, and cafes and over 350 shops. It also boasts 12,000 free parking spaces, a bus station, a railway station and a coach park. With something for everyone it is not difficult to see why The Metro Centre has become the North's number one attraction with visitors from all corners of the globe. Leave a Comment
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Newcastles shopping was once the best outside of London. Not so now but very good none the less. There are 2 major shopping malls, one in the city centre called Eldon Square and one just over the river called The Metro Centre - this is the largest in Europe.
There are lots of big names and designer shops right down to the tat (second hand) shops and "pound shops" you can't buy cheaper.
But our best and most famous export is Fenwicks. This is a fantastic store which sells just about everything and is very classy. The toy store is a childs dream especially at christmas. Some good deals here and fantastic sales. This is the original store and still the best in the country.
Perfume, clothes, toys, food (cakes, Mmmm delicious!) fabrics, kitchenware, household goods etc. They have it all including restaurants, cafe's, hairdressers and more.
Millions!!! No seriously as much or as little as you like. Treat yourself to a Birketts meringue from the bakers. Made in the lakes and delicious! Leave a Comment
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Every Saturday morning (until about 3PM)
Tynemouth station is transformed by the Market that nestles in this wonderfully restored Victorian station.
Stalls range from toys to bric-a-brac, antiques, jewelery, food, cd's and what-not. There is also a stallholder who sells very high quality 'realistic' dolls that retail for up to a thousand pounds or so.
There is also a farmers market once a month at the same location.
Entry is free - just step off the train.
P.S the website listed gives a good view of the market in action
We found it to be excellent value. Some stall wil negotaite (especially for larger items) whilst others have a fixed-price policy. Leave a Comment Theme: Local CraftAddress: Tynemouth stationDirections: It's right on the metro - and can easily be combined with a visit to the coast around here.Website: www.houseoftheorangemonkey.co.uk/ monkey/trips...
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