Newcastle has transformed itself from its ship building and coal mining heritage in recent years and the city has grown and become a vibrant social hub. For this week’s blog post we’re bringing you a list of five different indoor culture spots around Newcastle you can explore before the winter break.
Theatre Royal
The iconic Theatre Royal first opened in Newcastle in 1788 and quickly became an established theatre. It is one of only nine Grade 1 Listed theatres in England due to the site’s exceptional national, architectural and historical importance. The showings include festive performances, ballet or something a little bit more spooky like The Addams Family. After your show, you can take a walk down the award winning Grey Street where the theatre is located.
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The Lit and Phil
The Lit and Phil is Newcastle’s secret library, open to all and free to browse. It was established in 1825 and educated the local residents long before Newcastle University was founded. You can browse from a collection of 170,000 books, book a tour or even join some of the musical events.
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BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art
Baltic is an old flour mill which was converted into a contemporary art centre. Since its opening in 2002, the centre has attracted more than 8 million visitors. Even if you’ve previously visited, the frequently changing exhibitions mean you can expect something new with every visit.
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Great North Museum: Hancock
The Great North Museum: Hancock is Newcastle University’s museum of natural history and ancient civilisations. It is conveniently located across the road from the Philip Robinson Library. You can learn more about the Hadrian’s Wall and its World Heritage Site status, explore a T.rex replica and even visit the planetarium. The museum is free to visit with some exhibitions requiring a ticket.
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Jam Jar Cinema
Jam Jar Cinema is located in the beautiful seaside area of Whitley Bay and offers a more local experience. It was founded by a NUBS alumnus Dan Ellis. The upcoming Christmas classic showings will get you in the festive mood just in time for the holiday season. You can also listen to the NUBS of it podcast episode which Dan featured in on our YouTube channel.
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We hope you manage to explore the culture of Newcastle and learn more about the city’s history through these venues. Keep an eye out for future blogs about the city and the student life.