English (UK)
English (US)
Français
Deutsch
Español
Italiano
Nederlands
简体中文
Bridge
Gateshead Millennium Bridge
Pedestrian and cycle bridge that tilts to let boats pass; opened in 2001 between the Quayside and Gateshead.
Directions Report a problem with Gateshead Millennium Bridge
A mini guide to
Quayside and Gateshead
Seven bridges, two riverbanks and the oldest streets in the city
Photos
1 / 8Welcome to the area
Seven bridges, two riverbanks and the oldest streets in the city
The Quayside runs along the north bank of the Tyne below the castle, with the Tyne, Swing and High Level bridges at its western end and the Gateshead Millennium Bridge further east. Sandhill, the Side and Broad Chare keep the medieval street pattern, with merchants' houses, the Guildhall and Live Theatre between them.
Across the Millennium Bridge, the Gateshead bank has BALTIC, a contemporary art centre in a former flour mill, and The Glasshouse (still often called Sage Gateshead), a concert venue and music school. Walking a loop over two bridges takes in both banks and the best views of the city.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
Bridge
Tyne Bridge
Steel arch road bridge opened by King George V in 1928, the defining landmark of the Tyneside skyline.
Bridge
Swing Bridge
Grade II* listed swing bridge across the Tyne between the Tyne and High Level bridges, on the site of the Roman and medieval crossings.
Bridge
High Level Bridge
Two-deck road and rail bridge designed by Robert Stephenson and opened by Queen Victoria in 1849.
Riverside walk
Quayside
The north bank of the Tyne below the castle, lined with offices, bars and restaurants, with a riverside path.
Art gallery
BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art
Contemporary art centre in a converted flour mill on the Gateshead bank, with changing exhibitions and no permanent collection.
Directions Website Report a problem with BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art
Find your way
On the map
The map shows Quayside and Gateshead and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
Walk a two-bridge loop
Cross the Gateshead Millennium Bridge to BALTIC and The Glasshouse, then come back over the Tyne Bridge or the Swing Bridge.
2
Watch the bridge tilt
The Millennium Bridge tilts to let boats pass. Check Gateshead Council or local listings for any scheduled tilts rather than relying on chance.
3
Climb up to the castle
Stairs and steep lanes such as Castle Stairs link the Quayside with the Castle Keep and Black Gate. Allow for the gradient if you have limited mobility.
4
Check what is on
Live Theatre, BALTIC and The Glasshouse publish their own programmes. BALTIC has no permanent collection, so exhibitions change through the year.
Tips from the Britlens editors
Explore this guide
Everything for Quayside and Gateshead
Newcastle and Gateshead
More areas to explore
19 sights · 35 places to eat
Grainger Town
Classical streets, the Grainger Market, museums and the cathedral
Open the mini guide →
12 sights · 21 places to eat
Ouseburn and Jesmond
A valley of workshops, pubs and children's books, and a wooded dene
Open the mini guide →
13 sights · 20 places to eat
Tynemouth
A priory on the headland, beaches, and the fish quay at North Shields
Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Quayside and Gateshead (area photo): Andrew Curtis, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Gateshead Millennium Bridge: Mike1024, Public domain, source
- Tyne Bridge: PangolinOne, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Swing Bridge: Tagishsimon (talk) (Uploads), CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- High Level Bridge: Tagishsimon (talk) (Uploads), CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Quayside: Simon Cobb, CC0, source
- BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art: Peter McDermott, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- The Glasshouse: William Nicholson from London / Paris, England / France, CC BY 2.0, source
- Castle Keep: Benjamin Smith, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Black Gate: Benjamin Smith, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Bessie Surtees House: Benjamin Smith, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Guildhall: Andrew Curtis, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- All Saints Church: Bill Henderson, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Sallyport Tower: Roger Templeman, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Live Theatre: John-Paul Stephenson, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Grainger Town: JimmyGuano, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Ouseburn and Jesmond: Mary Carson, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Tynemouth: Dposte46, Public domain, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring Newcastle and Gateshead