Gateshead: Art, Music and Bridge Architecture

Gateshead lies on the south bank of the River Tyne, opposite Newcastle upon Tyne. This location places the town by the river. For a stay, the thematic points of interest range from art and music to bridge architecture and a Victorian park. If you are looking for a hotel in Gateshead, first consider whether exhibitions, musical activities or individual works and architectural forms should shape your stay.

Art and architecture

At Gateshead Quayside, BALTIC has four floors of art and two viewing platforms. It also offers exhibitions, events, tours and activities; its programme and access arrangements may change. The floors and platforms give the building a spatial structure, while the current offerings shape the specific visit. If BALTIC is important to your trip, check in advance which exhibitions or events are taking place during your stay and what access arrangements apply.

Art and architecture can also be explored from different perspectives. The Angel of the North is an award-winning artwork by Antony Gormley; the Gateshead Millennium Bridge is the world's first and only tilting bridge. The artwork puts the piece and its artist centre stage, while the bridge draws attention to its distinctive construction and tilting movement. This distinction is useful if you are more interested in an individual artwork or in a bridge's movement and form.

Music to listen to and take part in

The Glasshouse is the home of the Royal Northern Sinfonia orchestra. Visitors can also take part in musical activities there, regardless of age, abilities or interests. The specific participatory activities on offer and how participation is organised depend on the programme and booking arrangements. The venue thus combines a permanent institutional role with an opportunity for visitors to participate. If you would like to take part in musical activities yourself, factor the booking arrangements and programme into your plans.

Exhibitions and getting around

The Shipley Art Gallery hosts changing exhibitions, events and activities throughout the year. Unlike a single artwork, a visit here depends on the changing programme. The gallery is a 20-minute walk from Gateshead Interchange, which has Metro and bus connections. The Interchange therefore provides a specific starting point for finding your way on foot; if you want to see a particular exhibition or event, check its dates for your travel period.

A different focus: Saltwell Park

Saltwell Park is a Victorian park in Gateshead. Alongside art, music and the tilting bridge, it offers a different thematic focus: visitors who want to include a park in their stay, as well as cultural venues, will find a specific point of interest here. Its historic park theme offers a different basis for choosing what to visit than the changing programmes at BALTIC, The Glasshouse or Shipley Art Gallery.

Discover more destinations: Ryton, Birtley, Dunston.

Back to the main travel overview: Gateshead.