Did You Know?

Newcastle upon Tyne is a university city on the River Tyne in northeast England. With its twin city, Gateshead, it was a major shipbuilding and manufacturing hub during the Industrial Revolution and is now a centre of business, arts and sciences. Spanning the Tyne, modern Gateshead Millennium Bridge, noted for its unique tilting aperture, is a symbol of the 2 cities.

Newcastle’s first street lights were installed in 1763. At first they were oil lights but by 1818 they were gas and by 1827 there were 269 gas lamps inside the walls.

It was developed around the Roman settlement Pons Aelius and was named after the castle built in 1080 by Robert Curthose, William the Conqueror's eldest son. The city grew as an important centre for the wool trade in the 14th century, and later became a major coal mining area. The port developed in the 16th century and, along with the shipyards lower down the River Tyne, was amongst the world's largest shipbuilding and ship-repairing centres.

Newcastle upon Tyne” actually owes its name to a wooden castle built in 1080 by Robert Curthouse, the son of William the Conqueror.

Newcastle upon Tyne had the world's first covered railway station, Opened in 1850 by none other than Queen Victoria herself.

Newcastle upon Tyne has seven bridges crossing the river in the space of half a mile. Tyne Bridge is said to have inspired Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia; High Level Bridge was the first in the world to combine road and rail; Swing Bride pioneered the use of hydroelectric power; and the Millennium Bridge was the world’s first bridge to pivot sideways in order to allow boats through.

Lucozade was invented in Newcastle Upon Tyne in 1927 by Thomas Beech, and originally called Glucozade.

 The faithful windscreen wiper was invented in here by a United fan as he drove home in a storm from a cup final match in 1908.

 Newcastle University is one of the best in the world and, according to QS World 2016 university rankings, it ranked in the top 1% of Universities worldwide. It is also said to have the best student nightlife in the UK!

While it is a busy and bustling city, you’re not far from a few beautiful beaches. Tynemouth and Whitley Bay are just a short metro ride away, offering you a well-deserved escape from studying.

Tynemouth is renowned for its stunning Longsands Beach, a perfect spot for sunbathing, surfing, and beach volleyball. The picturesque Tynemouth Priory and Castle also add a touch of history and charm to your beach day. Whitley Bay, on the other hand, boasts a beautiful sandy coastline and the iconic St. Mary’s Lighthouse.

It is famous for its numerous bridges, including the iconic Tyne Bridge, which resembles the  Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia. The city’s skyline is a testament to its engineering prowess, and the Swing Bridge over the River Tyne, built in 1876, was the world’s first rotating bridge and is still fully operational today.