Car Hire Newcastle

The A1 is one of the main roads into Newcastle, heading up through the north of England and all the way to Edinburgh. There are plenty of other A roads connecting to the city, offering convenient routes for both day trips and exploration nearby.

Driving around the centre is a great way to see many of the brilliant examples of local 19^th century architecture. Park up and head down Grey Street to admire the Theatre Royal before reaching the ancient foundations of St Nicholas Cathedral, lovingly restored in the 18^th century. Make sure you stick to the one-way system covering most of the city centre, and keep a close eye on signs.

Take in the riverside views as you cross the iconic Tyne Bridge into Gateshead, with the famous Baltic and Sage buildings on your left. Or drive along the A1058, known locally as ‘the coast road’, to reach Tynemouth and the North Sea.

Driving in the UK is on the left-hand side of the road. Within towns and cities the speed limit will usually be 30mph (48km/h), but may drop lower than that in places, or increase in others, so keep checking the road signs. Outside of built-up areas the national speed limit on single carriageway roads is 60mph (96km/h), typically on rural routes. On motorways and dual carriageways the speed limit is generally 70mph (112km/h), but always check the signs for the route that you are on in case variable limits are in force.

There are plenty of options for parking in Newcastle if you have a hire car, with many car parks and on-street parking available. Check the signs for parking restrictions, as some are only operational within set times, and check prices and rates if applicable. Eight council-run multi-storey and 47 surface car parks offer free parking after 5pm from Monday to Saturday.

With its vibrant nightlife, leading cultural attractions and warm, welcoming atmosphere, Newcastle is one of the most popular destinations in the north of England, and there’s a great deal to do in and around the city.

Learn fascinating facts at Newcastle’s museums

The International Centre for Life is a brightly coloured science village in the centre of Newcastle. Within its large blue walls, the award-winning Life Science Centre is the main attraction.

This interactive museum encourages visitors young and old to get involved in a range of fun activities. There’s the hands-on Young Explorer’s Zone, letting children get creative, not to mention live theatre shows, the wonderful planetarium, a ‘Brain Zone’ full of memory games and optical illusions, and much more.

Next to Newcastle University’s main campus meanwhile you’ll find the Great North Museum: Hancock. Its most popular resident is a replica T-Rex skeleton in the ground-floor Fossil Stories exhibit, but next door at the Living Planet gallery you’ll find animal tanks and aquaria showcasing the wonders of our modern natural world.

The first floor is dedicated to the fascinating finds and lore of Ancient Egypt (with two mummies on show), alongside more modern collections from across Africa, Asia and North America. Closer to home, you’ll also find a Hadrian’s Wall gallery – with many inspiring archaeological finds from the famous Roman site.

Uncover Newcastle’s artistic side

Start your tour of Newcastle’s finest art with its most famous piece: Antony Gormley’s Angel of the North statue. You can drive right up to this towering sculptural landmark with a hire car, as it’s located just off the A1 on Durham Road (A167).

Once you’ve appreciated this great work from every angle, head down Durham Road into neighbouring Gateshead, to the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art. Housed in a converted flourmill on the banks of the River Tyne, this captivating space hosts different temporary exhibitions throughout the year (including the Turner Prize nominees back in 2011). Along with the artwork, you also get a great view over the city from the top floor, where the rooftop Six Restaurant is also found. Nearby at the iconic glass structure of the Sage, meanwhile, you’ll find a venue dedicated to the best in music – regularly hosting famous faces and fantastic concerts. 

Back in the centre of Newcastle, the Laing Art Gallery features permanent collections of oil paintings, watercolours and ceramics. There are temporary exhibitions of modern and historical art held regularly too.

Sporting highlights

Geordies, as residents of the city are fondly known, are passionate about sport – and no football fan’s trip to Newcastle is complete without visiting St James’ Park. The home of the city’s beloved Newcastle United, experience the thrill of 50,000 fans singing together on match day. If you’re visiting out of season, you can still book onto a stadium tour and discover the team’s eventful history.

Rugby fans can take in a game of either code at Kingston Park, depending on the time of year. Located few kilometres outside of the city centre, it’s home to both Newcastle Falcons and rugby league side Newcastle Thunder.

If you want to get active yourself, why not take your hire car and drive out to Tynemouth? Situated on the coast, it’s a popular place for surfing, whether you’re keen to learn or are a seasoned veteran. Make sure you’ve got a wetsuit though, as the North Sea can be rather chilly, even at the height of summer. 

Reach any of these popular attractions, whatever your tastes, when you choose car hire in Newcastle.