Best Activity Weekends

The Hipster Capital of UK

Did anyone tell you that Newcastle-upon-Tyne was all about coal and industry? Newcastle-Upon-Tyne or otherwise referred to as Newcastle was once the lifeblood of UK’s modern civilization. Fast forward to the 20^th century, this former coal city has gone through tremendous change and has become one of UK’s superstylin’ and coolest urban centres that caters to the young, carefree and adventurous. Steeped in tradition as well as modern in development, Newcastle is a rainbow of attractions, sights, sounds, tastes and smells.

Newcastle-upon-Tyne is home to the Geordies, an independent group of locals that are deep-rooted in traditions, tied together by history and distinguished by adversity and a fierce dialect with a language traced to the 1,500 year old Anglo-Saxon heritage of England. Tourists wouldn’t find a trace of coal dust in this city that is a reflection of so many characteristics with proud, hard-working people.

From a city clouded by the coal and steel industry, Newcastle-upon-Tyne has transformed itself in an elegant abode of grace and culture with it fascinating array of art displays and galleries, magnificent concert halls and a wide spectrum of fine restaurants, hotels and bars. Newcastle’s most eclectic display of modern buildings is seen through the cluttered array of its Tyne bridges. The Tyne Bridge, till today remains one of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne’s many attractions as is with the Newcastle Brown Ale, Newcastle United F.C and the world’s most popular half marathon- the Great North Run since 1981. To date, Newcastle is the 20^th most populous city in England and the 6^th most populous conurbation in the United Kingdom.

Dine and Wine in Newcastle

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A Hip city needs its equal amount of hot and trendy restaurants as the watering hole for those who want to see and be seen. Being and international hotspot, Newcastle is dotted with various restaurants and eateries. Apart from the usual chain outlets, Newcastle boasts an Eastern Affair with Chinatown and a slew of South East Asian restaurants serving Japanese, Indian, Thai, Indonesian and Chinese cuisine that tempt the taste buds of travellers looking for a taste of the exotic. For a more cosmopolitan venture, Marco Polo Restaurant and La Toscana offers tourists Italian and Mediterranean dishes and for a slice of France, head over to the Black Door for authentic french cuisine. Vegans and vegetarians will also find Newcastle a haven for vegetarianism as it serves up delectable cuisines in wholesome vegan through restaurants such as Simply Greek and Bob Trollop that offer vegetarian snacks, food and cuisine. When in Newcastle, taste and sample every eatery and restaurant you can.

The City through lenses of its Cinemas and Theatres

Sure you have access to all the blockbuster films in your own region, so it’s really no point going to a cinema in Newcastle. One other way to learn more about a city is through its independent cinematic art scene such as the Tyneside Cinema in the Old Town Hall in Gateshead, Newcastle. If you have been an ardent follower of the underground cinema scene in your own country, sample the art of independent films in cinema by understanding the culture of Newcastle’s population by exploring the different issues and concerns in the society. The Tyneside Cinema has long been a platform and window for world cinematic arts. Since opening its doors in 1937, the classic Tyneside Cinema building in Newcastle has been under numerous renovations to keep its historical background and heritage.

Apart from its cinemas, Newcastle also boasts popular theatres with big stage productions at the Playhouse and Theatre Royal to comedy at the Hyena Comedy Club and City Hall. The Metro Radio Arena is the largest venue in the city and hosts everything from major recording acts to dancing on ice spectaculars. The strong theatre tradition in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne ranges from the classic Christmas pantomime to Broadway musicals and large scale opera and ballet productions. About a few other private venues offer local and independent talent such as comedy with household names and lesser known lights. One of the famous venues in Newcastle is the Theatre Royal Newcastle which is home to lavish international dance, musical theatre, and plays, and the City Hall specializes in big name comedy and music. For a twist in home spun dramatic arts, the Live Theatre Company, on the Quayside, is a place to go. This is a writing company that is passionate about bringing local ideas and talent to the stage. Most tourists and visitors to Newcastle are impressed with the wide range of dramatic arts on offer and generally find a production to suit their tastes.

Explore, Dream and Discover Newcastle

Boredom never finds its way into your mind when you are in Newcastle upon Tyne. The city is known for its happening nightlife and partying, which never fails to attract millions of people all around the UK. Contributing to the long list of things-to-do in Newcastle, the city’s nightlife is part of the reasons that make Newcastle sparkle.

If you want to organize a stag or hen party, then Newcastle is your destination as this place is renowned for its stag and hen parties. From the latest dance to trance music, clubs in Newcastle appeal to every taste. Digital is one of the most popular clubs in Newcastle. With its recently refurbished interior with a state of the art sound system, Digital is for those who like their clubs with the latest tracks spinning in an industrial club atmosphere. The biggest and often regarded as the best club in Newcastle is Liquid and Envy, most popular for its excellent value. The best part is that this club offers free entrance before a certain time. Liquid and Envy are known for being the host to legendary student nights and most events have drinks promotions and a range of musical styles depending on the night.

Another hotspot for nightlife is in the appropriately named club called Sea which is located in the Neptune house on the Quayside. Offering glamorous music as well as mainstream dance, this club is the place to be for a night of hard partying. Drop in the nearby Stereo Bar to be entertained with an eclectic mix of clientele as Stereo Bar is a very busy and popular bar by day and club by night.

Newcastle -The destination for infotainment

Newcastle is also a premier destination during school holidays as it boasts many museums, art galleries, theatres and annual events. Newcastle boasts many museums and galleries with free entry such as the Discovery Museum and Centre for Life. This museum offers interactive and educational displays giving a modern twist to the attractions of an ancient city. You can never be bored with history again once stepping into this museum as your eyes will soak up in awe on the information, relics and artefacts displayed. Housing a Museum of Antiquities in its city, this museum is the main centre for archaeological artefacts in the North East, detailing the prehistoric to 17th century development of the area. The mediaeval past of the city is displayed by the Castle Keep and Blackgate, and Newcastle Town Wall, and St. Mary’s and St. Nicholas’ Cathedrals are also popular historic structures worth a visit.

After feasting your eyes on historical pieces, it’s time to give your vision a taste of the metropolitan Newcastle with a bit of modern development. The Quayside, set along the banks of the River Tyne is a modern development arena that attracts visitors and residents for its popular music and arts culture as well as its famous bars and restaurants with local and scrumptious cuisine. The Quayside development is proof to a modern thriving Newcastle that seamlessly integrates its past with the future. Shopping is also a great activity to do as visitors throng places such as the Metro Shopping Centre. Known as a shopping haven the world round, Metro Shopping Centre boasts many of the world’s haute couture brands and is one of the most popular in the world.

Newcastle is place to have fun and be carefree and forget all your troubles and your worries. Soak in the sun, bask in the ambience and let all your inhibitions lose in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. This place offers the seamless balance of the old and the new, the normal and the quirky and appeals to both the young and the old. Get as personal as you can with the local culture to broaden your mind with a wealth of local knowledge and unique perspective through popular vantage points the city can offer.

If you have watched any of the Harry Potter series, have you ever wondered where the movie scenes are taken- scenes that involve beautiful and picturesque forests, greenery and woods, of Hogwarts, the Quidditch field and the Shrieking Shack? Well, as we know, the Potter movie series has been filmed in many places in and around England and one place that can be listed as part of the Potter phenomenon is Fort William in Scotland.

The opening scene of the movie Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is taken in Fort William and not only was this movie shot in Fort William but movies such as Highlander, Braveheart, Rob Roy and the TV series RockFace and Monarch of Glen have been filmed here. The fact that many movies have been filmed in this location is proof that Fort William is definitely a must visit place for any tourist especially for Harry Potter fans.

Fort William is the largest town situated in the highlands of Scotland and it is also the largest settlement after the city of Inverness. With Glen Coe to the south and Glenfinnan to the west, Fort William is a major tourist centre that caters to tourists who come here for hill walking and climbing as the town is close to Ben Nevis which is home to the highest mountain in the British Isles and a slew of other Munro mountains.

Outdoor Capital of the UK

Fort William is known by its people and the world over as the ‘Outdoor Capital of the UK’ because it is well known for an abundance of activities such as hill walking, rock climbing, ice climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, white water rafting, canoeing, sailing, quad biking, canyoning – you name it, you can do it here. Fort William is a place for you if you fancy adventure and sight seeing that uses both brain and brawn and if you are not the type to just sit in your hotel room all day.

Not to mention, of course, the many opportunities to take it easy and enjoy a gentle walk, take in a spectacular view or soak up the history and culture. Probably the most well known landmark in Fort Williams is Ben Nevis. Ben Nevis is Britain’s highest mountain and a total of 400 000 people trek this beautiful towering heights annually. Ben Nevis shows off its magnificent presence at the height of 1344 meters to the whole of Britain.

Skiing in Fort William

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Fort William may be the premier skiing destination in Scotland, and the UK, and draws crowds during the winter season as well as the wonderful summer season’s outdoor attractions. Snow cover is reliable, and the slopes are as steep and tricky as anything you’d find in the Alps. They’re shorter though, so expect spending more time in ski lifts. Which you might need, after blasting down a tricky technical run at Fort William.

Head up Ben Nevis for a real hiking challenge

If it’s a challenge that you are looking for, then Ben Nevis has it as this is one of the many reasons why people trek to the mountain. Being in good physical condition is a must and plus, a good day of rest and good planning and preparation is vital before climbing Ben Nevis as the mountain path is 16km and rises 1300 meters above sea level. Trekking Ben Nevis shouldn’t be taken lightly as the trekking the mountain calls for planning and climbing know-how. If you are new to the climbing scene, get the help of an experience climber to assist you or you can even join a group of climbers. Apart from climbing Ben Nevis, there are other exciting things to do. Among the many favorites of tourists are mountain sports. In the high mountains of Lochaber, each plain and terrain is used by both visitors and locals to scramble, climb, walk and mount the hill slopes and caves, terrain and rock.

The mountains are not only good for climbing, it also exudes beauty with its rolling hills and cool breeze that makes you forget the worries of the world and just indulge in the beautiful nature of Ben Nevis. Lochaber has 2 of Scotland’s five ski centers which are Glencoe and Nevis Range with both centers having ski schools to help first timers get started as well as to test the skills of advanced skiers. Apart from ski mountaineering, visitors also do paragliding and climbing.

Water sports everywhere

When the weather is sunny and bright, it is an excellent time for water sports. Fort William has numerous lochs, rivers, canals and as well as the beautiful deep, blue sea. If it’s not the mountains of Fort William, it’s the sea and rivers of this beautiful town. Loch Oich makes the perfect location for water skiing and wakeboarding as it is flat water and in a sheltered location. A large pole enables wake boarders to jump and do tricks and stunts. Not the extreme sports kind? Then a ride in a boat on the lock will provide great fun for you or else you can try canoeing and kayaking as well as sailing.

A mecca for cycling

Fort William is also an attraction for cyclists as there are many cycling routes in this town that cater to different types of cycling such as mountain biking, road cycling and touring. It’s no wonder Fort William is the home to the UK round of Mountain Bike World Cup. Some of the famous cycling routes you can try if you are in Fort William are the Great Glen Cycle Route that stretches from Fort William to Inverness covering and approximately 75 miles of scenic splendor. This route is commonly used by cyclists as it provides the exact amount of speed, adventure and safety. Combine all this into one and you have got yourself an exhilarating ride.

Leanachan Forest is where you should head to in order to experience the variety of cycling tracks and trails through the forest ranging from rugged grandeur to meandering stream sides. Clunes to Laggan is for all ages as it is mainly a flat section terrain that covers forest tracks and single track road. On your cycling journey, you will be meeting some steep climbs but this is all good for a little dose of adventure. This path runs along the north shore of Loch Lochy.

Fort Bill and motor sports mix well

Motorsports is also a well known tourist favorite. Fort William is home to 6 days motorbike trials as the area offers spectators a fabulous week of entertainment and fun. From 4X4 driving to motorbike trials and gocarting with quad biking, Fort William is not the place that you will hear or say boring.

If you are planning your next vacation of trip to Fort William some of the nice places where you can live at is Clan MacDuff Hotel. This hotel is a 3 star family run hotel that over looks the Loc Linnhe. Your stay at this hotel will be full of warmth, as the staff and atmosphere is welcoming and friendly.

The Ben Nevis Hotel and Leisure Club is a 2 star hotel that is situated a mile outside Fort William with a 50 foot swimming pool and a choice of 119 bedrooms. If luxury accommodation is your heart’s yearning then head over to the Inverlochy Castle that is nestled in the foothills of Ben Nevis.

Inverlochy Castle

Built ins 1863 by Lord Abinger, Inverlochy is a 13th century fortress that has been a private residence for over a hundred years before being converted to Scotland’s finest country house hotel in 1969. Other luxury accommodations in and around Fort William are such as Glentower Lower Observatory and Ashburn Guest House. Ashburn Guest House is a Victorian villa located by the shore of Loch Linnhe, nearby the centre of Fort William.