The Gateshead Millennium Bridge is the world’s first and only tilting bridge. Together with art, music and a Victorian park, it showcases the range of themes that may feature during a stay in Gateshead. If you’d like to plan your trip around specific interests, you can choose between distinctive architecture, exhibitions, musical activities and a visit to a park. The bridge’s tilting mechanism makes it a moving structure in its own right, a separate highlight alongside art and the park.

Location and distinctive places

Gateshead lies on the south bank of the River Tyne, opposite Newcastle upon Tyne. The Angel of the North is an award-winning work of art by Antony Gormley. Saltwell Park is a Victorian park in Gateshead. The two places offer different highlights: one centres on an artwork by a named artist, the other on a park with a historical designation. This means you can consider art and a park visit as separate highlights when planning your trip.

Art and changing exhibitions

On Gateshead Quayside, BALTIC has four floors of art and two viewing platforms. Its programme includes exhibitions, events, tours and activities. While the floors and platforms are part of the building’s described layout, the programme may change, as may access arrangements. If you’d like to attend a particular tour or event, check the latest programme details and access arrangements in advance.

The Shipley Art Gallery also hosts changing exhibitions, events and activities throughout the year. Its changing programme is another consideration when planning your trip: if a particular theme or offering matters to you, check what’s on during your stay. The gallery is a 20-minute walk from Gateshead Interchange, which offers Metro and bus connections. This makes it possible to plan the walk from the Interchange to the gallery.

Music at The Glasshouse

The Glasshouse is home to the Royal Northern Sinfonia orchestra. Visitors can take part in musical activities there, regardless of age, abilities or interests. The activities on offer and how participation is organised depend on the programme and booking arrangements. So if you’d like to plan your trip around a particular participatory activity, check the programme and relevant booking arrangements in advance. The orchestra and the opportunity to get involved in making music offer two different ways to explore the music theme.

For planning your dates, it’s useful to distinguish between the permanent features of the places described and the changing cultural programmes. The bridge, artwork and park offer lasting themes to explore; exhibitions, events, tours and activities depend on the programme at the time. This lets you take your interests into account when choosing where to stay, while also checking whether a particular cultural offering coincides with your travel dates.

Discover more destinations: Birtley, Ryton, Dunston

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