The Big Guide to Your NEWCASTLE Stag Weekend

A Newcastle stag weekend is a nailed-on winner.

It's hard to have a bad time in this badass party city!

From big nights out to legendary activities to loads of stag-friendly accommodation - it's as if Newcastle was built for stag weekends.

Have a scan through our big guide for everything you need to know about a belting weekend Tyneside.

Contents

Is Newcastle Right for Your Group?

• Do you like partying?
• Do you want some colossal activities to take on?
• Do you want some big bites and late nights?

Well, Newcastle ticks all the boxes and then some!

The only thing Newcastle can't guarantee is sunshine, but with everything else on offer, it won't matter one bit.

Since we started stag planning way back in 2002, we've had loads of amazing feedback for Newcastle. Our favourite by a mile was from a stag legend called Ben, who simply said:

"Newcastle... WOW!"

Pretty much sums the place up!

The Places in Newcastle You Need to Know About

Bigg Market

Bigg by name, big by nature! Bigg Market is the thriving hub in the centre of the city with a huge concentration of bars and nightclubs. This is party central, so be sure to bring your A-game or it'll chew you up and spit you out in a heartbeat.

Quayside

Located centrally, down by the Tyne, the Quayside is a great place to head for a more refined drink before. Swanky bars and clubs are the order of the day, and you can get great views of Tyne Bridge.

Diamond Strip

This is where the Geordie Shore and football lot strut their stuff. It's a lot more VIP than the rest of the city, so dress to impress if you're hitting this district.

The Gate

A complex in the centre of the city with eateries, pubs and bars aplenty. A good place to refuel and re-energise before you kickstart a memorable night partying. Situated along from Bigg Market, it's a doddle to find and keeps you right in amongst the action.

Jesmond

Away from the centre, the area of Jesmond has a vibrant nightlife with the streets in and around Osborne Road a hive of activity. If you're staying for more than one night, it's a cool place to spend an evening, but it's slightly more low-key than the city centre.

Top 10 Newcastle Pubs, Bars & Clubs

The Best Time to Go

Newcastle is a great city to head to any time of year.

Well, it's not like you're going there for the warm weather, is it?!

60% of stags going there in 2023 went between March and May, but we had guys heading up throughout the year.

How Long Do People Go For?

The majority of stags (60%) went to Newcastle for 3 days (2 nights).

2 nights is the perfect amount for Newcastle as it gives you a couple of nights to explore the nightlife, and a few days to take on some of the awesome activities on offer.

How Soon Do People Book?

Stags going to Newcastle in 2023 booked 4 months before they were due to go.

That gave them enough time to secure their preferred accommodation and activity options, but we wouldn't recommend leaving it any later than that.

The longer you leave it, the more likely other groups will beat you to it.

Where to Stay in Newcastle

We have a cracking array of stag-friendly Newcastle accommodation options right in the city centre that are ready and raring to book.

From hotels to apartments, there's plenty on offer to suit all groups.

With a city like Newcastle, it's always best to stay as central as possible so that you're right in amongst the biggest and best nights out.

Think of the money you'll save not having to jump in expensive taxis every 5 minutes.

What to Do in Newcastle

With 50+ Newcastle stag do ideas to choose from, you won't be short of things to keep you busy.

The only issue you might find is fitting them all in!

From chilled to chaotic, boozy to booze-free, we have plenty to sink your teeth into whatever you want to do.

Things to See in Newcastle

#1 Angel of the North

OK, it's in Gateshead, but there's a good-to-fair chance you'll be driving past it en route, so it's an ideal little stop-off for that big squad selfie.

#2 St James' Park

Unlike a lot of football stadiums, this sporting cathedral is smack bang in the centre of the city, meaning you'll probably just stumble across it as you're walking about.

#3 Millenium & Tyne Bridge

It's not the yawn-fest it sounds. The Millenium Bridge is a tilting structure which resembles a Venus Fly Trap when raised on its hydraulic arm. Bask in the glory of Tyne Bridge Quayside with an ice-cold pint in hand.

#4 Newcastle Castle

Well, of course it has a castle!

#5 Wylam Brewery

Beer connoisseurs will want to check out this awesome brewery housed in the Palace of Arts in Exhibition Park.

How to Get to Newcastle...

Discover how easy it is to get to Newcastle by...

Car - Whilst it's probably best to punch the route into your sat-navs/phones, these are the fastest routes from some of the UK's major cities. Please note all times are subject to a variety of factors including traffic, number of stops, etc.

• London to Newcastle - 290 miles - 5hr 11 min (roughly) - M1 & A1 (Tolls)
• Bristol to Newcastle - 302 miles - 4 hr 53 min (roughly) - M1 & A1
• Cardiff to Newcastle - 323 miles - 5hr 16 min (roughly) - M1 & A1
• Birmingham to Newcastle - 213 miles - 3 hr 28 min (roughly) - M1 & A1
• Liverpool to Newcastle - 178 miles - 3 hr 14 min (roughly) - M62 & A1
• Manchester to Newcastle - 146 miles - 2 hr 41 min (roughly) - M62 & A1
• Sheffield to Newcastle - 131 miles - 2 hr 19 min (roughly) - M1 & A1
• Leeds to Newcastle - 98 miles - 1 hr 49 min (roughly) - A1
• Edinburgh to Newcastle - 120 miles - 2 hr 25 min (roughly) - A1
• Glasgow to Newcastle - 151 miles - 2 hr 46 min (roughly) - A74 & A69
• Belfast to Newcastle - 225 miles - 5 hr 59 min (roughly) - Route includes a ferry

If your accommodation doesn't have parking, visit Parkopedia for your nearest options.

Train - Below are a list of the fastest trains from some of the biggest cities in the UK. Some may include changes. Remember to check early for the best prices.

• London King's Cross to Newcastle - 2 hr 51 min (roughly)
• Bristol Temple Meads to Newcastle - 4 hr 54 min (roughly)
• Cardiff Central to Newcastle - 5hr 35 min (roughly)
• Birmingham New Street to Newcastle - 3 hr 33 min (roughly)
• Liverpool Lime Street to Newcastle - 3 hr 17 min (roughly)
• Manchester Victoria to Newcastle - 2 hr 35 min (roughly)
• Sheffield to Newcastle - 2 hr 12 min (roughly)
• Leeds to Newcastle - 1 hr 28 min (roughly)
• Edinburgh Waverley to Newcastle - 1 hr 25 min (roughly)
• Glasgow Queen Street to Newcastle - 2 hr 23 min (roughly)

Newcastle Central Station is located, you guessed it, close to the centre of the city, so you'll be right in amongst the action as soon as you step out.

Visit Trainline to book your train tickets.

Plane - Many airports in the south of the UK have direct flights to Newcastle. The earlier you book, the cheaper it'll be, so don't leave the planning to the very last second. In a lot of cases, it'll probably cost less than the petrol or the train.

• London (all airports) - 1hr 15 min
• Bristol - 1 hr 4 min
• Cardiff - 1 hr 20 min
• Newquay - 1 hr 25 min
• Plymouth - 1 hr 5 min

Newcastle International Airport is located just 6.5 miles from the city centre, so getting in is an absolute doddle (see below for your options).

Getting from Newcastle Airport to the City Centre

Metro & Train - You can get to Newcastle city centre by train from the airport in 25 mins (departing every ten minutes). Look for Haymarket, Monument, and Central Station - choose the one closest to your accommodation. There's also the Nexus Metro that can get you right into the heart of the city.

Bus - The X77 and X78 will get you to the city centre in 30-40 mins.

Taxi - Taxis will be more expensive than the bus but will take half as long.

Tips On Getting Around Newcastle

Walking - The centre of the city is definitely walkable. It's relatively compact, but if you do need to venture further out, there are plenty of options available to you.

Metro - The Metro has over 60 stops that can take you as far as Sunderland and the airport. There are multiple zones, but an all-day pass will cost you under £5, so it's a very affordable option.

Bus - As with the Metro, Newcastle has an extensive bus network that links the city and beyond. They take contactless payment, too, so bouncing about is an absolute breeze.

Taxis/Uber - Newcastle has Uber, so be sure to download the app before you go. There are also a range of local taxi firms - speak to your accommodation for recommendations.

Common Newcastle FAQs

Is Newcastle good for a stag do?

Newcastle is one of the most popular stag do destinations in the UK for good reason - it ticks all the boxes for the groom's last night of freedom. From top Newcastle stag activities - like Bubble Football and It's a Geordie Knockout - to massive nights out, there's nothing here a stag do won't love.

Where's the best place for a night out in Newcastle?

One of the most popular nightlife hotspots is Bigg Market. Other party quarters include the more VIP Diamond Strip, which combines exclusiveness with quality party vibes. Quayside and The Gate are perfect for an epic stag with dozens of diners, pubs and buzzing nightlife spots.