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Newcastle upon Tyne is backed by 2000 years of history during which it was controlled by the Norsemen, Angles, and Romans. Previously known by its Roman name Pons Aelius, Newcastle upon Tyne was renamed as Newcastle when Norman Conquest began to rule England. It is a city in North-east England on the northern bank of the River Tyne and is located 277 miles North of London and 103 miles south of Edinburgh. Formerly a manufacturing and industrial hub, it is now regarded as a University City and also as a center for arts, sciences, and business.
Home to the Geordie culture, Newcastle has a rich heritage of music, sports, arts, dance and the city is one of the trendiest. Visitors flock to the city and its surrounding areas- that’s why public transport and car rentals are always in demand. TravelCar’s attractive car rental UK is very popular.
Pricing & availability
TravelCar’s budget car rental Newcastle is a huge draw with visitors. Its pick-up and drop-off locations are conveniently located and its vehicle offerings so varied that you can get a rental car of your choice, quickly and easily. Easy self-drive car hire Newcastle by TravelCar puts public transport in the shade. Being able to drive across the city according to your whims and fancies- leisurely and without a sense of pressure or strain augurs for a successful trip. Of course, TravelCar’s rental offerings that range from hourly, weekly, daily to short and long-term makes a difference. TravelCar’s car rental charges are highly acceptable with no hidden or ‘fine print’ that could cause hassles.
Ease of Service
For starters, the booking process is simple and uncomplicated and that makes it easy for visitors to use TravelCar’s online system. The car rental provider makes it a point to provide you with cars that suit your requirements and place a great onus on safety and comfort. With its strong partnership with car rental companies, it’s well placed to give you quality, good condition cars that promise a good driving experience. You can modify or cancel your booking without paying any fees, compare car rental rates across the rental space and be rest assured that you get nothing but the best. Premium service, best rates regardless of whether you opt for Luxury car hire Newcastle or just a Compact car is the norm. TravelCar’s strength lies in its ability to provide equal services to all without undue preference. For those young drivers that may find it difficult to hire a car, it offers rent a car Newcastle under 25 for the provider wants every visitor- young and old to enjoy their stay and its cars.
Great customer service
TravelCar’s first priority is to ensure that visitors get the best service and don’t have anything to complain about. Its staff and customer teams are always on the same frequency as far as visitors are concerned. Queries are always attended to, visitor requests adhered to in order to ensure complete satisfaction. It aims to keep car rentals low, offers discounts, recommends the right type of car for that particular city- goes that extra length to ensure that its popularity and uniqueness don’t fade. Staff is knowledgeable and experienced, professionally trained to deal with all aspects of car rentals. Right from when you hire a car until when you drop it off, TravelCar is with you all the way- reliable and always dependable.
When you’re on a jaunt and are looking for a suitable car for hire in Newcastle, just think of TravelCar. This car rental provider has made a name for itself in the car rental space and can offer you a range of cars. Looking for small cars- the Mini, the Economy Car or the Compact car can be just the thing for you. Fast, economical, low rentals and easy to drive. Of course, if you want the roomier ones, opt for TravelCar’s intermediate or Full-size cars that are spacious, utilitarian and good lookers. Want to look smart- the company’s Luxury and Special cars are just for those who dream and rave about style and looks.
Car rentals make it easy to take a look at the city attractions-
The Tyne Bridges
Though there are 7 bridges over the River Tyne, the Tyne Bridge, opened by King George V in 1928, is the most famous and the most iconic. It is said to be the “largest single-span steel arch bridge on the British Isle”, the 10th tallest structure in the city and connects Newcastle and the town of Gateshead. It was built by Dorman Long and Co. of Middlesbrough but designed by the firm Mott, Hay and Anderson. The towers of the Tyne Bridge are made of Cornish granite and these are open to the public on Heritage Open days. The annual Great North Run takes place here when 52,000 runners pass over the bridge.
St. Nicholas Cathedral
This is a small cathedral that dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries and was only a parish church initially. It acquired its cathedral status in 1882 and its crowning glory is the Lantern Tower that stands tall at 197 ft. The tower was built in 1448 and served as a navigational aid to ships on the River Tyne. As visitors go around the Cathedral, they can enjoy the medieval treasures, fine statues and the stained glass windows that are housed within. One of the greatest treasures is the Hexham Bible, a 19th-century manuscript that is written on Vellum.
The view from the top of the cathedral tower is amazing and though you do have to climb more than 300 steps to reach the top, its well worth it - you get to see long miles of awesome landscape.
Quayside
Found on both sides of the River Tyne, the Quayside was formerly the hub of industry and served as a commercial dockside. Coal was then ferried across the now famous Victoria Tunnel. This is a popular tourist attraction and is a 25-mile tunnel that runs beneath the ground between Tyne and the Town Moor Down and was used to transport coal. Today, the Quayside has undergone a transformation and is a hub for arts and culture in North-east England. It houses numerous shops, restaurants that flourish alongside historic buildings that have been restored... The life Science center with its planetarium, hands-on-displays and live theatre is just a stone’s throw away.
The Old City Chares
One of the oldest parts of Newcastle, the Chares refers to a bunch of narrow medieval streets and lanes with stepped pathways- all of which have been well preserved. The word Chares is a Geordie word that is used to describe the narrow alleyways that were prevalent in Newcastle. Although a number of them were destroyed in the Great Fire, there are many Chares remaining even today. They are great fun to explore, especially the Castle Stairs that lead to the Black Gate and Castle Keep. As you move through the Chares, you will come across some newer architectural delights.
Art Galleries
The Laing Art Gallery, built in 1901 and the Hatton Gallery at the Newcastle University house some of the best landscapes by John Martin, Gauguin and fine sculptures by Henry Moore. Hatton houses paintings by modern English artists and works of European painters of the 14th- 18th centuries. Don’t forget to pay a visit to the Biscuit Factory, a fine gallery where art, craft, fine art, and sculpture blend together marvelously.
With so many attractions in and around Newcastle upon Tyne, car rentals and public transport gain significance. Take a look at the day trips that you can make keeping Newcastle as your base.
Bamburgh Castle
This amazing village destination in Northumberland is a good one day trip. After many battles with the Vikings, Normans, and Anglo-Saxons and a revolt in 1905, this castle was bought by an industrialist named William Armstrong and was restored to its former glory. Behind the castle are sandy beaches and sand dunes covered with grass. These spots are great picnic places and with nearby cafes and local pubs, you can have the time of your life. Of course, if you so choose you can stroll along the village high street and find some great options awaiting you.
Hiring a car is perhaps the best way to reach the castle although there are public transport bus options available.
Hadrian’s Wall
A visit to Newcastle will be incomplete without a look at this 73-mile long wall and 6 m high that took almost 6 years to complete. The wall signified the extent of the northern limit of Britain under Rome and was named after the Emperor who ordered it to be built. Hadrian Wall is a great engineering project and after almost every mile, a gateway guarded by a small fort was built. Some of the wall sections are in close proximity to the Newcastle city center. To get the full effect of the wall, you would need to go to Housesteads- a Heritage site that offers fabulous views of the Hadrian Wall. The wall is less than an hour’s drive from the city, so you should be able to visit it and return to base.
Take the train from Newcastle to Hexham and from their get on to the hop-on-hop-off country bus AD122. That way you get to see at least some of the forts or ruins on the way. Getting off at the fort of Housesteads will give you the best views of the Hadrian Wall.
York
An hour away from Newcastle, it’s well worth a visit- you can see York Minster- a magnificent cathedral- one of the world’s very best-, Clifford’s tower, the York Art Gallery and then pamper yourself with sweet delights from the York Chocolate Story attraction. If you opt for a boat tour, you will be in for an amazing lesson in art and architecture and will find a stark contrast in the York Dungeon with its dark past. It’s a great day trip to take as you get to witness the mix of medieval and Viking architecture and art and also get to enjoy the sugary dessert treats and delicious sandwiches of the York tea houses.
There are direct trains from Newcastle Central Station to the city of York and also frequent bus services between the two cities.
The cobbled streets of Durham beckon you and it’s just about 19 miles south of Newcastle. The cathedral and castle- once the seats of power- are heritage sites and the castle is a part of the Durham University- the third best in England. Hop aboard the Prince Bishop River Cruiser or borrow a boat from the boathouse and soak in the dazzling views from the River.
There are direct trains from Newcastle to Durham and the journey time is just about 15 minutes on an average. Frequent buses also ply between the two places and journey time is about 40 minutes.
Speed limits in the UK
| Motorways | 70 mph |
| Dual carriageways (roads divided by grassy areas or barriers) | 70 mph |
| Single carriageways (undivided roads) | 60 mph |
| Built up urban roads | 30 mph |
| Built up area near schools | 20 mph |
| Road with sharp bends | 50 mph |
The speed limit for Sheffield city center is being reduced to 20mph
If you have an EU country license, it will be treated on par with a UK one. However, those with an international driving license can use it only for 12 months from their entry into the United Kingdom.