Newcastle to the Coast

Left out of Central Station (map p.134) and follow signs down Forth St to the north bank of the Tyne. Turn left. The stretch from the Millennium Bridge is known as the ‘Golden Mile of Culture’ on both banks, because of the number of galleries, museums and concert venues.

Head due east along the Tyne, past the law courts, smart hotels, wine bars and riverside apartments, where new Geordie money flaunts itself. Beyond there, as the river loops past Byker and round towards Wallsend, towards the shipyards and the giant cranes, the old Tyneside re-emerges. It’s goodbye to the metropolis, with its acres of glass and stainless steel, and hello to fine relics of a recently bygone age. There are 60s high rise flats and men in cloth caps walking whippets and tending pigeon lofts. The route (marked C2C and 72) leads continuously along the north bank, past the Segedunum Roman Fort, to the end of the Hadrian’s Wall National Trail.


Accommodation

The Cumberland Arms

The Cumberland Arms, Duty Manager, Ouseburn, Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne
Tyne & Wear, NE6 1LD





Telephone  0191 265 6151

Website  www.thecumberlandarms.co.uk

Email  info.cumberland@googlemail.com

Rooms  4D/T

B&B  Not decided at time of going to press, but will be competitive

Evening meal  To be sorted. From £5.

Packed lunch  £5

Secure cycle storage  Drying facilities



B&B due to open end of May 2009. Stylish yet traditional and vibrant community pub with broad appeal. The emphasis is on service, good beer and excellent food. South facing city views from a large outside drinking area in front of a cobbled cul-de-sac. Interior is original 1920s, with open fires, board games and even a library. There's a retired miners' dance team and an Irish folk night that's been going since the 1970s. Featured by Oz Clarke and James May on TV, described in Lonely Planet magazine by the former as one of the 'best pubs I've ever been in.'