Trains to Newcastle

If you love Mexican food, then Chucho’s will fill you up for very little money. You can get 3 tacos for £3 or a burrito bursting with good things for £7. The entire menu tastes delicious and authentic like a Mariachi band playing in your mouth.

How to get there: It’s a 40-minute walk from the station but get a bus or taxi instead as it really is worth the journey.

Enjoy the best in Persian cuisine from this North-Eastern gem where you can feast on succulent lamb and chicken dishes for very few pennies. There's also a lovely vegetarian mezze that everyone will enjoy. The portions are large enough to fill any sized stomach and the staff are equally as wide with their friendly smiles.

How to get there: Take a 10-minute walk up Westgate Road to find the Moulin Rouge when you leave the station. And then head for neighbouring Summerhill Park to walk off your meal afterwards.

Enjoy two floors of olde-worlde fun at Bealim House, a former print works and now home to the city’s only authentic gin still. Antique furniture, vintage tiles and wooden floors makes this a classic British experience and if you love gin, you’ll be in G&T heaven.

How to get there: A brisk 10-minute walk via Grainger Street from the station will bring you to the door of this 2 storey celebration of sloe berries.

There’s nothing to beat a beer garden for an authentic UK pub experience and you can eat and drink beneath the bridge of the Tyne Bar on a sunny day before heading inside to appreciate the interiors of this much-loved landmark building. The walls could tell centuries of stories from its days as The Ship Tavern.

How to get there: From the station head to the Quayside and take a short walk to find this riverside haven. It should take about half an hour on foot.

Impress everyone with one of Lola’s award-winning burgers that are spectacularly stacked on your plate with a delicious choice of sides. This is not your typical after pub snack with high quality ingredients and veggie options for those who want to give meat a miss.

How to get there: You’ll find Lola’s in the heart of the city centre right next to the Theatre Royal and a short walk from the station.

If you want superb views of the River Tyne then the Copthorne is right by the Quayside so you’re at the heart of the daytime fun and nighttime social life, The Quay 7 bar and restaurant provide great spaces for the family to relax and dine with a selection of rooms up to Executive level to cater for all needs.

How to get there: You’ll find the hotel a 20 minute walk from the train station with plenty of buses running to help carry heavy luggage.

You can always rely on a Holiday Inn for a good value, high quality stay and the one in Newcastle is no different. With 119 rooms and onsite facilities such as a fitness centre and restaurant, it’s a great base for exploring the area. Save even more as kids under 17 stay free in a parent's room.

How to get there: You’re best hiring a taxi or getting to the bus from the station to the hotel, otherwise it’s a 30min+ walk.

Bang in the heart of the city centre, easyHotel is a brilliant choice for those who simply want to roll out of bed and start exploring straight away. Don’t expect opulent surroundings but the clean, functional rooms you need for a great price and 5 star customer service from the staff.

How to get there: You’ll probably be able to drag the suitcases to this hotel as it’s just a 7-minute walk from Newcastle railway station.

The Malmaison asks you to experience the extraordinary and you’ll have a whale of a time on Newcastle’s Quayside. As you’d expect from the chain, the rooms look glamorous and offer impressive views. Elsewhere, the cocktails cry out to be recorded and maybe you can even sneak your phone into the luxury spa for a discreet pamper picture.

How to get there: Situated down by the Quayside, Malmaison is a 20-minute walk away from the station or a simple trip by bus or taxi.

Another Quayside gem, Innside by Melia is a riverside retreat where you can enjoy a drink on the outdoor terrace while taking panoramic shots of the vibrant river life. The open living lounge is another Instaheaven where you’ll want to hang around when you’re back from a day of exploration. Or head out and find the abundant art and architecture based close by.

How to get there: If you’ve got heavy luggage then you may want to get transport from the station to the hotel rather than face a 20 minute walk.

Aside from its brilliant location, The Crowne Plaza offers the pleasure seeker a serious luxury experience during breaks between being a tourist. Pick up a towel and treat yourself to the spa, gym, indoor heated swimming pool and beauty treatments. 

We’d also highly recommend the cocktails in The Gin Bar.

How to get there: A short nine-minute walk will see you safely ensconced in your hotel room, ready for a brilliant stay.

Embrace the glamour of a bygone age at The Vermont with rooms and spaces that wouldn't look out of place in a period drama. Step up to a suite for art-deco and Victorian interiors with the space to breathe and appreciate all the little extras that mean so much as well as spectacular views of the Castle and river.

How to get there: Take a right out of the station then head down to the river for an easy 6 minute walk to this pleasure palace.

You’ll feel all 4 stars attached to this beautifully preserved 19th-century hotel. We like spending time in The Hudson restaurant with its locally sourced cuisine or catching some footy action on TV in the spacious lounge bar. People watch from the window of your fully kitted out bedroom before letting the deeply comfortable beds lead you to the land of nod.

How to get there: You can’t miss the County Hotel as it’s just over the road from the station – save your taxi money for more luxuries.

National Rail has partnered with renowned British DJ and broadcaster, Jo Whiley, to ignite a passion for exploring the roots of British music through train travel. Embark on a journey with the Window Seater app with a variety of short audio guides narrating the vibrant tales of Britain's musical landscapes, both past and present.

National Rail have teamed up with British sports presenter, Kirsty Gallacher to create a new audio series to inspire your next train trip to some of Britain’s fantastic sporting locations. The eight-episode series features exclusive interviews from British sporting heroes and brings to life the origins of Britain’s most popular sports. When it comes to sport, nothing beats being there.​