Newcastle upon Tyne — or simply Newcastle — is quite a vibrant city with a rich history. The people who live there are known to be among some of the most hardworking whilst also not having an awful lot. Their famous Geordie culture is one of the many reasons people love visiting the city. The culture consists of friendliness and lots of banter. The town boasts an elegant culture with a legacy of innovation that has influenced the world in many ways. But just how much has Newcastle given to the world? Read on as we explore the top 10.
1. Stephenson’s Rocket
First here is Stephenson’s rocket, an early steam locomotive of 0-2-2 wheel arrangement. It was designed by George Stephenson and his son, Robert Stephenson, in 1892. Notably, this rocket was built for the Rainhill trial, a competition determining the best locomotive for the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. Stephenson’s Rocket won due to its advanced technology, and subsequently, it contributed to the development of railways.
Perhaps not the most notorious thing that people of today will remember or recognise Newcastle for and if that includes you, then maybe you’ve just learnt something new about this great place!
2. Newcastle Brown Ale
The brown ale from Newcastle is a renowned English beer created by Colonel Jim Porter in 1927. This beer is known for its smooth and distinctive red-brown color and slightly sweet taste. Plus, there’s no taking away the nutty finish. Over the years, Newcastle Brown Ale has earned a good reputation as a high-quality beer and gained international acclaim. It has become the symbol of the city and is enjoyed worldwide.
Even to this day, many Geordies still like to represent the Newcastle Brown Ale logo on their retro Newcastle United football shirts. It is without a doubt one of the most popular retro jerseys for the clubs that fans are constantly seen wearing at the stadium.
3. Greggs
You probably already know Greggs — the famous bakery chain. The brand specialises in savoury products such as pastries, sandwiches and cakes. But what you may not know is that it originated in Newcastle and was founded by John Gregg in 1939. At first, it was only a single shop and delivery service. However, Gregg’s expanded rapidly over the years due to its affordability and freshly baked goods. Today, the brand is famous across the UK for its sausage rolls and vegan alternatives. Due to Greggs’s commitment to quality, it has earned a position as one of the UK’s largest food retailers.
In terms of pricing, Greggs is one of the more affordable fast food chains when compared to the likes of McDonalds, KFC, Subway etc. Still all relatively cheap, nothing comes close to the pricing of a delicious steak bake or sausage roll.
4. Gambling Venues
Newcastle is home to some of the world’s best land-based casinos and sports gambling locations. These include places like the Newcastle Racecourse, Aspers Casino, The Gate, and Mecca Bingo and Slots Gateshead. Some of these venues area popular attraction for visitors, especially the racecourse.
The casino houses are frequented by slots, blackjack, roulette, and poker lovers. Notably, players who prefer online slot games, where you can choose from a selection of over 1000 games at some of the best online casinos, still visit the land-based casinos in Newcastle for real-life experiences and also on nights out with friends and family..
5. Sir Joseph Swan
Sir Joseph Wilson Swan, an English physicist, chemist, and inventor, was born in Sunderland in 1828. He’s best known for inventing the first incandescent light bulb in the late 19th century. His development in electric lighting led to the demonstration of a building illuminated by electric light in 1879. Sir Joseph was also a pioneer in the science of photography, especially regarding the dry plate technique. His works advanced electrical engineering and globally impacted daily life and industry.
6. The Sage Gateshead
Here’s a renowned musical and cultural venue on the south Bank of the River Tyne in Gateshead across Newcastle upon Tyne. The Sage Gateshead hosts various live musical performances, conferences, workshops and educational programs. Overall, the location exists to promote music and arts in the northeast and beyond. So, it has become an iconic symbol of the region with its unique curved glass and steel structure.
7. Newcastle University
This is a public research university based in Newcastle upon Tyne. It was established in 1834, more than 190 years ago. The university is renowned for its academic excellence and innovative research while offering various undergraduate, postgraduate and research programs in diverse disciplines. It has continued to be a leading institution in pioneering research in ageing, sustainability and medicine.
Newcastle is one of the most popular UK universities and also said to have great nightlife. With so much to do it is an ideal location for students looking to venture from home to study somewhere great.
8. The Geordie Dialect
If you visit Newcastle or around Tyneside in northeast England, you’ll hear this local and distinctive English dialect. It’s known for its unique pronunciation, vocabulary and intonation, which reflect the region’s rich cultural heritage. Many language enthusiasts consider the dialect one of the best surviving forms of Old English and Old Norse.
9. The Lit and Phil
Known as The Literary and Philosophy Society of Newcastle upon Tyne in full, The Lit and Phil was founded in 1793. The institution is one of the oldest independent libraries in the UK, and it serves as a centre of intellectual and cultural activities. Notably, the library plays a vital role in learning in Newcastle and beyond.
10. Alan Shearer
To end the list, we have Alan Shearer, a legendary English footballer born in Newcastle in 1970. He is known to be one of the greatest strikers in the history of English football. Shearer started his career at Southampton in 1998 and then moved to Blackburn Rovers in 1992. At the club, he won his first Premier League title in 1995, as well as two consecutive Premier League Golden Boots. As a result of his prolific goal-scoring abilities, he became Newcastle United’s record signing in 1996. Today, he’s the highest goalscorer in EPL history, with 260 goals.
The debate still continues with Shearer as to whether or not he is the best striker ever to grace the prem. This debate which often gets heated amongst football fans is still unanswered and probably always will be, with supporters unlikely to come to an agreement.
Conclusion
Thanks to its rich history and dynamic contribution. Not only that, but also what is on offer if you ever plan a trip to Newcastle. Newcastle has significantly impacted the world. It’s indeed a vibrant city with global significance. While Newcastle has given a lot, more can be expected in the future.