Wherever you are in the North East, chances are you’ve encountered the Tyne and Wear Metro more than a few times. The network is one of the only metro systems in the UK outside of London (the other being in Glasgow) and is in equal parts a source of pride and derision for North Easterners. Although one of the most cutting-edge transit systems in Europe when it was first opened back in 1980, these days it seems a little tired, with frequent breakdowns and station closures now the norm.
However, the Metro has brighter days ahead, with a complete overhaul and new fleet of trains scheduled to come in over the next few years. With that in mind, now has never been a better time to revisit the Tyne and Wear Metro and explore the sights along its 60 stations. Here’s the best way to do it.
Source: Pixabay
Start at Central Station
There’s no better place to start than at the epicentre of it all. While it may not quite compare to the sprawling underground station at London’s St Pancras, this is still an awe-inspiring place to start your journey. Head to the main concourse of the train station and enjoy a seriously delicious cup of chai at AMT Coffee, taking in the business of it all, before heading deep underground to hop on the metro.
Head to Whitley Bay
Your first port of call should be the classic Victorian seaside town of Whitley Bay, where you can enjoy the fun on offer at the newly renovated Spanish City complex, followed by some fish and chips. Afterwards, do as the locals do and hit up one of the historic games arcades lining the storefront, and relive your childhood by playing some classic games of penny roulette and horse racing. As a warning, the locals are known to be experts at the penny roulette games, so you’ll want to get plenty of practice in beforehand, which you can do online at https://games.paddypower.com/game/penny-roulette-cptn. Offering a 97.3% RTP (return to player), this practice option means you’ll have plenty left over for the arcades.
Source: Pixabay
Explore Roman Tyne & Wear
One of the main things that make the region so magical is the rich history you can find. Once you’ve had your fill of Victorian England, step back in time a few thousand years more: by stopping off at Wallsend Station, you can explore the Roman ruins of Segedunum. Directions to the site can be found at https://segedunumromanfort.org.uk/visit-us/getting-here and it’s your chance to explore genuine roman settlements from 120AD, including bathhouses, barracks and fortifications.
Finish at Gosforth
To end your day of adventure the right way, hop back on the metro and head to the upscale suburb of Gosforth, where you’ll find no shortage of award-winning restaurants nestled between elegant townhouses and mansions. Gosforth has hosted a thriving Italian community for generations now, so your best bet is to dine in at one of the classical Italian restaurants such as San Lorenzo, or the ultra-modern Adriano’s. If the weather is tolerable enough, try and grab a seat on the pavement outside and watch the world go by.
The metro is an important part of our regional heritage and, for better or for worse, a day spent riding the rails is always worth doing.