Newcastle Uni starters 26

[LiveLuvLaugh]

Just coming over here from the very helpful accommodation thread. A thread for parents/caregivers/supporters (or even 2026 starters themselves!)
My DS is going to study Computer Science and we’re from the Manchester area.

Can I cheekily ask about recommended hotels and restaurants for us parents doing the drop off? DS can't have all the fun!!

@Goldie73 We had late MIL's house in the north east to sell so we usually stayed there.

Once that had sold we stayed at the Caledonian in Jesmond as DD lived there in years 2 and 3. Parking at this hotel is very limited though.

Last time we stayed in Newcastle we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in the city centre and paid an arm and a leg to park the car in the multi storey next door.

what type of restaurant are you thinking of ? i always take friends to blackfriars or cafe 21 when visit for food - but there are so many to choose from. Also lots of nice hotels with big variations of budget.

Helpful to know, thank you.

It's actually our wedding anniversary a few days before, so somewhere nice for the two of us for a special occasion dinner. The options you suggest look good!

We have enjoyed meals at Soju & Gogi Korean restaurant and Chaophraya (a Thai restaurant which is upstairs in Eldon Square), but don't let the location put you off. The food is outstanding.

We have eaten at several places in Jesmond, which I can recommend as and when.

If you want to push the boat out for a hotel stay I can recommend Jesmond Dene House Hotel, but it is £££. You can walk straight down into Jesmond Dene from the grounds. It is at its most scenic from mid May when the rhododendrons are in flower.

Amazing thank you

Premier Inn isn't the best one I've stayed in, but ok for one or two nights. Directly across the road from the Premier Inn is Little Cosmo which is an all you can eat buffet with lots of Indian, Chinese, Steaks, salads etc. Quite reasonable £ wise. We normally end up in there one night of our stay.
We've also stayed at the Maldron Hotel, which is pretty similar standard.

Lovely thanks

Top tip: Check if Newcastle are at home the day you're going. If they are, book Little Cosmo or any restaurant in advance,

Newcastle are indeed home on the 19th, and just to complicate things, it's the Great North Run on the 11-13 September

You have just reminded me that Newcastle were at playing home and it was also Northumbria drop off that weekend when we dropped DD off. My line manager is a Geordie and she gave me some brilliant advice.

She advised me to stay on the Western bypass and approach Newcastle from the West side rather than try and cross the Tyne bridge as the traffic wouldn't be so bad. She was right. However, the traffic was stop start from Durham services and we were worried that we might miss our slot. We made it it just in time, thankfully.

If you can book anything in advance when the Maggies are at home, do it!
The Uni was really well organized last year with unpacking and parking time slots etc., but if you can book restaurants etc. it is well advised to do so. Perhaps look up Just Park places for the weekend.

DS has logged on to Student Finance and changed the Uni/course. Simple to do for those in same boat, i.e. clearing.
Hopefully get confirmation at some point that the finance is still in place, as in his case nothing is changing in terms of home/London/elsewhere, etc.