Newcastle for shopping

[daisie4]

We're going to Newcastle for the weekend so dh and ds can watch the football. Last year dd and I hit the shops and found the Eldon centre which was great, but couldn't find the more independent type shops, the sort that sell nice presents, christmas decorations, pictures and little bits for the home by brands like Sia - does this more villagey feel exist & if so is there an area we should be heading to?

I don't think it does, sadly. There used to be some lovely shops like Penny Plain, but they've closed. Durham is better for the sorts of things you are talking about. It's about 15 minutes on the train from Newcastle Central Station, very easy to do for an afternoon.

Thanks for such a quick response Olivetti - I'll find out a bit more about Durham. We'll have a car and are staying in the centre of Newcastle, would you still catch train? Also, is there an area in Durham to head for or is it just that type of place?

Its such a shame most cities just seem to have the same chains of shops.

Hi daisie4 it is such a shame but Newcastle is really rubbish for anything but chain stores. There is a big dept store - Fenwicks which is the best, but as has been said - nothing like the shops you want. Closer to Newcastle centre and just a metro ride away is Jesmond, which is the local student area which has three main shopping areas - Acorn Road, Clayton Road and Fern Avenue but as the student safe wealthy, some of the shops are a bit pricey. Just out of town - you could drive to it - is the Biscuit Factory which is largest commercial art gallery in europe. It has a wide variety of not too expensive bits of original art - pots, jewellery, cards as well as major work for £££££s. Nice cafe and worth seeing. Corbridge - a train ride away or a 15 mile drive parking isnt great - to the west of newcastle is a small village which has the things you seek - it isn't huge and if dd is young, she won't be thrilled. Corbridge is the home of RE - google it - which, IMHO is worth the trip, alone. Going north is Morpeth which I think might be just right for you. It has nice independent stores and has also just opened a shopping centre which has chains too. You could train or drive there. Good luck and wrap up warm!

Hi - it depends where exactly you are staying, but if you are in Newcastle itself, I would get the train to Durham, it's a really short journey and a short walk down into the town from the station. There's no particular area, it's a nice, compact little town. The cathedral is breathtaking, as a bonus, if DD would be interested. Morpeth's ok, but a bit more limited, from my memory.

Agree with Durham suggestion, Newcastle is fantastic for high street shopping but not so much for independant or quirky.

Durham a bit like York (fab for independant shops) but smaller.

Thank you so much for all your responses, will definitely go over to Durham, I'm also going to look into Morpeth as his won't be our last visit, its becoming annual. And we'll try to fit in the Biscuit Factory.

DD is 12 so we're after a bit of a potter, but moved house last year and after all the decorating want some nice bits such to finish some rooms off. I feel much more excited now, I just didn't fancy going to the same shops we have in our own city.

if it is this weekend you are coming the Durham will be fab.

www.durhamchristmasfestival.com/

Just to add that I second getting the train to Durham, if you're staying in the centre. They are frequent (at least 4 an hour) and if you happen to have a family railcard, it will actually be even cheaper for you and DD travelling together than for you on your own. Have fun!