Quayside facts for kids
The Quayside is an area along the banks (quay) of the River Tyne in Newcastle upon Tyne (the north bank) and Gateshead (south bank) in the North East of England, United Kingdom.
The area was once an industrial area and busy commercial dockside serving the area, while the Newcastle side also hosted a regular street market. In recent years the docks became run-down, and the area has since been heavily redeveloped to provide a modern environment for the modern arts, music and culture, as well as new housing developments (e.g. at St Peter's Marina). The NewcastleGateshead initiative now lists the Quayside as a top ten attraction.
Along the Newcastle side is an area that houses restaurants, bars and night clubs as well as housing and the Newcastle Law Courts. Quayside is also the name of the street running along the Newcastle riverside.
The Gateshead side of the river is designated and signposted as Gateshead Quays. It is the site of the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and The Sage Gateshead performing arts and conference centre. Also moored on the Gateshead side from 1984 until 2008 was the Tuxedo Princess (replaced for a time by sister ship Tuxedo Royale), a floating nightclub, beneath the Tyne Bridge near The Sage.
One of the Quayside's main features is the pedestrian Gateshead Millennium Bridge, opened in 2001, which spans the river between the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and the Newcastle Law Courts. The other bridge which allows direct road and pedestrian links between the two banks is the low level Swing Bridge, built in 1876, and located nearer the two respective city centres. Using the two bridges, the Quayside is the venue for the junior course of the annual Great North Run.
Buildings
Notable buildings include:
- The Customs House, on Newcastle upon Tyne Quayside, a Grade II listed building built in 1766, altered and refronted in 1833 by Sydney Smirke. Now houses a law firm.
- Newcastle upon Tyne Combined Court Centre, on Newcastle upon Tyne, Quayside, built between 1984 and 1990, designed by Napper Collerton, architects.
Public transport
Go North East's QuayLink Q1, Q2 and Q3 services operate frequently. QuayLink connects most of the main attractions and destinations in NewcastleGateshead, serving those who live, work, study, or those just visiting the area. The buses run frequently, from early until late, 7 days a week.
Q1 begins at Gateshead, before operating in a circle around East Gateshead, serving Deckham, Carr Hill, Felling, Heworth, Leam Lane Estate, Springwell Estate, Wrekenton, Low Fell and Shipcote, before again serving Gateshead, then The Sage, Gateshead College, Baltic Square, Quayside, Newcastle City Centre and Newcastle Central Station.
Q2 operates the same route as the Q1, but in the opposite direction.
Q3 begins at Newcastle Great Park, before serving Brunton Park, Regent Centre, Gosforth, Newcastle City Centre, Quayside, Ouseburn, St Peter's Basin, Walker Riverside and Wallsend.
