Grab a good map of the city, your camera and plenty of batteries and storage media and you’re set for a day of sightseeing in a city that promises everything from crumbling Roman remains to masterpieces of modern engineering. Hadrian’s Wall and the Segedunum Fort are the highlights for many visitors, those with historic interests especially, while the magnificent Gateshead Millennium Bridge is always a favourite with admirers of contemporary architectural accomplishments.

Castle of Newcastle
Robert Curthose, the illegitimate eldest son of William the Conqueror was responsible for building the original castle that occupied this site. Erected in wood in 1080, the castle was somewhat unimaginatively referred to as the ‘new castle’ and gave the city its name. The main part of the present structure was built during the 12th and 13th centuries and is a classic example of Norman architecture of the era.

Gateshead Millennium Bridge
Completed in the year 2000, officially opened in 2001 and costing a whopping GBP £22 million (Bt1.1 billion) to build, the Gateshead Millennium Bridge is an award-winning structure that owes its existence to the talents of the Wilkinson Eyre architectural firm and the Gifford structural engineering company. Now a major Newcastle landmark, the bridge is car-free and open to pedestrians and cyclists only.

Hadrian’s Wall
The highlight of Newcastle’s historic attractions is undoubtedly the UNESCO World Heritage site that is Hadrian’s Wall. Built by the Romans around AD 122, the wall stretches from Carlisle in Cumbria to the area of Newcastle known as Wallsend. Along the length of the wall, there are various sites built by the Romans that offer good photo opportunities for sightseers. A bus service operated by the city runs from the centre and along a route parallel to the wall.

Segedunum Roman Fort, Baths and Museum
Of all the structures of Roman origin to be found along Hadrian’s Wall, Segedunum meaning “strong fort” is one of the most interesting. Considered the gateway to the wall, the fort includes an interactive museum, a viewing tower and a full-sized reconstruction of traditional Roman Baths. 
Phone: +44 191 236 9347; www.twmuseums.org.uk/segedunum

St Nicholas Cathedral
Located in St Nicholas Square is this magnificent ecclesiastical structure that dates predominantly to the 14th century, although its 65-metre high crown spire was not added until the latter part of the 15th century. Originally given status as a church only, the structure was upgraded to a cathedral in 1882 following the formation of the diocese of Newcastle.

Tyne Bridge
Among the city’s most distinctive and best known landmarks, the Tyne Bridge is a structure that was officially opened by King George V in 1928 and was built to provide a connection between Newcastle and the neighbouring town of Gateshead. The bridge is an impressive piece of engineering and a drive across it yields some great views of many of Newcastle’s other well-known landmarks.