Member Article

Step into history with Newcastle hotel during Great Exhibition of the North

A Newcastle hotel has launched an exclusive package allowing visitors and locals wanting to learn more about the popular northern city to uncover its impressive history.

In celebration of Great Exhibition of the North, Royal Station Hotel on Neville Street has teamed up with expert guides who will lead walking tours, showcasing the city’s architectural and cultural roots this summer.

Also including an overnight stay, the ‘Tour the Toon’ experience is available across a weekend in September, during Get North’s 80-day programme of exhibits, events and live performances.

Beginning at the hotel, tour guests will learn of its own long-standing history as a Grade I and Grade II listed building, which was opened by Queen Victoria over 150 years ago while she was in Newcastle to officially open Central Station in 1850.

Led by guides Tom and Gwen Keating, groups will then move on to discover some of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Grainger Town will be the next stop on the tour with a chance to photograph the famous Grey’s Monument. The Grade I listed monument to Charles Grey (2nd Earl Grey), was built in 1838, and has been crowned with a bright floral halo and descending coloured ribbons to resemble a giant maypole especially for the exhibition.

Heading down to the medieval part of the city, groups will visit Newcastle Castle and Cathedral, before a scenic walk along the banks of the River Tyne. Dating back almost 2,000 years and known as the Quayside, it is dotted with seven iconic bridges across a mile-long stretch. One of these being the Millennium Bridge, which the tour will reach just in time to see it tilt.

Whilst on the Quayside there’s a lot to see over the summer, including an 80 metre-long water sculpture on the river designed to reflect an angel’s moving wings – a nod to The Angel of the North, and the returning Quayside Seaside beach pop-up complete with sand and deckchairs.

Michelle Harle, general manager at Royal Station Hotel said: “The spotlight is firmly on Newcastle this summer and there’s already a real buzz in the air thanks to Great Exhibition of the North. In recognition we wanted to do something special incorporating both the city and hotel’s pasts.

“Alongside Tom and Gwen we have developed the ‘Tour the Toon’ experience to be suitable for all ages including children, whether history buffs or those simply looking to get to know somewhere new. With so much going on in and around Newcastle, there’s never been a better time to visit.”

Sarah Stewart, Chief Executive of NewcastleGateshead Initiative, added: “It’s fantastic to see two of our partners working together to make the most of the opportunities that the Great Exhibition of the North brings to the region this summer. Tour the Toon is a brilliant way for visitors to experience the rich culture and history of NewcastleGateshead, alongside the story of the North told by the Great Exhibition through its innovators, artists, designers, businesses and communities.

“This collaboration is a great example of how businesses and organisations across NewcastleGateshead and the wider North can get involved in the Great Exhibition of the North. We hope to see more examples like this throughout the summer and beyond.”

The stay and tour package includes: • An overnight stay for two at Royal Station Hotel • A full English breakfast • A two hour guided walking tour around Newcastle, which will begin at 10am

Reservations are available on Saturday 01 September and Sunday 02 September 2018. Saturday bookings are priced at £120 per room and £75 per room for Sunday bookings.

For more information on the exclusive package and to make a reservation visit www.thecairncollection.co.uk/special-offers/seasonal-breaks/tour-the-toon/ or call 0191 232 0781.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Cairn Group .