Northumbria Culture and Character

Northumbrians are people who enjoy other people; who have learned to adapt cheerfully to change - and who never miss the chance of a good time! Perhaps that’s why the region’s artistic, sporting and cultural life is so rich....Take a look at what’s happening in Northumbria....

A new Artistic Age

In 1998, worldwide publicity greeted The Angel of the North - the impressive sculpture which gazes silently south from Gateshead. In many ways, this symbolises an artistic awakening that has been taking shape across the region, and there is now much to inspire the culturally-motivated visitor to Northumbria. More recently, the National Glass Centre opened in Sunderland, bringing to the region the British focus for breathtaking glass-art exhibitions and hugely skilled crafts people ... all housed in a striking glass-clad building reflecting the River Wear.
Other great art collections and exhibition venues include the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle, Sunderland Art Gallery and the Josephine & John Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle.

Sporting Heroes

Sport is very important to the region - the rivalry between our three giant football clubs is the stuff of legend! There’s also county cricket at Chester-le-Street; horse racing at Sedgefield, Redcar, Hexham and Newcastle; athletics, rugby union and rugby league in Gateshead; the Great North Run (the World’s biggest half-marathon); and even a University boat race - just like the one on the Thames, but bonnier!

Theatrical Experiences

The Theatre Royal in Newcastle hosts annual seasons of the Royal Shakespeare Company and Scottish Opera, and other major plays and musicals feature in its year-round programme. Contemporary theatre is also well represented in the region. Newcastle Arena is a brand new 10,000 seater performance venue. Other celebrated venues include the Sunderland Empire, Newcastle Playhouse and Darlington Civic Theatre.

On the Town

Famous for partying (Newcastle is in the World’s Top 10 cities for nightlife!), Northumbrians know how to have a good night out. All the cities and large towns have a huge choice of cafes, bars, bistros and restaurants - some with a national reputation. There are also theatres, cinema and arts centres with excellent programmes in every major venue.

Festivals and Feasts

The region never passes up the chance of a party, and so there are dozens of festivals and feasts, old and new. For example, Alnwick Fair dates back to medieval times; North Shields' Window on the World Festival is only a few years old, but attracts thousands of people every year; and Stockton’s International Riverside Festival is one of Europe’s foremost performance arts events. Contrast these with Sunderland International Air Show, the Northumberland Plate horse race and the Hoppings Summer Fair for an idea of the vast range of entertainment in the region.
Other annual cultural events include Billingham International Folklore Festival, Newcastle Comedy Festival and Durham Literary Festival.

Food and Drink

Northumbria also has a distinctive gastronomic heritage - when you visit, you must remember to sample Craster Kippers, Redesdale Cheese, Lindisfarne Mead, Newcastle Brown Ale, North Shields Haddock, Pease Pudding, Tweed Salmon, Black Bullets and Stottie Bread... although perhaps not all in one sitting!

Shopping Ancient and Modern

Whether you’re a bargain hunter or a connoisseur, you can shop to your heart’s content here. For art and antiques, try the rural market towns like Corbridge or Barnard Castle; High Street fashions and designer clothes are available in all the large towns and cities, and in major shopping centres like Newcastle’s Eldon Square and Gateshead’s MetroCentre; and there are real bargains to be had at Outlet Shopping Centres like Royal Quays at North Shields.