Newcastle is the most populous city in the North East of England and has an illustrious industrial history. From coal mining to shipbuilding, Newcastle is famed as a former hub of exports and manufacturing. Today, the city’s economic landscape is one based on retail and leisure, but there's more than meets the eye within this true northern gem. Join us as we countdown 14 things you didn’t know about Newcastle.
14. The Newcastle Name
Newcastle (or as it was known during its Roman occupation, Pons Aelius, or ‘Hadrian’s bridge’) has undergone several incarnations. Following the Romans’ departure of Britain, the town was referred to as ‘Munucceaster’, or ‘Monkchester’. But it was when a wooden castle was erected on the site in 1080 that the town became known as ‘Novem Castellum’ – or New Castle. Ironically, the castle in question was subsequently rebuilt twice. Modified remnants of the most recent incarnation can still be seen at Newcastle Castle, along with a detailed overview of broader Newcastle history.
13. Why does it rarely rain on me?
Contradicting the prevailing belief about northern cities, Newcastle isn’t actually all that rainy. Ranking below the likes of Coventry, Bristol, Oxford, Lincoln, Winchester, and many other ‘southern’ cities for annual rainfall, Newcastle bucks something of a northern trend. Why? Well, Newcastle exists in a ‘rain shadow’ cast by the Pennines – meaning that while the city receives less rain than you would expect, it does get very chilly.
12. Neoclassical Novelty
Newcastle’s economic boom – brought about by the Industrial Revolution - led to renewed investment in city construction. To signify Newcastle’s newfound wealth, several buildings sporting Neo-classical architecture (a style increasingly popular at the time) were constructed in the city in the early part of the nineteenth century. Key examples of Neo-classical buildings in the city include Moot Hall, All Saints’ Church, and the Literary and Philosophical Society headquarters.
11. Scott Legacy
Famous film director Ridley Scott has close ties with Newcastle. Although technically Ridley was born in South Shields – a coastal town near Newcastle – the Scott family has more than one reason to appear in our list of Newcastle facts. Ridley’s great uncle, Dixon Scott, began the family film legacy by opening the Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle in the 1930s – which still stands to this day.
10. A tunnel runs through it
Victoria Tunnel, the city’s underground wagonway, is a fascinating insight into Newcastle history. Built for transporting coal underground to the River Tyne for export, the tunnel’s incline allowed loaded wagons to travel its complete length under their own weight. Unfortunately, bringing the wagons back required a lot of rope-hauling. Although the tunnel closed in 1860, it found further use during World War II when it was used as an air-raid shelter – which brings us nicely to the next in our list of things you didn’t know about Newcastle.
9. Newcastle was Blitzed in WWII
Newcastle’s manufacturing prowess made it an important bombing target of Nazi Germany in the Second World War. It was primarily Newcastle’s shipbuilding capacity, docks and rail links that made the city a key target, like many other northern cities including Manchester and Liverpool. After the war, the city experienced an acceleration in housebuilding to redevelop its destroyed housing stock.
8. Newcastle’s new things
Innovation runs through Newcastle’s history, though you may not know it. Mosley Street was the first in the UK to be lit by electric light when inventor Joseph Swan (from nearby Sunderland) tested his incandescent lamp there in 1879. Furthermore, Newcastle United’s official photographer invented the windscreen wiper after driving back from the FA Cup Final in London in 1908 in the snow. However, it was an American patent version of the wiper that went on to be manufactured and become the version we use today.
7. A city of firsts
There are many more ‘firsts’ Newcastle is famed for. From having the world’s first covered train station (it does rain sometimes!) to a combined road and rail bridge (still in operation) Newcastle has been a trendsetter for hundreds of years. The city’s cathedral also doubled as a lighthouse of sorts for centuries – with its lantern tower acting as a navigation point for ships.
6. A bridge between continents
Newcastle’s iconic Tyne Bridge is as identifiably Geordie as Newcastle Brown Ale. But what you probably didn’t know is that this bridge has a near-twin on the other side of the world. Sydney’s Harbour Bridge is much larger but notably similar in design. This is because both bridges were constructed by the world-famous engineering firm Mott, Hay and Anderson.
5. The Geordie Story
The term ‘Geordie’ can refer to both natives of Newcastle and the Newcastle dialect – but where does the term come from? There are multiple theories, including the notion that ‘George’ was such a popular name amongst Newcastle coal miners that it became synonymous with Newcastle residents. Similarly, another theory suggests the term comes from the miners’ safety-lamp commonly used by miners – named after its inventor George Stephenson. A final theory stipulates that the city’s prevailing support for George I and George II during the Jacobite risings in the 1800s distinguished Newcastle’s residents from others in the region who supported the Stuarts, and so the term ‘Geordie’ became popularised.
4. Geordie grazers
Newcomers to the city in Spring and Autumn might be surprised to find cattle grazing on the city’s green spaces. One of our stranger Newcastle facts, the tradition of communal cattle grazing on Newcastle’s Leazes Park and Town Moor can be traced back to the thirteenth century. The cheaper rates afforded by this ancient custom continue to attract farmers and their cows to this day, so keep an eye out for a bovine buddy on your next visit.
3. Beverage Heritage
Of all the things you didn’t know about Newcastle, this one may surprise you the most. While ‘Lucozade’ may seem like a modern creation, the drink was actually invented in a shop on Newcastle’s Barras Bridge in 1927. William Owen originally intended the drink to provide an energy boost for those suffering from illness – appropriately naming the syrupy concoction ‘Glucozade’.
2. Goal oriented
No list of things you didn’t know about Newcastle would be complete without a few Newcastle facts for the football fans among you. Newcastle’s official football club, Newcastle United, has ranked up an impressive tally of accolades since its creation in the late 1800s. Perhaps the team’s most famous player, Alan Shearer, became the first player ever to score 100 Premier League goals. He also holds the record for most goals scored in the League – totalling an impressive 260.
1. Night Life
Newcastle is often considered to have the best nightlife in the UK. For instant action when on business in Newcastle, look no further than the Diamond Strip, with its impressive array of bars, pubs, and clubs. If you’d rather get away from the bustling student-filled streets, you can always head to the Quayside for a more sophisticated affair. Here you can find some of the best bars and restaurants in the city, making it a perfect spot for a business meeting.
Now that you’re loaded up on facts about ‘The Toon’, you’re more than ready to book your next business trip to the city. Browse our complete portfolio of Newcastle serviced apartments and arrange your stay with SilverDoor.
