Car Rental Newcastle

Driving your rental car in Newcastle upon Tyne is easy enough to do, once you get used to driving on the left.

Typically, you’ll find that the speed limits – signed here in miles per hour (mph) – will be 30mph (48km/h) within the city centre and other built-up areas, unless otherwise indicated.

Out of the city, on the highways, the limits can vary – but are often 60mph (96km/h) on rural roads and 70mph (112km/h) on motorways and dual-carriageways. Newcastle upon Tyne is well connected, and located close to other major towns and cities such as Gateshead, Sunderland and Durham. 

With a rental car in Newcastle upon Tyne at your disposal, take the opportunity to drive across the iconic Tyne Bridge, and explore the attractions along the river such as the contemporary Sage Gateshead music venue.

Not far away, on the A1 highway, you’ll find the famous Angel of the North. This iconic structure is a proud symbol of the north of England, and can be seen towering over the landscape. Crafted out of 200 tons of steel by notable British sculpture Antony Gormley, the journey should take you around 15 minutes depending on traffic, with parking on site, just off the A1 near Lamesley.

If you have an extended amount of time in Newcastle upon Tyne, why not take a short drive to the beach? The splendid resort of Tynemouth lies 25 minutes to the east, while the Durham Heritage Coast is only a 40-minute drive south-east from Newcastle via the A184 and the A19 highway.

With rugged cliffs, wild beaches and sandy dunes to admire, there are a number of fantastic walking routes that overlook the windswept North Sea.

With a proud heritage, rich contemporary culture and wide breadth of museums and galleries to enjoy, Newcastle upon Tyne is a great place to explore.

See the fantastic sights at your own pace, and take in all the city has to offer 

Visit sublime art galleries

Newcastle has become a cosmopolitan hub and hosts a number of renowned creative attractions – often in former industrial spaces. The BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art can be found on the Quayside and is housed inside a 1950s flour mill, which has since lent artists a unique and impressive venue to showcase their work.

Hosting 2,600 square metres of art, here you can enjoy a wide range of mediums, from sculpture and film, to paintings and textiles. The BALTIC has previously held the 2011 Turner Prize exhibition, and is well-regarded throughout the UK.

Another great gallery to explore is Northern Print, based in Ouseburn Valley. This unique museum was founded in 1994 and holds a host of contemporary art illustrations and prints. With a studio, gift store and gallery inside, there’s a lot to see. As well as giving you background on the history and process of printing, you can also take a masterclass and try it out yourself.

Discover the city’s history

In the centre of the city, overlooking the banks of the River Tyne, you’ll find the dominating sight of Newcastle’s medieval fortress. This Norman stone stronghold was built between 1168 and 1178, and was once at the centre of historic turmoil – used as a prison, army base and execution site.

The castle you can visit today is made up of the well-preserved keep and the 13th-century Black Gate. Visit to learn more about its dark and grisly past, and to explore the grounds. The top of the keep offers a great vantage point out across the river and down into the central district.

Near to Newcastle Castle is the impressive St Nicholas Cathedral. This was first constructed in the 1000s but has since been rebuilt in a number of different architectural styles. Visit to see the 14th-century interior and imposing Century Lantern Tower, which was built during the 15th century. Take a walk through the Cathedral to admire the stone arches and the stained-glass windows of saints and scenes from history.

Stroll through Jesmond Dene Park

Newcastle upon Tyne is not just a city bound by its industrial and medieval past – it has incorporated an element of nature into its cityscape too.

The Jesmond Dene Park is a flourishing green space with a great walking trail, sprawling from Paddy Freeman’s Park in South Gosforth into Heaton Park in Jesmond Vale, continuing with the Ouseburn river. 

The natural space was conceived in 1866 to replace a connecting hive of water and corn mills. Given to the city by Lord Armstrong, who wanted to create a retreat for city residents, the park still offers solace for locals and visitors alike. Follow the path through the woodland, past the bubbling brooks and idyllic waterfalls.

From art to nature and the remnants of the past, car rental in Newcastle upon Tyne is a great way to get around – and see all that this fantastic region has to offer.