Newcastle area guide
Grainger Town Newcastle for couples
Grainger Town is the grand, honey-coloured heart of Newcastle, built around Grey Street and Grey's Monument. This guide covers how to spend a slow day there together, where to eat and drink, whether it makes a good base and how a weekend here might flow.
- Around Grey's Monument
- Theatre Royal nights
- Long lunches for two
The area
What is Grainger Town like for couples?
For couples, Grainger Town is Newcastle at its most elegant. Its long sandstone terraces curve down Grey Street from Grey's Monument towards the river, and the whole area is made for wandering slowly with nowhere in particular to be.
It feels calmer and more grown-up than the Bigg Market, even though the two are only a few minutes apart. By day you have the Grainger Market and Central Arcade to browse, and by night the Theatre Royal and the restaurants fill the old buildings with a warm glow. If you like your romance with good food and a bit of grandeur, this is a natural place to spend the weekend.
Grainger Town at a glance
- Grey Street curves downhill from Grey's Monument.
- The Grainger Market and Central Arcade are lovely for a browse.
- The Theatre Royal sits halfway down Grey Street.
- Central Station and the Quayside are both a short walk away.
By day
Daytime in Grainger Town for two
The best days here are unhurried, with plenty of stops for coffee and no fixed plan.
The Grainger Market
This covered Victorian market is full of food stalls and small traders. Wander the aisles together and pick up something sweet to take back to the room.
Central Arcade
The arcade is a tiled Edwardian passage just off Grey Street. Its glazed tiles and glass roof make it one of the prettiest corners of the city.
A long lunch
Choose a table by the window, order a glass of wine and let lunch run on as long as it likes. There is no school run waiting and no reason to hurry back.
After dark
Where should you eat and drink in the evening?
Grainger Town has a strong mix of restaurants, from relaxed bistros to smart dining rooms inside the old stone buildings. Book a table for around seven and ask for a quiet corner rather than a seat by the door.
Dinner before the theatre
An early dinner near Grey Street leaves time for a show at the Theatre Royal. Holding hands in the dark through the second half is still one of life's simple pleasures.
A slow glass of wine
Many of the bars here are made for sitting rather than shouting. Find a window seat and let the evening drift while the street lights come on outside.
Late cocktails nearby
If you want more of a buzz, Collingwood Street is a few minutes' walk away. You can dance late and still have a short walk back to bed.
Where to stay
Is Grainger Town a good place to stay?
For many couples it is the best base in Newcastle. You are a short walk from the station and the river, and most streets are noticeably calmer after midnight than the Bigg Market. Several hotels here sit in grand old buildings with high ceilings and big windows, which suits a weekend where the room matters.
Streets near the edge of the area can still pick up weekend noise, so we ask for a room at the back or on a higher floor. We also request a late check-out where the hotel offers it. Our romantic hotels page explains how we choose rooms, and room styling can add petals and LED candles within house rules.
Why couples base themselves here
- Dinner, shopping and the theatre are all on the doorstep.
- Most streets are calmer at night than the nightlife strip.
- Central Station is close for an easy arrival.
- The Quayside is a stroll downhill for a riverside evening.
Getting around
Getting around from Grey Street
Grainger Town is in the middle of everything. Central Station is a short walk, the Quayside is at the bottom of Grey Street and Collingwood Street is a few minutes away. Jesmond is a quick Metro ride from the centre, and the coast is about half an hour away for a Sunday by the sea. You will rarely need a taxi, except perhaps for the climb back up from the Quayside after dinner.
A day for two
A sample Saturday in Grainger Town
This is one way to spend a slow Saturday, and we adjust it to suit you.
- 10am
Breakfast in no hurry
Order breakfast to the room if the hotel offers it, or wander out for coffee on Grey Street when you are ready.
- 11.30am
Market and arcade
Browse the Grainger Market, then drift through Central Arcade and up to Grey's Monument.
- 1pm
A long lunch
Settle in somewhere with big windows and a good wine list, and let it take as long as it takes.
- 3pm
Back to the room
The afternoon belongs to the two of you. Nobody is knocking on the door, so make the most of the big bed.
- 6pm
Dinner before a show
Dress up and head out for an early dinner a few steps from the Theatre Royal.
- 7.30pm
The Theatre Royal
Enjoy a show in one of the city's most handsome buildings, then stroll back along Grey Street.
- 10.30pm
A nightcap and bed
Finish with one last drink, then head upstairs. You won't need the alarm in the morning.
Questions
Common questions about Grainger Town weekends for two
Is Grainger Town quiet enough for a good night's sleep?
Most of it is, especially on the side streets and higher floors. The edges nearest the Bigg Market can be busier at weekends, so we request a quiet room for you.
How far is Grainger Town from Central Station?
It is a short walk, slightly uphill. Most couples walk from the train with their bags, and a taxi is easy if you would rather not.
Can you plan the weekend around a show?
Yes. Tell us what you would like to see when you ask for a quote, and we will time dinner and the rest of the evening around it.
Is Grainger Town good for a first weekend away?
It is a great choice, because everything is close and there is always something to do between dinner and bed. Our guide to a first weekend away has more ideas for a new couple.
Start planning
Ready to plan your dirty weekend?
Send us your dates and a few wishes using the quote form. We will reply with a tailored plan for the two of you, a clear price and honest advice on where to stay and eat in Newcastle.