About the Area
Information about the area around Kingston Park and the Newcastle area
Hospitality
Kingston Park is well served by bars and food outlets, although the queues can still get long at times. There are three ‘public’ bars (as opposed to corporate bars at the top of the West Stand). However, it should be noted that when you have entered the ground (through the turnstiles) you can only go into the bar in the stand you have purchased a ticket for, except if your ticket is for the North Stand where you can use the facilities in the West Stand concourse. After the game, you can meet in any bar around the stadium.
East Stand Clubhouse (The 'HIDING PLACE'):
This is now a public bar and many supporters who have tickets for varying locations around the ground, meet up there for a drink before the game.
Drinks: John Smiths/ Guinness / Fosters Lager / Cider/Soft Drinks
South Stand Bar: Covered Terracing
Large concrete heated cavern.
Location for Supporters Club Stand prior to the match, and a popular meeting place for home and away supporters.
Televisions broadcast rugby and football matches.
Drinks: John Smiths Guinness / Fosters Lager / Cider /Soft Drinks / Hot Drinks
Food: Hog Roast (Pork / Beef), Burgers, Chips, Vegetarian food
West Stand Bar: Covered Seating Area (Including Corporate And Hospitality Suites)
Gigantic concrete cavern.
Location for Man of the Match presentation, Supporters Club and other post-match presentations. This is also the venue for post-match entertainment provided by a singer or band.
Drinks: John Smiths/Guinness / Fosters Lager / Cider /Soft Drinks / Hot Drinks
Food: Hog Roast (Pork / Beef), Burger, Chips, Vegetarian food
Local Hostelries
Whilst Newcastle is well served by good hostelries, there is only one reasonably close to Kingston Park. Fortunately it is a good one.
The Twin Farms
Located a few hundred metres from the ground, on the road between Kenton to Newcastle Airport, the illusion is perfect: cobbled yard, dry stone walling, York stone flags, country garden … a pub cleverly converted from an old farm.
In fact, Twin Farms is newly constructed on the site of an old farm to create rather more than simply a pub. Think dinner, think Costa coffee, think superb bar menu, then add a rural twist. A designer pub, yes. A quality eating place, yes. A place to talk in and talk about, yes. And you can still get a decent pint! A real jewel in the crown.
The Twin Farms has an extensive beer list, including many guest ales, and a varied food menu.
On match days there is another benefit: you can park in the car park for a fee, which is deducted from your food bill.
Accommodation
Newcastle is one of the most lively cities in the UK, with a night life second to none. If you want to stay and enjoy the sights and sounds of Newcastle, and the wonderful surrounding county and coastal scenery, including Hadrian’s Wall, Durham City, the ‘Angel of the North’ and the Metro Centre in Gateshead, then there is plenty of accommodation available to suit every pocket.
Examples include:
Newcastle Marriott Hotel Metro Centre
A 4 star hotel, conveniently located just off A1 (M) and five minutes walk from the Metro Centre, shopping and leisure development, with a health club, restaurants and bar, and 148 rooms
Copthorne Hotel Newcastle
Another 4 star hotel with 156 rooms, located by the Quayside, in the city centre.
Malmaison
Classic, contemporary hotel, with traditional French Brasserie and Bar on the Quayside opposite BALTIC, The Centre for Contemporary Art and the Gateshead Millennium Bridge. Weekend rates available upon request.
Osbourne Hotel, Jesmond
Well-appointed hotel, close to city centre, with 14 single rooms, 8 double/twin rooms and 2 family rooms.
Jesmond Park Hotel
A clean and friendly 3 star hotel, close to the city centre and offering a good English breakfast.
Novotel
A good mid-range hotel on the A167 a mile from Kingston Park. Less expensive but comfortable rooms
Local Attractions
Newcastle's 300-plus pubs, restaurants and night clubs packed into a spectacular square mile have earned it the accolade of being eighth best party city in the world by American tour experts Weissman Travel.
However, as well as the nightlife, there are many other attractions in and around Newcastle: after all, Newcastle has a fine architectural legacy dating from the 12th century, including the six bridges that span the River Tyne, and the Grainger Town area of classical buildings from the 1830's, 60% of them listed. This includes the building that holds Newcastle Central Station, which was shown in the recent BBC 1 series ‘How Britain was Built’.
There are plenty of opportunities to take in theatre, ballet and live music in the historic Theatre Royal, the 10,000-seater Newcastle Metro Radio Arena and another 30 performance art venues, capable between them of staging events, comedy and dance festivals that draw the biggest names.
If shopping is your scene, Eldon Square and Northumberland Street are both in the top ten for turnover in retail centres nationally, and then there is the Metro Centre in Gateshead.
Attractions include:
The Quayside
The artistic and commercial centre of Newcastle and Gateshead. In close proximity you will find the Tyne Bridge (like the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but better), the Gateshead ‘Blinking Eye’ Millennium Bridge, BALTIC, The Sage Building, Centre for Contemporary Art and a Sunday Market.
The Metro Centre
When built the biggest indoor shopping mall in Europe. Developed by former miner, Sir John Hall, who made a fortune and moved into Wynyard Hall, former home of mine owner Lord Londonderry. More importantly, he provided the funds that established the Newcastle Falcons and brought Rob Andrew to the club.
The Angel of the North
An amazing metal sculpture by Antony Gormley that dominates the skyline and which, thanks to its location alongside the A1, is seen by millions of people every single day.
Hadrian's Wall
A slightly older construction than Kingston Park but built with the same purpose, to house warriors and repel invaders. Designated a World Heritage Site in 1987, the wall is the best known frontier in the entire Roman Empire and the most important monument built by the Romans in Britain.
Further afield you can reach a second World Heritage Site, Durham Cathedral, as well as the impressive countryside and coastal scenery of three National Parks – Northumbria, the North Yorkshire Moors, and the Yorkshire Dales.