Campervan rental near Newcastle upon Tyne

Motorhome Rental Newcastle

Officially known as Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle is the biggest city in the northeast of England. It is named after the Norman castle found by the main railway station, which was constructed during the reign of William the Conqueror almost 1,000 years ago. For many years one of the UK’s industrial powerhouses, today Newcastle has undergone a massive renaissance, with a revitalized riverside and a nightlife rated as one of the best in Europe.

Beyond the bright lights of the city, Newcastle is also never far from the quintessential English countryside. In fact, motorhome hire in Newcastle is able to explore the rugged Northumbria coast, the natural beauty of the internationally-celebrated Kielder Water lakefront, and the fascinating finds of Hadrian’s Wall. One of Europe’s most impressive Roman remains, it cuts its way through beautiful market towns such as Hexham and Heddon-on-the-Wall, as well as offering some of the finest vistas anywhere in the north of England.

Getting to Newcastle

Newcastle is located on the north bank of the River Tyne, on the northeast coast of England. It is just 30 minutes from the border with Scotland. Approximately 450 km north of London, it is linked with the capital by the A1 road. Newcastle International Airport is the region’s main hub and sees regular flights from airlines including British Airways, Emirates, Air France and easyJet linking Newcastle with more than 90 destinations internationally. As an example of flight times, the journey to Paris with Air France takes less than two hours. Newcastle railway station, sometimes called Newcastle Central, is a major stop on the East Coast mainline between London and Edinburgh. As a result, trains depart London King’s Cross for Newcastle roughly every 30 minutes. The journey lasts no more than three hours.

Parking in Newcastle

The city council operates eight multi-storey car parks across central Newcastle, including the Morden Street and Ellison Place car parks. Further out, motorhome rental in Newcastle can opt for on-road parking bays. These can usually be found on residential side streets, and work on a ‘pay and display’ basis. Spaces are first-come-first-served. You should purchase a ticket for a given number of hours before leaving your vehicle. Often parking is limited to a maximum of six to eight hours. However, to encourage stays in the city centre, some multi-storey car parks offer free parking after 5 pm from Monday to Saturday. Spaces generally cost around £1/hour.

Annual Events in Newcastle

• The Hoppings, Newcastle Town Moor, June: The largest gathering of travelling fairs in Europe, its theme park-style rides operate for nine days. Entry is free, rides cost from £3.
  
• Great North Run, Newcastle to South Shields, September: The biggest half-marathon in the world, this race welcomes 60,000 runners and flypasts by the Red Arrows aerial display team. Entry for runners costs £60.
  
• Newcastle Mela, late August: A two-day celebration of the city’s southeast Asian links. Expect, colour, noise and plenty of delicious food. Free.

Camping in Newcastle

• Old Hartley Caravan and Motorhome Club Site, Whitley Bay: A delightfully laid-back site right on the Northumbria coastline. From £17/night.
  
• Bryeside Caravan Park: About one hour from central Newcastle, Bryeside is great for getting outdoors since it’s adjacent to walking trails and cycle routes. Pitches start at £20/night.
  
• The High Hermitage: Located close to Hadrian’s Wall amid spectacular scenery, this is a peaceful spot on the River Tyne west of Newcastle. From £24/night.