... Spectacular because of the seven bridges (some more famous than others) which span the river Tyne from Newcastle on the North side to Gateshead on the South side and for a whole host of other attractions.
The quayside is within easy walking distance (ten mins) of the City Centre, but be ... Read review
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Advantages: stylish Disadvantages: It's cold most of the year
...others) which span the river Tyne from Newcastle on the North side to Gateshead on the South side and for a whole host of other attractions.
The quayside is within easy walking distance (ten mins) of the City Centre, but be warned it is a steap uphill walk on the way back! There are many routes by foot and if you are willing to explore I suggest you try some of the steep windings stairways that run down from the City at various points. ... ...
The Tyne Bridge:
******************
The green steal arch of the Tyne bridge is the most prominent of all the bridges that span the Tyne and also the most famous. It is a classic symbol of Newcastle and of the North East.
The bridge was finished in 1928 and opened by their Majesties King George V and Queen Mary on the 9th October. It was designed by Mott, Hay and Anderson, M.M.Inst.C.E. of London and ... more
Febuary 2006.
The Quayside. ***************
I have now lived in Newcastle for the last 2 and a half years and I can assure you that within this wonderful City there is no nicer place then the Quayside. Spectacular because of the seven bridges (some more famous than others) which span the river Tyne from Newcastle on the North side to Gateshead on the South side and for a whole host of other attractions.
The quayside is within easy walking distance (ten mins) of the City Centre, but be warned it is a steap uphill walk on the way back! There are many routes by foot and if you are willing to explore I suggest you try some of the steep windings stairways that run down from the City at various points. There are also buses which run from Newcastle City Centre to the Quayside. The nearest metro station is in the City (Momument or Central Station) so you'll have to walk or jump on a bus from there.
The quayside has undergone considerable regeneration work in the last decade and it has paid off. What was once a busy industrial port is now a stylish and funky part of the city, adorned by a number of great bars, restaurants and hotels. These include the Pictcher and Piano, Heart Break Soup (I have written reviews on both of these exceptional places to eat), the Mal Maison hotel, the Hilton hotel, Lloyds Bar and the Slug and Lettuce, amongst many others.
Additionally, on the Gateshead side there is The Baltic. An old flour mill which holds the largest permanent (but always changing), collection contemporary art in Europe. Entry is free and even if art isn't your thing, it is worth taking a trip to the top floor to take in the fabulous view of the quayside. It is one of my favourite ever views and I try to head up there as often as possible.
Also on the Gateshead side is the recently built (Dec 2004) SAGE music centre. This glass encased armadillo shaped architectural masterpiece stands proud on the quayside, it is a spectacular sight.
On Sundays there is a market held along the waterside and the quayside is host to many special, although occasional events, such as the Tall Ships Race.
Now that I have sold the virtues of the quayside in general here is a little bit about each of the bridges:
The Tyne Bridge: ******************
The green steal arch of the Tyne bridge is the most prominent of all the bridges that span the Tyne and also the most famous. It is a classic symbol of Newcastle and of the North East. The bridge was finished in 1928 and opened by their Majesties King George V and Queen Mary on the 9th October. It was designed by Mott, Hay and Anderson, M.M.Inst.C.E. of London and built by Dorman, Long and Co., Ltd of Middlesbrough. At the time of its completion it was the largest single span in the world and the Sydney Harbour bridge was modelled on the Tyne Bridge. The bridge carries traffic along the City Central Motorway and can also be walked across. The views from up here are wonderful and an additional feature are the old style lamp lights which span the lenght and add a lovely traditional touch. Check out http://www.tynebridgewebcam.com/history.htm for some fascinating old pictures taken during the bridges construction.
The Swing Bridge. ********************
Built by Armstrong and opened in 1876 this hydraulically-operated swivel mechanism was built to allow taller fixed-mast vessels to reach further upstream.
The High Level Bridge. *************************
The High Level Bridge was bridge was built in 1849 in conjunction with the opening of the Central railway Station in Newcastle, and for the first time linked Newcastle with London by rail (previously, trains stopped at Gateshead). In addition to the railway, the lower deck of this bridge carries a roadway - another innovation of its day. This bridge is currently undergoing constructions works.
The Millennium Bridge. *************************
The millennium bridge is my personal favourite but it's a close call against the Tyne Bridge. This The 130ft long bridge is the worlds first rotating bridge which can swing upwards on huge hinges to allow boats to pass underneath on ocassion. I have only seen the bridges rotation a couple of times. The best time to catch it is on a Sunday afternoon. Because of the unique shape of the bridge it has become known as the 'blinking eye' to the locals. It is a foot and cycle bridge which leads directly from the Pitcher and Piano to the Baltic Gallery. The bridge was designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects and engineers Gifford and Partners, it cost 22million pounds and was partially funded by money raised by the National Lottery for the Millennium Commission. The bridge was finally lifted into place on November 20th 2000. The bridge best feature is the amazing lighting system. In the evening the top arch gradually changes colour from reds, blues, purples, greens, yellows etc. It is this feature which is what everyone loves and makes the bridge unique.
The remaining bridges are more functional affairs.
The King Edward VII bridge. ******************************
Provided more capacity for the expanding railway system.
The Queen Elizabeth II bridge. *********************************
Marked the transition from goods to passenger traffic on the rail system. Today this is the main metro bridge, the service which connects Newcastle to the surrounding locality.
The Redheugh road bridge. ******************************
Replaced an earlier bridge and is intended to distribute traffic away from the city centre.
Check out http://www.tynebridgewebcam.com/ or http://www.14theweb.co.uk/webcam/webcam2.html for webcam footage of the briges in all their glory!
There are also a further 15 bridges which cross the river Tyne upstream, but I only thought it relevant to discuss those which make up the Quayside.
Summary. ***********
When I first visited Newcastle it was the quayside which sold the City to me and led to our eventual relocation 'Up North'. Newcastle is a wonderful up and coming City and the recent regeneration of the quayside stands in testiment to this. If you ever get a chance to visit I recommend that you jump at the chance!
Advantages: The look good and are functional Disadvantages: Rush Hour
...seventh bridge to span the Tyne between Gateshead and Newcastle.
The Tyne Bridge, also known as the coat hanger bridge is by far the most famous, and in 1969 The Nice were commissioned to write a piece of music which became the “Five Bridges Suite” for some arts event in Newcastle at the time. The piece was scored by Keith Emerson later of Emerson, Lake & Palmer fame, who produced a halfway decent sub Aaron Copland piece conduct by Joseph ... ...into Newcastle, along with the Tyne Bridge.
~~The King Edward VII Bridge:
This bridge was built in 1906, by Cleveland Bridge of Darlington, to provide more capacity for the expanding railway system. It is an Iron structure built on concrete pillars.
~~The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge
This carries the Metro Line over the Tyne and is constructed from steel.
~~The High Level Bridge Built in 1849 in conjunction with the opening of the Central Station ...
mikeydred 01.07.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Tyne Bridges (Newcastle)
Advantages: The world's first rotating, winking bridge Disadvantages: Not open for another six months
...bridge was floated up the Tyne to it's final position between the Pitcher and Piano bar on Newcastle Quayside and the former Baltic Flour Mills as part of the Gateshead Quays developments. The movement of the bridge was a bit of an attraction, with the world's second largest floating crane towering over all around it as it moved from Wallsend to the centre of Newcastle.
This is the first step in a massive project to rejuvenate the southern bank ... ...matching that of the famous Tyne Bridge (which was built as a prototype of the Sydney Harbour Bridge), along with a gracefully curving foot/cycle path. These two curves will rotate upwards, like an upper eye-lid to let boats pass underneath, with the reflection in the water forming the lower lid and giving the impression of an eye winking.
Perhaps it's a little early to start flocking to the Quayside to see the new bridge alone, but if you're in ...
pitviper 11.12.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Tyne Bridges (Newcastle)
Advantages: it's a bridge Disadvantages: it's a bridge
...bridge was floated up the Tyne to its final position. There had been a few failed attempts and logistical problem because of adverse weather conditions but it got there.
It spans the Tyne between the Pitcher and Piano Bar on the Quayside (where the sunday market is held) and what was the Baltic Flour Mills. This is all part of the Gateshead Quays redevelopment. Getting the bridge into position was an interesting sight as the world's second largest ... ...Wallsend.
The bridge itself is supposed to represent a winking eye with two curves rotating upwards as ships pass underneath and the water being visible inbetween just like an eye. It sounds beautiful but I have never seen it looking quite so magnificent. Perhaps if I saw this spectacle on a bright sunny day I might be more convinced about its aesthetic value.
Beauty, as the saying goes, is in the eye of the beholder, and my eye certainly hasn't ...
janharper 24.05.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Tyne Bridges (Newcastle)
Advantages: Very Well Built and safe Disadvantages: None
...which was deployed across the tyne in September of last year by the second biggest floating crane in the world The Hercules 2. It was designed like an blinking eye because when the bottom part of the bridge moves up allowing boats to pass under it, it looks like and eye lid moving upwards opening the eye when the bridge opens the river and when it moves down it is like the eye closing. Also the bridge is shaped like an eye, like a V shape. Next the ... ...it looks like a miniturized tyne version of the Tyne. The next pass over bridge which was built to give some relief to the Scotswood bridge which was closed for 5 years for strengthening. The tyne bridge is by far the most well known. For the people who dont know, the Tyne bridge is like a smaller version of the Sydney bridge although the Tyne bridge was built 1st. There are two bridges that are for the train line and the metro line. And last but ...
aph87 19.07.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Tyne Bridges (Newcastle)
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